Release (Iris Series)

by Lynn, Rebecca

  Minutes later, they pulled up outside her apartment, and Armand paid the cab driver, while she got out of the car.

  “Thank you,” she murmured, when he joined her at the curb. “I’ll be fine, Armand. Thank you for seeing me home, but you really do need to get back,” she said, still a bit shocky.

  “No I don’t. My responsibility is done for the evening. I’m staying here with you, and I won’t take no for an answer, bella.” She was a zombie, and didn’t have the energy to argue with him.

  What was it with all of these men who couldn’t take no for an answer, she thought angrily. Why had Jeremy pursued her anyway, when it was clear he didn’t want exclusivity? Apparently, he only wanted her to be exclusive. But he could play around? She was so fucking furious...and hurt. How could he do this to her?

  Armand walked in and nodded at the doorman.

  Ryann looked up at George, and blinked away her tears.

  “Ms. Thornton,” George said, apparently noting her expression, because he then said with concern, “Are you alright?” She must’ve looked a wreck.

  “Yes, thank you,” she whispered.

  They got on the elevator, and Armand turned to cup her elbow. “Which floor, bella?”

  She looked at him, as if just realizing he was there for the first time. She blinked. “Umm. Five. Fifth floor.”

  He punched the number, and the car climbed the floors. When the doors opened, he led her out. “Which way?”

  Ryann turned and walked toward her apartment, the realization now hitting her that Armand was with her. She had to get rid of him. She needed…she needed to be alone. Away from him.

  She stopped in front of her door, and looked up at the handsome Italian man who had made his interest known early on.

  “Where’s your key, bella? Let’s get you inside.”

  “Armand, I really do appreciate you seeing me home, but I need some rest, and would like to be alone.”

  A flash of annoyance passed over his face, but was quickly replaced with an expression of sympathy.

  “Ryann, you’ve been through some sort of shock. Although I don’t know what happened, I’m sure Jeremy is at the center of it. Now, open the door, and let me take care of you,” he purred. “I promise you won’t regret it... I just want to comfort you.”

  He leaned in and kissed her neck. Really? He really thought at this moment she wanted him to make the moves on her?

  She felt nausea rise in her throat.

  Ryann put up her hand and pressed his chest, gently pushing him back. “Armand. I mean it. Thank you for seeing me home, but this is as far as it goes.”

  He looked her in the eyes with an icy glare, which quickly turned to heat. She felt a moment of fear, and realized perhaps she shouldn’t have underestimated his determination.

  “He’s thrown you away, Ryann. He’s completely taken you for granted. I could help you get over him, bella. Very quickly,” he whispered, taunting her.

  She swallowed. He was presenting a way to get back at Jeremy for the pain he had caused her. As much as Ryann wished she could play that game, it wasn’t her way. Nor did she have any desire to pursue anything with Armand. She needed him gone. She needed to be alone.

  “Please, Armand. I’m asking you to respect my wishes and go.”

  He paused, and clenched his jaw. “If you insist, Ryann. You have my card. Don’t hesitate to call when you change your mind.”

  She wouldn’t be changing her mind, but she didn’t tell him that.

  “Allow me to at least see you safely inside. Do you have your key?”

  She sighed. She reached into her bag, got out her key, and unlocked her door. Before walking in, she turned back to him and thanked him again.

  He bowed slightly to her, and walked down the hall.

  She walked inside, and bolted the door closed, then dropped her head back onto the door, and let out a shaky breath. She let the tears flow, as she sank to the floor and hugged her knees.

  She sobbed, and thought of her mom. How on earth had she survived her father leaving her? She was the most courageous woman she knew, a person who could still believe that love was worth it, despite having that love ripped away from her when her father had left. How could her mother still believe it was worth it after the pain her father had caused her?

  Losing Brent wasn’t the same. He hadn’t chosen to leave her. This. This seemed so much more painful. If what she was feeling was a fraction of what her mom had felt, Ryann couldn’t understand why her mother had ever gotten married again.

