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Chapter One
Lilly
“We can drive all the way to the airport without talking to one another or you can behave like a grown up and tell me what the hell happened back there? I can’t read your mind, Lilly.” Bullet growled at me obviously confused and hurt by my actions. I did feel a little foolish now but half an hour ago, I was ready to run as fast as I could in the opposite direction and leave him behind. Was I really going to freak out because some hole-in-the-wall waitress made vague accusations about Bullet?
Did I really believe that he was capable of that kind of violence? If I didn’t know what I knew about Bullet, like that he had lied to me and that he didn’t blink twice when it came to kinky sex, I would say no, never. But I did know more than that, didn’t I? Yes, sadly I did. I just spent the weekend with two of his freaky friends. Thankfully he had the decency to send them home when he found out I would not play along.
“Amelia Sheffield…what about her, Bullet?”
“What about her? Was she at the restaurant? Is that with this is about?”
“No, I have never met her but the server, some girl named Judith, lost it on me, in front of the entire restaurant. She told me to tell you that it isn’t over. She says you need to leave Amelia alone. That you…that you raped her.”
“That’s what you think of me? That I would want or need to rape some poor helpless girl? Wow, Lilly. Thanks for that.” Bullet’s jaw popped and the air crackled with tension. After a minute he continued. “That’s bullshit. I didn’t rape that girl¸ woman, whatever you want to call her. I don’t know any Judith but Amelia came on to me and I turned her down. End of story. Next thing I know, I’ve got some guy calling me claiming to be an attorney saying I should pay up or they will sue me.”
I could hear the steely anger in his voice. “That’s it? They tried to sue you? For what?”
“She said that I touched her inappropriately and some other crap—none of which was true. Like I said, she came on to me but the next thing I know is I’m getting phone calls. I finally told the bastard who kept calling to call my attorney and I didn’t hear anything from them after that. From what I hear, I am not the only doctor she’s made accusations against but if you want to believe her, you go right ahead.”
He sounded angry and if he told the truth, he had a reason to feel angry. I guess from his perspective, freaking out like I did showed him how much I didn’t trust him. But I didn’t, did I? Can he blame me? I decided to keep my mouth shut for the rest of the ride and maybe try to talk to him a little more on the plane. I stole sideway glances at him, his thick, dark hair, his perfect profile. He didn’t look at me but kept his eyes on the road. I sighed, gave up, and stared out the window.
We arrived at the small airport and a valet came out to help us unload our suitcases. Still not talking, we walked into the airport and headed to the check in counter. Bullet presented our tickets and after being checked off the list and leaving our baggage, we strolled toward the concourse. I tried not to think about the fool I made of myself but the fact was, I had plenty of unanswered questions. I stopped at Gate 5 but Bullet kept walking. “Isn’t this our gate?”
“It’s your gate. I’m going home. It’s a few gates down.” His hands were slung in the pocket and he rocked back on his heels nervously. Oddly, he extended his hand to me as if he were saying goodbye to a cousin, not a lover. I didn’t take it; I stared at him.
“So that’s it then?” I asked quietly.
“I guess so. If you change your mind about the surgery, just let me know. Or you can call my office and Page will set it up for you.” His voice sounded icy, distant. It was hard to believe that the guy standing in front of me would have saved me from a bear. I guess I was leaving that guy behind at the cabin on Blue Lake.
“Okay, Bullet. Well, thank you for the…um…cabin, the trip. It was a beautiful place.” I felt my eyes water and my voice crack.
With a nod and his hands back in his pockets, he walked away, leaving me standing at Gate 5. I wiped away a random tear and flopped down in a nearby chair, ready to go home. I didn’t have long to wait, the announcer called for passengers on my flight in just a few minutes. I found my window seat, buckled up and closed my eyes. I didn’t want things to end like this but there was nothing I could do about it now. I had clearly hurt his feelings. Why was I so willing to believe a stranger? Why hadn’t I stood up to her and confronted her?
On the way home, I vowed to call my attorney, Richard Soklov when I got in. I wanted as many details as I could get on Amelia Sheffield. My heart screamed, “Trust him!” but my brain said, “I need proof!” I’d get the proof, one way or another. I needed to know what happened.
I stepped off the plane and went through the usual procedure, pick up the bags and call for a cab. On the way home, I called Kate. “Hey! Guess who is home? Yep, I’m heading home from the airport tonight. Want to come over for some Chinese? I have so much to tell you!”
“Gee, I would love to Lil, but Riley is playing on live television tonight. For that local news channel, Channel 16. Hey! You want to come join us?” She sounded so excited, still caught up in Riley’s celebrity status. I would have thought Riley was out of her system by now but apparently not. As I have said before, there must be something more than meets the eye with that guy.
