Harbour of Refuge (27 page)

She buried her face into his neck. “Thank you for not dropping me. And I’m sorry for throwing all those into the trees.”

He carried her back to the blanket where they’d had lunch and laid her down. Enzo positioned himself so he could stare at her and she didn’t even shiver when the wind picked up. His body put off so much heat she hadn’t the slightest chill.

Running her hand up and down his arm, she watched him as he did the same to her. “I think we should go back.”

He skimmed her cheekbone with a knuckle. “Tired?”

A slight shrug. “Sort of.”

His grin informed her he understood her perfectly. “Let’s go, then.” A hard, fast kiss before they both scrambled to get all their things. In less than an hour they had returned to the cabin, the picnic basket along with her camera ignored on the floor as he took her against the wall.

Yes. One of her best vacations ever.

* * * *

“Five. Four. Three. Two. One! Happy New Year!”

The cheers were tremendous as they counted down into the New Year. Halyn blinked before she found herself swept up in Enzo’s embrace as he kissed her deeply. Toes curling inside her stiletto heels, she melted against him, wrapping her arms around him and threading her fingers through his hair.

He rested his hands on her hips, holding her near so she could feel the erection within his slacks. She whimpered, moving closer, moaning in frustration when he retreated. The heat in his gaze was enough to singe her little black dress.

“We’re at a party, sweetheart. I have to be here for a while longer, and that will all go to shit if you keep doing that to me.”

“Happy New Year,” she said, stepping to lean against him.

Autumn and winter had flown by with her growing ever closer to him and Liev. It had been almost idyllic, but she knew better. Racing season was ready to commence. He had to begin his training, and everything else which came with his job.

He’d flown them down to California, to the team’s party. She’d met the new manager, Steven Krube, and Luke’s wife and child. Right now, Liev was asleep in a hotel room with one of the crew’s older children watching him.

Walking away, she went to get another drink, smiling and congratulating those she passed. With a thank you to the bartender, she turned back to seek Enzo out in the crowd. He stood with a group of women who fawned over him. It didn’t bother her as much as she’d figured it would. She understood that part of the game, but he’d never given her so much as a flicker of reason to doubt he would be faithful to her.

She sat on the stool, sighing and nursing her drink. It was impossible to ignore the nagging feeling that had been creeping up her spine since they had landed. A rift had always been there between them—the racing—and now she was feeling it expand.

This was a world she neither understood nor belonged to. Sure, she could fake it. She had the day she met him in Monte Carlo. But she had no interest in it beyond him being safe, whereas he fit in this world of the fast and rich.

I was shocked he’d even purchase a Subaru when he got the place in Oregon. Thought for sure he’d have got his own Lexus or something similar.

Women had diamonds dripping from them—it actually turned her stomach to see the excess. With each passing second, she felt more and more out of place. After finishing her drink, she made her way to the ladies room. She was just about to leave one of the stalls when the door opened.

“I just don’t know what he sees in her.”

“Me either. I know if I was the one on Enzo Cassano’s arm I wouldn’t be wearing that dress, it’s like, seriously outdated.”

Tears sprang to her eyes at the remarks. If she were Mila, she would have confronted them. She wasn’t and she didn’t like confrontations.

“I know. But really, a toy store owner? What a massive step down for a man who used to date supermodels. I don’t know what he sees in her at all. She’s…well, so simple. Have you seen her hair? Really? Try a relaxer next time. God, it’s awful.” They both laughed.

“I’m going to flirt with him some more. I know he’s interested. Before long I’ll be at his side, and that kid of his will be at a boarding school.”

“You’re evil, Rachel.”

“Hey, like I want to raise someone else’s brat.” The sound of lips smacking replaced the talking. “Let’s go.”

“Have you seen her lately? I’ve not seen her since they kissed after the countdown.”

“Nope, let’s hope she left, that way I can get my kiss from him for the New Year.”

The door opened and shut again, leaving Halyn alone.
Just more proof I don’t belong in this world.
She walked to the sink. After washing her hands, she stared at her reflection. Simple makeup, her dress—yes, was a few years old—but it was one she’d thought would be fine. A little black dress wasn’t supposed to go out of style. Her hair was drawn up to the top of her head, the curls adding depth to her look, framing her face in what she’d thought was a cute way.

