Lost Her (Lost #1) Read online

  I smirk at him, “And you said I was the voyeur.”

  He laughs, “No, yuck, you are my daughter. What did you do to Ryan last night? He is very quiet. He is not being condescending to Parker or his friends. I noticed his lip then the rope burns on his wrists and ankles. Does he have to go to the emergency room again? I observed that look of embarrassment in his eyes again.”

  I look sternly at him, “I know what I am doing and he asked me to beat him. He has learned from that one incident.”

  My father shakes his head at me in disbelief. “You need to not push him. Listen to him when he is uncomfortable. You could have seriously hurt him again.”

  I cut off my father’s lecture, “He knows about the CD, he saw the cover and read all the lyrics for a few hours last night.”

  He look me into the eyes, “Did you tie him up holding the pages above his head making him read it out loud to you while you beat him?”

  I wiggle my eyebrows, “Oh no, but that sounds fun. Maybe I will try that later. He figured it out. The tequila hit me then I put on the CD. He heard me singing along and the voices matched. We discussed it, he was angry that our lives are an open book and he kept studying the lyrics. I fell asleep; he woke me up asking for it. It went well if you ask me. I just have the next hurdle of the videos.”

  He places his hands on both my shoulders pecking a kiss to my forehead, “That is progress and let’s get down to the Cantina.”

  Ryan- I am up on the ladder trying to tuck away extension power cords neatly in the ceiling. I hear someone walk over to the ladder. I look down and it is Parker. He stares off expressionless, “Hey Ryan, I just came from Olivia’s house. I wanted to make sure she was alright.” I jump down from the ladder to meet his eyes.

  He looking at my lip then up to my eyes, “She told me that she, that she is the abusive one and that she did that to you. I am sorry man.”

  I look at him laughing out, “This is nothing. She gets overly aggressive in bed.” Parker looks at me confused, so I continue to paint a picture for him. I look at his face while telling him, “She gets all like dominatrix controlling and sometimes gets too carried away,” I held up my wrists for him to see the rope burns then pointing down to my ankles. “One time she got so out of control with biting and burning me that she put me in the hospital.”

  Parker mouth drops as he looks at me. “She burns you? That is masochistic,” he is shaking his head, “too much information.” He turns away and walks back to the table to sit with his friends. I watch him for a while noticing that a smile has not returned to his face. I think that he is either really shocked about Livi’s lifestyle or really hurt that he can’t have her.

  I feel a hand on my shoulder to turning to see Livi. She smiles up at me looking a little worn out, “Hi Rye” and she leans up to placing a kiss on my lips. She touches my lip, “I am really sorry about that. I never would have thought that people would be so uptight like this.”

  I put my arms around her, “I heard that Parker paid you a visit.” I felt her tense up in my arms. “He thought I beat you up and he came to apologize to me for having it all wrong. I guess you had that overdue conversation, he has not smiled once since he got here.” Livi just shakes her head in my chest and I can feel her crying. I pull her through the kitchen out the back door so no one can see her crying. She takes me by the hand walking me over to the school.

  We go around to the backside of the building. She sits on the steps pulling me down next to her. She is looking at me and appears to be frightened. She is wiping away her tears, “I allowed him to kiss me again.”

  I feel rage boiling in me. I stand up to facing her, “Why Livi? I guess you want him? You did not want ever set him straight, am I right?” She just keeps crying and I sit back on the steps. I look down at her speaking softly trying to control my rage, “You are forty one years old and you better figure this out now, me or him?” I shake her shoulder getting her to look up at me.

  She is looking up at me with red eyes then shouts at me, “I made my choice! I made it when I was eighteen years old to always be with you.” She is calming herself down. “I told him that there would never be anything between us. I did not feel the same way as he did. That I could never love him and he could never love me. Nothing has changed for me. I always wanted and needed you.”

  I sit down next to her cradling her in my arms. I kiss her temple speaking into her ear, “Would you please stop kissing everyone, too much drama.” She laughs with a nod and smile. “Should I go push Parker around? Second thought, I think I have hurt him enough today when I told him how you put me in the hospital. You should have seen his eyes. I really do not think he will be a problem anymore.” I laugh and she joins in laughing with me.

  She turns looking at me, “Want to hear something funny my dad said to me today?” I nod for her to proceed as she starts, “Daddy thinks I push you too far and he is afraid that I am going to cause you to break down.”

  I squeeze her tighter in my arms, “You already have caused me to break down. You think I cry because of the pain for you inflict on me? No, that is my emotions making me cry. I cry because I love you so much and I never want you to stop. I am afraid you will take that all away from me leaving me empty. You broke me a long time ago.” She leans up kissing the side of my cheek. She stands pulling me up from the steps.

  We start walking back to the Cantina and Señor Marquis passes up in his old pickup truck. He stops ahead of us as the passenger side door opens. Our three dogs jump out running towards us. They are jumping all over us in excitement to see us. We slowly stroll to the Cantina.

  When we arrive, Rosalie signals me to come over to her. She looks at me with a questioning look, “Why does the Cantina have that box mounted to the ceiling?”