  Ryann paused, and in a moment of clarity, she knew what she had to do.

  Five minutes later, overnight bag in hand, she was out the door.

  …..

  It was approaching the 11 o’clock hour when Ryann stepped off the train at Union Station in New Haven, Connecticut. She entered the main area, and saw the face she had been waiting to see.

  Riley Fiona Campbell Russo was still an attractive woman. Curly red hair, big blue eyes, and a curvy figure dressed in comfortable sweats. And at that moment, there wasn’t a sight more beautiful in the world.

  They walked quickly to meet each other, then hugged tightly. Both were independent women, but Ryann had always thought her mother was the most courageous woman in the world. Forever positive, she was known for pushing through life’s adversity with a smile on her face and a spring in her step.

  Riley gave Ryann the once over, noting her cocktail dress and heels, and said quietly, “Looks like we’re both dirty stay-outs tonight, luv. But you’re certainly better dressed for the occasion.”

  Riley saw the sadness in her daughter’s eyes, and wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “Come on, luv. Let’s get you home.”

  Ryann was quiet for the 15 minute ride to Hamden where her mother lived with her stepfather, Tony. When they got to her mom’s house, Riley led her upstairs and told her to put on her pjs to get ready for bed. Five minutes later, her mother knocked on the guest room door, and walked in.

  She found Ryann in bed still in her dress, tears quietly streaming down her face.

  Riley began stroking Ryann’s hair. “We’re going to talk it all out in the morning, Ree, and then we’re going to figure it out. You’ll see.”

  “You were wrong, Mom,” Ryann whispered.

  Riley paused. “About what, luv?”

  “Passion and love. It isn’t worth the risk.”

  Riley’s hand stilled in Ryann’s hair, then she wiped the tears away from her face. “It might not feel like that now, but it is, luv. It is.” Pause. “We’ll figure it all out in the morning. You need to get some sleep so you can think straight when we do. The morning always gives a new perspective.”

  She leaned down and kissed Ryann on the forehead, then got up and left, closing the door behind her.

  Ryann cried herself to sleep, convinced this was the first time her mother would be wrong.

  …..

  Ryann slept fitfully. At a little before six, she finally opened her eyes, trying to get her bearings. Then the despair hit her with such force, it nearly stopped her breath. She felt as if a weight was on her chest making it difficult to breathe.

  She had fallen asleep in her cocktail dress, so she despondently got up to use the bathroom, and changed into yoga pants and a t-shirt. Then, she went downstairs.

  She found her mom at the kitchen table with coffee and bagels. Riley had always been an early riser. Ryann sat down opposite her.

  Riley took one look at her, and said, “You didn’t sleep well, did you, luv?”

  Ryann shook her head. “Where’s Tony?”

  “He went out to get the paper. You ready for some coffee?”

  “Yes.”

  Her mom poured her a cup and put it in front of her, then sat back down. She looked at her daughter, and said, “Talk, Ree. Start at the beginning.”

  And she did. She told her everything. From the first time she saw Jeremy outside the Holland Tunnel, to Tabitha’s showing, and his connection to h
er former student, then the realization that he was on the board at the Institute, and the role his family played in it. She told her about the way he pursued her. She even told her about the sex. About the struggle she had with having someone after Brent, and how completely different the two men were in personality and prowess. She told her of the loss of his father, his carpentry, his past with women, the comments from Jennifer and Armand which fueled her insecurities of not being enough for him...but then Jeremy telling her she was the first woman to stay at his house.

  She told her of the distance he had shown in the last week, and the seemingly contradictory behavior he exhibited. That she had mistakenly fallen in love with this man who had tricked her into believing he was wonderful and perfect for her. She told her of the gala, and the moments with Tabitha. And then…she told her of the moment she found Jeremy with the woman, and the conversation she’d overheard….of the moment that propelled her to take a train to New Haven.

