Two weeks later, we arrived in Seattle for what would be my second fight of the season. And when I say we, I don’t mean just Knox and me. I mean Manny and Maya, too. I’d told her she was more than welcome to kick it at home since the trip was only a three-day affair, but she insisted on coming along. Even Karley had offered her spare bedroom while we were gone, but again, Maya declined. And who was I to tell her no? It’s not like we didn’t have the space in our suite. If she felt safer coming with us, then so be it. But that’s what worried me...she felt safer with us, not Manny. She’d yet to open up to him. The poor man had been coming over every day, in hopes to show her he was far friendlier than he appeared and to instill some type of trust in her, but she just wasn’t having it. I could understand that she was weary after all she’d been through with her husband, and I’m sure Manny’s intimidating build wasn’t helping either, but something had to give. She’d asked for protection in the event of a worse-case scenario, and Manny was it. I had hope, though, that traveling together would somehow break down her shell, even if it was only a little bit. Baby steps, right?
As for me, Maya had surprisingly opened up a lot. It took some time and we still had a long ways to go; but, after a few days, she didn’t seem as reserved when in my presence, which had been a big concern, given her resistance to Manny. I made sure to steer clear of any Dimitri conversations and tried to keep things as light as possible. I hadn’t broached the Bernie topic either because I wasn’t sure what type of wounds that may open. For the most part, it was nice to have someone around at times when I typically would’ve been alone. Don’t get me wrong, I probably enjoyed my alone time way more than the average person, but sometimes I didn’t know what the hell to do with myself, especially on days when I knew Knox would be working late. She was way easier to get along with than I’d imagined, and although I’d initially thought she was nothing like Bernie personality-wise, she actually was. The witty remarks that would leave her mouth at the most random of times reminded me so much of him, as did the way she smiled, or the simple way she’d used her hands to express herself when she talked. My heart both swelled and broke a little every time. Having Maya here was like having a piece of Bernie in the flesh, and while I knew she could never replace who he was for me, it was nice to feel that familial sense of comfort again, even if it was in a different way.
Reyna and Luis had also taken an instant liking to Maya when they met her on the Fourth. Not surprising, really. Those two liked everyone. I think it’s because they were able to empathize with her on another level. As kids, they’d witnessed their dad relentlessly beat their mom, so they knew what it was like to be vulnerable and afraid at the hand of a manic beast. Luis joked their father was the reason why Rey had gone gay, but none of us found it funny, Maya included. I almost slapped him, considering Liv was there, but my man had that covered.
Speaking of my man… Ever since Maya’s arrival, he’d been...quiet. He didn’t really interact with her too much either, which resulted in an crapload of tension when the three of us were in a room alone. I’d asked him why a few times and he simply shrugged it off without further explanation. For some inexplicable reason, I felt like there was something he wasn’t telling me and I couldn’t figure out what the hell it was. Of course, my mind went off to places like, had Brie continued texting him? Had he answered? Were they seeing each other when he was supposed to be “working?” Those questions hit me over the head at least once daily, but I stuffed them away before they had the opportunity to fester. I didn’t want to be one of those crazy, insecure girlfriends, especially when Knox had never been anything but honest with me.
So, with all that being said, imagine the amount of tension in the SUV as Manny drove us from Seatac International to The Grand Hyatt. Knox sat up front with him while I lounged in the back with Maya, watching each of them carefully. Manny was focused on the road, though, every so often, him and Knox would mumble something I couldn’t make out over the music. Knox was constantly checking his email in hopes to find something from Amari’s PA since the interview had gone so well. And Maya, well, she was quiet as a mouse, her nose stuck deep in some smutastic novel Karley lent her. It’d been like this at every point through the trip...and I didn’t like it. Why did it feel like we were playing some unspoken game of boys versus girls? The boys were buddy-buddy and I was stuck with our guest because she didn’t trust the one person who could keep her safe at best, and my boyfriend was acting far more reserved than was the norm for him. Okay, so stuck was a harsh word, considering Maya had grown on me quickly, but it just felt like she was solely my responsibility. Not quite fair to me, if you add in the fact we were here because of me. I had a fight tomorrow night. How was I ever going to concentrate in that cage if I was worrying about these three getting along?
