Hush (26 page)

“Beautiful,” said Isla.
I was surprised to hear her voice. It was soft sounding.

“Thank you mum,” said Siva and he kissed her cheek. Isla smiled.

Isla began to sing to the baby. It wasn’t the haunting song she sang the first time I met her but instead a soft sounding lullaby.

I watched my husband tear up. “She used to sing that to us when we were babies.”

I looked around at my family. At Rajas and Lila. My mom.
Lastly, Siva, Isla, and our baby Violet.
I had everything I ever wanted or needed right in this room. I couldn’t be any happier.

Epilogue

Three
years later

The bed was cold. I trailed my fingers over to Siva’s side but my fingers only met emptiness. I sat up in bed and looked around.

I rubbed my eyes and yawned. Faintly, I heard the soft playing of the piano. I smiled and stretched. I stood and grabbed my robe, pulling it around me. I was always chilly when I climbed out of the warm bed. It was still dark outside. I looked at the clock and saw that it was three in the morning.

I padded softly down the steps so as not to startle him.

His back was to me as he softly played the piano and sang under his breath. I smiled. I loved watching him play.

“Hey,” I said. “Come back to bed?”

He turned and smiled. My heart lifted. I loved this man so much.

“Hush,” he said to the squirming bundle in his arms. “Hush little one.”

I came over to him and put my head on his shoulders. “Hey little man,” I said, looking down at my son. His golden eyes blinked at me. “You need to go to sleep,” I said and patted his cheek.

“I heard Devaj crying,” said Siva.

I shook my head at my husband. “You can’t pick Dev up every time he squeaks.”

“I hate for him to cry,” he said.

I kissed Siva’s cheek. “You’re such a softy. Who would’ve guessed?”

He chuckled and Dev let out a cry. “Hush,” crooned Siva.

“Mummy? Daddy?” said a voice behind me.

“Hey sweetie,” I said. “Come here my big girl,” I lifted Violet into my arms. Her large violet eyes blinked at me and her long wavy black hair hung down her back.

“I heard the piano,” she said, “and daddy singing.”

“I’m sorry I woke you up
flower
,” said Siva.

“It’s okay daddy. I love it when you sing,” she said.

“Do you want me to sing you back to sleep?” he asked.

She nodded her sleepy head. I set her down and took baby Devaj from Siva. “I’ll
get him back to sleep,” I said and kissed Siva.

“
Ewww
,” said Violet, wrinkling her nose.

Siva laughed and scooped her up. “Come on my flower. You need to go back to bed.”

She giggled as he carried her back up the steps.

I laughed to myself and ventured into the kitchen where I warmed a bottle. Dev had hardly sucked
down half of the
bottle before he was asleep. His plump lips were pouted. He was just so cute. I kissed his forehead and carried him back upstairs and to his room. I placed him in his crib and watched him sleep. Siva came in and kissed my neck.

“Violet’s asleep,” he whispered.

I leaned back against him. His presence was so reassuring.

“I love you,” I breathed.

“Scars and all?” he asked.

“Scars and all.”

I turned into his arms, he kissed me, and I was home.

Turn the page for two additional scenes from Sloane’s POV and three scenes from Siva’s POV.

Sloane meets Devak

The library was busy. I couldn’t concentrate and I really needed to study. My roommate was… entertaining her boyfriend, so there was no way I going in there. The librarian shushed a group of rowdy freshmen. They simply laughed. I pinched the bridge of my nose. I could feel a headache coming on. I looked around the library and decided to venture upstairs. Maybe one of those tables was empty. I grabbed up my stuff, glared at the offending group of people, and climbed the stairs.

I found an empty table in a darkened corner. I dropped my books on its surface and sunk into the uncomfortable wooden chair. I pulled my book towards me and my notebook so I could continue to take notes. Hopefully I could finally get some work done.

A little while later a shadow fell over me. I looked up and was instantly captured by the richest, darkest, brown eyes I had ever seen. And the face that went with those eyes was perfect.

The guy was tall with shaggy black hair, the richest caramel colored skin I had ever seen, scruff covering his cheeks and chin, and a breathtaking smile.

“I was wondering if I could sit with you? It’s a bit too crowded for me,” he said and smiled. I think I stopped breathing for a moment.

