Love Lies Beneath Read online

  It looked as though Derek narrowed his eyes to tiny slits. He could have closed them for a brief moment.

  She downed the rest of her drink, giving up on keeping her dignity. When she agreed to be the maid of honor, she’d been told Derek and Valerie wouldn’t be attending. Suzie had laid that bomb on her earlier in the day, saying she had no idea they’d changed their plans at the last minute.

  Ashley had no reason not to believe Suzie when she’d told her that Valerie had called her aunt instead of Suzie, informing her of the change. Of course, Valerie was also mad that Suzie decided to have just one maid of honor, no other bridesmaids. Valerie thought, as family, she’d take the role, but sometimes a friendship bond is thicker than family.

  “Don’t go there,” Derek said, with real venom dripping from his dark tone.

  “I have half a mind to tell her, and the only reason I’m not is because she asked me not to, but if she ever does, I’ll let the cat out of the bag.”

  “You’re a real bitch, you know that?”

  “Don’t talk to her that way,” Mitch said, puffing out his chest. “I’d appreciate it if you’d apologize.”

  Derek laughed. “No offense, but you don’t know the history here and—”

  “I know enough. Let’s not forget I was there when her father landed his fist right on the tip of that nose. Might want to see a new plastic surgeon to try to fix that.”

  It dawned on her that until three months ago, he had no idea she was the daughter of Commander Joshua Riggs. And by the look on Derek’s triple faces, he’d just figured that out too.

  “You two deserve each other,” Derek muttered, turning on his heels.

  “I thought he’d never leave,” she muttered, setting her glass on the table, but missed and it crash-landed on the tile floor.

  Thank God it was plastic.

  “He’s a bigger dick than I remember,” Mitch said.

  “But he has a tiny one.” She held up her pinky. “And I’m not being a bitch. Not much girth and only about—”

  Mitch covered her mouth with the palm of his hand. “I don’t want to know.”

  She belched. And not the good kind where it was a simple taste of the decadent food one had just enjoyed.

  Nope. This was more of the vile kind.

  “I think we should get you out of here, okay?” He looped his arm around her waist.

  Rocking on her heels, she realized he was a good two inches taller, which meant she didn’t feel like a giant.

  Nice.

  Belch.

  “I don’t feel so good,” she muttered.

  “Where’s your room?” he asked. If she were sober, the heat rippling across her skin would be a good thing.

  Only that heat was more of a clammy, I’m going to be sick, kind of heat. “I should have warned you I had two gin and tonics before we made our way in your direction.”

  “Yeah, that would have been good information to have.”

  She handed him her key card. “I’m on the second floor. Last door on the right. I can’t remember the number.”

  “I’ll get you to your room safe and sound.” His strong hand gripped her side, and she hoped that was his thumb dancing circles against her hip. Probably a figment of her imagination, but it felt good either way.

  Soothing.

  “Are you going to take advantage of me?” Christ. Now she sounded like a hot, desperate mess.

  “I never take advantage of anyone. When we’re together, you’ll be sober, and it will be because you want to, not for any other reason.”

  The elevator moved a little too much. She held her stomach, hoping she’d make it into her room, and he’d be long gone.

  This would go down as her second biggest mistake.

  Derek and his pictures had been the first.

  “You sound quite sure you’re going to get me into bed.”

  He laughed. “Since you’re really drunk and won’t remember this in the morning, I’ll be blunt.” She felt his warm lips on her cheek as the door popped open. “I’m going to make love to you like no one else ever has, and you’re going to want more.”

  “No time like the present.” She flung herself forward toward the bed but miscalculated and landed on the floor with a loud thud. “Shit, that hurt.” Before she could even rub her ass, he had her sitting on the bed, taking her shoes off. “So, the sailor has decided to take me up on my offer to let him take—”

  “Not tonight.”

  “Awe, why not?” she asked, taking her bare foot, trying to maneuver it between his legs, only she wasn’t sure which set of legs were his and which were her eyes playing tricks on her. “Don’t you like…” If one could feel their face grow pale, it would start with skin burning, then cold sweat dripping from the hairline. “I’m gonna be sick.” She shoved him aside as she stumbled to the bathroom, collapsing in front of the toilet.

  Shortly after that, the world went black.

  Chapter 3

  MITCH JOLTED FROM a deep sleep as an alarm buzzed from somewhere across the room.

  “I hate that ringer,” Ashley mumbled, patting his chest with her hand. “Where’d I leave my damn phone?”

  “I don’t remember you having it last night.”

  Her body tensed. “Please tell me I’m dreaming.”

  “You’re dreaming,’ he whispered, carefully rolling her to the side as he slipped from the bed on a mission to find the phone and shut off the constant ringing. After that, he figured he’d slip out of her room, satisfied he’d been a total gentleman, making sure he honored all of his promises and ensured her safety.

  Thankfully, she’d gone back to a deep sleep.

  Her clutch purse, that she’d dropped in the hallway, twice, rested on the chair next to the window, and it seemed to be the source of the sound. Sure enough, her phone had been tucked inside.

  He let out a long sigh when he saw a reminder to meet her father for breakfast at eight. It was ten minutes to eight.

