Breaking The Silence (Fatally Flawed Book 3) (8 page)

Chapter 20

Izzy

              Bethany and Dalton’s house looks clean and tidy as always. These two are more than perfect for each other, both have OCD and are very anal about where things are placed. I almost never invite them over to my apartment, in fear they may try to organize it. I’m not a dirty person, I just live in controlled chaos. K.J. leads me through the kitchen door with his hand on the small of my back, causing everyone to watch us with smiles on their faces.

              “Don’t.” Is the only word spoken by K.J. and everyone seems to get the hint, never asking the questions that were in their eyes. Jasper and Candice are sitting on the left side of the table, his arm protectively wrapped around Candice’s shoulders. Bethany and Dalton are sitting to our right, but there is enough space to fit both K.J. and I between them.

              “Don’t you ever knock, asshole?” Dalton finally asks K.J.

              “No.” He declares with zero emotion in his voice. This man really has no shame or boundaries when it comes to other people’s privacy. I try to make my way to the table, every intention on sitting down, when K.J. grabs my wrist. Looking into his eyes I see him glance down at my ass and realize he’s trying to save me from having to answer unwanted questions from our friends. I won’t be able to hide the discomfort sitting on a hard wooden chair will bring. The ride, here on the back of his bike, was painful enough. I remind myself to play nice. He holds the power for now, so instead of say something rude, out of frustration, I take two giant steps to the side. Placing myself out of his reach.

              “Is everything alright between you two?” Candice asks, her voice full of concern.

              “Yes.” K.J. states at the same time I say, “no.” Our friends exchange glances before I start to clarify my response. “He’s a fucking asshole, but you guys already knew that.” I say with a little too much joy in my voice. K.J.’s greatest flaw is his constant need to stay private, knowing he won’t like people hearing about what goes on behind closed doors, I decide pushing his buttons in front of our friends is not worth the risk. He tilts his head to the side, before stepping into my personal space. “Do you think being around our friends will give you some sort of free pass? I own you now, Elizabeth. There is no one in this world that could stop me from doing what I want. When I want.” He whispers into my ear, trailing his thumb down my neck. Slowly bringing my racing heart back to its normal rate. “That’s two.” He says, before retreating back, taking me into his arms.

              It only takes a few seconds before my traitorous body is melting against him. His touch has always had this effect on me, so I’m not surprised. Having always enjoyed pushing his buttons, I’m even more excited to get a rise out of him, now that he has finally given me what I want. I just need to play this smart and choose my battles wisely.

              “Well that wasn’t awkward at all.” Dalton states, standing up from the table. “Us guys are going to go chill outside and leave you girls in here to cackle like the little hens you are.” He jokes before leaning over to give Bethany a kiss. She turns her head, causing him to miss her lips, catching her on the cheek instead. I see the hurt in Dalton’s eyes before he walks out of the kitchen, a fake smile plastered on his troubled face.

              “Do you think you can behave yourself while I’m gone?” K.J. quietly questions me.

              “Gee, I don’t know daddy. I’m not sure Candice and Bethany are good influences on me.” I reply back in a childlike voice.

              “Do you remember when we were in high school and we all went to the diner?” He asks.

              “Yeah.”

              “Then you remember me telling you I would rip that crazy outfit off with my teeth.” He states with a smug grin now on his face. Swallowing down my smart ass retort, I simply nod my head as way of answering,

              “In that moment I knew it would be hard to break you. Last night and this morning was just a taste of what I have planned for you, Elizabeth. Remember that whenever you feel it necessary to mock me.” With that said he turns on his heel and walks out of the kitchen, headed the same direction Dalton and Jasper went.

              “Spill.” Candice shouts out looking at me expectantly.

              “I’d rather not.” I state, realizing that is the honest truth. This thing between K.J. and me has been one sided for so long that I’m not sure he isn’t just giving into temptation for a short time. It may seem selfish but right now I just want to keep this between us.

