Urban Climber 2 (3 page)

“Of course, baby. I’d do anything for you.”

“What’s the catch?”

“There’s no catch.”

“There must be. I’m not stupid.”

“All you have to do is marry me.”

“But that’s—”

“All you’ve ever wanted?”

“No.” I push his hands away. “That’s blackmail.”

“How is it blackmail? Do you even know what that means?”

“Of course I know what it means.”

“I’m just offering you—you and your
family
—a solution.”

“But why would you do that?”

“Because I’m your fiancé, and I love you. That’s all, my darling.”

“So if I marry you …”

“If you marry me, all their problems will go away, and everything will go back to how it was before you had your little tantrum and left.”

“Can I have that in writing?”

He laughs. “That fucking place has made its mark on you, no doubt about it. You would have never doubted a word I said in the past, and now look at you.”

“Will you, or won’t you?”

“Sure, if you want it in writing, I could get something drawn up. That wouldn’t be a problem.”

He takes my hand, and my stomach drops to my toes. Hold on a second. What the hell am I thinking? I can’t marry him. Not after what he did. Not after tonight. The guy is scum. Worse than scum—whatever’s below scum. I pull my hand out from his clasp, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Don’t be like that, Laura. Doesn’t one small part of you love me?”

“Of course,” I exhale. “We went through so much together; you saved me from myself. Mom, Dad, you … you all did.”

“Then why are you pushing me away? Why are you making me out to be something I’m not?”

“Tonight, you’ve acted like a thug. Who knows what else you’ve done or are capable of doing?”

“The only crime I’ve committed—if
any
—is the crime of loving you, Laura Hemsworth. And if that’s an offense, then lock me up and throw away the key because I’m not about to stop.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“You don’t have to say anything. Listen to your heart. What is your heart saying?”

He leans in and brushes my hair from my face, his dark brown eyes dropping down to my lips. “How I’ve missed these. May I?”

The thought of his lips against mine repulses me.
He
repulses me. “I need time to think,” I mumble, turning my head before he comes any closer. “I’m sorry, Hugo.”

“You test me in ways I’ve never been tested. But I’ll give you time if that’s what you need.”

“Thank you.” I smile weakly.

“Thank you, what?”

“Thank you, Hugo,” I mumble.

“Much better. I think at the core of it all, there’s only one question you have to ask yourself.”

“What’s that?”

“Whether you love your parents or not.”

“Of course!” I turn to face him. “More than anything—you know that. They’re my world.”

“Then deep down, you know the right thing to do.”

I cannot believe what I’m hearing. I cannot believe he would even suggest such a thing. I stare out the window, watching as another plane launches into the sky.

“Laura,” he whispers, grabbing my hand, “everything can go back to how it was. You and your family will never have to worry about anything, ever again. Isn’t that what you want?”

“Yes, of course. It’s just that—”

“Shush your lips. It’s been a massive day for you, and you’re tired. Very, very tired. I had hoped that we would fly out tonight on the jet, but I don’t want to rush you into a decision as big as this.”

“So what? We’re going to sleep in your car instead? I don’t want to lie down; I’ll look like a whore!”

“Only if you blow me, and I know there’s no possibility of
that
happening.”

My skin prickles. “You’ve got that right.”

He laughs. “You’ve got a bee in your knickers tonight, Laura. Stop being so defensive.”

“I’m sorry,” I groan. “I’m just really tired, and there’s a lot for my mind to process.”

“How about I book a hotel room for you?”

“What will you do?”

“I’ll fly back by myself tonight. Then you can drive back to Mel’s tomorrow and think everything over.”

“Really? After all this, you’re letting me go? You don’t expect sex?”

“If you won’t even let me kiss you, I think the chances of consensual fucking are close to zero. Am I right?”

I nod.

“It’s definitely not how I had planned things to go,” he grumbles, his lips pulling into a straight line.

“Trust me,” I whisper, cradling my swollen face. “All I wanted was a shower.”

40 Minutes Later …

“Hello?” A weak voice answers the phone.

“Mel? Mel, it’s me.”

“Oh my god,” she squeals. “Where are you? What happened?”

“Slow down,” I giggle. “Please, just let me talk.”

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“I’ll be fine. Everything is going to be fine. Just please tell me you haven’t phoned the police.”

“How could I have done that? I only just came to now—your phone call woke me up.”

“Oh,” I exhale. “That’s a relief. So no sign of any cops? I thought someone may have called them, what with all the noise.”