  “Guess I’m having breakfast,” he mumbled, tiptoeing to the bedside and resting her index finger on the lock button. He felt like he was prying, but he’d only click on the calendar event, hoping it would have the information of the restaurant.

  Only as soon as he unlocked the phone, a text message appeared from her dad.

  Room 202. Don’t be late. I heard Derek showed his ugly face. I’m sorry. But I hope you didn’t do anything crazy. He’s not worth it and Valerie is a big girl. If she doesn’t want to know the truth, that’s on her.

  And that was way too much information.

  Mitch jotted down a note, leaving it on top of her phone so she’d know to check her messages and that he went to meet her father.

  Even if he thought he could wake her, based on the light snore, he suspected she might still be a tad drunk.

  Best to let her sleep until right before the wedding.

  He paused at the door, and in a bold tactical maneuver, he snagged her room key, shoving it in his back pocket.

  Making a quick run to his room to brush his teeth and change his shirt, he found himself tapping on the commander’s room at three minutes past the hour.

  “You’re late, young lady,” the commander said, pulling back the door, his smile quickly turning into a frown. “May I help you?”

  Mitch swallowed. When he’d met the commander a few years back, he’d found the man to be personable.

  But intimidating as hell.

  How Ashley’s father tolerated Derek was a mystery.

  “Don’t I know you?” the commander asked, before Mitch could utter a single word.

  “Yes. I’m Mitch Harrison, a SEAL, and we met on a joint mission—”

  “I remember.” The commander nodded his head as his face relaxed. “How did you know I was here?”

  He couldn’t say Ashley told him, because she hadn’t, and the truth might get him punched. “Could I come in for a moment?”

  “Is everything alright, son? Did something happen to Ashley?”
r />   “Yes and no,” Mitch admitted, as he stepped into the room. In front of the window a continental breakfast had been set up with various pastries and a fresh pot of coffee that reminded him he needed a good shot of caffeine.

  “I don’t like riddles, you should remember that from our brief time together.”

  Mitch nodded. “To be short and to the point, Ashley had way too much to drink last night after a run-in with Derek. Actually, she’d been blindsided by his presence. Anyway, I’d promised her I’d look out for her and make sure she didn’t do anything stupid, except I did let her get too drunk.”

  “She’s a lightweight, two drinks will put her on her ass. What else happened?”

  Mitch appreciated the commander’s candor, but it didn’t ease the knot in his stomach. He’d never done well with the meet the parents date with any woman he’d ever dated. “Nothing really. She and Derek had words, I took Ashley to her room and made sure she was safe.”

  “Coffee?” The commander waved to the table. His facial expression remained tight, though not angry.

  At least not that Mitch could tell.

  “Yes. Thank you.” Mitch took a seat and collected his thoughts while the commander poured the rich brew. The steam carrying with it a hint of almond. Mitch had done nothing wrong. Only he felt like a kid sitting in the principal’s office trying to explain how he had a bag full of panties that he’d really collected from the kid who’d gone through the girl’s locker room during gym class.

  Mitch had always intended on making sure no girl was humiliated, only he’d gotten caught first. One of his more embarrassing moments in life.

  “Have you talked to Ashley this morning?” The commander peered over his mug as he blew, pushing the steam away from his mouth.

  “Not in so many words.” Mitch shifted in his seat. “This wasn’t a couple of drinks too many. I didn’t know she’d started before I sat with her at the bar.”

  “So, you’re sitting there telling me you spent the night with my daughter?”

  Mitch coughed. “Commander. Sir. I can’t stress how drunk she was. It would have been irresponsible for me to leave her alone. When I left this morning, she was still passed out. I suspect she’ll be hung over right through the wedding.”

  “We fought together, you can call me Riggs like everyone else.” Riggs nodded toward the food on the table. “And, as I recall, you’re the Navy SEAL who testified in front of my peers on my behalf over the incident with Derek.”

  “Yes, sir.” Mitch couldn’t believe that Derek had filed an official complaint against the commander.

  “You never told them the extent of the disagreement between me and Derek, protecting my daughter’s reputation, but you said enough that got me off the hook, and him off my team.”

  Heat rose to Mitch’s cheeks. He hadn’t seen the pictures, but just talking about them made him ill at ease for both Ashley and her father. “I told the truth, as I saw it.”

  “I’ve never forgotten what you did. You’re an honorable man.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Mitch tried to hide the crack in his voice. He didn’t think he was any more admirable than anyone else.

  “Stop with the sir, crap. It’s Riggs.” He buttered a bagel. “It must have been hard to grow up with such a notorious mother—”

  “Excuse me?” Mitch gripped the armrests, his hands turning white as he held on as tight as he could, controlling his anger. It’s never good to get into it with a man who outranked you.

  Or the father of the woman you were determined to have some kind of meaningful relationship with.

  “Relax.” Riggs put his hand up. “During the investigation into the incident, it was brought up by the idiot representing Derek, trying to discredit you.”

  “That information is supposed to be sealed,” Mitch said, biting down on the inside of his cheek. “The government has jumped through hoops for me, making sure my real identity is protected.”