              “Come on Izzy, you two walk in here together, acting like a couple and your telling me you don’t want to.” Candice says.

              “She has a point. You have to at least tell us what he did to have you walking like John Wayne.” Bethany states with laughter in her voice. It’s good to see her smiling again. I know losing the baby hasn’t been easy on her. For a solid month none of us could get her to come out of her bedroom, but thankfully something in her changed, and she started interacting with the world again.

              “Is it that obvious?” I ask mortified that I may be walking like one of the cowboys from Brokeback mountain.

              “Yes.” They both laugh out in unison. Tired of standing up I make my way to the table, walking as normal as I can, before sitting in the chair beside Bethany.

              “He didn’t take it easy on you, did he?” Candice asks, when she notices the way I sit down.

              “You could say that.” I laugh out, realizing just how ridiculous I must look. “Enough talk about my new found sex life. Let’s discuss plans on getting my sister out of my apartment.” I state, trying to change the subject. Thankfully they take the bait, and we start discussing another part of my crazy life. 

              “You should just tell her to leave. I don’t understand why you let her treat you like garbage all the time.”

              “Well if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black. You are the biggest push over I know, Candice.” I declare, making sure to give her my stern look.             

              “I know, and if someone as mouthy as you can’t stand up to her. That leaves zero hope for people like me.”

              “I know. Get K.J. to kick her out, he would have her running for the hills in no time.” Bethany suggest.

              “NO!!” I yell while slapping my hands on the table. Candice and Bethany look at me, eyes big as saucers, both trying to figure out my reaction to the suggestion. “I’m sorry, okay. It’s just not a good idea. There is no way I can allow them two to be in the same room, ever again.” I state with finality in my voice.

              “What do you mean again?” Bethany questions.

              “K.J. came by one night while Kiersten was there. She made a point to tell me she wanted him. Kiersten can sink her claws into any man that she wants, I’ve never seen her get turned down before.”

              “K.J. would never go for someone like her, Izzy. He has been stalking you for just as long as you have been chasing after him.” Candice says, with confidence in her voice.

              “I would still prefer to keep them away from each other, just to be on the safe side. There has to be another way. I would rather keep him as far away from my family as possible.”

              After my declaration we continue to come up with plans to get Kiersten out. Somewhere between my idea of a kidnapper and Bethany’s fake fire, we start discussing the payback K.J. deserves for making me walk funny. There are plenty of idea’s thrown around, that have us all holding our stomach with laughter, until my phone rings. I snatch it out of my pocket, looking down at the screen, noticing Gunner’s name. My thumb lingers over the accept button, for a split second, before ultimately sliding the red circle to the left.

              “Who is it?” Candice asks.

              “Unknown.” I answer back casually. The reason I lie to Candice is the same reason I declined his call. I don’t want to deal with all the feelings of betrayal I’m hiding. I know K.J. has warned me to stay away from him, but I at least owe him an explanation. I will not be able to carry around this guilt I feel.

              The sounds of the guys’ laughter and heavy feet can be heard, so I’m able to put the phone back in my pocket before K.J. comes striding in. Jasper walks over to Candice, lifting her out of the chair she is in, using the arm that just came out of the cast.

              “Doctor Green told you not to over use your arm, Jasper.” Candice scolds him.

              “I think I know my body better than that old ass dinosaur, Candice.”

              “That old ass dinosaur is the best orthopedic surgeon in the country. He is the only one that gave you hope of ever fighting again.” Candice states.

              “What does my dad say about you fighting with only one kidney?” Dalton asks.

              “I’ve always looked up to your father growing up, but I don’t remember him ever being an over bearing parent. Now that he’s my doctor, I can’t cough without him calling to check in on me.” Jasper jokes. “He says I will have to drink more water and be more disciplined than before. Other than that, everything else will be as it was.” Jasper states for the group. We have all been worried about his recovery and attitude towards getting back into the cage.

