Hidden Sins (16 page)

Hannah

That man was on a mission, whoever he was. My heart pounded as I climbed the porch steps two at a time, and I jumped into the entry. He didn’t even bother to close the door. I’d left everything on the beach and was completely empty-handed. I didn’t know what I thought I was going to do, but whatever it was, I couldn’t be without some sort of hard instrument. My fingers curled around a small iron sculpture tucked in one of the wall alcoves. It would have to do. I scrambled up the stairs, my blood on fire with each step toward Mia’s floor. Car still running, door wide open. Whoever was in here was being careless, guided by his heart, not his head. Was it an old boyfriend of Mia’s? Was that why her place was so secure? Who did she have after her and why didn’t I pay more attention?

Out of breath, I reached the top of the stairs, greeted by thumping bass from Mia’s studio. As I turned down the hall, I saw a man slowly backing out of her studio. His movements were unnatural, nervous—possibly angry. There was no sign of Mia. Then I heard it over the music, a woman’s voice moaning.

I quickly considered my options. Wait until he turned around and saw me and then lunge? Or hit him now and apologize later, if needed.

Second option!

I jumped toward the man, grabbing the back of his suit jacket, which threw him off balance only slightly. He stumbled backward as I swung the piece of metal toward the back of his head. Missing his skull completely, I plunged it into his neck. But it was too late. Before I even realized what had happened, he had me slammed against the floor. My eyes clenched shut with pain, as he pinned both of my arms above my head, his knee digging into my waist.

But then as quickly as he’d apprehended me, he let me go.

“Oh my god, Hannah,” the voice spoke, the voice that the heavens were built upon.

My eyes flashed open.

“Luke? What—”

He hopped off of me and knelt next to me. “Are you okay?” he interrupted. “I had no idea it was you.”

“Why would you?” I asked, rubbing the base of my head. My heart rate immediately began to calm as I looked into his eyes.

He shook his head. “I’m so sorry.” He ignored my question. His fingers gently ran along my shoulder, sending the fear straight out of my body as an amazing pulse of electricity replaced it. “Let me get you some ice or help you to—“

“What about Mia? Is she okay? I heard...” The bump to the head was starting to pound.

His expression fell and he answered before I could finish. “She’s just fine. A little occupied at the moment.”

Was Luke her ex-boyfriend?

“Oh,” I said, realizing what he meant. “You didn’t—”

“I did. And I wished I hadn’t.”

I let out a stifled laugh, which brought a trace of a smile to his lips. “Well, you might want to go take care of your car. If someone hasn’t stolen it yet, they will shortly.”

“That would fit my luck tonight,” he laughed, helping me up. “You sure you’re okay to leave alone for a minute?”

“A minute? Yeah. I think I can handle that. I’ll live. Can you maybe grab my stuff on the beach?” I smiled.

“Sure.” He turned around and my eyes cascaded down his body. It was hard not to admire it. Squeezing my shoulder muscles to get the kinks out, I decided to follow him down the stairs as I thought about what just happened.

I went into the kitchen and grabbed a plastic baggie and filled it with ice. I’d do the same for Luke, but I wasn’t going to lie to myself. Whatever injury I had attempted to inflict on him, didn’t happen. But what in the world was he doing here? Mia’s last name was Dufort.

I smacked the baggie of ice to the back of my skull and took a seat at the breakfast bar as Luke walked into the kitchen.

“Car still there?” I asked, adjusting the ice.

“Amazingly, yes.” He smiled, and I couldn’t help but want to say something funny to keep that smile there. But I couldn’t think of anything even slightly humorous. He placed my bag from the beach on the floor.

“So you know Mia how?” I asked, watching as he made himself at home, grabbing a glass.

He bit his lip and glanced at me as he filled up his glass with water.

Yup, ex-boyfriend.

Instead, he placed the water in front of me on the granite counter. “Drink up. It’ll help.”

