Unspoken Bundle - Box Set Books 1-6 Page 9

  “Jennifer, don’t!” Cain put himself between the two of us, but not before I released Ashley’s hair and connected with her right cheek and mouth with my left hand. Her head snapped backward. The connection stung my knuckles and blood trickled from her mouth. Cain pushed us farther apart.

  “When will you get it, Jennifer? He’s mine! I was here for him through everything! You just couldn’t take a hint.” Ashley’s fury burned in her eyes. A vein in her delicate neck pulsed. “I tried to warn you and now it has to come to this.”

  “Ashley, you’re insane! He doesn’t see you like that, he doesn’t love you.” I looked squarely at Cain as I continued my argument. “This has got to stop! Brice told me you said you slept with Cain when Rachel was alive, that you’re the reason she’s dead.”

  “WHAT!? Ashley! Tell me that isn’t true!” Cain stepped back from between the two of us in shock. His face drained of color as he stared at Ashley. “She was your sister, how could you have…?”

  “She didn’t see what we had, Cain. I told her about us that day. She was racing off to talk with you. To confront you. I knew she would believe me over you. Her own sister.” The insanity in her voice scared me.

  Cain’s eyes teared up as he sat on the edge of the bed. He looked up at me, lost. “Did you know about this?”

  I fumbled for my words. “I only knew that she said she had slept with you when Rachel was alive. The rest… Cain, I’m so sorry.”

  Ashley attempted to sit next to Cain on the bed and console him. He raised his elbow and pushed her away as I took another step toward her. “Don’t you dare!” My eyes fixed on Ashley as she slid toward the end of the bed and shied away from me. Instead I gently placed my hand on Cain’s cheek.

  Cain’s head hung against his chest, his elbows resting squarely on his thighs. “All this time, it was you. You knew exactly what happened to your sister. You broke into Jennifer’s apartment, you did all of this.”

  “I did it for you, Cain. For us. It was the only way to give us a chance.” Ashley stood at the edge of the bed, her blonde hair tangled and her bottom lip swollen from the impact of my fist. “She just wouldn’t take a hint. I tried to be nice. Hell, Dylan even saw it.”

  Cain looked up at me and then turned his attention to Ashley, but I cut off any suggestion of a conversation. “I’m calling the police, this is over.” I reached for my phone and began dialing.

  “No, wait, Jennifer.” Cain stood and grabbed my hand gently. “Not yet.” He stepped toward Ashley, his naked chest still heaving with deep breaths from the adrenaline.

  “Cain, why? She’s admitted to everything. This is our chance. My chance to finally have my life back.”

  He clenched his fists, cleared his throat as he focused on Ashley. “She needs help, not prison.

  “You have got to be kidding me.”

  “Hear me out on this…” Cain’s steely gaze burned holes through Ashley. “Ashley, it would only take one call and Jennifer could easily put an end to this, but I don’t believe any of us want to draw this out any longer than we have to.” Cain’s eyes darted in my direction and then back toward Ashley. “You and I, Ashley, we’re done. You no longer work for me and I know longer want you anywhere near me, or Jennifer. I’m giving you a chance. We’re giving you a chance, to get some help. You’re going back to your parents. I’m going to make a call to them, I owe it to them.”

  Ashley and I stood in silence. I was bewildered at what I was hearing, and tears streamed down Ashley’s face, mixing with the blood still gathering at the corner of her mouth.

  Cain continued. “I couldn’t put your parents through losing another daughter.”

  “Oh Cain…” Ashley stepped toward Cain with her arms extended, reaching for a hug but was stopped short by his arm reaching toward her, palm out, to hold her at bay.

  “Get your things and go, Ashley, before I change my mind. If anything happens to Jennifer, if I hear from you without contacting you first, anything out of the ordinary, I will not hesitate to make the call myself.” Cain reached behind him with an open hand and beckoned me toward him. I reached out and took his hand as he pulled me close. “Stay away from us. Do you understand?”

