Free A Masterpiece Unraveled (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 2) by Nikki Lynn Barrett Page B

she heard was the ticking of her clock that she hadn't taken off the wall to pack yet. The continuous tick became rhythmic.
    "We should be embracing our new relationship." Hunter stared back at her again. "This is not the way I wanted to start things off with you. You're about to uproot your life and live with me, but you're afraid of me. I see it every time I move to touch you. I'd die before I hurt you again, Bec. Everyone, including you, seems to think I'd do it again."
    How could she respond to this? He was right. She was afraid, but it wasn't just of Hunter. She was fidgety in general. Of course the night of the nightmare where he came after her didn't help, and then his angry outbursts, but she couldn't deny what he was saying. She was afraid of him, and the safe feeling she'd had around Hunter for twenty years wasn't there anymore.
    "Would you feel better if Rissi came back with us for a while?"
    He had her attention there. But... "Is it a good idea for her to come back?"
    Hunter's face crumpled. "You think at any time, Carrie's going to come back and finish what she started."
    Well, yeah! "Don't you?"
    Hunter scratched his forehead. "No. I think she's either dead or in hiding. She's a fugitive, angel. Now that her plan backfired, I don't think she's going to come around any time soon. She'd be pretty stupid if she did. Do I wish she'd come out of hiding? Yes, only to get answers and finally give you peace so you don't look over your shoulder any more. This is why we're going to dig for answers. The crash, our families, everything. If there's something we've missed, we'll find it soon enough."
    Her grandmother's stern, cold voice repeated in her mind. "The only thing you need to know is if you dredge up the past, you can't undo what you've learned."
    Becca would never forget the way she said it and how those cold eyes looked right through her. It didn't matter. The truth had to be uncovered.

Chapter Seven

    "I'm so glad to be back!" Hunter stepped inside the house, relieved the drive home finally ended. This time, it wasn't as awkward with Rissi along. She kept Becca engrossed in conversation and memories. For the first time in a while, Becca truly smiled. Hunter made the right call inviting Rissi along for a few days.
    Two days had passed since that hell of a night. They'd been rough, sleepless and tense. True to his word, Hunter called a private investigator he knew and explained the situation. The process began for the truth. Jed said he'd be in touch more when Hunter and Becca got back to Virginia to talk face to face.
    With Becca's apartment empty, some of her things in the back of the rented trailer and some things left in Rissi's storage unit, they finally left Vermont early this morning. Hunter couldn't get Becca to give him any more information about what happened during their four years apart, and he wasn't even sure if she still had angry feelings over the journal. While she didn't act cold toward him, she wasn't her typical self, either. He never realized until now just how well Becca could keep her true feelings hidden. She was like him in so many ways, both good and bad. He recognized the destructive path he'd been on when he pushed away everyone he cared about.
    At least they were away from her grandparents and Vince. After that night, the three of them made no contact with Becca. He expected that of her grandparents, but Vince not contacting her did surprise him, especially after coming by the apartment that night. Hunter wasn't sure what Vince wanted to say.
    "I love your house!" Rissi threw her hands in the air dramatically and twirled around. "I must say, your decor rocks." She winked at Becca.
    Hunter chuckled as he moved closer to Becca. "I have the perfect artist. She keeps my walls full of brilliant work," he said affectionately, planting a gentle kiss on the top of her head. He noticed a flush come to her cheeks and a hint of a smile. He closed his eyes for a moment, keeping the image of the