Page 4 of Be Very Quiet

“Yes. I talked to my mother.”

Liliana’s father had passed away when she was six. She barely remembered him. He’d worked as a stockbroker on Wall Street, and her memories were scarce and vague. She recalled him never being around, and then he hadn’t come home at all one day. One of his colleagues had lost an excessive amount of money for his client. Despondent over losing his life’s savings, the man stormed the office and killed the colleague, her father, and two others, including himself.

Liliana had been too young to understand what had happened. Her mother had packed their belongings and moved them to her home state of Minnesota. She’d remarried a few years later when Liliana was thirteen and had given birth to a set of twins, Liliana’s seven-year-old half-siblings.

Liliana had tried to talk her busy mom out of making the two-hour trek to visit her in the hospital. She also didn’t want her near the evil that had taken Erin’s life. Despite her objections, her mom had insisted.

Luca had tried slipping out the door when her mom arrived, but Liliana had begged him not to leave. He’d become her rock. Her foundation. Her feelings were ridiculous because she’d barely known him. It was absurd to assume that he could stay with her forever, but he had tried his hardest over the course of the following week. He had taken vacation days to be with her, even accompanying her to Erin’s funeral.

Oh, that had been brutal. It had felt as if the entire university had shown up for the event, along with Erin’s grieving family. She’d fallen apart when the university band played the Alma Mater in her honor. Liliana remembered little from that time except for the gut-wrenching sobs from Erin’s parents and her overwhelming feelings of hopelessness. The only shining light had been Luca. Liliana had fallen completely, irrevocably in love with him.

It had probably happened the first time she’d seen him when she’d been terrified, shot, and in shock. He’d calmed her down, made her feel safe, and gotten her the care she needed. Spending time with him had only intensified the feelings. When she knew she couldn’t stay in Minnesota any longer, the thought of never seeing him again had been agonizing.

Luca hadn’t been surprised when she’d told him about her plans to leave. In fact, she thought he might’ve suspected it would happen. He’d held her in his muscular arms, comforted her, and kissed her. It’d been the most intense, sensual kiss she’d ever experienced. She’d whimpered when he pulled back.

Getting in her car and driving away had been the hardest thing she’d ever done in her life.

Chapter One

Present Day

Liliana Lima pulled her silver Jeep Grand Cherokee into the parking lot and angled into the spot reserved for her. She glanced outside the windshield as she grabbed her bag off the passenger seat. Swirling dark clouds promised rain . . . and right on cue, it came down in round, fat droplets as she opened the door. She hadn’t brought an umbrella, so it looked as if she would get wet.

“Hey, Liliana.”

She turned to see Rex Raines jogging her way. Rex was the proprietor of the real estate office located next to Liliana’s studio and the owner of her building. He’d offered her the space for her business, and ever since she’d first met him a year ago, he’d pressured her to upgrade her condo. He’d also asked her out several times, which she’d gently refused. Usually, she had an excuse ready, like work or a class, but she was tired of fending off his advances. Maybe she should tell him she was already seeing someone. No, that wouldn’t fly. She should’ve done that the first time he’d asked.

Each time she had turned him down, she was afraid things would be awkward, but he’d taken her rejections in stride. He was always friendly to her. Their offices had gotten together a few times for dinner and other outings, including a concert at the beach. She didn’t mind hanging out with Rex when other people were around to act as a buffer.

“Hey, Rex.”

“Here, I don’t want you to get wet.”

He popped open an umbrella and lofted it over her head. He was very thoughtful and possessed impeccable manners. Standing around five-ten and clean-shaven, with neatly trimmed black hair, emerald-colored eyes, and straight white teeth, he looked good on the several billboards and park benches scattered around town featuring his ads.

It was a shame Liliana didn’t feel any sparks with him. He was handsome, successful, and caring. After losing staff who’d left to open their own business, he’d recently hired two employees who were trying to better their lives. Theo Harvey had grown up with a single mother who worked as a church secretary, so money had been tight. Becoming a real estate agent was his way of making something of himself. Georgia Perkins was in the midst of a contemptuous divorce, and her confidence had suffered mightily. Rex had taken a chance on both with no experience, and he was teaching them the ins and outs of the business and providing them with the tools necessary to succeed. Great guy.

Sheesh.What was wrong with her? She couldn’t help how she felt, and she felt nothing when she looked at him. Her heart didn’t start to pound, and her pupils didn’t dilate. Her hands remained as dry as the Sahara Desert. Nada. He’d make someone an excellent husband, just not her.

“Thanks,” she said when they reached the door. “I appreciate the umbrella.”

“Say, there’s a reception tonight for—”

“Hey, Liliana. I set that meeting up for six tonight.”

She’d never been so glad to see Shonda Johns, her assistant director slash right hand slash best friend in the world. She’d saved Liliana from having to turn Rex down. Again.

Liliana waved as she punched in the code and stuck the key in the lock, one upgrade she’d installed when she had signed the lease. “Thanks again for your kindness, Rex. Have a great day.”

“You too, Liliana. Shonda. See you both later.”

She opened the door and held it for Shonda to enter. Once Rex was gone, she turned to her friend and smiled. “How did you know to make up the bit about a meeting?”

“I heard him talking to Theo yesterday about an event and wondering if you would be available. I knew you’d need an out.”

She tossed an arm over Shonda’s shoulder and hugged her. “You’re the best. Thanks.”

Liliana flicked on the lights and took in the gleaming wood floors, sea-green walls, and abundance of plants inside her fitness studio. Hers. It still amazed her when she thought about how she owned her own business.

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