With a self-deprecating sigh, she sank the tissue in the trash and walked out. “I want to go home,” she told herself.

Enzo found her at the bar where she sat nursing a cranberry cooler—a non-alcoholic mix of cranberry juice, lime juice and club soda.

“There you are,” he said, placing a kiss on her cheek.

She wriggled one foot. “Not used to wearing these shoes, wanted to sit for a bit.”

“I promise a foot rub later. A few of us want to go up to the pool room for a game. You want to come?”

“No. I think I’ll just keep this seat and rest my feet.”

“They’ll have chairs up there.” He nibbled along her neck.

She closed her eyes and inhaled the familiar and intoxicating compilation of cologne and Enzo’s own, personal masculine scent. Tonight it was paired with the faint hint of alcohol.

“Go,” she insisted, false cheer injected in her voice.

“I’ll be back soon.” One more kiss then he slipped off through the crowd.

“Refill, ma’am?” the bartender asked about forty minutes later.

“No, thank you.” She drank it and pushed her glass away. “Have a good night, and Happy New Year.”

The man smiled. “Same to you, ma’am.”

With a deep breath she got to her feet, scanning the floor for Enzo’s manager. Spying him, she moved to his side and waited patiently for him to notice her.

“Halyn,” he said. “How are you?”

“Fine, Mr Krube. Tired, however. Could you let Enzo know I went back to my room?” With Liev on the trip, she’d not wanted to share a room with Enzo. She hadn’t thought it best for Liev.

He stepped closer and lowered his head. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, sir. He went to play pool, or something like that. I’m getting a headache and think it best I just head back. If you see him could you let him know? I’ll call him as well.”

“Of course. It was a pleasure meeting you. Let me walk you to the door.”

Before leaving the room, Halyn looked back at the lavish setup. Not her world. Exhaustion nipping at her heels, she left and took the elevator to her suite. Her shoes were first to go, followed by the dress.

She showered then fell across the bed, waiting for sleep to come. Honestly, it didn’t come easily. All she could see were the women who thought she wasn’t good enough throwing themselves at Enzo.

Chapter Nineteen

He’d fucked up. Somehow. Enzo wasn’t sure how, but he knew he had. And he didn’t like it one bit. He stood across the room and watched Liev eating breakfast with Halyn.

Last night when Steven had told him she had returned to her room because of a headache, he’d known he should have gone after her. He hadn’t, staying instead for a few more games of pool. When he’d woken this morning, he’d seen the note Liev had left him.

‘
Breakfast
.’

Tired, and more than a bit hung-over, Enzo had showered and gone to the suite he’d got for Halyn. There’d been no answer so he’d come down here. He watched her smile at Liev but he knew deep in his gut something was wrong. She’d lost the spark she’d had.

Turning his ball cap backwards, he made his way through the tables until he reached theirs. “Morning,” he said, with a kiss to Halyn’s cheek.

“Good morning,” she replied.

He sat beside her and saw her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “How are you this morning, Liev?”

“Hungry.”

“Looks like it.” Facing Halyn again, he asked, “Is your headache better?”

“Yes, thanks for asking.” She stood up. “Excuse me. I’ll see you later, Liev.” She walked away without a look back.

“I’ll be right back, Liev.” Enzo took off after her, catching her at the door. “I’m sorry,” he blurted out.

“For what, Enzo? This was your team’s party. You didn’t need to babysit me.” She watched him unblinkingly. “Or are you apologising for something else?”

Was he? “You were my date for the party. I shouldn’t have left you.”

“I’m a grown woman. Excuse me, I have to go shower and change.”

“For what?”

“Liev and I are going to the museum. Remember, while you have your meeting?”

Shit
. He’d totally forgotten. Glancing at his watch, he saw he didn’t have much time. He raked a hand through his hair after yanking off his cap. By the time it was back on him, she had left him standing there.

Once again in the dining room, he fixed a plateful of food and ate with his son. Halyn didn’t even come to get Liev, she just waved at him and he made his way over to where she waited. Together they left. No smile, no hug. No kiss. Yeah, he’d royally fucked up.