“I think someone came over ‘cause I remember a lot of banging, but maybe I was dreaming. I dunno.”

My stomach twists. If he gets arrested over this, I’ll be the one paying for it. Me. And my parents. “How’s your head?”

“It feels like a jackhammer is lodged into the back of my skull.”

“Oh, Mel, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, babe; it’s not your fault.”

I catch a glimpse of my face in the rear-view mirror and find it hard to believe it’s not my fault. How could he have hurt her and done this to me? It looks like I’ve been whacked across the face with a baseball bat. A knot rises in my throat. “So you haven’t spoken to the police? Promise?”

“No, not yet. But I’ll call your parents as soon as I get off this call.”

“Man, you’re such a drama queen,” I sigh.

“It must run in the family,” she laughs, “even without the bloodline.”

“True,” I giggle.

“Anyway, drama queen or not, I’m calling them. That freak has to be reported.”

“Thanks, but that won’t be necessary,”

“But you’re so precious to them I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for letting him in. I’m so sorry, babe. I was stupid. Stupid and naïve.”

“You couldn’t have known. How could either of us know that he’d react how he did? He kinda lost it.”

“Kinda?” she squawks. “Are you serious? My hands are shaking just thinking about it.”

“He wants to apologize; he wants us to all go out for a meal together. He’s going to take us to The Plaza when he next flies into New York.”

“The Plaza? He’s going to take us to The Plaza? Big deal! Is that supposed to impress me or something?”

“Calm down, Mel.”

“I will not! You need to call the police for what he’s done.”

“There’s no point. I just want to forget it. He just had a freak-out, that’s all. I want to forget it and move on.”

“Where are you now?”

“I’m at the airport.”

“Why the hell are you at the airport?”

“Mel, please calm down and listen.”

She sucks in a big breath and then noisily exhales.

“Better?” I giggle.

“No, not better,” she grumps. “This night has sucked.”

“You’re telling me,” I groan. “But ask me again.”

“Why are you at the airport?”

“He’s taken his parents’ jet home, and I’ll drive back tomorrow morning.”

“So he really was serious about taking you back? Holy shit. What a nut job. How did you escape?”

“I didn’t need to escape, and he’s not a nut job. He’s just hurting, that’s all.”

“Hurting? Have you lost your mind? Are you high?”

“No, Mel. I’m not ‘high’.”

“Well, what then?”

I can’t even begin to imagine how I’m going to tell her what happened—or even if I should.

“Laura?”

“It’s too late to talk about this now. You get some sleep, and we’ll catch up tomorrow.”

“Where are you sleeping?”

“I’m booked into a hotel tonight, and I’ll drive back to your place tomorrow.”

“So you’re staying with me?”

“Yes, I’m staying for the moment.”

“Oh good,” she exhales. “I’m
so
pleased it’s all over.”

“Well, I don’t know if it is or not, but I’ll explain when I get back. Okay?”

“You’re not seriously thinking of getting back with him are you? Please tell me you’re joking.”

“I’ll see you when you get in from work.”

“But can’t we talk about this now? I’m really worried about you. Do you want me to drive over and meet you? I could bring pizza.”

I so love pizza. Pizza with pineapple and cheese and—hold on a second. Why am I even thinking about meeting with her? My face looks like I’ve been run over by a dump truck. She can’t see me like this.
I’m
afraid to see me like this. My face is so swollen and bruised I hardly recognize myself.

“Interested? I’ll order extra pineapple!” she giggles.

“Don’t be crazy, Mel. You’ve got work tomorrow morning, and I don’t want you falling asleep in the office again.”

“What can I say?” she giggles. “It’s a really boring job. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“Yes, promise.” I yawn, pulling up outside the hotel entrance.

“Okay, then. See you tomorrow, babe. I’ll leave the key under the watering can by the side gate.”

“Okay, Mel. Love you. Sorry again for what happened.”

“You don’t have to say sorry. It’s not your fault. I never should have let him in.”

“It is my fault. If I had just gone with him, he never would have lashed out. He actually had a really romantic night planned.”

“Romantic?” she scoffs. “In what world? He was like a caffeinated monster; neither of us had a chance once he snapped.”

She’s one hundred percent right, but I can’t think about that right now. “Bye, Mel. See you tomorrow.”

“Make sure you lock the door.”

I sigh. “Yes,
Mom
, I’ll lock it.”