  Ashley took a long, whimpering breath and exhaled. “Yes.” She scurried to gather her things as Cain tossed the pink cased cell phone from the bed onto the crumbled purse on the floor. He picked up the white phone and slid it into his pants pocket. “I’ll hold on to this one, just in case we ever need it.”

  I rested my head against Cain’s bare shoulder as I watched Ashley pick up her things. I held my comments until she finally left the room, partially because I wanted to keep up the illusion of a unified front and partially because I didn’t know exactly what to say.

  We sat on the bed as Ashley exited the room. We heard her proceed down the hallway and finally left through the front door with a loud slam. The only words spoken were a polite goodbye from Cecilia. I looked up at Cain and still said nothing.

  “I’m sorry Jen. I’m sorry you went through all of this. Everything that has happened to you has been because of me. First Dylan, now Ashley. I couldn’t just send her away. Not that way. Her parents are good people. Please, trust me on this.”

  I sat on the edge of the bed in silence and reached for his hand. I looked past everything that had just happened and thought briefly about what the future may hold now with Cain. I reached up, pulling my hair over my shoulder and bit my lip. “I do.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The night before had been part nightmare, part dream. I hadn’t stayed with Cain; while I agreed with him, I needed time to let how he wanted to proceed with Ashley sink in. I didn’t totally agree with just letting her go, but deep inside I understood. It wasn’t for Ashley. It was for her parents and the respect he had for them and Rachel’s memory.

  Ashley’s secret was out, now, for everyone that needed to know it, anyway. Otherwise we kept it as a card we could play if we ever needed it, though I prayed it was one I would never have to use. I cringed at the thought of how I acted last night and the rage that had filled me. I looked at my bruised knuckles as I typed on my keyboard, barely holding back tears. I hadn’t been able to sleep and came in early to get a head start on the day. I wanted to enjoy the quiet because I knew that before long I would have to face the inevitable conversations about last night, the distractions of getting Aimee started and digging deeper into the cases that were piling up on my desk.

  Today was a day for new starts, and as much I wanted to erase yesterday, I needed the outcome to truly push forward. I had left things in an awkward mess with Dad as well. I was going to have to fill him in on last night and how we had left things.

  “Good morning! Are we ready to conquer the world today?” Aimee’s bright smile warmed the room and I couldn’t help but smile back at the familiar, friendly face. I had been falling into yesterday’s dark place and she pulled me out, just in time.

  “The world? No. But a few obstacles, hell yes. Are you ready for this?” I filled Aimee in on the events of the night before. It was the first of many times I was going to have to repeat the story and I wanted to make sure she was the first to hear it. She had been there through it all.

  “I can’t believe that, Jen. So are you and Cain ok? I mean your relationship?”

  “I think we will be. I just need some time and some space. I told him we really needed to keep our distance the next few days, until he could wrap all of this up. Things were just getting really good with us, and then this.”

  “Well, now you’ll have a really clean slate.” Aimee glanced at her watch and laughed. “I guess I’m not getting paid to sit and chat with you all day. What should I do?”

  “I’ve got to prepare for a meeting this morning and catch up with Reese, and my dad. The temp receptionist has been working on setting up a filing system and doing some unpacking. Can you give her a hand? I promise it won’t always been like this, it’s just…”

  “No need to explain.
Doing anything here is better than what I was doing.” Aimee headed toward the door. “And Jen, thank you again for this. I really do appreciate it.” She made her way to the lobby and I could hear her getting things started with the receptionist. I couldn’t help but smile as I realized I had just turned a corner and help had finally arrived for me.

  “I see you finally took my advice and hired someone?” Reese’s husky growl echoed into his coffee cup as he took a sip and talked at the same time.

  “I did, I just need to find something for her to do that will help, other than unpacking.” I reached back and played with my hair as I tried to find the right way to begin the Ashley conversation with Reese. I decided to tackle it like Reese would have with me. “Ashley Murant is my stalker.”

  I quickly gave Reese the abbreviated version and flashed him my red, cut knuckles.