I really didn’t think it could get any worse. But it did, obviously, and it happened very quickly.
So quickly that when Manny pulled up right in front of the Hyatt’s entrance and I hopped out onto the sidewalk, I hadn’t been expecting the rush of emotions that came when I craned my head back to observe the building. The last time I’d been here – correction – the last time we had been here was The Finals. A good memory to some degree, but also one that involved Jason. This was the hotel he’d drugged us at. This was the hotel where he and Lexi left me in the bathroom, and kidnapped the man I hadn’t realized I was in love with yet. I’d woken up with a pounding head, taken in my surroundings, and was hit with the reality that Knox was in life-threatening danger when he was nowhere to be found in our suite. That memory was one of the many I wished I could erase.
“Never heard from him again.” Manny’s voice was beside me suddenly, as though he’d been reading my mind.
I turned my head to regard him and nodded because he was right. After Manny left us here that night, he went back to the warehouse to take care of Jason, and we never heard from him again. Thank God.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to anything like that this time.” That was Knox, the man as in tune as ever, even when I couldn’t read him right.
Manny hummed and then the two disappeared to the back of the Tahoe to handle the luggage. That’s when Maya came to stand beside me, her small hand wrapping around my arm.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, and again I just nodded because what was I supposed to tell her?
Her eyebrows quirked ever so slightly, as though she didn’t think there weren’t any truth to my words, but she didn’t press me. Instead, she stole a peek at the building herself and I wondered if being in the city made her think of New York. I could’ve asked, but I didn’t, and she didn’t tell either, so we left it at that.
If only it were so easy to leave everything behind.
The unease that had quickly flourished didn’t lessen any as we checked-in, made our way up to the twentieth floor, and dispersed to our rooms. Something suddenly felt uncertain. I don’t think it was so much being here that had me on edge, but more of what Knox had said. I couldn’t fathom having to relive something like that again. I’d had enough fear and sorrow throughout the years to last a lifetime.
No more, please.
“What are you gonna do now?” Knox questioned from the en suite bathroom.
“I don’t know, probably make sure Maya is settled. Why?”
“After that, wanna go down to the beach?”
“The beach?” I could not have sounded more confused. “Why?”
“To make some new memories. I’ve never been to an all pebble beach before.” He shrugged.
Neither had I. The thought behind his intention was sweet, too, and at this point, anything that would take me away from this nagging feeling was welcome. Plus, it was probably one of the only times we would have to be alone. That is, of course, if Maya didn’t come with us.
“I’ll be ready in five,” I said with a soft smile before padding out of our room to where Maya was, across the small hallway.
The door was slightly cracked open, prompting me to knock.
“Come in,” her voice rang out.
Poking my head in, I found her unpacking her duffle bag.
“You know we’re only here three days, right?”
She nodded, hooking a shoulder. “I hate living out of a bag. OCD and all that.”
“I can relate, trust me. Listen, Knox and I are gonna head down to the beach. Wanna come?”
“I’ll pass. I can’t remember the last time I traveled so much. I’m actually kinda tired.”
I knew that feeling all too well. “It’s definitely not for everyone, and to think that’s all I did with The Underground. So glad it’s a different story this time around.”
Maya plopped down on the bed with a yellow sundress in hand. “My dad probably loved that, though, huh? All the traveling. When my mom was still alive, he’d promised her they’d travel the world once I had gone off to college.”
I stood there motionless, completely taken aback by her question. It was the first time she’d really brought him up since coming to stay with us, and I didn’t know whether to roll with it or deviate to something else. I decided now was the best time to test the waters...
“Yeah, he did; at first, anyway. After two years or so, I think it started taking a toll on him.”
“You think that’s where his heart attack stemmed from?” She glanced up to where I stood, not so far away. “The constant travel?”
“I think it played a role in it, yes, but I don’t believe it was the primary reason.”
With a solemn nod, she laid her dress out on the bed and smoothed it out. “Thank you for loving him so much, Hazel. I’m not sure how you two found each other, but I’m thankful he had you when I failed him.”
“You didn’t fail him, Maya.” I sighed and dropped down at the opposite end of the bed. “You were young, in love, and Dimitri blinded you with promises of a beautiful happily ever after.”
