In The Silence: No More Secrets, #2

By Ani Bishop

Amy Welton has a good life. Her mother and brother are the world to her, as is her best friend—and sister-by-choice—Bella. That's how she finds herself in the midst of planning a party for two amazing people, and the help she receives comes in the form of one very sexy, dark, alpha male.

Rylee Kane isn't the kind of guy you'd bring home to your mother. He's the one who takes a woman to bed for a single purpose, and that ain't love. But when he's saddled with beautiful Amy, something happens to him. She's a woman whom he'd never think of taking to bed, yet, he can't come up with anything he'd rather do. The stakes rise, and his will is challenged.

He pisses her off all the time. She tests his nerves at every turn. When her feelings morph into something she swore not to let happen, will she stick through the danger to see the end? Or will they be over before they really begin?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ani Bishop
• Release date: Feb 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781530121618

Book preview

©2016 by Ani Bishop

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or by any other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in used critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses as permitted by copyright law.

For permission requests, write to the author, mentioning in the subject line:

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Cover Design, Editing & Formatting

PK Designs

Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Epilogue

Always You Book 3 Prologue

About the Author

Right Here Waiting Preview

This book was hard to write. I really don’t know why. Maybe because they were the first couple who had come alive in my head that demanded their book be written. Maybe it’s because they were the first couple I wanted to write until the end.

Here I am, at the end of it. It hurts my heart to say goodbye to them. The only comfort is that I can visit with them in the next book in the series. That is what keeps me from crying like a baby losing its favorite toy. That, and the fact that I’m so happy I could dance across town for no reason other than I finished a book.

But then, everyone would think I’m crazy. Which isn’t too bad, if not for the fact that I have to meet some of them at my job. Yeah, I’ll leave the dancing for when I'm at home.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Rylee and Amy. If you hate them let me know. If you love them leave a review.

Happy Reading!

Thanks to my husband for taking care of a lot of things lately, so I could write my heart out. He hasn’t been my biggest supporter, because he likes to have me all to himself, but I think he’s finally understood just how important this is for me.

I know I’ve been a pain in the ass, and you were probably just as happy as I was to have finally finished this. Well, until you found out I had to edit it again...

Thanks to everyone around me for saying the right words, for giving me the strength and not letting me give this couple up when I didn’t have a word in my head to write.

Thanks Patricia Korbet for being my rock, my editor, my friend. You are a once in a lifetime person, and I cannot wait to meet you. I need to give you a huge hug!

Thank you to everyone who was looking forward to this story after reading Book 1. It was just what I needed to hear.

Rylee

Silence had a beat.

Did you know?

He did.

He’d learned it as an eight-year-old, when his mother and father stopped making any sounds.

They couldn’t. And for the first time ever, he knew what silence was like.

Months of yelling and broken dishes. Months of hiding in the closet, of slamming doors. All of that, gone with the silence.

Do you hear it? The bass beating in his head? That thing which seems like it’s clicking?

Rylee Kane had been eight when the silence first entered his life, as death covered his house in a dark cloud, taking his parents with it. And ever since the sounds of the gunshots stopped pulsing through the air, he heard the silence like a living, ticking thing, that reminded him of that day when he hid in a closet.

It hadn’t been the last time he'd hid in a closet, but it had been the last time he'd been so close to them.

They were gone now.

But silence still remained.

Could other people hear its heartbeat? Could they hear it whisper?

Maybe it was just talking to him.

Maybe he would never stop hearing it.

Amy

Amy never thought of herself as ordinary, or even a regular human being. Because her life had been a lot of things lately, but those two weren’t one of the words she’d use to describe it. After all, she was on her way right now to meet the guy who'd been MIA for the last two years while their best friends had dated. He'd avoided meeting her—or any of Bella’s friends, for that matter—like the plague. She could only guess the reasons why, but her best bet would be that he hadn’t thought Mike and Bella would last.

Neither had she.

For most of the two years he’d been dating Bella, Mike had been in the Army. He was fighting a war, and Bella was left not knowing if he’d make it home alive. But she'd stuck by him, with a little help from her friends, and so Amy understood this guy's reluctance to meet anyone when he had no idea if the relationship would hold.

But it had.

