Not Enough: Is love ever enough? (The Enough Series Book 1) (17 page)

It was
obvious there was more to the break-in than I had hoped. The detectives wore
stoic looks and directed me to sit on the sofa in my office. I noticed that
there were now several photos laid out on the top of my desk. I try
to remain calm as they pull my guest chairs over to face me.

Rhodes began the questioning, “Miss Ash, let's start with the
most obvious question. Do you have any idea who would threaten you in
this manner?”

I answer with the obligatory, “No sir.”

My hands are trembling, and I suspect they are
investigating me as time wears on and the questions became more personal. They
offer to bring in a female detective, but I don't see how that will change the
invasive nature of the questions. Once we cover the highlights of my entire
life history they move on to questions about Austin. “How long have
we been dating? Who knows we are dating? Where is Austin? Is he aware of the
threats?” I answer each question with complete honesty.

Once they are satisfied with my
answers concerning Austin and I’s relationship, they pull another
photo from the desk. Detective Rhodes addresses me before unveiling the photo, “Miss
Ash, is there anything else we should know? Do you have any other
boyfriends or anything of the like? Now is the time to give us
the full story.”

 My irritation is growing, but I answer indicating there
are no other men in my personal life. It pisses me off they are
questioning my honesty. Rhodes shakes his head with obvious disappointment
before showing me the photo. My hands fly to my mouth and I make a sound of
utter astonishment when I find myself looking at a photo of J. The red slash
drawn across his neck causes my heart to plummet. The note makes me realize this
is not simple coincidence. The note reads:

No one is safe if you choose him over
me.

Tears are now sliding down my cheeks as the gravity
of the situation takes hold. I cover my face with my hands to hide my
breakdown. Amidst my shock I hear Rhodes speak, “So I take it you are acquainted
this man, Miss Ash? Would you care to explain the nature of your
relationship with him?” His accusatory tone stops my freefall into self-pity.

With my face still tear streaked I go rigid with anger. I
raise my head and stare into Detective Rhodes eyes conveying my rage. “Of
course I know him that is my brother, Jeremy. He is the only family I’ve got,”
I spit out in a hateful tone.

My answer obviously catches them by surprise. They trade
looks and seem to require a moment to redirect their
interrogation. I interrupt, “To be honest here detectives, I do not appreciate
the way you are treating me. I have been nothing but up front and honest. If
you have a problem with me or the other people concerned here feel free
to get the fuck out and I will find someone else who takes this is as
seriously as I do.”

Detectives Rhodes and Ruzek sit there in disbelief after my
outburst, but I don’t care. I am sick of all this shit. I did not put
myself in this situation. This situation is being thrust upon me
against my will and they can either help or get out of the way. The last thing
I need is to be bullied by the cops who are supposed to help.

I walk to the door ready to open and leave it when Ruzek
pipes up, “Miss Ash we would like to ask you a few more
questions if you don't mind.”

I yank open my door without turning to acknowledge him. Gabe is
sitting on the sofa in front of the office staring blankly at a magazine until
he hears my labored breathing. He glances up and asks, “What's up Ry? Are you
ok?”

I take a deep calming breath, even though I know I will not calm down anytime soon.
I force a smile in Gabe’s direction before asking, “Can you please call J and
tell him I need him here yesterday. Don't explain the whole situation; I
think that would be best coming from me. Just get him here as soon as
possible. Please.”

He gives me a consoling look, “Absolutely Ry, I will call him
now.” I smile and thank him before returning to the detectives.

Detective Rhodes appears a little less smug
and leaves the rest of the questioning to Ruzek who apologizes for their
misplaced ideas. Once Ruzek takes over, I find myself more at ease sharing the
details that might be pertinent to the case. I show him the text messages, let
him listen to the voicemails, tell him about the photographer, and
even give him a more complete history on my relationship with Austin. Then the
part I’ve been dreading most came, they want to speak with Austin.

I explain to Ruzek that I have not yet informed Austin of any
of this, chalking most of it up to strange coincidence. He agrees to let me
call him first and explain the finer details of the situation. Then Austin
can decide whether to answer over the phone or to come home. They strongly advise me
to encourage him to stay in Texas until they could get a handle on this case. I
agree and plop back down on the couch to make the call that has my
stomach in knots.

My clammy
hands are shaking with nervous anticipation. My stomach is churning circles and
my head is pounding. I had hoped I would never have to explain all the weird
instances to Austin, but here we are. His life, Jeremy's life, and hell maybe
even my life could be in danger simply because I chose to date again. I figured
dating would be difficult after the failed engagement to Ryan and my truckload
of emotional baggage, but I certainly never anticipated this disaster. Who
would?