I glanced around and saw that the library was all but empty now. I looked back at him and raised an eyebrow.

He grinned. “You caught me. I just really wanted to introduce myself,” he extended a hand. “I’m Devak. But call me Dev.” His British accent had me swooning, not to mention his looks, and manners.

“Sloane,” I said and shook his hand.

He sat down across from me and suddenly studying was the last thing on my mind.

I had just met the man of my dreams.

Sloane and Siva’s 2
nd
Date

I nervously fiddled with my hair. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. I knew the guy and we’d already been on a date. But for some reason, the idea of doing something so normal, so mundane, as going to the movies freaked me out.

“Ready Sloane?” asked Siva, knocking on the door.

I jumped and glanced back at my reflection in the mirror. I thought I looked acceptable for a movie date. I was wearing jeans and a nice shirt with a light weight jacket since it was raining. I hated the near constant drizzle in London.

“Almost,” I said loud enough for him to hear.

“Take your time,” he said, before moving off.

I turned back to the mirror and added some product to my hair before pulling it back into a ponytail. With the rain my hair had turned into a frizz ball.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans and decided that I couldn’t delay any longer.

Siva wasn’t in the hallway so I assumed he was downstairs.

I found him in the kitchen, sitting on a stool, and looking over a file. I saw all kinds of graphs and statistical information that went right over my head. I never had been good at math.

“Ready?” asked Siva, closing the folder. He was wearing khaki slacks and light blue button down shirt. His dark hair was brushed back and his violet eyes were glowing. He looked gorgeous. 

So much for me looking presentable.

“Yeah,” I said, anyway.

“Just give me a minute,” he said and put the file back in his office.

On his way to the door he stopped and grabbed an umbrella. He locked up behind us. I hated how fast my heart was racing. This man made me crazy.

In the elevator he leaned casually against the side while I stood nervously. How could be so calm? It was irritating.

It’s just a movie Sloane. Don’t get your panties in a bunch.

I gulped.

He led me to the Porsche and opened my door with a smile on his face. I wiped my hands on my jeans again.

Siva climbed in and I said, “Do you know how to get to the theater?”

He laughed and started out of the garage. “Sloane, just because I never go to the cinema doesn’t mean I don’t know where it is.”

“Oh… right,” I said.

Instead of going to the bigger theater Siva parked in front of a small, out of the way one. It was charming but there were hardly any people. People were my buffer when it came to Siva.

I followed him to the outdoor ticket station. The high school aged kid looked up at us. I read off the names of the movies. None of which soun
ded familiar or for that matter
current.

Siva picked one and bought the tickets. He held the door open for me and upon walking in I got the impression that this used to be a warehouse before they converted it to the theater.

“Popcorn? Soda?” asked Siva.

“Yeah,” I said smiling. I was finally beginning to relax. This wouldn’t be so
bad. “Don’t forget extra butter,
” I said.

He chuckled. “You got it.”

He ordered
a large
popcorn and drinks. He handed me the popcorn and I immediately stuck my hand in and started eating it as I followed him.

“Hungry?” he asked.

“For popcorn? Always,” I smiled.

“Come on, this way,” he said, grabbing my elbow when I turned the wrong way.

I blushed. He opened the doors to the darkened room. I only saw three or so other couples.

“Where do you want to sit?” he asked.

“Over there is good,” I pointed to a spot in the middle.

He plopped down and I sat beside him. The theater was old and the seats were in disrepair but for me it only added to the charm.

When Siva grabbed a handful of popcorn out of the bucket I thought my heart would beat right out of my chest.

The past couple of days ha
d been really good between us d
espite the whole waking up naked thing. I felt like Siva was opening up to me. After all, he had let me meet his mom.

But with Dev I had been comfortable. With Siva I was anything but comfortable. He made my heart race and my palms sweat. He made me a crazy mess.

“This is nice,” he whispered. “Normal,” he added.

I smiled. “I always liked going to the movies. For just a little while I could disappear. I think that’s why I got into journalism. As long as I was focusing on someone else’s problems I could forget about my own.”

“But they don’t really go away,” he said.

“That’s true.”

The lights dimmed all the way and the screen flickered to life. An old black and white movie came on. I smiled to myself. I loved old movies.

“I hope this is okay?” whispered Siva, into my ear.

