What the Heart Needs

by Kelli McCracken

  It was the final lie she wanted to hear. Granted, the woman might not feel the same, but he definitely felt something, no matter how emotionally unavailable he claimed to be.

  “I’m not buying your tough guy persona.” She walked closer to him, even when his eyes pierced hers. Did she piss him off, calling his bluff? Too bad. “I know you have a good heart, despite what other people say. You care about people, like Dylan. Even my sister. You still worry about her.”

  “I do care about Faith, but she isn’t ready for anything serious. Even if she wanted more, it wouldn’t change the way I feel.”

  “You’re a terrible liar, Layne. You told me earlier you want to be loved. Needing another person doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.”

  Hardness reentered his eyes as the stare down began. The more he seemed to challenge her, the more she stood her ground. His energy pushed against hers, but she didn’t budge, didn’t cower away. Even when sweat formed at the nape of her neck. He could continue his stubborn streak all he wanted. He’d never seen her persistence.

  “You care a lot more than you want to admit. That takes emotion and your emotions run high. You care about your friends. My God, you protected me from Nate the other day.”

  “Only because Dylan wasn’t there.” He stepped inside the living room, making a hasty retreat to the center. His feet never stopped until he passed the coffee table.

  Heaven wanted to chase after him, force him to say what burned in his heart. But the moment she stepped through the archway, her phone vibrated against the couch. She moved toward the sofa, stealing another glance at Layne to see if he would look at her. He didn’t. Kept his back straight, eyes locked on the window. But his vibrations still pulled at her soul.

  She’d help him battle the demons tormenting him. If he’d let her. Right after she finished her call.

  Gazing down at the phone, her heart caught when she noticed the name of the caller. The third ring had her pressing the phone to her ear. And then she swallowed. Hard.

  “Hi, Dad.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Dylan slammed his father against the condo wall, pressing his arm further into his throat. A twinge of satisfaction surfaced in his gut. It wouldn’t take much to keep oxygen from entering his lungs. What a painfully slow death suffocation would be. And his father deserved nothing less.

  “I would have settled for a hug, son.” Nate choked, doing his best to wriggle from Dylan’s grasp.

  “If I could hug you to death, maybe I would have. Seeing as how I can’t, I’ll just choke the piss out of you. Make you take your last breath.”

  “Do what you have to do, Dylan.”

  The evil grin spreading across his lips snapped Dylan back to reality. His father would be a perfect martyr. He’d go to his death willingly, knowing Dylan would go to prison and Heaven would be out of his life. Sick bastard.

  “You’d like for me to kill you. You’d do anything to keep me from her.”

  “I’ll do what I must to get her out of your life. You don’t know what type of trash she is.”

  “And you do?” Dylan released his shirt, taking a few steps back as he watched his father support his weight against the wall. His old man could try to pretend this was a game, but showing up here caught him by surprise. As did the way he shoved him from the doorway, dragging him across the floor by his clothing.

  “I know about—”

  “You know nothing. Who are you to judge Heaven? Look at the mess you made of your own life. You walked out on your wife and kid.”

  Nate pushed away from the wall. He stormed across the foyer, adjusting his tie the closer he came. “I’ve made my share of bad choices. That’s why I’m trying to prevent you from doing the same.”

  “So you keep saying,” Dylan snorted, cutting his dad off near the bottom of the staircase. He remembered all the times his father used to come barreling through the house, approaching him in the same manner. Eyes drawn and angry. Jaw set. Fist pumping in preparation to strike something, anything. The wall. His mom. Him.

  Thank God his mom had something over his dad. The secrets she mentioned. He needed to figure what those secrets were. Soon.

  “It’s a father’s place to look out for his son, his one and only son. I want you to be happy, Dylan. You won’t be if you stay with that tramp.”

  “Tramp?” Dylan couldn’t help but laugh at his dad. He’d taken Heaven’s innocence. Loved and cherished every moment of it. But he’d never tell his father. Would never share one of the most important moments of his life with a man who didn’t care about him. “I’m not playing your head games, Dad. You want to distract me from your faults. Sorry, but it isn’t going to happen.”