  I smile at her, “Internet access point, now your customers can connect their phones or laptops. Like Henry and his iPad. You can make Skype or FaceTime calls too.”

  She leaning up to put a kiss on my cheek, “If you say so, Ryan. Señor has your package in the bed of the truck. Go with him and I will keep Livi occupied.”

  I motion to Señor Marquis that I am ready as am I walking down the steps I hear Livi calling out to me. I look to her, “Señor needs help with something and we are going to stop at the house to grab my laptop. I am going to teach Rosalie how to make Skype calls to Henry.” She gives me the thumbs up as I climb into Señor’s pickup truck.

  He is backing up to the door of the house. He motions to the door. I open it following him in. He pulls away the chairs from the old table. I help by clearing away the clutter. We carry out the old table placing it down. He opens the tailgate pulling a blanket and the table comes to the edge. We lift it off turning it upright. He keeps the blanket on it and we carry it in. I say knowing he barely understands me, “This sucker is super heavy.” We move it into place taking off the blanket. I stand there looking at the most beautiful grain on the table swirling with different colors. He pulls a rag out of his pocket buffing the table. I pull the two chairs back pushing them in.

  I go into the bedroom to where I hide my money. I pull out five, one hundred dollar bills. I walk back into the kitchen. He is walking into the house with a doily and a single flower. I just stand there still watching him. He opens one cabinet locating a tall green marbled pottery looking vase. He fills it with water. He places the lacey doily on the table and the vase. He gingerly places in a tall flower. He looks up to me smiling. He motions to the door and I follow him out. We place the old table in his truck. I run back in the house grab my laptop closing the house door behind me. I jump into his truck and hand him the money. He nods at me and I say, “Gracias.” He smiles at me putting the truck in gear to leave.

  We get back to the Cantina and the place is packed with people and children. Rosalie is flagging me down with her towel. I run up to her, “What’s up?”

  She pulls me in the kitchen pointing to the oven, “I did what you said. Take the tray of lasagna out, place on counter unti
l room temperature, then heat at three hundred degrees until bubbly in center. I can’t tell if it is done, please check it for me.”

  I walk over to the over lifting off the aluminum foil, place it back on and rotate the pan. I look over at her worried face and smile, “Another seven minutes and I think you should invest in an inside oven thermometer so you can tell when the oven is hot enough. Sometimes these big ovens heat in the back before it reaches the front, so with the oven thermometer in the front, you will know you are heated through out.”

  She hits me with the towel, “When did you become a restaurant chef?”

  Henry who has snuck up on us has his hand on the counter speaks up startling Rosalie and I. “His grandparents owned and operated an amazing Italian restaurant where he grew up. He spent a lot of time there as a child. Correct me if I am wrong, you also worked there from time to time with your mother and sister.”

  I look directly at Henry, “Yes, I did. I knew then I wanted to be a lawyer. The restaurant business is extremely time consuming and tiring. My mother wanted me to take it over from my grandparents, but I wrapped myself up in sports and other extracurricular activities to keep me out of that place. I made sure I found a way to go to college. Today, my sister runs it with her husband and children. My mother still tries to dictate their every business decision like always.”

  Rosalie places her hand on my shoulder, “You are a natural professional when it comes to cooking and helping out here. Since you were born into the trade, I may have to hire you.”

  I am waving my hand at her, “No way. I like to help, but I do not need a job.”

  Henry chimes up, “He is going to be a kept man. His wife is a millionaire.”

  I look at him confused as he continues to speak, “Her band is raking in the money. There is over four million dollars in her account.”

  I shake my head no at Henry. “I checked her balances and transactions. She has only a few thousand dollars in it and she has not touched it since right after Christmas to purchase a plane ticket to Los Angeles.”

  Henry looks at me. “When Chris could not find her is when he came to me. I set up a new account in my name for her royalties to roll in to.”

  I look at Henry, “How long have you known about the CD?”

  He looks at me, “Only a short time, but Chris had me act quickly since we were not sure if you were going to give up on her. I was afraid you would divorce her and take her down financially. I was only protecting my girl.”

  I look at him little taken back, “I understand completely. If it was Katie, I would do the same.” He taps me on the shoulder smiling at me. He is glad that I understand. I turn to the oven checking the pan again.

  I nod at Rosalie picking up towels to take the pan out. I place it on the counter. I turn to look at them, “Give it five minutes to rest before serving. I am going to go find Livi.” I walk out the door into the bar looking around for her.

  I see her off in the distance near the school talking with some children who are kicking around a soccer ball. I sit on the steps watching her. Then I notice a cold beer being placed in front of my face. I grab it and then Parker sits next to me. I look at his face and it is taking all of me to be nice, “Thank you Parker.”

  He nods toward me, “No problem.”

  He pauses for second to watch Livi with the children, “Are you going to take her back home?”

  I look straight ahead, “No, her life is here now. This is where she wants to be. I am going to have to make a few adjustments in my life to accommodate hers.”

  He looks at me, “That is wonderful. The school really needs her. The kids love her.”

  I look meeting his eyes trying to stay controlled, “Yes, we will stay as long as you do not make it a habit to try to kiss Livi every Sunday.”

  His eyes open very wide, “I see that she keeps nothing from you.”