“It’s great,” I said back to him.

Even in the dark his smile blinded me.

I wiggled in my seat and got comfortable, propping my short legs on the seat in front of me. As I got more comfortable, and the dark made me
more bold
, I took Siva’s hand in mine and laid my head on his shoulder.

The movie ended and Siva turned to me.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. “The movie was really good.”

He smiled. “I’m glad. I was worried you wouldn’t enjoy it.”

“I love the classics,” I said as we followed the other couples out.

The drizzle was gone and it was now pouring
, thunder boomed
. Siva opened the umbrella and held it above us. We had to huddle together to stay dry.

He drove us home and once inside he turned to me.

“I don’t know why but I really want some smores,” he grinned.

“Smores?” I asked.

He laughed. “Yeah, when we were little and there were thunderstorms our mum always made us smores.”

“Well, let’s make smores,” I said, removing my jacket. Despite the umbrella I was still slightly damp.

He grinned and disappeared into the kitchen. Siva came back with all the making for smores.
Marshmallows, graham crackers, and of course chocolate.

He flicked a switch and the fire roared to life in the living room. He sat down in front of the fireplace, on the floor, and patted the space next to him.

“Come on,” he said.

I laughed and sat beside him. He handed me a metal rod on which he had speared a marshmallow.

We both sat there toasting our marshmallows over the fire.

This had to be the best second date ever.
Or at least the sweetest.

Once his marshmallow was golden he put his smore together. I liked mine crispy so I kept it over the fire.

“Delicious,” he said popping it into his mouth.

I looked over at him. Marshmallow goo was stuck on the corner of his mouth. Boldly, I leaned over and kissed it away. The look he gave me made my toes curl.

He kissed me back and my marshmallow rolled to the floor forgotten.

“Oh Sloane,” he groaned in my ear. “I want to make you mine.”

And he did, right there on the floor in front of the fire, I became his and he became mine.

HERE ARE SOME SCENES FROM SIVA’S POINT OF VIEW

First Encounter

“What are you doing here? You’re not welcome,” snapped the black haired man, with his too young wife on his arm, wearing a grey Armani suit.

I smirked and crossed my arms over my chest. “It’s nice to see you too, father.” I flicked my head toward the cathedral-like church. “But last I checked you didn’t own any churches.”

My father narrowed his beady black eyes at me. “Siva,” he hissed. “I think the last time I saw you proved how much I dislike you. Stay away.”

“Don’t worry, father. I still have the scars,” I said and rolled up the sleeve of my purple shirt to show him the raised, pale, portions of my skin. My arms and chest were riddled with scars from when my father pushed me through a window.

Rajas’ eyes narrowed even more to the point that they were merely slits of black.

“Then why did you come?” he growled. His blond bimbo of
a
wife hung on his arm and didn’t say anything. She had been there when he threw me through the window but had done nothing to help me. They had both left me bleeding and didn’t care if death crept upon me. The hatred I possessed for this man and woman was unhealthy. But it was because of my father that I had vowed to succeed and now I was one of the most successful men in the UK. Second, only to my father and I was quickly surpassing him to take the top spot. He couldn’t be at all pleased about that.

I stared the man in the eye. I had my mother’s violet colored eyes and he hated seeing them on my face. “He was my brother,” I said.

“You haven’t spoken to him in ten years,” said my father.

“Not for lack of trying on my part,” I ground between my teeth. “But you made sure of that didn’t you? Heaven forbid Devak know the truth about you and what you did!” I yelled not caring who on the London streets heard me.

“You will not speak of that!” Rajas yelled.

I smirked.

“That’s what I thought,” I said and crossed my ankles casually leaning against the building. But looks can be deceiving. I was incredibly tense. I could still feel the pain of the glass slicing through my skin as if it was yesterday and not ten years ago. “Well, it was nice seeing you. Always is,” I said icily and strode around them and to the church.

It had been ten years since I had last seen my younger brother Devak. I was now twenty-eight. My issues had always lain with my father and not Devak. But my brother had chosen our father and his money over the truth. In Devak’s eyes I was nothing but a screw up and waste of space.

I pushed open the heavy solid wood doors and started forward. I stopped in my tracks when I saw a woman sitting in one of the pews. I had purposely waited until the end of the funeral to avoid confrontation with anyone but obviously today was not my day. She jumped when the door closed behind me.