  His dad parted his lips, ready to speak, but his cell buzzed to life. Grabbing it from his pocket, he made a quick glance toward the screen. The eerie grin covering his mouth made Dylan’s skin crawl.

  He focused on his connection with Heaven, checking to see if something had upset her, but their bond showed no emotion. Christ.

  “Is there a reason you came to see me, son?”

  As if the reasons he’d given didn’t matter. Dylan gritted his teeth. “You know why I’m here. I know the package and texts came from you.”

  Avoiding Dylan’s eyes, his dad cleared his throat before grabbing his jacket off the banister. “I have no clue what you’re talking about. I wouldn’t waste my time sending something to her.”

  God, he wanted to knock him to the floor. Not just for lying. For thinking Dylan would buy his bullshit. Funny that he didn’t tell his dad who’d received the packages, yet he automatically assumed it was Heaven. “I didn’t expect you to admit to it. I wanted you to know that I’m on to you. If you think I’ll let you torment her, you’re wrong. Nor will I ever let you lay a finger on her.”

  He might as well be talking to the wall. At least it faced him. Unlike his dad, who turned his back to him as he pulled on his jacket. “It’s the same song and dance with us son. We’ll have to do it again sometime, but I really need to get going. I’m having dinner with a new group we just signed, so—”

  “You know what,” Dylan chuckled, “I’m glad you brought up bands. It actually brings me to the last reason I came here.”

  That had his father perking up. “You ready to schedule the next tour?”

  “No,” Dylan answered, swallowing back the acidic taste of anticipation. “I’m here to tell you to put your efforts into a new band. Sliders will cease to exist, at least with out me, if you don’t stop harassing Heaven.”

  The evil grin returned to his dad’s face. Even his eyes twinkled. “We have a contract, son. You break it before time is up, you’ll not only lose everything you have, you’ll never work in this industry again.”

  Shrugging his shoulders, Dylan turned back toward the door. “Take everything. It means nothing without Heaven. I’d rather have a normal life with her than anything this industry has given me.”

  The only sound echoing through the foyer was Dylan’s footsteps. Had he left his father dumbstruck? Maybe what he said finally sunk in. Doubtful, but Dylan remained positive.

  The moment he gripped the doorknob, words rushed to his ears. “If you turn your back on me, that girl won’t live to see the happy life you have planned for her.”

  Dylan didn’t remember turning around. Didn’t remember rushing toward his father. But he knew he was on top of his old man, gripping his neck so hard, his aged face turned a deep shade of scarlet. If he squeezed a little harder, the windpipe pressing against his palm would crack.

  “If you or anyone else touches her, you will be a dead man. I’ll do life in prison if it means she lives and you die. Don’t ever forget that.”

  He wanted to end him now, would have if something hadn’t snapped within his soul. His connection to Heaven wracked his body with gut wrenching sadness. Then disappeared. But the ache it left in his heart had him scrambling back, struggling for a breath of air.

  * * *

  Layne
bit the inside of his jaw, determined to keep his eyes focused on the rose bush outside the window. He didn’t want to look at Heaven. Didn’t want to give into the pull he felt whenever she came to mind. A pull that annoyed the shit out of him whenever she was near.

  The moment her voice filled the room, the pull grew worse. He didn’t know why her father would be calling, or why her voice grew thicker with each word that passed through her lips. If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear she’d started crying.

  Spinning to face her, his heart caught when he noticed the moisture in her eyes. A few tears made their decent down her cheeks. A few more would spill at any second. She started to sit, but righted herself as her lips parted. When the bottom one quivered, Layne took a step closer.

  She still hadn’t made eye contact, even though she faced him. Every ounce of her attention wrapped around the phone pressed to her ear.