  “It has been. All they knew was that there was a confidential file on you. They had no idea what it was, but they sure as shit tried to find out.”

  “How’d you find out?” To Mitch’s knowledge, only half a dozen people knew he was the daughter of Renee Nuniez, head of one of the largest drug cartels.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Riggs leaned back in the chair. “I helped make sure that information was buried so deep, it would be nearly impossible for even the president to find.”

  Mitch willed his pulse to slow as he relaxed his muscles. “I appreciate it.”

  “Personally, I’m impressed by what you’ve done with your life. You’re a good man. I mean that, in spite of who your mother is.”

  “My mother is a dangerous woman and in all fairness, if she knew where I was, or what I’ve been doing with my life, she’d probably have me killed.” Mitch hadn’t discussed his mother in years. She still haunted his dreams, and he often worried the longer he stayed in the states, the sooner she might find him since he knew no way did she believe he’d disappeared without a trace.

  Actually, Marcus Nuniez, his former self, died when he’d turned eighteen in a raid on one of his mother’s drug factories after setting his mother up.

  Only, she got away, and he went into protective custody. It was there, someone suggested he hide in the military.

  The rest was history.

  “That’s a tough way to live.”

  “I don’t think about it much. It’s been twelve years, and not once has there been any reason for her to believe I wasn’t blown to bits,” Mitch said.

  “I hope it stays that way.” Riggs wiped his mouth with the napkin and tossed it on the plate. “How did you meet my daughter?”

  “I had an injury a few months back. She was my physical therapist. I hadn’t seen her in three months. I had no idea she’d be here.”

  “Suzie Pendleton’s father and I were college roommates,” Riggs said. “Are you back to full duty?”

  “I was,” Mitch admitted, rubbing his knee. “I pushed too hard and ended up having to have a second surgery, and my days in the field are over.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but if you haven’t seen Ashley in months, then I take it you went somewhere else for your PT?”

  Mitch’s palms grew sweaty, the guilt eating him alive, which was crazy. “I did.”

  Riggs laughed. “I bet she didn’t like that.”

  “No. She didn’t, and I had to admit to making a big mistake by not going back to her, but it wouldn’t have changed the outcome. The damage was too extensive.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I honestly don’t know yet. I planned on spending this weekend thinking about my options.”

  “And instead, you ended up babysitting my daughter.”

  Mitch wouldn’t call it that. “It was a tough night for her all around.”

  “I appreciate your kindness, and I’m sure my daughter does, too.”

  “Speaking of her, I think maybe one of us should go check on her. It’s been almost an hour since I left.”

  “She’d be pissed if I went, so you go. Tell her to call me when she gets a chance.”

  “Yes, sir…I mean Riggs.”

  Riggs stood, and Mitch followed him to the door, trying to keep from limping, though he failed miserably.

  “I can tell you like my daughter.” Riggs took Mitch’s hand, and squeezed a little too hard. “Hurt her and I’ll do more than break your nose.”

  “I think she’ll be the one breaking my heart.”

  Chapter 4

  ASHLEY BLINKED, the bright sun stinging her eyes, adding to the crushing pain in her head. Nausea floated in her gut as the taste of last night’s alcohol lingered in the back of her throat. Carefully, she pushed herself to a sitting position, keeping her eyes closed. The smell of coffee seeped into her nose, easing the queasiness. She didn’t think anything would help the pounding in her head.

  Pushing the covers back, she set her feet on the floor and padded to the bathroom. She wa
nted to avoid the reflection in the mirror, but her big, puffy eyes were like passing an accident on a highway. No matter how much you wanted to look away, you couldn’t rip your eyes from the horror.

  She splashed cold water on her face before grabbing her toothbrush. It would take a steam cleaner to remove the wretched taste in her mouth. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her dress from last night hanging in the shower. There was so much she didn’t remember and what she did, she’d rather forget.

  After two shots of mouthwash, she stepped from the bathroom and gasped.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Mitch?” He sat in a chair by the window, folding the newspaper and setting it on a table lined with some pastries and a carafe of what she prayed was coffee.

  “Shit,” she mumbled. “What time is it?”

  “Nine thirty.”

  She groaned, rubbing her temples. “Where’s my phone?”

  “On the bed, but I already talked with your father, if that is who you wanted to reach.”

  So many questions raced through her cobwebbed brain. “Did he come banging on my door and see me like this?” She groaned, not wanting to know how it came to pass that Mitch and her father spoke.

  Glancing down, thankful she had clothes on, though no more than a bra, T-shirt and her panties, she had to wonder what happened after…after… the last thing she remembered was offering to perform sexual favors.

  Or getting sick.

  She wasn’t sure which one came first.

  Quickly, she climbed back into the bed, pulling the sheets up to her chin.

  “No.” Mitch sat on the edge of the bed, his hand dangerously close to her leg. “Your phone went off this morning, and there was a reminder. I thought it better to meet your dad in your place, versus him worrying about you.”

  Mitch’s blue eyes brightened like the sky in the morning sun. He smelled of fresh soap and an ocean breeze. “It appears my father didn’t smash your face in, so I’m hoping that means you were a perfect gentleman last night, and you left right after I got to my room.”