Sitting here staring at a photo of Austin and I on my phone
is not helping increase my bravery. He will be upset with me for not telling
him about all of this from the beginning, just as J will. But, they will also
be worried about me. But, in this case, it seems the concern should be directed
towards them. Just as I start to dial Austin, Detective Rhodes pokes his head
around the door, “Miss Ash, would you mind if we let the techs come in and take
inventory of the evidence?”

Allowing the techs to do their job, I lock myself in our
cubicle of a kitchen needing privacy to make my call. Instead of sitting down
at the bistro style table, I instead pace back and forth between the depressing
white walls. There is a light knock on the door. “Yeah,” I answer thankful for
another distraction.

Gabe slides into the room. “I just want to tell you J is
on his way. His plane took off a few minutes ago. I will pick him up in a
little over an hour.”

I smile partly in relief, I am so glad J will be here soon, this
is all a bit overwhelming. “Thank you Gabe, after you get J please take
the rest of the day off. I will check in with you later about further plans for
the week.”

Gabe leaves me alone to phone Austin. I take a deep breath
and hit call on the screen. Austin's smiling avatar pops up giving me a
moment's peace before he answers, “Ry, how are you baby?” The deep timber of
his voice claws at my heart telling me I have to spit this out as quickly
as possible before I lose my nerve.

“I am hanging on Austin, how are you? Do you have a few
minutes preferably alone?” My tone is flat and unemotional as I fight for the
words to explain all of this. How do you tell someone their life may be in
danger because they had the misfortune of meeting you?

“Yeah Ry, I am in my hotel room. I thought it best to wait
here until after I talked to you. Is everything ok? Do I need to come back? I
will board the next plane Rylee, just say the word.”

My heart melts because I know he would come back in a second
for me, but instead I will have to convince him to stay away, possibly
permanently.

“No, Austin, I am okay and J will be here shortly. I need you
to listen to me Aus, no matter what I tell you, you have to promise me you will
stay in Houston like you planned this week. Ok?”

He takes a take a deep breath. “Ry, you are scaring the shit
out of me. I'm not sure I can honestly promise you that. I would do
anything for you, but not if it hurts you in any way.”

“Austin, please promise me you will listen to me and the detectives
out before you decide.”

With a heavy sigh, he reluctantly agrees, so I proceed to tell
him the story from the beginning.

I explain the mysterious texts that I brushed off, the
strange voicemails, remind him of the strange photographer that I was sure
followed me, and lead up to the bombshell of today. He remained completely quiet
through the entire story, so I paused, “Aus are you still with me.”

It is silent for a few more moments and my heart starts
racing as my nerves fray further. It's simple he is too good to be true,
and this is the end. I hid this from him, in an effort to protect him, but nonetheless
he always made a point to be honest with me. I am about to apologize when he
finally finds his voice.

“Jesus Ry, why the fuck didn’t you tell me? Why don’t you
trust me? You let me make light of the photographer, you should have told me.”
I can hear the hurt in his voice and it breaks my heart that I am yet again the
one who is hurting him.

“Austin, I am so sorry. I really didn’t think too much of it
until this morning. I just wanted….” I trail off not sure how to explain.

He interjects with a hint of anger, “Wanted what Ry, what is
it you want? Do you even know?”

Tears begin flowing freely down my flushed cheeks, he knows I
love him, but he doesn’t realize that I have wanted him all along. I am afraid
to admit it to him, afraid he will realize all the back and forth emotional
turmoil could have been avoided if I were stronger.

With a small voice, “You Austin, all I want is you. It has
been you from the day we met. I am so sorry Austin, you will never understand.”
Sobs begin to rack me and I fight to pull it together, I have to. I still need
to tell him the worst part.

We sit on the phone silently for several moments. I am
grateful for that because it gives me time to pull myself together and summon
the courage to explain the rest. He shocks me when he finally breaks the
uncomfortable silence, “Rylee, my sweet Rylee. Dammit, you are going to be my
undoing. I am pissed you didn’t tell me, but I love you Ry. Why don’t you go
ahead and tell me the rest, I imagine the cops aren’t there over a few texts.”

He doesn't know how right he is, I will likely be his undoing
in the worst possible way. I decide right then, that whatever the cost, I will
protect him. I will not let him become a victim in this mess. I will walk away
brokenhearted if that’s what it takes. Yes, I love him enough to let him go if
I must.