“Sorry, sorry,” muttered the woman standing and turning with her head cast down as if ashamed, “I’ll leave.”

She had lovely dark hair, almost black, with an orange and red gleam to it. She was short, probably only five foot three. She had creamy soft looking skin. I begged her to look up so I could see her face.

“Oh?” I said and startled by my voice she looked up. Beautiful pale gold eyes met mine. Her face was round but with defined cheek bones and plump kissable lips. She was gorgeous. The most gorgeous woman I had ever laid eyes on. I wanted to take her in my arms and never let go.

“What the-” she faltered.

I slowly stalked towards her. She looked frightened and I didn’t want her to run. I needed her name first.

“You are?” I asked.

She bit her delectable bottom lip and a look of intense concentration came over her beautiful face. Obviously, affected by my presence.

“Uh… Sloane,” she said.

“
Sloane
,” I said rolling the name over my tongue. I liked it. It suited her. It was different and she was obviously different. “What are you doing here?” I asked narrowing my eyes. I had my suspicions and if I was right I wasn’t going to be at all pleased with her answer.

“I’m attending my boyfriend’s funeral service,” she said looking anywhere but at me.

I closed my eyes as if pained. I opened my eyes and took in the empty room before looking back at her.

“Everyone left,” she said unnecessarily.

“But not you?” I asked studying her.

She looked away from me. She looked at the floor, her shoes, anything if it meant she didn’t have to meet my gaze.

“They don’t like me,” she said. “I wanted time alone.”

I laughed. “We have that in common, Sloane.”

“What?” she asked.

“They don’t like me either,” I whispered like I was letting her in on a secret.

She studied me for a moment. Her golden eyes raked over my body.  “Why?” she asked finally.

“Because I dare to go against the grain. Rules are not my thing,” I said.

“Who are you?” she asked in awe. I smirked, had she not figured it out. Last I checked my brother and I looked a lot alike.

“Siva,” I said.

Her cute dark brows knitted together in thought. Then her mouth popped open in a perfect O. So she did know who I was.

I smirked.

“I- I have to go,” she said and moved around me and all but ran from the building.

I ran my hand over my face. I wanted to get to know her better. Something about her called to me. I had never before been so affected by a woman. She was different, special. I had to find her.

A man came into the cavernous room and I called out to him, “Excuse me sir,” I said.

“May I help you?” he asked.

“I hope so,” I said. “Do you have a list of those that attended? The woman I just spoke to left her jacket and I was hoping to get it back to her.”

If he noticed there wasn’t a jacket he said nothing. “Right over there,” he said pointing to a book.

“Thank you,” I said flashing him a winning smile.

He disappeared and I ventured over to the brown leather book. Sloane, Sloane, Sloane, I thought to myself as my eyes skimmed down the list looking for her name.

There.

Sloane. Sloane Campbell.

I smiled to myself. I had her name now. I ventured over to the casket and looked into the dead face of my little brother.

I sighed.

“Devak, I’m sorry things ended up the way they did. I missed you every day.” I turned to the door that Sloane had just left through. “And I’m sorry that I think I might just be falling in love with your girlfriend.” I sighed, “But Devak, we always knew I’d go to hell so I might as well do it thoroughly.”

With that I turned on my heel and left.

* * *

“We found her,” Jacob said over the phone. Jacob was my friend, a business colleague, and person finder extraordinaire.  Right now I could kiss him. Well… maybe not.

“Excellent,” I smiled and rested my feet on my desk. I put one arm behind my head.

“But there’s a problem, sir,” Jacob said.

“What is it?” I growled and my chair and feet crashed down to the floor.

“Her flat is owned by your father and he has kicked her out,” said Jacob.

“Well, has she left yet?” I asked.

“No Siva,” he said.

“What’s the address?” I asked. He rattled it off while I wrote it down. “Thank you Jacob,” I said and hung up the phone. I ripped the piece of paper off and held it tightly in my hand like it held all the answers in the world. Maybe it did. Maybe
she
did. Maybe I could be saved.

I turned my computer off and put my desk back in order. I left and locked the door behind me.

“Alexa?
” I said to the
brunette secretary.

