Not Enough: Is love ever enough? (The Enough Series Book 1) (16 page)

The rest of
the week went much the same. Austin sent me gifts at work every day. On
Tuesday, he sent me a bouquet of cookies with sweet sentiments written on each
one. Wednesday brought a box of lacy underwear with a note stating I should not
get too attached to any of them.

In the evenings, we made dinner, laughed, and continued to
have more sex than should probably be allowed. By Thursday, I was exhausted but
extremely excited. Austin announced last night that he would be taking me on
our first official date. He refused to tell me where we are going or what to
wear saying I would figure it out.

At nine a.m., a deliveryman showed up at my office with a
brand new pair of my favorite jeans and a note.

I am so glad you agreed to be mine.

P.S. These will look sexy as sin on that gorgeous ass of
yours
J

A huge smile breaks across my face. Not only does he know my favorite
brand of jeans but he also appreciates their appearance.
At ten a.m., the same delivery boy
shows up with wrapped gift and a note. Opening the note:

I am so glad you finally ran to me.

P.S. Don’t get any ideas with these. I just thought you would
like them.

I open the box to find a brand new pair of my favorite Nike
tennis shoes. Admittedly, my favorite pair is a bit worn, but I just can't part
with them. I grab my phone to text the love of my life:

Me: *You are too much, thank you* 10:05 am

Austin: *I love you* 10:06 am

Still reeling from my deliveries, I am shocked when the
delivery boy shows up again at eleven. This time he has a gift bag and another
note:

I am so glad I get to love you!

I am practically in tears from the note. I rip into the bag
to find a form-fitting Red Sox shirt, a slouch cap, and two tickets to
tonight’s game, not just any tickets but box seats behind home plate.

I am amazed by my over the top boyfriend. I actually thought
he would opt for a classy night out, instead he surprises me with baseball
tickets. He knows me so well.

Me: *You are perfect. I LOVE YOU!!!!* 11:04 am

Austin: *I love you too* 11:08 am

The rest of my day is uneventful. By two o’clock, I am caught
up on work and decide to run down to the deli for a quick snack before heading
home to get ready. My phone chimes in my hand on the way I and I quickly open
the text expecting Austin. Instead, it is another text from an unknown number:

Unknown: *I am the man for you. Leave him or else* 2:15 pm

The text unnerves me a bit but I still have to believe it is
a wrong number. I duck in the deli for a chocolate chip cookie before heading
home.

Once I get home, I let Boss out and change into my new digs
before taking off for Austin’s. Walking through his front door, I can see him
pacing and running his hands through his hair while on the phone. This doesn’t
look good. I stop at the threshold of the living room wanting to give him space
to finish his call. It hurts my heart to see him so upset and I want to run to
him and make it better but I opt to wait.

Suddenly my phone rings and I glance down to see the unknown
number so I choose to ignore the call. I figure that if it is important, they
will leave a message. Austin is now looking at me and I can see pain in his
eyes. I walk to him and wrap my arms around him and he melts into me as he ends
his call. “Aus are you ok?”

He leans down kissing me without his usual heat making me
nervous. I take a step back so I can see his face. He runs his hand through his
hair, “That was Ally; my mom is being completely irrational with her. She
called begging for my help. I have been ignoring both of their calls all week.”
Ok, well I am not sure where to proceed with any of this since I don’t have any
real backstory on his family yet.

“What can I do to help baby?” I hope just offering will let
him know he can talk to me. He takes a deep breath and releases slowly as if he
is trying to calm his anger. “I hate to ask this Ry, but can you take me to the
airport in the morning?”

Of course I will take him, I don’t want to but I will. “Sure
Aus, whatever you need.”

“I am so sorry Ry, I don’t want to leave you, but my mom has
been a bit off since the accident.”

Ok, an accident explains nothing. “It’s fine Austin. Do what
you need to do. I will be here when you get back.”

At least I know he can count on that. Pulling me back into
him, “I love you so much Ry and I will explain all of this but right now I want
to take you on a date.”