“I love you too Austin, so much. The rest of this story is
where things get scary.”

I proceed to tell him about the mysterious man from this
morning, his veiled threat, the unsightly photographs, and the explicit threats
scrawled on them. My entire body is shaking as I finish and wait on a response.

No response comes; I imagine he is processing the entire
mess, much like me when a knock sounds at my door. Gabe pokes his head in, “Are
you ok?” I nod. “Ok, well I am going to go pick up J. We should be back in
about an hour.”

Relief floods me knowing J will be here soon, and I almost
forget to thank Gabe. “Thank you Gabe, I am so sorry you are stuck in the
middle of this.”

He gives me a genuine smile. “I'm glad I'm here.
Holler if you need anything. The lunch you ordered is on my desk.”

Lunch, I haven’t even thought about lunch, let alone ordered
any. “Gabe who delivered lunch, I didn’t order anything,” I ask suspiciously.

Gabe’s face pales as he considers the implications. “If you
didn't order it then... Oh shit Ry. It was one of the usual delivery guys, they
brought enough for everyone,” he says with haste. My insides begin churning as
I run out to the front only to find two large brown paper sacks with my name
written across them.

Ruzek is crossing the room towards me. “Thank you for lunch
that was very thoughtful.”

He reaches out for one of the bags and I slap his hand away. “No,
don’t. I am sorry. I didn’t order this.”

His face goes rigid. “You are sure you didn’t order this?”

I look him square in the eyes, “NO.”

He yells to his partner and grabs me by the wrist pulling me
towards the exit of our office. “Everyone out NOW,” he screams. “James alert
the rest of your team and clear the building.”

Twenty minutes later, we were standing on the sidewalk across
the street when the bomb squad shows up. There are now first responder
vehicles everywhere and they have blocked off all entrances to the building and
the street. I watch in disbelief through the flashing red and blue lights as
the men enter the building in full protective gear. 
When did my life
become a scene straight out of Hollywood?

I am lost in my thoughts trying to comprehend the enormity of
the situation unfolding in front of me when my phone buzzes in my hand. I
hadn’t realized I was still holding it. Looking at the screen it comes as no
surprise that Austin is on the other end. Wait, when did we end the last call? “Austin,”
is all I can manage to say with a breathless whisper.

“Rylee, where are you? What the hell is going on? I couldn’t
get a hold of you after we were disconnected.” He pauses waiting for an answer.

I am at a loss to describe the emotion coursing through me
and the scene playing out in front of me. “Austin, oh my god Austin, I am so
sorry,” is all I can get out before I feel myself succumbing to the panic
ravaging my body. My vision begins to blur as my knees go weak. I hear Austin
yelling my name through the phone, but I can't answer. I need to lie down.

I’m falling backwards but find a gentle landing in a pair of
strong hands. “Miss Ash. Rylee. Are you ok? Talk to me Rylee.” I recognize the
voice, but can't make out the face through the haze that clouds my vision.
Everything goes black.

The next thing I remember is lying down and listening to
someone talking on the phone. “I know man. Yeah, I will let you know. She
is ok. Paramedics said she is in shock.”

Silence. He continues, “Hell no. I didn’t have a clue about
any of this shit. Did you?” Silence. “No, stay put until I can talk to the detectives.”

 I focus on his voice, the voice is familiar, and gives
me a sense of security. “No, thank god it was a false alarm, but apparently
there was another threat. They aren’t letting us out of their sight.”

My sight begins to clear as I continue listening to him. “I’ll
let you know the second she comes to.” J, oh thank god it’s Jeremy.

I squirm on the gurney drawing the attention of my big
brother. “Hey man, she is awake. Let me talk to her and call you back.” Silence.
“Yeah, I will tell her. Take care. Bye.”

The look on Jeremy’s face says it all. I see anguish written
all over his beautiful features. He tries to smile at me, but it's just a
show. “Hey there baby girl. If you wanted some attention there are easier ways,”
he jokes trying to break the palpable tension. I try to smile and fail allowing
my tears to fall instead.

He climbs up on the gurney with me and pulls me in close. “Austin
wanted me to tell you that he loves you.” I nod into his chest as I try to soak
up every ounce of security I can.

“Look Ry, I'm not sure what the hell is going on here. I
have gotten bits and pieces from Austin, Gabe, and that detective, but what I
really need is for you to clue me in here.” He deserves an explanation, but
selfishly I just want to hide here sheltered in the safety of my big brother.