“Yes, Mr. K
apur?” she asked pouting her red
lips and pushing her ample chest together. I wanted to roll my eyes at her. Could she not be more obvious?

“I’m leaving. Finish sending out those emails and you may leave as well,” I said and started towards the elevator.

“Thank you, Mr. Kapur. Maybe we could go get a drink together this weekend?” she asked. Luckily I was saved from answering by the closing of the elevator doors. I leaned back against the wall and fiddled with my phone. I’d have to fire her soon. Her
interest
was becoming too much and it was beginning to affect her work.

The doors finally opened to the lobby and I strode outside to the parking lot and climbed in the Porsche.

I drove through the London streets and stopped in front of the building. It was older but not
old
.

I climbed the three flights of steps and stopped in front of the door marked 312.

“
That stupid, arrogant, hypocritical jerk!”
Sloane’s voice sounded through the thin walls.

I laughed shaking my head and knocked on the door.

Forcefully, the door flew open.

“I certainly hope you weren’t yelling about me in there,” I said silkily.

She gulped and her gold eyes grew large. “What are you doing here?”

She was wearing a coral sweater and a pair of jeans that hugged every curve of her body. I swallowed thickly and pushed my black hair away from my face. She was too beautiful. I wanted to shove her against the door and take her right here. I swallowed and tried to calm my racing heart instead. No woman had ever made me feel this way before and I didn’t know what to make of it.

I met her gold eyes and said, “I was under the assumption that I was rescuing a damsel in distress?”

“I’m not a damsel in distress,” she said shaking her head and glaring at me.

I clenched my jaw. I didn’t want to scare her away.

“Invite me in and we can discuss this matter further,” I challenged her.

She opened her arm wide inviting me inside. I strode forward and sat down on the denim sectional.

“Can I get you something to eat or drink?” she asked. She looked nervous. Maybe my presence affected her as much as she did me.

“I don’t plan to be long,” I answered crossing my legs.

She nodded her head and said, “Okay then,” before sitting down across from me on the sectional. “Why are you here?” she asked.

“It recently came to my attention that you are to lose this flat,” I said throwing my arm across the back making myself comfortable.

“How did you find out?” she asked.

“I know things Sloane,” I said with a smirk on my lips.

She narrowed her lion gold eyes at me making me squirm. How could she affect me so?

“What do you propose I do then? I’ve called every available flat or room in the area for rent and they’ve all been taken,” she challenged me. I liked that. Challenges were good.

I smirked at her and sent a challenge back to her. “Live with me,” I proposed.

She blanched and her mouth popped open in surprise. “Live… with… you? You’ve only met me once!” she cried. “I- I could be a murderer for all you know!”

I could see her slipping through my fingers. I didn’t want her to leave and lose her forever. I knew I was bad for her. I was messed up. But I was selfish and selfishly I wanted her and only her.

“You fascinate me and I hate to see harm come to you on these streets when you could so easily live with me,” I answered her honestly. “
As for the question of you being a murderer? Well, I doubt that. You don’t strike me as the type and I could easily over power you. I promise to give you your spac
e.
”
I would say anything to get her to stay with me. I’d buy her the world.

“I’d be in your way,” she said and I could see the wheels of her mind turning.

“No, you wouldn’t,” I said. “If you’d be in my way why would I offer you the use of my home?” I countered.

“Touché,” she said and I grinned. “I’ll pay you rent,” she said quietly, wringing her hands. I didn’t think she even noticed what she was doing.

I chuckled and leaned towards her. “That’s not necessary. I have money Sloane.”

“Oh of course,” she said paling.

“Yes,” I smiled.

“I can’t,” she said looking anywhere but at me. Her multihued hair caught the light and it shimmered brilliantly. I wanted to feel if it was as soft as I believed it was.

“Yes, you can,” I said sitting back.

She shook her head. “I don’t want to be a burden. I should just return home. I don’t belong here,” she said.

“And where is home?” I asked clasping my hands together.

“Georgia,” she said.

I said nothing and instead stood. I headed for her bedroom. I found a suitcase on the top shelf of her closet and began putting her clothes in it. I didn’t even bother to look and see what I was throwing in there.

“What the hell are you doing?” she cried, having followed me.

“Packing for you. I had feared you’d be stubborn.”