  “Well, I’m glad that’s over. Hopefully Parker will take care of this the right way. You don’t need any other surprises going on out there right now.” Reese slowly pulled himself from the couch, leaning extra hard on his knees as he straightened himself up. “If you need me to put a little scare into her, I can do that for you.” Reese chuckled.

  “I’ll keep that in mind, but for now I think I’m good.”

  Reese had made his way to my seemingly revolving door. “Make sure you thank Pennington when you talk to him.” Reese motioned toward the lobby, my signal that he had arrived for our morning meeting. Time had flown by and I had accomplished nothing but gossip.

  “I will, can you please tell Aimee to put him in the conference room, I’ll be there in a few minutes?”

  Reese nodded and left in his normal gruff manner. I was already emotionally drained and I didn’t owe Brice anything other than a brief thank you. He wasn’t privy to anything in my private life, and I certainly wasn’t going to open that door with him. I pushed through a few quick emails, regained my composure, and headed down the hallway to the conference room.

  The glass wall of the conference room exposed everything going on inside until the privacy glass switch was activated. It was a fancy feature my father added when the office was being fitted out. He thought it made the firm look high tech and cutting edge. I stood and watched as Aimee and Brice talked, unaware of my presence.

  Aimee had closed the distance between them as they chatted quietly and laughed. The attraction between them was obvious, even to anyone without training in reading body language. It was good to see Aimee bouncing back so quickly after the Carter incident, but I had my reservations about Brice. He, more than anyone, was likely to hurt her. I decided I had seen enough and interrupted. Aimee excused herself from the conference room, leaving Brice and I to talk.

  “Do not even think about it, Brice.” My furrowed brow and laser eyes locked on him.

  “Think about what? Aimee? She’s a sweet girl I wouldn’t—”

  “Save it! She’s not someone you can play with. She’s not like one of the bimbos you hook up with.”

  Brice stood tall and became serious. “Hang on here, Jennifer. I’m not sure where this is coming from. You don’t even know me like that. I may act like that from time to time, but you aren’t someone to judge me.”

  I chose not to respond. He was right. I was taking my frustrations out on him. Things with Cain, my dad, even Reese. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Let’ just get to work.”

  “It’s ok. Look, we got the continuance. The judge heard my argument this morning and has given us thirty days. Jennifer, that isn’t likely going to help us with the hit and run, but it gives us time to get to the bottom of whatever your gut is telling you about this. Make it count. I just put my neck on the line for you.”

  “For us… You put your neck on the line for us…and it will count.” I pulled out a folder I had been holding, filled with additional information and things we needed to address going forward with the case. “Here, see what you can get out of your client about this stuff. We’re taking a different angle here. Get back to me in a few days and we can regroup.”

  Brice grabbed the file and thumbed through it. “I’ll do what I can. Why do you really care about all of this stuff? It doesn’t seem relevant.”

  “That’s why we are running the investigation on this.” I smirked. “Everything is relevant, right now. Just see what you can find out.”

  Brice closed the folder and headed toward the lobby, stopping briefly to flirt with Aimee and then heading toward the elevator. I pretended not to notice and made my way back to the quiet sanctuary of my office.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The cold days and nights, combined with the sun sinking below the horizon so early in the day, made for a very long and quiet week. I had kept to myself for most of it, only coming out of my office for food and meetings. I had managed to get Aimee settled into the groove of the new office and found myself actually able to get work done. I hadn’t seen Cain all week. We had exchanged a few texts, but nothing of significance. I had made it clear I didn’t want to hear from him until the Ashley situation was resolved, at least as much as it could be.

  Dad had escaped this week with Cynthia. I could only assume that I had done a great job of pushing him away with my accusations. I didn’t mind not seeing him. It allowed me to focus and avoid the conflict. Even Brice and Reese had kept their distance. I must have been giving off a look that I would bite the head off anyone that approached. I knew it wouldn’t last forever.

