The Secret Trinity Unearth (16 page)

Chapter 22: Tremors

I started down the street to Liam’s car, hugging myself for warmth. As my feet hit the ground I felt a small vibration with each step. With every footfall toward Liam’s car the rumble became more noticeable. I stopped dead in my tracks and so did the tremors. Only the ground under me was shaking.

Everything else remained still. Instantly I was filled with sheer and utter contempt until panic swept over me. I frantically combed my eyes around the sidewalk, searching. I knew exactly what was causing this, or should I say who was causing this. I turned to my left and froze instantly. My heart leapt up into my throat and my stomach dipped severely as I fought the urge to throw up.

I saw his shadow lurking down a dark alley. Holy freaking hell! This psycho had followed me across an ocean. I had the impulse to run up to him, screaming to leave me alone as I pummeled him, but instead I stood there, numb and in shock. His stance carried the same predator prowl that made his silhouette frighteningly unmistakable.

His breaths were deep, slowly expanding his ribcage puffing thick vapor clouds into the darkness. It was hard to see through the shadows but I thought he was slowly shaking his head. Right then a few yards ahead the driver-side door of Liam’s running car opened and he jumped out pulling my attention from the alley.

“Why are you standing there? Come warm up in the car,” Liam started walking toward me leaving his door open. I quickly ran toward him, not stopping, going straight for the car.

“Sorry, you know how I get lost in thought. You’re right, it is cold out here. Let’s go!” My words came out too quickly and it was difficult to conceal the nervousness in my inflection.

Liam narrowed his eyes and turned to look at where I had been staring, “Okay, is everything alright?” He asked cautiously, still looking in the other direction.

I was afraid my stalker would hurt Liam. I would not be able to live with myself if something happened to him because of me.

“I’m just excited to see where you live. Come on let’s get out of here!” I tried to sound joyful, but my voice was slightly shrill. Liam slowly turned to walk back toward the car, finally taking his eyes from the alley down the street.

“Did Kayla and Morgan change their minds?” He asked as he pulled away from the curb. I fumbled with my seatbelt ignoring his question. I stared in the passenger mirror waiting for him to step out of the alley and come after us but Liam sped off quickly, and he was nowhere in sight. I slumped in my seat letting out a shuddered sigh of relief.

“Hello, Ari? I asked about the girls. Are you sure you’re okay?” Liam’s forehead creased as he looked me over trying to decipher my sudden mood swing.

“What? Ah…yeah. I’m fine, but the girls were…tired.” I bit my lower lip so hard I winced. I could not believe this was happening again. What was I going to do?

“Hmmm, that came on fast. They seemed perfectly fine a minute ago,” he smirked.

“Nice car” I said, changing the subject. “Thanks” was all he replied. “What happened to the SUV?” We were speeding along in a Mercedes sedan, not the SUV he had driven around in the States.

“I already had this car. I bought the SUV so I would have a vehicle and sold it before we left. It’s difficult to ship a car back here.” He explained this as if it was completely natural for people to buy and sell luxury cars as they please, as if it were no different than purchasing gum.

“Well, I like this one. It’s certainly cozier than that big SUV. What kind of gas mileage do you get?” I asked simply, staying with complete denial about what just happened. I was in a state of fright that produced a desperate need to occupy my mind with anything else, even car conversation. He snapped his head in my direction.

“When did you start caring so much about cars? What’s going on with you? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.” I reflexively flicked my eyes at the passenger mirror again to make sure we weren’t being followed.

“I’m fine. I think the jet lag is making me a little loopy. That’s all.” My voice had started to shake, and Liam scrunched up his face then suddenly pulled the car over. He put it in park, and turned to look at me. All I could think was that we had to keep driving, to get as far away as possible, and fast.

“Ari, enough is enough. Whatever is going on with you, I don’t care. I love you. You have to know by now that you can trust me, with anything…please.” His voice cracked at the end, and he reached out to grab my hand.

“Liam I do trust you, but right now I need you to trust me. So please put your hands on the wheel and drive this car fast, okay?” My voice was full of anxiety. He looked at me perplexed and spun around to look out the back.