  Something had happened, though he couldn’t say to whom. Hell, maybe something happened to Faith. That would explain why she hadn’t replied to his last text. But those assumptions didn’t feel right, not in his gut. The way her voice seemed to plead only added to his doubt. Regardless of the reason, whatever her dad was saying, it broke her heart.

  A new stream of tears rolled down her face as her hand fell from her ear, sending her phone to the floor. She stared past him, eyes vacant of expression, of feeling. Then her knees buckled.

  Jumping over the coffee table, he had just enough time to grip her arms before she went to the floor. She hadn’t passed out, but her will to move had vanished.

  “Heaven, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

  Warm hands squeezed his arms as she fought to stand. She didn’t speak. Not with her mouth. But one simple gaze from her eyes said all he needed to know. Her body wracked with sobs as she leaned into him, burying her head in his chest.

  Gazing down at the sweetly scented array of curls, his heart pounded fiercer by the second. She would’ve noticed if she weren’t so upset, which would have made this awkward situation worse.

  He pushed back those thoughts, debating on how to react. Water… He should get her a glass. Help her sit on the couch. Or he could give in to the urge burning his body. The urge to wrap his arms around her, to tell her everything would be okay. That whatever happened would be cleared up and she could smile again.

  She didn’t give him a choice. When her hands loosened around his arms, her eyes fluttered shut. Good thing he pulled her against his chest. She would have slid to the floor if not.

  “Heaven?” Giving her a gentle shake, he waited for a response. None came. Hair spilled over her shoulder as her head snapped back, exposing her perfect face.

  Damn it. He needed to call Dylan, let him know what happened. That her father’s phone call upset her to the point of unconsciousness. And he would call, just as soon as he took her to her room.

  Pulling her up in his arms, he made his way toward the staircase. He didn’t mind the weight of her body as he ascended each step. If anything, he’d found a burst of energy. Guess fear and concern had a way of doing that. The sooner he tucked her into her bed, the sooner he could bring Dylan into the equation. He needed to be here to take care of her. Not that Layne didn’t want to. It wasn’t his place.

  He’d pushed off the last step when a weak voice filled his ears. “Layne? What happened? Where am I?”

  Grateful she’d regained consciousness, he continued down the hallway, heading for Dylan’s room. “You fainted. I’m taking you to your room.”

  There was no need to tell her why she’d fainted. Her body shook with sobs as she pressed her forehead against his shoulder. God, he wanted to comfort her. Wanted to tell her that nothing was worth her tears. That despite what anyone else said or thought, she had a right to be happy, to be loved. That he—”

  Brushing past the bedroom door, he forced his thoughts away. Holding her close made it a challenge, but he fought hard to keep his feelings to himself. At least they’d reached the bed. The sooner he laid her across it, the safer they’d both be.

  Once he placed her on the bed, he pulled away as quick as he could, trying to steady his heart. Then his eyes met hers. The light that normally filled them had faded. It made him sick knowing something had caused her this much pain. He wanted to know what, but didn’t want to force her to discuss it.

  “Layne?” When she whispered, his heart pinched. “Will you call Dylan? I need him.”

  Of course she did. She needed her hero, not his sidekick. Sure, he’d made a reasonable substitute, especially with no one else around. That’s all he was and ever would be. Her heart belonged to his best friend. He had to accept the facts. Or be miserable the rest of his life.

  He could deal with it if it weren’t for the damn effect she had on him. The constant push and pull. The way seeing her lit a fire in his soul. Knowing how she’d heard the worst about him made him want to rewind time. Change the person he’d become. Maybe then she would have—”

  “Never mind calling. He’s here.”

  It took him a minute to understand what she said. When it sunk in, he turned toward the door. “Just relax. I’ll go get him.”

  Putting distance between them had never come at a more perfect time. He pushed back the array of emotions tearing at his heart, making his way down the hall. Step by painful step.