The rest of our night was perfect. We watched the game from
unbelievable seats, ate hot dogs, drank beer, and enjoyed each other’s company.
We even sang Sweet Caroline at the top of lungs during the seventh inning
stretch. Of course, given the fact he is Boston’s favorite son we ended up on
the scoreboard. When Austin noticed he pulled me into him and kissed me
breathless prompting the scoreboard operator to put a pounding heart around our
faces.

By the time we got home, we were riding a high from the Sox
win and our first official date. It was crazy to be out in public with Austin,
everyone recognizes him, and everyone wants a piece of him. He was amazing
though, he held my hand through it all, and never once did I feel like I wasn’t
enough. I love him and spent most of the night showing him just how much.

Austin
explained part of his family issues last night and I agree it is best he goes
to Houston to sort it out in person. So here I am at 6 a.m. dropping him off at
Boston Logan so he can catch his 7:30 flight. I hate to see him go and I will
miss him, but I am hoping to meet him down there before the week is out.

It feels like every time we find ourselves or come close
something tears us apart. Sadly, I take solace in the fact that he does not
want to go; in fact, I had to convince him to. “Ry, are sure we are ok, I
really hate leaving just when we figured things out.”

We had this same conversation several times yesterday, “Yes,
Austin I promise we are ok. I love you baby, and I will be here when you get
back.” I haven’t told him I am going to try to meet him down there. I hope that
it will be a welcome surprise; I just have a few work related things to take
care of first.  

With Austin headed to Houston and J headed back to New York I
have nothing to do except catch up on work, so after dropping Austin off I
headed straight for the office. The drive back across town was easy being an
hour before true rush hour begins. Pulling into the parking garage adjacent to
my office building, I flash my security pass to George, the always-friendly
security guard, and pull into the space nearest the door.

It feels like an eternity since the last time I was in my
office. Riding the elevator up to the tenth floor of the 30-story building, I
go through a mental checklist for my day. The elevator dings signaling my stop
and I step out of the car nearly running into a man dressed in black workout
gear. I apologize for my lack of awareness, “I’m sorry.”

He just nods and mumbles, “You will be.” I didn’t recognize
the guy, and he wasn’t remarkable in any way triggering a bit of paranoia. I
vowed to call down to the security desk and have him checked out.

The floor is quiet as most of the offices don’t begin work
until eight or later. I quickly make my way down the corridor to Suite 1024
only to find the door ajar. Given my already heightened paranoia, I decide to
call for security before entering the dark office. I take a few steps back down
the hall to wait and notice the new artwork on the walls. The office building
is always well maintained and redecorated at the behest of the billionaire
owner.

The artwork gives bright splashes of red, blue, and yellow to
the white walls and offsets the gray tiled floors nicely. As I sit admiring the
new décor, James, a big burly security guard walks up nearly scaring me to
death, “Good morning Miss Ash.” How a man that big, easily six feet six inches and
270 pounds, walks so quietly I will never know.

“Good morning James, I am sorry to drag you up here.” He smiles
and listens intently as I tell him about the man I ran into and his mumblings.

“I am sorry mam, I don’t remember seeing a man come in
matching that description, and I have been here since 5 a.m.”

Now I am definitely worried, but grateful as James returns
from searching my office and gives me the all clear. He assured me they would
look at the security tapes and see if they can identify the mystery man. After
thanking James, I locked myself in my office and prepared to start my day.

As I sat at my desk overlooking the city with a partial ocean
view, I began to add up the strange happenings of late. First, there were the
odd text messages and a few hang-ups, then mysterious photographer, and now the
mystery man and my open office. I am beginning to wonder if it all means
something. I have to think it is just all a weird coincidence. I have absolutely
nothing anyone would want and I don’t have any enemies I am aware of.
Regardless, I decide I should probably confide in J the next time we speak just
to be safe.