“Liam, please!” I begged. I just wanted to get out of there. He spun back around, roared the engine, and peeled back out onto the street.

I did not know what else to say, and the silence gave me a moment to soak in everything that had just happened. I trembled. My stalker has followed me more than three thousand miles to Ireland. I did not know how much longer I could keep this from Liam. I was genuinely scared for my own life and now his. I had been kidding myself trying to believe if I willed it enough this craziness would disappear from my life.

I didn’t have a choice anymore. I would have to tell Liam, tonight, even if that meant losing him. At least I would know that he would be safe if he stayed away from me. We had been driving for about twenty minutes in silence as I stared out the window, wishing the overcast clouds would clear so I could see the sky.

We pulled off the winding road and went another mile until we came to a gated house. Liam pushed a button on his cars visor and the gate opened. I stared at him, blinking for a moment. He looked at me.

“Home sweet home,” he said with a bit of arrogance. It was the first time he seemed cocky about his wealth. I tried not to look impressed but it was difficult not to be surprised as he drove up the long winding driveway.

The white house was extremely grand, a sleek modern day mansion. The house was sharp and angular with a ten foot double door entrance that I imagined movie stars would have. He parked in front of the garage to the right and got out of the car. I felt nervous as he went around the car to open my door.

“Come on in,” he said taking my hand leading me through the front door. I was speechless. Inside a large foyer two stories high showcased an open staircase splitting off into hallways above. The foyer floor was shiny white granite tile with flecks of silver. I felt uncomfortable tracking my wet riding boots across it, leaving messy footsteps behind.

“I’m making a mess. Let me take my boots off,” I said as I stopped to unzip them.

“No, leave them on or you will miss the best part,” he said urging me to keep walking. I hesitated but complied.

After a few more steps down the hall the space opened up to a gigantic great room, a massive living room with huge modern furniture pieces, all black or white. The living room connected to a shiny kitchen with a white marble island top, three times bigger than my parent’s butcher block at home. The most spectacular part was the entire back wall was made of glass. Liam walked to the glass wall and slid the door open.

“Come see,” he said pressing the small of my back until I walked through the door.

I stepped onto the huge limestone patio that stretched the whole length of the great room and gasped. It was dark so I could not tell until I stepped outside, but the house was perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. I could hear the waves crashing below and the brisk wind swirled around me. Liam came up behind me to the patio railing.

“Sorry, it is much better when the sky is not overcast,” he explained and I laughed.

“You’re apologizing for the weather? That sounds like something I would do. Besides, this is incredible, overcast or not.” I breathed in, tasting the salty sea air. Liam wrapped his arms around me rubbing my shoulders to keep me warm. My hair flew across my face when a gust of cold wind hit us and I involuntarily shivered.

“We should go inside. It’s a bit too cold to stay out here,” he said keeping his arms around me, guiding me back in the house. I did not want to look away from the glorious view but I was freezing. He sat me down at the giant marble island and began fumbling through the cupboards.

“Would you like some tea?” he asked as he searched through the cupboards.

“Yes, that sounds great.” That would help warm me up. As I sat waiting, I realized that I felt a bit awkward in his house. I didn’t fit in with his modern surroundings. Soon he handed me a white ceramic saucer and cup filled with piping hot tea. He must have seen something in my eyes.

“What’s on your mind? Are you ready to tell me what’s been up with you lately?” He asked hopefully, taking a seat on the stool next to me. I thought carefully how to ask a question.

“How…how do you have all of this? Most college students can barely pay the rent.” It wasn’t the money I was curious about. Seeing his house made me realize how little I knew about Liam, outside of us.

“My father left it to me when he passed away,” he said flatly. “Oh,” was all I could think to say.

“I hope my wealth doesn’t make you uncomfortable. I don’t speak of it, because I honestly don’t care about money,” he said, trying to put me at ease. I thought, he obviously cares a little or he wouldn’t drive expensive cars and live in this mansion all by himself. I fidgeted in my seat.

