Silence Reveals Hidden Answers’ by Michael Anderson novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Jennifer Marie.

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Okay, so I gasp awake. I remember everything, but I’m pretty sure it has to be a dream. For one, I’m in my bedroom. Well, not my bedroom-bedroom back in New york, but my room in the villa. And if I remember clearly, I was at some dark parkway last night where Harvey… turned into, like, a monster in human flesh.

And did things that are supposed to be impossible for normal people? So, yeah. Obviously, it was a dream. Harvey isn’t some secret enforcer just because he did a few years in the military. That’s ridiculous.

I let out a quick, breathy laugh and push my face out of the pillow. When I look down at the shirt I’m wearing, I realize it’s the same top I wore last night. I throw the sheets back and my-skirt also-yep, it’s the same glittery mini.

Wait.

So… it wasn’t a dream?

Oh, crap. It wasn’t. Yesterday was Nisha’s bridal shower. I was tipsy when the music picked up, I had some extra shots with Jenna that made me all giggly and loose… and then Harvey took my hand and led me out to take me home.

But then… who were those guys? Those gangster-looking dudes? There were, like, at least ten of them. And Harvey, who is one man, beat them all into nothing. Like, human trash. I put my hand over my mouth because I can’t even scream….it’s just this huge, cold wave of oh my god crashing over me.

Like any normal, freaked-out person would do, I get out of bed to find out what’s real. I pad quietly into the sitting area of my villa.

And there they are. Harvey and Baxter on the couches. Baxter is totally conked out, his head lolls against the lounge cushion and he is still in last night’s clothes.

My eyes slide to the one I just dreamt about. Harvey. I think he’s asleep, too, because his head is tilted back against the couch, and he’s wearing something different from last night. All black on black.

But wait. How are they even here in the first place? I don’t get it. Did they just… decide to crash here after everything?

Oh, did I really pass out? While I’m trying to figure that out, Harvey raises his head and I see that he’s awake. I blink.

“How are you guys-”

He puts a finger to his lips to shush me. Then he rises. God, he’s tall as he walks toward me.

“Come on.”

He puts an arm around my waist and guides me back to my bedroom. After we get into the bedroom, he shuts the door and starts walking toward the bathroom. He opens the door for me and I enter.

12:39 Wed, Feb 4 M…

Chapter 30

And then I see myself in the mirror.

Oh my god.

I look like a train hit me!

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“Oh my,” I look back at Harvey one more time and I see him chuckling at me. My mascara is down my face, I used some matte lipstick and it has smeared on my cheeks, too. My eyeliner… everything is smeared.

“Don’t look at me.” I say, turning on the tap. My hair is in a funny state too. It’s puffy, crooked and doing its own thing. As I splash water onto my face, I feel Harvey step closer to gently gathers my hair and pulls it back into a loose ponytail.

I freeze for a moment as my heart stirs at that action. Once I’m done washing my face, he passes me a towel and I dab my neck before the water gets all over.

“Good morning.” He rests against the wall and crosses his arms over his broad chest. The black t-shirt strains slightly over his shoulders.

Then I remember, clearly, what happened last night.

“The fight.”

“I’m sorry you had to see that.” He says quietly.

“Harvey.” I face him. “It’s like there are layers and layers of you I haven’t seen yet. And every time one unfolds, I’m surprised all over again.”

He says nothing.

I lower the towel. “Are you not going to say anything? Who were those people?”

“When you run casinos, you get enemies-”

“Or, you mean when you’re mafia, you get enemies.” I see the faintest flicker in his gaze. “That guy mentioned a Don. Yeah, I was drunk, but you seem to have forgotten that I have a really, really retentive memory. Harvey, you fought like an enforcer. You were… different. You were terrifying.” I search for the word, the image of him moving like liquid shadow burns my mind.

“You fought like you’ve been in a thousand fights. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

I let go of the towel and come to stand right in front of him.

“You know what. I agree. There’s a lot you don’t know. So… I’ll tell you anything you want about me. On each date we go to.”

Harvey says, and my eyes drop to his hands. The same hands that bruised those men to crimson. They’re a bit bruised.

“I’m sorry, did you just say on each date we go?”

12:39 Wed, Feb 4 M

Chapter 30

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“Yeah.” He tilts his head, just a fraction. “If you want to know more… come out with me.” He shrugs one shoulder with pure nonchalance.

“Good.” I squint. “Be prepared to tell me the truth about why you disappeared then.”

“Of course.”

I turn away from him and face the mirror again. In the glass, I see Harvey’s reflection as he moves closer, until his chest is pressing against my back. We’re locked together in the mirror’s frame and his dark eyes holds mine from behind.

“Where the hell were your eyes last night? Can you try not looking into other men’s private? Keep your gaze where it belongs. On me.”

I squint, trying to figure out what he’s talking about. Then it hits me…the stripper at Nisha’s party. It wasn’t my fault! Jenna was the one who brought him. I twist, trying to face him and explain, but Harvey keeps me pinned, turning my waist back toward the mirror so I have to speak to his reflection.

“Yeah, I know it wasn’t your mission statement or nothin’ but it got to me. Just wanted you to know. It… sat wrong with me.”

How did he even know about that? I swallow. The look in his eyes in the mirror is raw jealousy. I’ve never seen it before, not like this. And why does the sight of it send a sharp, thrill of desire through me?

“We’re not…dating.” I say, trying to sound casual, like he doesn’t get to tell me what to do. But I stutter over the words.

“Hmm.” Harvey hums and the sounds vibrates through his chest and into my back. “So, you wouldn’t mind, huh? If I had some other girl bent over my desk… just like you were? You’d be cool with that?”

That’s the moment I fully face him because what does he mean….another girl?”

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