Shortly after 8 a.m. Gabe, my spectacular assistant, comes
through the glass doors chatting away on his phone and takes a few moments to
even notice my presence. I give him a smile and quick wave as he heads straight
for the coffee.

Gabe is my angel, he is about five feet six inches tall with
caramel colored skin, and dark perfectly groomed hair. Gabe is always
impeccably dressed, in a suit, and his dark chocolate eyes get the attention of
most women, especially in combination with that genuine smile.

Gabe could easily land a job with a much bigger firm.
However, thus far he has remained loyal to me because I gave him a shot
straight out of college. Someone with more experience would have benefited me
at the time, but Gabe learned quickly and I could not imagine my work life
without him. Gabe has become more than just my assistant and I am considering
offering him a partnership of some type in the near future.

Since it is just Gabe and I in the office, I have taken the
only true office, which is separated by frosted glass walls that give it a
semi-private feel. It is a large space that accommodates my modern black
furniture and cream-colored sofa. I haven't spent much time decorating the
space, but I do notice Gabe makes little changes here and there. Gabe mans the
front reception area, which he has accentuated with bright blues to offset the
natural tone of the walls and floor.

In reality I do not spend much time at the office, I am
generally in the field. I mainly use the office to catch up on paperwork or to
do larger meetings. However, Gabe is always here, he takes all incoming calls
and keeps my schedule on track. Once he has a sufficient amount of caffeine
flowing we will get together and go over my schedule for the week. I need to
see how much rearranging will be necessary to get to Houston this week to
surprise Austin.

An hour later, I am engrossed in new contracts and possible
opportunities for my new clients. Deciding to highlight a few of the finer
points I would like to discuss further with my clients I open my top drawer to
find my favorite highlighter. Not immediately feeling the marker, I slide my
chair pack and pull the top drawer open to continue my hunt, only the contents
of the drawer cause me to shriek in horror.

Following my startled shriek Gabe comes running into my
office, “What happened?”

Too stunned to speak I just point to the drawer. There are at
least a dozen pictures of Austin and I from the last few weeks, each with
Austin's face marked or scratched over. The largest picture on top is of the
two of us on the beach yesterday. Austin's face is completely scratched out and
the note in red ink reads, 'I told you, you cannot replace me or there will be
consequences.'

“Holy shit Rylee, what is all of this?” Gabe is clearly just
as shocked as I am as he stands there with his jaw open in disbelief.

With a shaky hand, I reach out to grab the top picture to
examine it and see if there are any clues to who may have sent this. Suddenly,
Gabe slaps my hand away before I can pick it up, “Leave it there may be
fingerprints.” I know he is right, but I still want to examine it, to see who
is behind this, because for the life of me I do not know. I do not understand.

Gabe comes around the desk further and puts a hand on my
shoulder, “Are you ok? Do you want me to call J?”

Do I want J? Yes. Am I going to call him right now? No. “No,
Gabe let's just call James up here and let him phone the police.”

He looks at me questioningly but obliges, “Ok, well why don't
we go out front and leave your office as is until it can be processed. This is
messed up Ry.”

I don’t' even know where to begin with this, do I call
Austin? Should I warn him? Do I wait and see what the authorities have to say?
God, why is this happening?

Gabe hands
me a bottle of water and sits down next to me in the guest chairs as we wait
for James. “Rylee, I don't mean to pry, but do you have any idea who did this?”

I shake my head no as my anger with the situation begins to
build. “No Gabe, I really don't know.” I continue to tell him about the mystery
man from this morning. I figure he deserves to know since he has to work here
too. Well, I don't suppose he has to, but thus far, he chooses to. I can see
the uncertainty in his eyes combined with a dash of fear and I don't blame him.
Hell, I am scared too.

After James came in, he surveyed my office and immediately dialed
the police. He decided to stand guard outside the office door until they
arrive.