“I was stupid, is what I was. Dad tried warning me more than once and I fought him every step of the way. I even called him crazy before Dimitri and I finally left to New York.”
“We all make mistakes,” I pointed out.
“Some more than others.”
“True… But for what it’s worth, he’d forgiven you.”
She scoffed and turned her head away. “You think so?”
“I know so. He was worried but work kept him busy.”
“He was still worried aft-”
Knock, knock.
Maya’s mouth was popped open we both turned our heads to the door.
Knox poked his head in, but kept his eyes trained on me. “Ready?” he asked.
Nodding, I rose to my feet and watched as he and Maya simply regarded one another with indiscernible expressions. No words were exchanged, not even a quirk of their lips, and although the vibe wasn’t hostile, it wasn’t pleasant either. I had it in my right mind to ask him what had him so wound up, once and for all.
But did I really want to know the answer?
The beach was as picturesque as the movies made it out to be. Dark pebbles laid in place of where you’d usually see sand, casting a dark ambiance over the ocean too. Distant mountains were the backdrop of this northern paradise, reminding you that Canada wasn’t so far away. There was also a nice breeze rolling by, one that didn’t quite reach the surprisingly dry city. With my hand entwined in Knox’s, we walked close to the shoreline in comfortable silence, breathing in the views.
“How you feelin’ about tomorrow night.” he asked suddenly.
I shrugged, and tucked a wisp of hair behind my ear. “Honestly, I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?”
“I’m worried…” I admitted.
“About?”
“About you guys.”
“Who?” He sounded confused.
“You, Manny, and Maya.”
Jerking us to a stop, his eyes bore into mine under cinched brows. “Why on earth would you be worried about us? We’re not the ones fighting.”
“Yeah, but you’re the ones who don’t get along.”
“Not true at all, kitten.”
“Yes, it is, actually.” I crossed my arms. “Maya barely looks at Manny, he’s more than likely on the verge of saying to hell with her, and you’ve said a total of twenty words to her in the two weeks she’s been with us.”
Silence.
I could see the way his jaw ground together, his lips thinning into a grim line. Nevertheless, I held his stare, as determined as ever to bring the truth to light. The answer may not be what I wanted to hear, but I had to know. This constant guessing game of what had him so seemingly distant was eating me to my core, and I couldn’t take it anymore.
“With reason…” he gritted out after a beat.
“Then tell me the reason, because I’m not understanding.”
“I’m just concerned.”
“About?” I hedged, cocking my head to one side.
“About how Maya’s husband is clearly violent. Most of these wife beaters have a sick sense of possessiveness, and her leaving could spark something in him that puts us all in danger.”
What in the…
Not at all what I was expecting him to say. I’d been so worried Brie played a part in all this, I hadn’t even considered he was fretting over Dimitri.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“Because,” he sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face. “I didn’t want to worry you, which obviously I failed at miserably because my actions have led you to worry anyway.”
“You should have told me,” I said, my voice hushed.
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“I’m not mad, babe. I get why you did it, and I’m thankful you always have my best interests in mind. However, we’re a team. If you’re seeing red flags, you need to tell me these things. I’m not a mind reader, and I can’t fight beside you if I don’t know what we’re up against.”
He clenched the fabric of my shirt and reeled me in, locking his arms around my neck. “We shouldn’t have to fight…”
“You’re right, we shouldn’t, but honestly, I don’t think there’s anything to fight. Dimitri might be a sick asshole, but I really don’t think he’s going to come after her. He doesn’t even know where she is.”
“For now. Based on who he is, I’d say he has the resources to pin her down in hours.”
I hugged him tightly, gripping the back of his tee in my fists. “Maybe, maybe not. No point in dwelling on it, though. His silence is a positive thing.”
“We can only hope.”
The breeze rolled by once more and I hugged him tighter, taking a deep breath. “Can you at least give the girl a break now? I know she senses your reservations, and I don’t want her to feel out of place or like she’s not welcome.”
Knox sighed and rested his chin atop my head. “I’ll try. I guess I just have to get out of my own head.”
“You really do,” I said, watching the waves crash ashore, feeling no less restless than I had when we first arrived.