“Nice evasion tactic,” I said, before taking a sip.

He filled up a glass for himself and leaned against the counter. How hard of a question was this?

“Since I got your email,” he replied, his eyes focusing on me. “I’ve been in contact with the detective.”

I felt a slight turn in my universe as his gaze stayed on me. No. The room wasn’t spinning. Okay, maybe it was a little bit. This bump to the head must be bad. As his gaze continued to stay fixed on me, I knew it had nothing to do with the injury.

“Yeah?” I asked, shifting on the stool.

He nodded. “I know you’re running from something. I can help.”

I shook my head. “You can’t help. And you’re still not answering my question.”

“I’m Mia’s brother.”

My stomach did a somersault at this revelation. He wasn’t an ex-boyfriend.

“Oh noooeees, and you saw?” I laughed.

He smiled and shook his head. “No. Thank God. I would’ve jumped out the window, ended it right then. I saw a little evidence and someone I never expected to see in the room with her. That was too much for me.”

“Things get juicy in the outside world,” I muttered, smiling to myself.

“Excuse me?” Luke asked.

“Nothing. So do you mind telling me how out of all the people in the world, I managed to move in with your sister?”

“I was wondering the same thing,” Luke replied.

I studied his features, thinking about how it possibly was that no matter how I tried to separate myself from him, he reappeared time and again. “I’m sorry about attacking you. Although, it wasn’t much of one, apparently.” I massaged my shoulders.

His smile deepened. “So, you thought Mia was in danger? And came at me?”

I nodded. “I figured with the security system and all, maybe some crazy ex was after her or something.”

“And you’d put your life on the line for hers?” His brow arched.

Debating what to say and what not to say, I heard the music from above turn off and looked at my empty glass. Whatever it was, I needed to hurry and get it out. After all, he was familiar with part of the story. I’d already managed to make him a target just by having him buy me a cup of coffee.

“Initially, I was worried it was the same person who was or is after me,” I offered. “And the thought of an innocent person getting hurt because of me.” I shuddered. “But then I realized whoever came in here was guided by their heart. The people after me have no heart.” I steadied my gaze on Luke. He didn’t flinch at my words. “So I knew I needed to help her.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “But apparently not.”

“Huh.” He ran his thumb along the slight stubble on his jawline. His green eyes were piercing as he watched me, debating what to say.

“So why don’t you give me your spiel? I’d love to hear why you came barging into her home in such a frenzy. Leaving your car running and the front door open?” I eyed him, watching his jaw tense. “Seems a little extreme for an innocent brotherly worry if there was no sign she was in danger.”

He let out a sigh and dragged his fingers through his hair. His gaze fell away from mine as his mouth formed into a small ‘o’ before he began to speak. It was hard not to admire the curvature of his mouth, and it was even more difficult to understand where these feelings kept coming from. I’d never before had thoughts like these, not until him.

“I’m waiting.” I smiled. He brought his eyes to mine, and I felt that charge run between us.

“I was worried about,” he stopped himself and glanced at his sister and the man behind her in the hallway.

It was Sean.

Ooh. This didn’t look good.

“What the hell, man?” Luke said, his fist balling.

Sean smirked and his eyes fell to me. “Hi there, Hannah.”

I looked from Sean to Luke and then to Mia, feeling like everything in my life had become highly orchestrated, which made me absolutely sick. As I looked at everyone standing around me, I wanted to run. Had Luke somehow planted Liv to get me to work at Buttons and then this renting a room thing magically fell into place? Anger began pulsing through me as the thought continued to expand. I had been controlled and manipulated long enough by a system I didn’t believe in. I didn’t need to have that happen again. I had no idea what was going on, but I no longer wanted to be in the dark. I needed explanations.

“So you had Liv follow me?” I stated more than questioned, completely unable to hide my anger.

“What?” Luke asked bewildered.

I couldn’t read if it was genuine or not.