  Nearly 45 minutes had passed since she’d started talking. She cried through the whole telling, and when she was done, her mother passed her another tissue, and sat looking at her.

  A moment later, her mother said, “Ree, has it ever occurred to you that maybe, just maybe, you misunderstood what you saw between Jeremy and this woman?”

  Ryann blinked at her mother in shock. “Mom, how could I have misunderstood anything? They talked of seeing each other in Boston. She wanted him to call her after he spoke to me. There’s nothing to misunderstand! He was going to end it with me, and hook up with her later. You didn’t see the way she touched his face, or the way he looked at her.” Another sob escaped. “There was an intimacy there..they knew each other, Mom. And she called him ‘Jem.’ Only his family and close family friends call him ‘Jem.’ It was obvious they knew each other very well.”

  Riley waited a beat, then raised an eyebrow. She waited a few more seconds for Ryann to catch up, and hear what had just come out of her mouth.

  Ryann blinked again, but this time in confusion. “You think maybe she was…family or something?”

  “Is it possible? A cousin, perhaps?”

  In her head, she replayed the scene and words between Jeremy and the woman. Was it possible there wasn’t a sexual meaning behind them?

  The thought had never crossed Ryann’s mind. The familiar feeling of butterflies let loose in her stomach, but this time the feeling accompanying the flutter wasn’t dread. It was hope. She squashed it down.

  “Ree, I don’t know if it was a family member, or a good friend, or if she was a lover. But perhaps he wasn’t talking about ending it with you. Maybe he just wanted to talk about something else important to him. But the only way you’ll know for sure, luv, is if you go back and find out. If it turns out he’s a scoundrel, then he isn’t worth your tears. You live and learn, and move forward. You’re the strongest person I know, Ree. You truly are. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  Ryann looked at her mother in amazement. She couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth.

  Her mother paused and reached for Ryann’s hand. “But, luv, hear me now. You cannot let your fear color every situation you see. If this man is a good man, and you’ve found true love and passion with him, he is worth the risk. You need to find out, because as you know more than anyone, life is indeed too short to not know.”

  Ryann was breathing quickly, and this time the tears streaming down her face were tears of uncertainty. She would find out. And her mother was right. If he was a shit, well then, she would cry her final tears, and push forward the best way she could. She’d want to die every day, but she’d survive.

  She would go home and hear what he had to say. She would guard her heart, but try to keep an open mind. It absolutely wouldn’t be easy, but she would try.

  Ryann looked at the clock on the wall. 6:58. She got up quickly and said, “I need to go.”

  Riley smiled. “Yes. You do. Let’s get you on a train. If we leave now, you can catch one before 7:30. You’ll call me when you have all of this figured out, then?”

  “I love you, Mom,” she exhaled happily. “Yes, I’ll call.”

  Just then, Anthony Russo entered through the back door into the kitchen.

  He walked over, smiling. “Hey, sweet girl. It’s good to see you,” he said giving her a huge hug. He was a big Italian bear of a man, and he was perfect for her mother.

  “Did you two have a good talk?”

  Ryann looked at her mom. “The best. One that needed to be had.” Ryann flashed back to Jeremy saying the same thing about the conversation he’d had with his own mom.

  She needed to get back to the City.

  “I’m sorry for the short visit, Tone, but I gotta get back.”

  “Oh, ok. But hey, real quick. I was going to ask you…you were at the gala last night, right? Your mom mentioned it last night before she left to get you. You were at the Manhattan Institute for Art and Design?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “I just got the paper. The Mackenzie Renault painting that was on display there? It was stolen.”

  …..

  Ryann had finally turned her phone back on. The entire train ride back to Manhattan, Ryann listened to all of her messages and read all of her texts. Except for one from Ayanna asking her if she had heard about the painting, they were all from Jeremy.

  The first voicemail came just after she ran from him, at 8:03.

  “Ryann! God…Please answer your phone. Whatever you thought you saw, wasn’t what you thought. Please call me, baby. Please.”