  My peaceful bliss ended just as abruptly as it started, with a quiet knock on my office door and the smell of Vietnamese Pho wafting in. Cain stood towering in the doorway. I took a moment to drink in his sexiness. Even when I was angry with him, I couldn’t help but feel the physical attraction. It had been entirely too long since I had felt his body next to mine. I needed it and wanted it, but emotionally I wasn’t ready.

  “Hey! Have a few minutes for lunch with me?” Cain held the white cellophane bag like a white flag, waving it in a peace offering.

  “Sure, I have a few minutes.” I didn’t want to be a jerk to him. I knew the incident with Ashley hadn’t entirely been his fault, but I needed to be diligent to stand my ground on how he handled the situation. “I trust everything has been taken care of?”

  “It has. I spoke to the Murants a few times and visited them. It was difficult. All of this has been difficult.” Cain looked tired, as though he was barely able to keep himself going.

  I cleared a space on the small conference table to make room for our impromptu lunch. “I’m sure it is, Cain. I’m sorry you’re having to reopen old wounds.”

  “It’s more than that, Jennifer. I had come to accept that Rachel is no longer here. Ashley may have sparked the reason why Rachel sped off, but she didn’t cause her to crash. At least not directly. This has been difficult because I know it’s put a wedge between us. I’ve hated being apart from you this week.” Cain opened the containers of broth and assorted items to put into the pho. I reached to help and he instinctively grabbed my hand. “Jennifer, I’m sorry. Will we be able to move past this?”

  “We will.” I looked deep into Cain’s mystical blue eyes. “I don’t blame you, Cain. I just want her, and all of this, over with, so we can focus on us.”

  He slowly pulled my hand to his soft lips and kissed it. “That’s what I want too. Us. What we first felt before all of this started.”

  His words hit me hard in the heart as I remembered the first time we saw each other in the elevator. Visions of our encounters since flashed in front of my eyes as I leaned in to kiss him. A long, passionate kiss; I had missed kisses like that from him for so long, and it swept me away. I closed my eyes and let it happen.

  The moment caught us both off guard. It was something we both needed; a bit of tenderness and love, not the steamy passion I thought I really wanted. We sat and finished our lunch together, just enjoying each other’s company.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had company. Cain, good to see you again.” Dad slipped into my office and brie
fly extended his hand to Cain, although it seemed to only be a courtesy. “Jennifer, I can come back later, there are a few things we need to discuss.”

  “Mr. Dunning, I was actually just leaving. It was a pleasure to see you again.” Cain leaned in and gently kissed me on the cheek, shook Dad’s hand again, and excused himself, closing the door behind him.

  It was unfortunate that the calmness and peace I had found during lunch vanished in an instant, and I found myself back on my emotional roller coaster. “Dad, about the other day…”

  Dad’s normal confident, stiff posture was replaced with drooping shoulders and a lop-sided half smile. “Jennifer, we need to talk, but I need to know this is really something you want to get into, this is your decision.”

  I didn’t feel I needed clarification about what the this of the conversation was, but I asked anyway. “You mean about Mom? Yes, I do.” A chill trickled down my spine as I prepared for the difficult conversation that I knew was about to take place.

  “Come, let’s sit.” Dad guided me to the couch and sat next to me. He fidgeted and wrung his hands, adjusted his tie and let the awkward silence take over. “The night your mother passed away we were at a benefit. It was at our friends’ house, Dean and Louise Harritan.”

  I vaguely remembered their names. Dad hadn’t mentioned them in the years since Mom’s passing. It was an obviously painful memory; he wiped the sweat from his palms on his grey suit pants.

  “We were only there for a few hours. Your mother had a way with people. She worked the party like it was her own. I remember it all like it was just yesterday. I made my rounds as well, talking with other attorneys and businessmen. I would watch your mother from across the room, she always made me smile.” Dad eased back into the couch and crossed his legs. “I lost sight of her for a little while. I had thought she was talking with some of the other wives or was checking out the décor, or artwork. I finally found her sitting outside on the patio. She didn’t look well.”