Page 11 of Let It Burn (The Barrington Billionaires 4)
She touched his arm gently as if she could see the tortured corners of his mind. “Thank you.” Then she called out, “Coming, Uncle Clarence.”
They walked toward the dining room side by side. Before entering, she looked up at him and said, “After tonight it would probably be best if we don’t see each other again.”
He didn’t answer her because that was one promise he wasn’t willing to make.
A few minutes later, Helene thanked the woman who placed a plate of food in front of her. I should ask my uncle for a moment alone. He needs to know Andrew has a gun. He needs to know there is a pain bubbling within his guest that might be about more than his brother’s death. He was too volatile for it to be about something that happened decades before. If she told her uncle, he might be able to get him help.
She rested her chin on her hand as she listened to Andrew and her uncle make small talk. She’d expected him to eat like a starved animal or speak with his mouth full, but his dining etiquette was impeccable. Because he was brought up by a wealthy family. It was easy to forget that.
Why would a man who had everything leave that lifestyle behind to become a Marine? And what is it that brings such a desolation to his eyes that I can feel his sadness?
No. No. No. He’s not a wounded animal in need of rescuing. Don’t look at him that way. He’s a man. A gorgeous, armed, potentially dangerous man.
Who makes me want to throw all sense to the wind and beg to be taken. Just any man won’t be good enough anymore. I want my first time to be with someone who makes my body quiver with need just by looking at me. I want to know where this level of lust takes a person, could take me.
As Andrew reached for a piece of bread the muscles in his arm and shoulders flexed and bulged. Helene sighed. She reminded herself that he was a very troubled person, but her body betrayed her by continuing to lust over him.
Her gaze followed Andrew’s strong hand as it closed around a glass of water. There was nothing sexy about him lifting it up to his mouth, parting those deliciously bold lips of his, and welcoming that cool water over his talented tongue, but it had her nearly drooling. The smile he shot her when he looked over and caught her watching him was just about the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.
Please don’t let him be a psycho killer.
Andrew turned his attention back to her uncle. “So, you remember my parents.”
“Yes,” her uncle said. “Most of the local people use the maternity ward at the public hospital, but your father wanted the best for your mother so they came here. It was devastating for everyone involved when one of the babies didn’t survive.”
“Was there anything unusual about the delivery?” Andrew’s tone was as casual as if he were asking about the weather the day before.
As he spoke to Andrew, her uncle moved his napkin from his lap to the table then back to his lap. The fidgeting was uncharacteristic and made Helene wonder whether her uncle was actually threatened by Andrew. Why would he be, though?
Her uncle said, “I don’t remember there being anything, but it was a very long time ago. I tried to pull up records from that time, but it was before we updated our newest computer system and not all of the records, especially the older ones, were transferred over.”
Andrew nodded. “I appreciate your patience with these questions. My brother has it in his head that something happened and was covered up.”
Her uncle’s fork clattered against his plate before he set it down beside it. “I can assure you—”
Helene leaned forward and began her own protest.
With a raised hand, Andrew said, “Don’t worry, I didn’t come here expecting to uncover any wrongdoing. When I go back I plan to suggest he throw the journal out.”
“What journal?” her uncle asked in a strangled tone that made Helene wonder if she shouldn’t call a doctor and ask Andrew to leave. Her uncle was pale and sweaty. He was obviously putting on a brave face because he wanted to help Andrew, but he needed to think about himself and his health.
She had to get Andrew out of there.
“Andrew, didn’t you say you had somewhere you needed to be?” Helene asked while sending him a silent, but clear message with her eyes.
Chapter Seven
Andrew’s instincts told him to stay, but those same instincts had failed him recently with deadly consequences. If he wasn’t aware that his decision, whether to leave or remain, might endanger Helene’s life, he wouldn’t second-guess himself. When he looked in her eyes he didn’t see just her. She was Lofton’s wife asking him how her husband had died. She was the mother of Melbourne asking if her son had suffered. Andrew wanted to do right by Helene, as he’d wanted to do by them, but what that looked like was just as complicated this time around.
Did I fail my men and their families so completely that I’m being tested again? This time by a higher power? If so, I have bad news for God, I still don’t fucking know what You want me to do.
I do know what Helene wants, though. She wants me to leave so that’s what I’ll do. He nodded, placed him napkin beside his plate, and stood. “You’re right. Thank you for a wonderful meal.”
Stiles quickly rose to his feet. He was sweaty and shaky, but Helene had said he wasn’t feeling well. He said, “You must stay for dessert. My cook makes the most wonderful pastries.”
“I would, but regrettably this is a commitment I can’t get out of.” A promise.
Helene rushed around the table to stand beside him. “I’ll walk you out.” She looked her uncle over again and added, “Will you be okay?”
There was a flash of impatience in her uncle’s expression then he smiled at Andrew. “My niece worries about me more than she should. I understand, though, that she does it because she loves me. I imagine your brother sent you here out of his love for your parents as well. Are you very close to your family?”
Andrew shook his head. “Not since I joined the Marines.”
“And why did y
ou? Join the Marines, I mean.”
It was an unexpected question, and one that Andrew now found difficult to answer. “I saw people who were wrapped up in their comfortable homes and their gadgets, people who didn’t realize that none of what they had would be possible if someone wasn’t out there fighting the ones who wanted to take it from them. I thought I could make a difference.”
“You wanted to be a hero,” Stiles said in a strange tone.
“Doesn’t everyone?” Andrew asked with a heavy layer of self-deprecation.
“Not everyone,” Stiles said in an odd, sad tone.
He’s not dangerous. And Helene isn’t afraid of him. It’s time for me to go. He looked down at Helene who looked concerned for both of them now. Only because Andrew preferred to see fire rather than worry in her eyes, he asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up, Helene?” The glare she sent him brought a smile back to his lips.
She linked her arm with his and began to physically drag him with her. “Such a shame you can’t stay longer.”
To Andrew’s surprise, Stiles walked with them to the door. He shook Andrew’s hand and asked, “How long will you be in Aruba?”
Andrew glanced down at Helene before answering. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“If time allows, we would love to have you visit again,” Stiles said.
“Thank you,” Andrew answered. “You will see more of me.” Although he was speaking to Stiles, his words were meant for Helene. She’d released his arm as they neared the door, and he was already aching for her touch.
Her eyes widened. Those delicious lips of hers parted again and more than anything, he wanted Stiles to leave so he could kiss her one more time.
“Helene, please give me a moment alone with Andrew,” Stiles said, and Andrew groaned inwardly. If Stiles was guilty of anything, it was being oblivious to when his presence wasn’t necessary.
“Okay,” Helene said slowly. “I’ll meet you back in the dining room.”