So, now, she wore high heels and was on her way to her mother’s bookstore in order to meet the notorious Rylee Kane. According to Bella, the guy was known as a playboy, who hadn’t shared much of his life with anyone. He’d served in the Army alongside Mike, and they co-owned a security company together. Like Rylee, some of their teammates were out of the military life, either by their own choice, or due to an injury.

Bella had also said Rylee was stubborn. Her exact words were, He’s a moody bastard. Amy reserved the right to judge him for after she met him. Wherever Bella had heard all of this may not be a reliable source.

But the words that Bella had said last, after she’d bashed a guy they’d never met, had gotten Amy curious about him. Bella had sworn he was drop dead gorgeous, since she’d caught a glimpse of him in some picture Mike had of their team.

She’d dressed to impress—high heels and a tight skirt.

Yeah, pathetic. Her dry spell had her dressing up for strangers. She groaned inside.

There was little opportunity to pretty herself up these days, and meeting someone who’d been running for the past two years seemed like an opportunity to make a good first impression.

Thank God she had a bank meeting before going to the bookstore to meet this guy, because her employee and friend, Lindsey, would know why she dressed like this after the first word left her mouth. Yeah, lying was not her strong suit.

As she entered the small bookstore, she saw it was empty. The clock showed she was early. Good,  she could get these death traps off of her feet, at least until he was supposed to be here. Amy bypassed the front desk and went to her back office.

Lindsey had been a huge help since the days when her mother had been ill. The same age as Amy, Lindsey had been on the street since the age of sixteen, and she'd worked odd jobs to get by. She’d made it through with working double shifts and sleeping on benches, until Amy saw her one day and asked her to hold this place down until her mother got better.

It was fate. Nothing else to it. They needed each other, and even though Lindsey kept to herself most of the time, they were good friends. It was hard to get the girl to open up to her about her life, but she figured, when she felt like she could, she’d do it on her own.

She hoped Rylee Kane wouldn’t be late, because Bella had said she’d bring lunch, and she couldn’t see him here. Not if they wanted to pull this whole surprise thing off.

Amy worried about whether she would be able to lie to her friend for the next two weeks. With her history of failure when she'd tried to lie, she wasn’t so optimistic. Mike asked her to do the very thing she was essentially bad at. Just so he could give the love of his life a surprise. It was a tough task, but she would try. And succeed. Bella deserved it.

The two had been friends ever since they’d met on the playground when they were five. Instant friends, as many would say. Twenty years later, and they were still best friends, even though the people who'd brought them together—their fathers—weren’t anymore.

They'd known each other from work, since both had been cops. Unfortunately, Amy’s dad had died not long after the start of their friendship, and Bella’s dad had moved away. Not a happy start to a friendship, but they had stuck to each other sides. Offering comfort for broken hearts made them closer than sisters, as they would sometimes joke. But it grew into more than a joke. Bella had been her sister for almost twenty years now, and blood had nothing to do with it. For all the reasons that mattered, they were related. No one had managed to tear them apart. No boy or man ever came close to doing any damage, nor would there be any that could. Ever.

While deep in thought, she missed the guy who stepped into her office until he stopped a few feet away from her. His steps were silent, and he had gazed at her a moment while she’d looked into space. Amy broke her train of thought and noticed the god in front of her. Damn, the man was gorgeous. Short, dark military buzz, with beautiful chocolate-colored eyes. They seemed almost black. He wore jeans that were molded to his hard, thick thighs and a shirt that showed off his chest muscles. The black leather jacket strained over his arms.

He was dreamy, and she almost sighed in surrender. Her ovaries were dancing at the sight of the gorgeous man.

The frown made his face look rough, and Amy shivered involuntarily from the effect he had on her. He seemed hard all over that fine body of his, and she could see why Bella said he was godlike. His body, along with that handsome face, probably made women cream their panties everywhere he went. Not that it was a problem for her.

Liar.

And she’d been staring at him for far too long. She stood and offered him a hand to shake.

Amy Welton. I assume you’re Rylee Kane. I’ve heard a lot about you. And then some. His palm was warm, making her body react to the heat by wanting to never let go.

I’ve heard a lot about you, too. And with those little words, she was done. She was sure that women asked him to take them, right there, when all he'd said was hello.