Gabe and I sat in silence for a few minutes before he decides
to try to lighten the mood. “So, you finally decide to date, the hottest guy on
the planet no less, and this is what happens,” he says with a smirk. “No,
wonder you don't date.” He gives me a genuine smile and takes my hand as I
guiltily laugh at his statement.

“See I told you it wasn't safe for me to date,” I reply in jest.
Except given the current situation, it really may not be safe for me to date.

“Ok, so forgetting all of this insanity, you have to tell me,”
Gabe sighs with a dreamlike sparkle in his eye. “Is Austin as perfectly dreamy
as I imagine him to be?”

Gabe is not particular when it comes to who he dates, men or
women, as long as they are hot, in his eyes, he is up for it. I can't help smiling
at his question because hell yes Austin is the perfect dream.

Too bad for me, he may have to remain a dream. “Yeah, Gabe he
is amazing,”
and I love him so much
.

Right on cue, as if his ears were ringing, Austin calls. I am
hesitant to answer the phone not wanting to alert him to the situation or make
him worry about anything else unless I have to. However, I really just want to
hear his voice so I answer, “Hey you how's Texas?” I try to sound as carefree
as I was only a few hours ago when I dropped him off.

“Well for starters, you aren't here so it sucks! Also, it is
hot as hell.”

I laugh, he really sounds irritated. “So, are you at your
mom's house yet?”

“No, I just picked up my rental car and I am heading to the
hotel. How are you gorgeous? I miss you already.”

With his last sentence my heart melts and I can feel the
guilt rising, “I am good just sitting at work with Gabe.” My voice nearly
cracked, and I had to cough to cover it.

“Ry, are you ok? You don't sound right.” I can hear the worry
in his voice.

Summoning all of my composure, “Yeah baby, I'm just tired that's
all. I miss you too.” And, I do miss him. I really wish I could just hide in
his arms and forget everything else.

Just then, James walks in with two officers flanking him, “Miss
Ash, this is Detective Rhodes and Detective Ruzek.”

Forgetting I am still on the phone, I reach out and introduce
Gabe and myself to them both before realizing what Austin is hearing. I excuse
myself for a moment to end the call with Austin.

“Hey Aus, I am going to have to call you back.”

“Rylee Ash, what is going on? Why are there detectives at
your office?”

“Austin, honey, it is a long story. Let me deal with them and
then I will call you back and explain, ok?”

“Fine, but I am not happy you are obviously hiding something
from me.” He sighs, “Dammit Rylee, I love you so much, are you sure you are ok.”

“I'm alright Aus; I will call you in a bit. I love you.”

With that, we hung up, and I headed back over to the detectives
ready to get to the bottom of this mess. I will be damned if I let anyone take
Austin away from me. Austin coming into my life replaced the darkness with
light and I cannot go back to my lonely existence.

Detective Rhodes is an average guy with brown hair and brown
eyes. He seems to be the senior partner as he takes the lead while questioning
James and Gabe. It makes sense that he is the more experienced detective since
he is obviously at least ten years older than his partner.

Ruzek looks to be in his late twenties, with short sandy
blonde hair, dark green eyes, and what I can only imagine is a body made of
steel. Don't get me wrong I only have eyes for Austin, but I would have to be
dead not to notice the beauty of the male form in front of me.

Approaching the four men, I notice a look of concern on
Gabe's face as he looks towards me and then what can only be described as looks
of pity from the other three men. This both infuriates me and gives me concern.
I do not like to be pitied, especially by strangers.

Ruzek addresses me as I make my way over, “Miss Ash, when you
are ready we would like to speak to you privately.”

I nod my head in acknowledgement just as Gabe pulls me into a
hug. “Take a deep breath Ry, it's not pretty. Are you sure you don't want me to
call J?”

This comforting side of Gabe gives me pause because we in no
way have that type of relationship. I decide to go ahead and muster through
this on my own, “No thank you Gabe, I will call J later this afternoon.”

I still do not feel the need to alert anyone on what could be
harmless antics. Well, I did feel that way until I followed Detectives Ruzek
and Rhodes into my office.