              “I’m just glad he finally quit calling me every day to check on Bethany.” Dalton replies.

              The room suddenly gets awkwardly quiet, everyone trying to avoid the topic of Bethany’s lost pregnancy. Bethany timidly looks at everyone, trying to blink back the tears in her eyes before they can fall. “I’m really tired, I think I’ll just head to bed.” She whispers before turning around and high tailing it out of the room.

              “I’ve got to go check on her. You’ll let yourselves out?” Dalton mumbles, heading in the same direction Bethany just disappeared in.

              “Let’s go.” K.J. commands while grabbing my hand, leading me toward the front door. Some people may think this is rude, not saying goodbye, just leaving without any explanation, but that is K.J. He explains himself to no one and does what he wants, when he wants. I manage to shout out a quick goodbye over my shoulder, before we exit the house. Getting on the back of his bike, he takes off with ease, my arms securely wrapped around his waist.

Chapter 21

Dalton

              I hear the door shut at the front of the house. With it the sounds of my friend’s voices disappear. Running my fingers through my long hair, I try to think of something to say to Bethany, that won’t sound uncaring or inconsiderate. The loss of our baby has damaged our relationship more than I ever imagined possible. She is the only woman in this world I could ever love, but here lately I get the feeling she hates to even be in the same room as me.

              Walking into our shared bedroom I see her sitting on the bed, face in her hands, silently crying. She never looks up, not when I sit beside her, not when I place my arm around her, and not when I tuck her into my side. “Bethany. You have to talk to me, baby. Tell me what I can do to make this easier on you.” I whisper into the quiet room; not entirely sure she is listening.

              “You’ve done enough tonight, Dalton. Just leave me alone.” She states pulling away from me. When she lifts her face I can see the smear of her mascara, and the trail of dried tears on her cheeks. These conversations always end the same way. She accuses me of not caring enough and I sit here taking in all the shit she throws at me thinking this is the only way she can move on. Tonight is different, something in me snaps. For months I’ve listened to her hateful words, dealt with the icy stares, and cold shoulders.

              “So now I’m supposed to walk on egg shells around you. I’m sorry I said something that upset you. Is there anything I do anymore that don’t set you off?” I shout while standing up from the bed. I begin to run my fingers through my hair, pacing back and forth, trying to calm myself down.

              “That’s because you say inconsiderate stupid things all the time. You have no filter; you don’t think before you speak. It’s like dealing with a toddler.” She yells back, still sitting on the bed, more tears falling down her face.

              “Well I think we both see how you would have handled being the mother of a toddler. You’ve been a bitch to me, when I’ve just been trying to help us get through this. I LOST HIM TOO, BETHANY. You’re not the only one hurting.” I holler out.

              “IT’S YOUR FAULT!” She screams in my face. “YOU ARE THE REASON OUR BABY DIED. K.J. AND JASPER ARE YOUR FRIENDS.”

              The moment I hear those words, the fight leaves my body, and I’m left staring at the broken woman I love. There was never a time I thought her attitude toward me was because she blamed me. I have nothing left to say. I walk out of the room, not sure where to go, just knowing I have to get the hell out of here.

Chapter 22

K.J.

              Dalton’s office looks just as organized as his house, no surprise there. He has always been a very structured person for someone that is constantly surrounded by chaos. I walk past the empty receptionist desk knowing without a doubt I will find him sitting at his desk, in the dark, trying to avoid going home. Last week when we were over his house, everyone could see the way Bethany looked at him, and feel the tension between the two. What others may have not noticed were her dilated pupils.

              “Are things between you and Bethany as bad as I’m sensing?” I ask while silently walking into his office. He’s wearing a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his hair is longer than I’ve ever seen it, and the dark circles around his eyes tell of the sleepless nights he’s been having. The look of sorrow in his gaze is enough to send ideas racing through my head, of how I could get rid of his problem without him ever knowing. Jasper, Dalton, and now Izzy are the only people I feel any loyalty towards, everyone else is just wasted space to me.