* * * *

His meetings ran long and he fought a yawn as they finally left. “Can I just say,” he said to Luke and Steven as they filed out, “how stupid it is to have a meeting the day after New Year’s? Half of them were still hung-over.”

“Like you’re any better,” Luke said, laughing.

Enzo grimaced at the pounding in his skull. “My point exactly.”

“It’s the only time they know all of us are together. I think they plan it that way.”

Enzo grunted. He wanted to join Liev and Halyn, only he hadn’t any clue on which museum they had gone to. Why? Because, ass that he was, he hadn’t asked.

“Where’re you off to?” Steven asked.

“Hotel. Halyn and the kid are off at a museum.”

Steven waved and left them standing in the sun. Enzo looked at his best friend. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure thing.” Luke crossed his arms, leaned against a pillar and hooked his ankles. “What’s up?”

“Something’s changed between Halyn and I. I don’t know how to fix it.”

“What is it?”

He shrugged. “That’s the thing. I don’t know.”

“What’d she say when you asked her?” Enzo blinked at him and Luke held out a hand. “Wait, you didn’t ask her what the problem was?”

No, he hadn’t. “She said I had nothing to apologise for, since it was my team throwing the party. Then she added, unless I’ve done something else which requires one.”

“Well? Did you?”

He threw up his hands. “I don’t know. All I know is she isn’t happy. Her spark is gone.”

“In the span of one day? What the fuck did you do to her, man? She seemed fine at the party.”

He blew out an exasperated breath. “I know. I left her to play pool and…now this.”

“My advice, coming from years of marriage, is talk to her. You can’t fix something if you don’t know what it is. Don’t make assumptions on it.”

Enzo knew he was right but part of him was angry. The entire situation didn’t sit well with him. “Thanks, man.”

They parted ways and he climbed behind the wheel of his rental Audi SUV and drove back to the hotel.

Halyn and Liev didn’t show for lunch and as the dinner hour neared, Enzo was beyond upset. He’d called her numerous times and she’d never answered, nor returned his calls. They’d gone straight to voicemail. His mood had fallen faster than a lead balloon, and he bit back his curse when the suite door opened, admitting his son and the woman who was turning him into knots.

The smile on Liev’s face knocked him hard. His own son preferred someone else’s company to his own.

“Almost dinner time,” he said, struggling not to lose his temper. “Why don’t you put your things away, Liev, and we’ll go eat.”

Halyn closed the door behind her and stood near it, watching him. When his son had vanished into his own room, Enzo spun and stalked towards her. For a moment, fear flashed in her gaze. That pissed him off more—she had no call to ever,
ever
fear him.

“Where the hell have you been?” His tone was so low and dangerous it sounded more like a growl than a human asking a question.

“Museum, like we planned.”

“So long?”

Her gaze narrowed. “I didn’t have a damn clue how long your meeting would last, I didn’t want to bring him back with plans to do something else myself only to have you still gone. So we took our time, saw some of the movies they play and did some participation activities. Had lunch and kept going.” She crossed her arms. “What’s your problem?”

“No word from you. All day. All my calls went to voicemail. Do you have any idea how
worried
I was?”

“I’m sorry. I tried to call but your voicemail is full. Probably all those women from last night who take such delight in talking about me behind my back. The ones who want me gone from your life, so they can try to land the big-time, hot-shot Enzo Cassano. I called, I texted our plans. If you weren’t so damn hungover you’d remember we talked about the museum Liev and I would go to if you wanted to join us. Don’t push this off on me. I took care of your son while you had a meeting. I had a wonderful day with him. I don’t deserve this. At all.”

She whirled around to jerk open the door and head out to the hall. Grabbing the back of her cargo pants, he stopped her.

“Halyn, wait.”

“No, let me go, Enzo.”

He didn’t. Drawing her back into the room, he placed himself between her and the door. He saw tears gathering in the corners of her eyes and knew she was fighting to keep them contained.

“What women are you talking about? Is this why you left the party last night?” Her jaw tightened and he shook his head. “No, baby. Don’t shut me out. What happened?”