Chapter Four
Everyone was present at lunch. They were all introduced to Brooklyn. "Where are you from, Brooklyn?" Asked grandpa.
The smile from Brooklyn's face disappeared as she tensed and looked down at her hands. "Vancouver," she answered quietly. She didn't want anyone to know about her past.
"So, you came all the way here from Vancouver?" Asked uncle Rob.
"Yeah," said Brooklyn unhappily. Her eyes stung at the memory of her tormentors. She had forgotten about them after meeting Blade.
"Do you know anyone here then?" Asked uncle Rob.
"No," she answered softly. She knew she wasn't making any sense to them.
"Then why did you travel all the way here? What about your family?" Asked uncle Rob.
Silent tears fell from Brooklyn's eyes. She looked up at everyone's faces. They really looked curious. Only Blade sat with his shoulders hunched, like he was in pain.
"Leave the child alone, Robert. She'll tell us when she's ready," said aunt Olivia.
"It's ok aunty," said Brooklyn.
"I had lost my dad when I was four. I lost my mom, three weeks back. I don't have any family except my stepfather and two stepbrothers in Vancouver. My mom left a huge inheritance to me, and my stepfather and stepbrothers locked me up for three weeks trying to force me to sign everything to their names. I didn't. They beat me everyday, still I didn't. When my stepbrothers tried to rape me, I escaped. I just got onto a flight which would take me far from Vancouver," she paused, looking at grandpa and uncle Rob.
Grandpa nodded at her to continue. She told them everything about Thomas Pine's death and her mother's will, as well as her suspicions regarding both the deaths.
"If they could get away with two murders, then they're to be taken seriously," said Blade's dad.
"Yeah, tell me dear, did anyone see you when you hailed a cab for the airport?" Asked uncle Rob.
"No, I didn't see anyone," she said.
"Let us think how they could possibly track her down, because they will track her down for sure," said uncle Rob.
"They could hire a PI, then check all flights which left within two hours after she escaped. That way they'll know that she's gone to Austin," said Brody.
"Correct. From Austin, they would check every small town within a 100 miles radius. They might have a picture of you and start interrogating people. So they can reach here," said Blade's dad.
Brooklyn's face fell, she didn't think it would be so easy to track her. Blade held her hands, they were freezing. He massaged her hands trying to make them normal.
"It's ok, dear, you don't panic. We'll deal with this together," said Blade's mom.
"Do we inform the sheriff in advance?" Asked Blade.
"No, let's see what happens first. Even if they try to track her down, it's hard work tracking her down to Travis Springs. It's time consuming too," said grandpa.
"Did anyone see you here, Brooklyn?" Asked Blade's dad.
"No, only him," she said, looking towards Blade.
"That's good. I think you should stay hidden for a month or two," said grandma.
"I don't want to be a burden," Brooklyn said, feeling bad for putting the whole family in danger.
"Don't even think about it," said Blade, his eyes blazing with fury. "You're not."
"How old are you, honey?" Asked aunt Olivia.
"Twenty aunty, I was in my second year at college, majoring in economics. I was working too as an assistant to lawyer Thomas Pine in Seattle," she said.
"Don't worry, let everything get back to normal, you can continue with your studies," said aunt Olivia.
"I need a job now actually. I've run out of cash and if I use my credit card or debit cards, they'd track me down," she told them.
"Why do you need cash? As if I'll allow you to set foot outside. If you need anything, just tell me," said Blade, angrily.
Why was he getting angry? She needed money to buy necessary stuff. He was not her husband that she could go to him and ask for anything, although he was behaving like one. She had to admit that she would love to be married to him though. Cursing herself at her wayward thoughts in the midst of such a serious discussion, she tried to focus on what everyone was saying.
"You rest and gain your strength now. Later you can work," said Blade's mom strictly.
"Yes, you heard mom?" Asked Blade and she shook her head. Aunt Olivia smiled to herself.
After lunch uncle Rob and uncle Jamie went up to their rooms. Grandpa and grandma went to their room too. Brody went to the office room. Blade turned to go upstairs,"Are you coming to fix my shirt?" He asked Brooklyn. She blushed and looked at Blade's mom and aunt Olivia. They nodded at her. Aunt Olivia handed her the sewing kit.
"Yes," she said following him to his room. The moment she entered, he locked the door. He turned to her, "What was that about needing money? Why do you need money? Just tell me what you need, I'll get it," he said.
"Ok, I'll make a list and give it to you," she gave in. She didn't want him angry with her. He softened and touched her baby soft cheek.
Trailing his fingers along her cheek to her jawline,"It's dangerous to go out now," he said.
"Hmm," she said, lost in his touch. "Give me your shirt."
He took off his shirt immediately and threw it away. She closed her eyes. Now what was he up to? Going to the closet, he took out his white shirt and wore it. Then he came towards her with his buttons hanging open, showing off his six pack abs and toned and muscular body.
Her feet turned to jelly. This was torture. Who can stitch buttons this way? He handed her two buttons, she threaded the needle and went closer to him. She stitched trying hard to concentrate on the button only and not his roving eyes as they stared at her lips.
"There, this is done," she said and proceeded with the second button. Her fingers brushed with his bare chest and she could feel his harsh intake of breath. She dared not look up at him. She could feel his eyes burning a hole on her face. She knew he was checking her out and wasn't even being discreet about it.
After finishing the second button, she heaved a sigh of relief. She had to get away soon. The tension in the air was too much for her to bear.
As she turned to leave, his hand shot out and caught her wrist.