  The moment his shoe hit the staircase, Dylan came bursting through the door. “Heaven? Where are—”

  Worried eyes shot up the staircase, landing on Layne’s face. The fear they held shifted to confusion. Then suspicion. He hated the way Dylan looked at him. Like he was guilty. Okay, he was guilty. But not about the questions running through Dylan’s mind.

  “What’s going on?” Dylan asked, making his way toward the steps.

  “She’s upstairs, waiting for you. I carried her up there after she passed out.”

  The tension in Dylan’s face faded. Worry had returned. “What do you mean? What happened?”

  Layne continued down the steps, even though Dylan came up them, two at a time. If Dylan wanted to accuse him of something, he didn’t want Heaven to hear it. God only knew what that would do to her.

  “I don’t know why she fainted, but it has something to do with her dad. She got a call from him right before it happened.”

  Dylan stopped his ascent up the steps. “Are you sure it was her dad?”

  “Yeah. She said so when she answered the phone. Right before she started crying.”

  Shutting his eyes, Dylan mouthed the f-bomb as he gripped the banister. Guess that mean he knew what upset Heaven. Layne wanted to ask for an explanation, but his voice failed to cooperate when Dylan brushed past him.

  He hated all the secrets surrounding their lives. Hated the fact that he cared enough about Heaven to want more details. If he’d felt this way about Faith, maybe she wouldn’t be leaving.

  Grabbing the phone from his pocket, he checked to see if she’d ever sent him a reply. He didn’t get a chance to swipe the screen before Dylan spoke from behind.

  “If you’re not doing anything, I’d like you to stay. I’m going to check on her, which may take a bit, but I need to talk to you. Can you stick around?”

  He gave Dylan a sideways glance, noting the suspicion had left his friend’s face. Nodding, he turned back around. “I’ll be in the den.”

  With Dylan’s bottle of Patron.

  * * *

  Dylan sat on the bed, burying his face at the nape of Heaven’s neck. Each time he breathed out, her arms tightened around him. Then his around hers. She’d been crying since he walked through the door. Even before then, judging her puffy eyes and red nose.

  She hadn’t spoken a word other than his name. But her energy made up for the silence. The way her soul pulled at his, seeking solace from the pain torturing it. A nameless pain with an unknown cause.

  He wanted to ask her what happened. Waited with each breath for her sobs to cease. And when they finally did, he pulled away to face her.

 
; “What did he say?”

  Her lip trembled a moment before she cleared her throat. “He knows, Dylan. He saw the paper.”

  Christ. Just what she needed to hear. Stupid paparazzi. He’d love to choke the person responsible for this. Then again, maybe he already had. His father. The text that came in during their confrontation. The creepy grin the message triggered.

  Son-of-a-bitch.

  “What did he say that upset you so much?”

  Heaven pulled away, bringing her legs up to her chest as she cradled them. “He said that we are rushing things. That he couldn’t support my decisions nor would he approve of our marriage. That your bloodline is tainted. Whatever that’s supposed to mean.”

  The bed gave under him as he leaned against her, pressing his head to her chest. “Then we’ll go convince him to change his mind. He doesn’t know me. Doesn’t know us. If he could see that…”

  Her bottom lip trembled again. Damn, he hated when she did that. It broke his heart. She deserved to be happy, not threatened by his father, or disowned by her own. Finding your soulmate shouldn’t come with a price. They were created for each other. People needed to accept that.

  “You said you wanted to take me away from here. Let’s do it. Let’s go far away. Leave all this craziness behind us and just live. I don’t want to wait to marry you.”

  He’d been waiting for those words. Had dreamed of hearing them each night since this whole ordeal began. Would love to book them on the first flight to anywhere but here. And Ohio. But he couldn’t. Not when he knew how much having her mom attend their wedding meant to her. He owed her that much after all the hell she’d been through.

  Tilting his head back, he continued gazing at her, urging her to look at him. She’d sensed the pulse. Bloodshot eyes met his as a few tears escaped. “I don’t want to wait either. We’ll work something out first thing tomorrow. For now, you rest and I’ll research some locations online.”