Still, a frown permeated his face. Amy squirmed under the heavy gaze, aware of her attire. The shirt she wore barely covered her bra. That’s why she’d worn a light jacket over it. She’d taken it off when she came into the office because she was hot. Her skirt fell above her knees, and fitted her body like a glove. She wanted to look businesslike, but without her jacket she looked like a wanna-be porn star. She let go of his hand and put her jacket back on. Her fingers finally started to work after a few tries and a deep breath.

Rylee still silently stared. He moved his gaze from her and looked around the room. Amy sighed in frustration. She hadn’t exactly hoped the guy would fall at her feet, but a dismissal like that stung a little. Her body was small, and she practically had no breasts, but she'd had more than one person tell her she was pretty and could have anyone she wanted. The fact that the people who said that were her mother and best friend didn’t matter at all. Right?

I’m sure all Mike said about me was good. She said with a smile.

He smirked. So sure of yourself?

Mike loves me like a sister, so I know he wouldn’t say anything bad about me. Not that he had something bad to say. He still doesn’t know my deepest secrets. Amy laughed a little nervously.

And that would mean there are some deep secrets to dig out?

Amy blushed at the question. Right now, there was the one where she wanted him naked and on top of her. That was not an issue they should handle today. Or ever.

Um, I think we should probably get on with some stuff if we want to square away the details. Bella is coming later with lunch, and I’d rather not explain why you’re in my office when Mike hasn’t brought you to meet her before. Rylee tensed. I didn’t say it to be mean. I was just teasing. Why you refused to meet your best friend’s soon-to-be fiancée is not any of my business. Sorry, she said softly.

Even though it’s not your business, I’ll tell you anyway. I didn’t think they’d last. The other girls who'd tried to stick through him being gone so much had all but given up after the first time he left, but the fool still tried to have a serious relationship while being in the Army. I kept my mouth shut after the hundredth time of him telling me to mind my own damn business. I wanted to see if she was right for him before I met her. Right now, she's made it through two tours, and he’s getting ready to propose. So, I think it’s time I got my head out of my ass and acknowledged the fact this may not be temporary.

She sensed he wasn’t comfortable with sharing that with her, but still felt it necessary to explain himself.

I have to say, I wasn’t sure they’d make it either, but Bella loves him. More than anything. She barely made it through all of this, and not because the relationship was hard long-distance. It had more to do with him being in harms way all the time. It ate her up inside to know he was out there in danger of getting blown up, and she would be the last to know. Amy sighed hard. But they made it through that. Love like that doesn’t end as easily.

At her last words he snorted. Amy raised her eyebrows at him. Was he mocking her friend?

So you’re one of those who believe in true love and all that, right? He leaned toward her, serious and reflective, if she could call him that. Let me ask you this, if there is true love, why do people get divorced? Why do husbands and wives cheat? Why all the dumb mistakes when they’re supposed to live for each other? Why all the heartache when there’s true love?

Amy sat, speechless. Not the conversation she'd expected from the guy when he showed up. Seemed to her, he had some major issues with true love. Wonder what had made him so bitter? Because from what she’d heard, he hadn’t been married.

Before she could ask, he continued.

I’ll tell you why... True love doesn’t exist. There are just people who seek companionship, who ask for another person’s touch, trying to feel less lonely in this world. There is no love, only human nature.

After accepting his best friend’s love for hers, he practically said, 'Love is bullshit.'  They were hard words to swallow, especially for someone who believed in true love, and wanted someone made just for her.

Could it be that someone had hurt him so much, that it left him believing that garbage? Amy stared at him, stunned. As she recovered, she shook her head and thought about arguing, but it wasn’t her business to make this man believe in love again. If it could ever work.

Nevertheless, she couldn't stay completely silent on the subject.

That was cold. I, for one, refuse to believe in such a harsh reality. I've seen more than that with both of our friends—the way he looks at her, like she holds all the light of life within her. Like he can’t get enough of her touch, and not just so he won't feel lonely, but because he loves her so much. Seeking companionship—the way you describe it—is bullshit. You make it sound as if there’s nothing out there other than sex and satisfying needs. There is so much more to experience when you fall in love. Maybe you had someone in your past who made you think this is just a fairy tale, but I’ve seen it. With my friend, and with my own parents. Amy took a deep breath and shut up.