              “It’s that obvious, huh?” Dalton says, running his fingers through his hair. Leaning back in his chair he loosens the red tie that is wrapped around his neck before throwing it on his desk. “We are just going through a rough patch. Nothing I can’t handle.”

              “You know I hate liars, so cut the bullshit. If you could handle it, you would be at home doing just that.”

              “I’ve tried everything I can think of to help her, maybe she just needs space. Maybe she can’t process her feelings with me constantly around.” He rushes to tell me. I can see in his eyes that he honestly believes what he is saying. This is his last ditch effort to fix his relationship.

              “She isn’t going to process her feelings as long as she’s numbing them away with drugs.” I tell him. “I know you love her, that’s why I am telling you, that is why I saved her, and that’s why I am giving you a chance to fix it before I do. She is a part of Izzy’s life and I won’t have Bethany bringing that shit around her.”

              “Have you lost your fucking mind?” He growls at me while standing up. “You have the audacity to come into my office and accuse the woman I love of having a drug addiction. That is fucking low, even for a thug like you.” Dalton says, now standing in front of me with his fist clinched at his sides.

              “That’s your warning Dalton. I would never knowingly let Izzy put herself in danger. That is what addicts are.

              “You would know, having worked for a drug lord all your life.” He spits out. “Now get the fuck out of my office, before I do something we both regret.”

              His threat does nothing but tell me all I need to know. He’s too blinded by his feelings towards Bethany, to be able to get her the help she needs. Izzy isn’t going to like it, but after tonight she will be forbidden to go anywhere near her.

              I stroll out of his office, headed to my bike in the alley, when I see Santiago leaning against the brick building across the street, in one of his crisp black suits. Part of me wants to give him the finger as I fly by on my bike, but there has to be a reason he has found me himself instead of sending out someone to collect me for him.

              “Lorenzo feels betrayed. He has marked you as enemy number one, in fact, there is a million-dollar bounty on you. The first to bring you in alive gets a brief case full of cash.” He reveals to me.

              “Why tell me?” I ask.

              “I made a promise to someone, and I always keep my promises.” He says.

              “Who?” I question, not convinced he’s telling the truth. This person would have to be more important to him than Lorenzo, and that is highly unlikely. He is Lorenzo’s second in command, that is a bond between criminals like no other.

              “Her name was Hope. Ironic name considering the life she lived.” He whispers. I can see the faraway look in his dark eyes, telling me he is lost in a memory, “she was a beautiful woman, caught in the cross fire between two powerful men. Neither of them having a problem with using her as leverage.”

              “That’s a lovely story, thanks for the heads up, but that doesn’t make us friends.”

              “K.J. Wait.” He shouts out just as I begin to turn around.

              “Hope made me make one more promise to her. She wanted me to tell her only son how much she loved him.” He says, taking a step toward me. “Your mother tried to run away the same day she found out she was pregnant. She had no idea Lorenzo was lying in wait, to kidnap her from Anthony, in hopes of using her against him. She fought for you K.J. and never gave into Lorenzo. No matter what the consequences were. She knew if she were dead, you would be kept alive as leverage over Anthony. She willing killed herself, knowing you would live.”

              “Why would she trust you?”

              “Your mother was left in my care during the last few months of her pregnancy. In that time, I would like to believe we fell in love, but I know it was one sided. She became my everything, to her I was the one person that could help make sure you stayed alive.”

              “You may have loved my mother but I possess no feelings for the woman. Just make sure you tell Lorenzo if he even thinks about going after Izzy, Dalton, or Jasper I will show him why he should have killed me when he had the chance.”

              With that said, walking across the street once again, I head to the alley where my bike is. I’ve learned a lot of information that could potentially help me take down Anthony and Lorenzo for good. There is one thing I know for sure, Santiago is someone I could potentially use.