  I look away from him, “We are getting there. I think it is because I am finally listening to her. She has kept so much from me because of my temper but I have to tell you that I am having a really hard time refraining from tearing you apart right now. If you ever try to be that stupid again, I will take you down. No, better yet, I will unleash Livi on you. That might be a lot worse.” He looks at me squirming. I look at him finishing my point, “That is one woman you never want to make angry.”

  Parker finishes up his beer standing up. He looks over his shoulder, “The food is out on the bar and the line has started.”

  I nod. “Thank you Parker, but I am going to wait for Livi.” I sit and watch her some more. My head is spinning from my confrontation with Parker. I just keep thinking over and over again about him. All the time Livi and he spent alone. I know that I am the one, but I worry about what might have happened if I did not get down here when I did. Would have she caved under his romantic ways? How long could she battle him away before giving in to his younger, taller ripped body and that pretty face?

  My thoughts are broken by Rosalie standing in front of me with two paper plates pushing them into my face. I stand up taking the plates from her. She turns to go back up the stairs looking at me, “Ryan, do not let your mind get the best of you. Go off and eat somewhere else. I can see that you are brooding.” I do not say anything and walk off to Livi.

  I come up to her motioning that she follows me down to the beach. I sit down on the sand and she joins me. I hand her the plate and she begins eating. She starts talking as soon as she is done with her plate, “I love family day after their church session. You get the best variety of food and I see that you contributed your lasagna,” she looks at my plate, “Ryan, you have not eaten anything. What is wrong now?”

  I look up from pushing my food around on my plate and remember to be forthcoming with her. “What would have happened if I never came down here? You know, between you and Parker, would you have given in to him?”

  She looks at me, “No way, I would never have moved on with Parker if that is what you are asking. He is not my type. He is darn cute and charming, but I do not do charming. We flirted cleanly until Katie played with his head; he never wanted me in that way. Plus, he knew there were you and if you kicked me to the curb, there is this completely hot twenty eight year old farmer up in the valley who is a single father of one of my students. Wife died during child birth. Now, him I would give the time of day to. Parker has wiped the drool away from my mouth several times.”

  I look at her dumb founded, “Olivia?”

  She laughs, “If you forced me into doing it all over again I would go younger. In all seriousness, Pedro is not into older women. Your daughter on the other hand he sure liked.”

  I look up at her, “Livi, he is twenty eight, that is bad.”

  She looks at me, “Katie is twenty one, and so what is the issue?”

  I look at her asking, “Is he here today?”

  She looks at me, “No, it is planting season and do not worry, your daughter didn’t like the fact that he has a son. So, there will be no Pedro and Katie wedding.” I laugh at her and start eating my cold food.

  As I am chewing, I speak with my mouth slightly full of food, “You are a pervert.”

  She looks at me all seriously, “You think?” I finish up my food and we head back up to the Cantina. No one is around and place is closed up. So we head home.

  I open the front door letting her in ahead of me. She shrieks out yelling. I run in to the house and see her touching the table. I completely forgot about the table, I was so wrapped up in my own head that I forgot. I watch her running her hand across it, “You like it?”

  She looks up at me, “I love it and the guaria morada is lovely. No wonder why I have not seen Señor Marquis. You had him busy.”

  I look at Livi confused, “Gar Mor, what?”

  She is pointing to the flower, “The orchid on the table. That is the Costa Rica national flower.”

  “Oh, I see. That was all Señor Marquis’s doing,” I say. She comes over to me giving me a kiss.

  She loo
ks up at me, “I am going to wash up and head to bed. I am taking you sightseeing tomorrow.”

  I smile at her, “Wonderful, I get you all to myself.” She head off to the bathroom and I head to bed. I close my eye to wait for her and I am fast asleep.

  CHAPTER 14

  Two days has passed and it is Wednesday morning. Livi is tugging at me to get up. I am exhausted and just want to stay in the village today. Two full days of hiking, sightseeing and making love every chance we had has me wiped out. All the conversations about us, and talks of racy video shoots just wore me out. Not to mention those long hours of her making me read her review in the Loudwire magazine out loud to her over and over again while she pleasured me. I needed a break from it all.

  I look up at her pulling the blanket over my head. “Livi please go without me, I am exhausted. I am sure Henry would like to hunt with his daughter alone. Plus I make too much noise; I will scare off the pigs. I really am not into hunting, please, just go.” I roll over and she slaps my behind. She walks over closing the curtains across the door to make the room dark.

  As she turns on the ceiling fan, “Fine, you would slow us down anyway and the dogs are staying with you.” She leans down pecking me a kiss.

  I grunt out, “I love you, sweetie, now go kill me some dinner.” She leaves and I fall back to sleep for a few hours more.

  When I wake up, I realize I am sore all over and am in need of a massage. I walk to the kitchen and pull oranges out of the refrigerator. I roll them on the counter until soft. I pierce them with a knife squeezing the juice into a glass. I think to myself that I need vitamins from the market after I drop off Henry on Friday at the airport. Maybe that will help me keep up with Livi’s never ending energy. I notice the coffee pot is all set up, so I hit the button for it to start.