“You were the missing partner. The partner who never shows up to the club? It figures.” I shook my head, feeling completely betrayed.

“It’s not like that,” Luke said. “I know what it seems like.”

“This just seems a little too handy. I mean it would follow along with just about everything else you’ve done. The coffee, the coffee again and again, the cab that wasn’t a cab, along with the truck showing up at my old place?” Just repeating it aloud made me livid. “You probably just had Liv show up to—,” I stopped myself. “And how did you even know I was at that Starbucks? It wasn’t even in my neighborhood.”

Luke shook his head, the expression on his face bordering between horror and hurt. “Hannah, I promise that I never ever sent Liv to follow you. I can guarantee you that I would never have wanted you working at Buttons.”

“Enough with bashing Buttons,” Sean interjected, running a hand along Mia’s shoulders as she watched what was unfolding between her brother and me.

“You know I hate that place,” Luke replied, flipping Sean an icy stare. “I’ll deal with you in a second.”

“Why would you hate something that you own?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“He owed me a favor,” Sean replied before Luke could say anything. “I helped get his security firm up and running when he couldn’t afford to hire employees. I worked for free. Once it got going, he helped me get my dream going and he’s made me feel like shit about it ever since.”

“Unlikely story. What guy wouldn’t want to be surrounded by beautiful women?” I asked, turning my attention to Luke.

“It’s not about that. I don’t like what it stands for. I wouldn’t want anyone I care about working there. Or dating someone who thinks it’s okay to run a place like that.” He stared at Mia.

“But I didn’t think anything was shady about the place,” I stated sarcastically.

“Listen, honey…” Sean began.

“Don’t call her honey,” Luke cut him off. “That right there is why I wouldn’t want anyone I care about working there. There is nothing shady about the place. At least that I’m aware of, or I’d pull my percentage. But the place objectifies women and that’s not something I condone.”

“Right because you’re so above it,” Sean shot back, rolling his eyes. “I wonder if Jessica would agree about your virtuous ways.”

Wait. Who was Jessica? My stomach twisted into knots.

“There’s no reason to bring her into this,” Luke replied.

“Well, if you’re going to talk about objectifying women…” Sean replied. “I don’t know of many who like to be strung along.”

“She wasn’t strung along,” Luke said through clenched teeth. “We were both adults choosing—”

“Exactly,” Sean almost shouted. “Adults choosing to participate. Just like Buttons. I don’t force the waitresses to flirt. I don’t force them to work for me. I don’t force them to do anything. They are choosing to be servers at Buttons, just as the members are choosing to pay for the promise of nothing.”

“It’s not a promise of nothing,” Luke replied. He glanced at me.

“So you didn’t send Liv to recruit me?” I asked.

“God no.”

“Listen, it’s been fun. But I’m out.” Sean gave Mia a quick kiss and I thought Luke was about to pounce on him. Instead Sean showed himself out, and Mia came over to me and took a seat.

“So I’m completely confused. As far as I knew, you worked at Buttons and Emily knew I was looking for a roommate and voila. And now you’ve got ice on your head. But how the hell does my brother play into this and what on earth are you doing here this late at night?” She asked bemused, turning her attention to Luke.

“Yes, please do tell what brought you here?” I smiled, hoping to finally get some answers.

Luke

With all my careful planning and nonstop worrying about how to proceed with Hannah, this was how it all came to fruition. Hannah sitting with an icepack on her neck, my sister wondering why the hell I broke into her home in the middle of the night and, finally, finding out my sister was seeing my best friend. Priceless.

I watched Mia and Hannah as they sat next to each other, seemingly unfazed by tonight’s events, patiently waiting for my answers. Answers I’d full intentions of giving them but not this way. I had planned on taking them both aside and explaining events differently to each, catering to their reactions. Now that wasn’t going to happen. It was going to be one story that would anger one and enlighten the other, or baffle one while making the other run for the hills. Either way it had to be done.