He cupped my face, “Ari, if that’s why you’ve been standoffish, I’ll sell the house if you don’t like it. Whatever makes you happy,” he smiled.

“You’re crazy.” I blushed and leaned in for a quick peck, and I was thinking as soon as I told him the truth that’s what he would be calling me.

We finished our tea, went over to the massive L shaped couch in the living room and curled up together.

“Your being here makes me so happy Ari. I love you,” he breathed into my hair.

I nuzzled into his chest and he kissed the top of my head. With my ear to his chest I closed my eyes and relaxed, taking deep breaths, letting the buzz of his energy wash over me. He was rubbing his hand on my back soothingly and after a few minutes his fingertips slid up my back under my sweater.

I shot my eyes open but remained still against his chest as butterflies flew through my body. His fingertips stopped stroking my bare skin. He was waiting for my objection. I didn’t give one. His whole hand pressed against my back sending a flutter through me, and he slowly moved his hand until it rested on my stomach.

He sighed into my hair, “I must say your soft skin is quite tempting.” I sat up from his chest to look at him. His eyes were thoughtful and he removed his hand from my stomach to tuck my hair behind my ear.

“Those eyes...” he breathed with awe. “I can’t believe you’re mine,” he whispered pulling my face to his.

Liam’s lips pressed to mine with more eagerness than usual. He slid his hands down my sides holding my waist and lifted me onto his lap, picking up where we had left off the night of the ballet. Thoughts whirled in my head as he kissed me. I tried to relax and take in the sweet taste of his lips. His hands left my waist traveling up under my sweater. Grabbing the fabric inside, he pulled it up over my head. My hair slapped my face as he tugged off the sweater revealing my black bra with little white daises.

“Hmmm…lovely. I had always wondered… ” he trailed off suggestively. He grabbed his sweater, pulled it off and threw it across the room. His tan, chiseled chest was right there in front of me. I traced my fingers over his muscles; remembering the last time I had seen him this way was our night in the pool. I had felt so exposed and vulnerable then when he saw my bruises. Tonight I felt that even more but for a much different reason.

“Come here,” he whispered as his mouth again pressed to mine. Liam had never been so forward before. He was always slow and gentle. Part of me said this was too fast, yet I didn’t stop him. His mouth tasted like candy.

Just as Liam began to unzip my boots never separating his lips from mine, I felt a slight tremor move through my body. I thought it was just my nervous butterflies, but then the house started to furiously shake. I pulled away looking at our surroundings. All the hair on my neck stood up. Pulsing electricity shot up and down my spine.

I could see the marble island where we left the empty tea cups. They clanked loudly against their saucers until falling to the floor with a loud crash. Liam’s eyes turned wild and he swiftly lifted me off his lap and ran to the glass patio door. He slammed open the door so hard I thought it would shatter from the ricochet. He ran to the railing and bent over the edge. The house was instantly still and I exhaled a lung full of air, realizing I had been holding my breath.

Liam calmly came back inside closing the door behind him. The cold air had circled through the living room, and I hugged myself, suddenly feeling very awkward and exposed in my bra. He sat back on the couch and wrapped a blanket around us.

“Are you okay?” I asked worriedly. He laughed, “Are you okay?” No! No I’m not freaking okay. I’ll never be okay again! I wanted to scream. I held in my meltdown with a gulp instead.

“What…what was that?” I asked in my most innocent voice like I did not already know the answer.

Liam’s eyes searched mine, “You don’t know what that was?” The best I could do was to shake my head vigorously, no.

He sighed with a shrug, “Some kind of earthquake I guess…maybe I need to get a contractor out here to check the structural integrity of the house. It is built on a cliff after all.” That was a reasonable explanation but deep down I knew better.

Replaying it in my head I thought of his reaction to the quake. “Why did you run out to the patio?”

He clenched his jaw, “I panicked, and I guess I wanted to make sure the rafters were not buckling.” I took a deep breath, feeling guilty that I had dragged Liam into my twisted life.

I had to tell him and now was my moment. I could feel the words bubbling up in my throat desperate to pour out and confess the truth, but before I could say anything he was kissing me again, trying to get back to where we were headed.