Fall To Pieces(48)

His voice trailed off when he came into the hall and saw our visitor.

Glaring at Rachel, Kyle strode forward and pulled me behind him.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he growled. “Can you not get a fucking hint?”

Ignoring Kyle’s threatening tone, Rachel dug her hand in her purse.

“I came to give you this,” she purred, handing Kyle a familiar looking black, leather wallet.

Kyle’s wallet.

“I found it on the floor after you left the hotel room,” Rachel continued, smiling. “I meant to give it you sooner, but it slipped my mind. It must have fallen out of your pocket when we, well, you know...”

I gaped at Rachel and then at Kyle, who was frowning at his wallet, blinking rapidly.

My body went bone cold, as my brain put the pieces together.

It wasn’t hard…I wasn’t idiot.

Breaking out of his momentary trance, Kyle swung around and grabbed my arm.

“It’s not what you think.”

I pulled my arm out of his grasp. “Don’t touch me.”

I meant it. I didn’t want him anywhere near me.

“I’m going to go,” Rachel said, smiling broadly before opening the door. “I’ll talk to you soon, Kyle.”

Rachel closed out the front door and Kyle ran his hand through his hair roughly as he stared down at me with an incredulous expression.

“I can explain that. It is not what you think, baby.” He hissed loudly. “Jesus, she is fucking crazy.”

I shook my head in disgust, and turned for the stairs.

Kyle grabbed my arm again and I pushed him away.

“Don’t fucking touch me, I said.”

He stepped back, splaying his hands out. “I know the way this must look, but I haven’t done anything wrong. Rachel, she must have taken my wallet out my pocket.”

“Why would she have her hands in your pockets?” I spat. “You know what, I don’t care anymore. Do whatever the hell you want, Kyle, you always do.”

“I didn’t fucking touch her, why won’t you believe me?” he roared.

I laughed humorlessly. “Why won’t I believe you? Is that a serious question?”

“I’m not lying to you, Lee,” Kyle growled, following me up the stairs. “Just give me a chance to explain.”

Swinging around outside my bedroom door, I poked his chest with my finger.

“You are a compulsive liar. Your word means nothing to me. Do you hear me, you mean nothing to me.”

Kyle staggered away, chest heaving. “I’m not bulletproof, Lee. Jesus Christ, I have a heart, too, and right now you’re crushing it.”

Opening my door, I stepped inside my room, and glanced back at Kyle.

My wounded pride and battered heart were what forced the next words to come out of my mouth.

“Good. I hope it hurts.”





****





Kyle





“You really mean that?” I whispered. “I’m nothing to you?”

Lee nodded stiffly.

I turned around and walked away.

I couldn’t look at her. I was too hurt.

The fact that she was so quick to think the worst of me, and what she’d said…Well I didn’t think I’d get over that, any time soon.

She meant it. She never said anything she didn’t mean. That fucking bitch had ruined everything, again.

She wasn’t getting away with it.

My phone rang as I made my way outside to my car.

I pulled my phone out of pocket and groaned when number of the New York hotel appeared on the screen.

For just once, I wanted a breather from this fucking life.





CHAPTER NINE





Lee





“You’re sure?” I asked the nurse nervously, as she prodded my belly with the heart monitor.

“Yes, I’m quite sure. Can you hear that, Delia? That’s a strong healthy heartbeat,” she assured me kindly.

Thank God.

I’d woken up with twinges in my stomach this morning and came straight to the hospital.

The taxi I had paid to drive me here had wiped out my paltry savings, but money had been the least of my worries.

The cramping pain I had experienced was all too familiar to me, and I wasn’t taking any more risks. Not with this baby.

“Everything is fine? You’re absolutely sure?”

I couldn’t help but ask. I needed the reassurance. I was terrified. I wanted my baby so desperately.

“Honey,” the nurse said in a soft voice. “Are you feeling okay? Have you been under any excess strain recently?”

“A little,” I muttered, Rachel’s name coming to mind.

Checking my blood pressure, the nurse clicked her tongue, and frowned.

“I’ll be back in just a moment,” she muttered. “Stay lying down and try to relax.”