Rylee sat still, almost as if he was afraid to breathe. He stared at her with those searching eyes of his. Some sort of trance came over her, and she couldn’t be clear of it until he slid his gaze away. The mask she figured he hid behind snapped into place. Had she seen a little bit of desire in the almost-black pools?

Lucky for you. He cleared his throat. So, you’ve been in love?

Amy looked away at the question. The tension in the air suddenly rose. Or maybe it just seemed like that to her? But she didn’t want to discuss what kind of fool she’d been in love.

I thought I was. She left it at that. Her history had its ups and downs, and rehashing it would only bring her down.

Rylee must have sensed her reluctance to talk about it because he kept his questions to himself. So, how about we actually do some work before my friend busts in on us?

Damn. That sounded sexual. She could feel heat rise in her cheeks, and when she looked at Rylee, she noticed he wore a silly grin on his face. Amy ignored his knowing look and removed the papers, which contained all of the details, from her purse. It was easier to carry it around when there were still so many details to go through.

Okay, have you made all the plans with Mike for the night of the party? Amy lifted her eyes to see Rylee staring at her intently. What?

He raised an eyebrow.

Amy sighed. I don’t know what all that means, so if you don’t have some superpowers where you tell me telepathically, you better speak up. One moment he was silent and watching what he was saying, the other he was making a full-on conversation with her. Now, he'd resorted to the silent treatment again. With him acting like this it should be a piece of cake to make this party happen, she realized sarcastically.

You know what I do, so, there’s no need to worry about me getting him from point A to point B.

Yeah. Amy heard about his business, and she knew he could do this. Well, she didn’t, but she couldn’t be at two places at the same time, so she had to trust him.

"Look, if we don’t do this part right, there won’t be any party. Got it? That’s why I’m asking you. I just need a yes or no, not an ‘I’m a man and can do everything’ kind of speech."

Sighing like it was really hard, Rylee answered. Yes. I can do it. Everything will be ready, and Mike will be there when he should be.

Amy nodded, and soon they were deep in the organization of the event. She steadied her erratic breathing and sweating that the man inspired with his presence. His scent filled the room and intoxicated her, made her dizzy. Better to focus on the papers, not on how much she really wanted him to come closer so she could touch the muscles she had glimpsed earlier.

She sighed. It’d been too long since she'd dated. Maybe it was time for another try. Even though she felt a pull toward him, it would probably be best if it wasn’t Rylee. With her luck, she’d end up in the same place she’d been before.

Sometime later, she looked at the clock and panicked when she saw the time. Bella would be here any second. You have to go. We’ll meet tomorrow to finalize all of this, here at nine o'clock?

Amy gathered the papers strewn across the desk as fast as she could. Bella always had a sixth sense for lies and surprises. She'd never been able to keep a secret from her friend.

Sure. But after that, I have to be out of town for two days. I’ll call you when I get back to see how everything is going.

Refusing to meet his eyes, she continued to shuffle the papers, making sure every little detail was safely tucked in her purse. Raising her eyes to the door, she saw Rylee standing just inside, watching her with a curious expression on his face. How had this man made her want him after just one look, one touch, one word? He was everything a woman could want, but he was also her worst nightmare—a guy who cared so little about a woman, he slept with everything that walks. Maybe she was getting ahead of herself, but sometimes, trusting rumors was the best way to protect yourself.

I’m sorry I haven’t met you before. With that, he walked out of her office, leaving her breathless. Her heart threatened to leap from her chest, and butterflies danced in her stomach from just his words. She closed her eyes and thought about why he would say that. Did it mean he wanted to get to know her now?

Okay girl, you’re totally not going there.

He probably just meant he was sorry he spent all that time being an asshole, not that he was interested in any way. Her mind thought it was a logical explanation, but you wouldn't know that with the sensation still in her stomach. Damn it!

When Bella showed up a few moments later, Amy barely restrained herself from squealing like a schoolgirl in love. It really was difficult for her to hide anything from her friend, especially about a guy,  when her whole life, Bella had been there to talk to. And now that she had someone to talk about, she couldn’t. Not without ruining the surprise.

Rylee

What the hell had he gotten himself into? He'd avoided anything to do with his best friend’s girlfriend—and especially her friend Amy—until now. This hadn’t been