  She winced. He sounded frantic, and she could hear the hum of voices from people at the gala in the background.

  The next one came in at 8:13.

  “Ryann, my mom said…they all said they saw you crying and that you ran out with Armand.” He paused. “Please, Ryann. We’re all worried about you. Let me explain. Please call me.”

  He was begging. Tears ran down her cheeks. Would he be begging if he was going to end it with her? Would he care about explaining things? She was so afraid to hope.

  The third one came in at 8:40.

  “Ryann, I’m at your place. Where are you? George said you came in with Armand, but that he left, and that you left after that. Please call me. I’m really worried. Where are you? Did you go to Ayanna’s? Please, just be careful, ok?” He paused and took a steadying breath. “Fuck.”

  She was openly crying at this point. She needed to see him. She didn’t want their first talk to be on the phone, but she needed to set up a time to talk to him.

  He had texted her at 10.

  JM: I get that ur angry b/c of what u thought u saw, but could u pls call me, or text? I want to know that ur safe.

  Another at 11.

  JM: I’m really worried, Ryann. Won’t u just text me to tell me ur ok?

  Another at midnight.

  JM: I’m home thinking of u. Hoping that ur safe. U can call/text at any time, baby. I have the phone by me.

  There were two more messages that came in that morning. One was a voicemail at six, the other was a text moments before she turned on her phone at 7:15.

  “Ryann, I’m serious now. You really need to call me. Something’s happened and you have to tell me where you are. You need to call me.”

  He had sounded worried. She assumed it was about the painting.

  His text just cut to the chase.

  JM: FUCKING CALL ME, RYANN!!!

  That was at 7:10. It was now 7:30, and she’d probably get to her apartment between 9 and 9:30.

  There was a part of her that wanted to make him sweat a little longer. But the part that loved him told her to text him to put his mind at ease. He was probably going crazy with the stolen painting. Knowing that the Institute was responsible for the security of it while it was in their possession, made her heart hurt for him and his family. She could only imagine how this would impact them and the Institute’s reputation.

  Her stomach was cramped with tension, exhaustion, and pain h
earing his voice and reading his texts. She decided to text him, so that he knew she was ok. Then she’d meet up with him later when she got home. He probably had his hands full with the painting anyway.

  She pulled up his last text and responded.

  RT: I’m ok. I’ll be home soon. I heard about the painting. I’ll call u when I’m home. Turning off my phone now.

  His responding text came back almost immediately.

  JM: Where the fuck have u been?! I can’t call rt now, but don’t talk to anyone until u see me. What time will u be home? I’ll meet u there. Don’t turn off ur phone!

  She swallowed.

  RT: I’ll call u when I get there.

  JM: Don’t talk to anyone, Ryann. Call me as soon as u get home.

  Her mind was racing. What the hell was that all about? He didn’t want her to talk to anyone so he could get his story straight? She leaned back in exhaustion, and took a deep breath. She’d find out soon enough.

  …..

  She arrived to her apartment building at a little after nine, and when she saw George at the door, he started, and said, “Ms. Thornton. How are you?” he asked in a worried tone.

  “Hi, George. I’m fine. Thanks for asking,” she smiled, weary.

  She entered the foyer, and immediately saw Jeremy standing off to the side talking to a man. He was still dressed in his tux, sans jacket and tie. He looked disheveled, his dark hair standing on end as if he’d been running his fingers through it all night long. He had a good amount of scruff on his face, and she imagined he hadn’t yet been to bed.

  Her heart skipped a beat. He looked good enough to eat. What the hell was he doing there?

  He turned and saw her, and the relief in his intense green eyes was palpable, followed quickly by determination.

  His stride was quick and sure as he met her at the door, and grabbed her, wrapping his arms tightly around her. She could feel a slight tremor in his body.

  “God, you had me scared to death, Ryann. Don’t ever do that to me again,” he said into her ear through gritted teeth. She remained stiff in his arms, not returning the hug, but relishing the feel of him, the smell of him.