Silence had fallen between Caleb and Hanna as he drove the car back home. Once they were inside the house they waited for their friends to come and join them as well. Hanna headed upstairs and changed into a pair of jeans, a shirt, and a pair of slippers and returned downstairs. She noticed Caleb had done the same.
Once she took a seat on the couch the front door opened and Aria and Noel walked in, followed by Spencer and Olivia. Jason was outside parking his car while Toby did a security check of the grounds outside the house. Once Toby returned and everybody had taken a seat around Caleb's office he turned his head to her.
-"Hanna, when you came to us I asked you to tell me why Akimi wanted you dead. You never told us the truth, not entirely. Which leaves me with really not much of a choice. Either you tell me the truth now or I'll have to terminate my team's contract with you. I can't put people's lives in jeopardy if I don't know what we're up against."
-"When I told you the reason why I left my ex I held back information regarding something I have no proof he was linked to. I believe he was responsible for my father's death. I think he did so that I would become vulnerable and easier to manipulate. But like I said I have no proof about it. The reason why this thought entered my mind is a conversation he had over the phone regarding my dad's death."
-"It's the truth. He was involved in your father's death." Aria's whispered voice shocked them all. Hanna turned her head and looked at her friend. Aria looked at the floor before continuing. "Ezra purposefully caused the car crash that killed your dad. He's the reason he is dead. He and Akimi went to college together. I found a file related to this in his desk. That's why we broke up."
-"Back up and say that again. Ezra is involved? Your ex- Ezra? The man that shot me? That Ezra?" Olivia groaned as Aria put her head in her hands. Noel touched her shoulder gently in a comforting way.
-"Hold up. You knew? You knew he was responsible for my father's death and kept it from me? Aria? How could you?" Hanna's voice broke down because of the pain she felt knowing her friend had betrayed her trust. "You left me to stay in that place for two years while you knew the truth?"
-"And what was I supposed to do, Han? Tell you the truth and get both of us killed? Because just in case you have forgotten my ex was out for my blood just as bad as your ex is for yours. Why the hell do you think Noel and I invested so much time and money preparing your escape? Why did you think we risked our lives betting against Akimi? Do you think this was easy for us?"
Hanna turned her eyes to watch Spencer. She just shook her head defensively at Hanna.
-"Hey don't look at me like that. I had no idea what was going on either. But I can understand why Aria kept her silence. Hanna, I never hid the fact that I disliked Akimi and then a bomb was planted under one of my friend's car and it could have killed us all. He's a dangerous man who won't let anyone get in his way. Can you imagine what would have happened if he learned the truth about what Aria knew? The way he would react?"
Hanna bit her lip. She rose from the couch and started pacing around the room. Spencer's eyes followed her, going back and forth, while Aria continued to keep her eyes staring at the ground.
Olivia coughed, clearing her throat, making everyone turn his or her heads to look at her.
-"Given the circumstances I suggest that, for the time being, we all remain in this house until we manage to make a plan about how to deal with Akimi and his gang. Therefore I suggest we take the spare rooms upstairs and use them for the night. I know we're all tired and worried and nervous but the only way to get through this is to try and remain calm."
The group nodded their heads in agreement to what Olivia had just said. Jason then took charge and led everyone upstairs and helped them settle inside the spare rooms. Hanna and Caleb remained inside Caleb's office. She waited until everyone had left the room and then she took a seat in one of the armchairs and slumped her shoulders.
Caleb sat down on the arm of the chair, using his hands to rub Hanna's back. He noticed she was shaking so he got up and then sat down on his knees in front of her. He took her hands into his and waited for her to raise her head and look at him. When she did he noticed her makeup for the ball was ruined as tears fell from her eye. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket he gently wiped her tears, his thumb brushing her face.
-" I'm sorry for being such a mess. I never got closure over my father's death. We were very close and once he died and I said yes to going to Akimi's house I wasn't allowed to actually grieve him properly. My ex believed I should've focused my life on making him happy instead of mourning my father. It was the first time we had an argument, the first time he slapped me."
-"Hanna I was under the impression that he didn't physically abuse you. What else are you keeping a secret?" Caleb had to refrain himself as he once more felt the need to protect the petite woman in front of him.
-"He hit me several times throughout the few years that I spent living under his roof. It was never something that would leave marks. He was also careful not to abuse me verbally, at least not in front of others. He called those slaps small corrections for when I should've known better. I refused to give in under his pressure. Last Christmas Noel and Aria visited and I managed to ask for her help. I guess now I know why they agreed to help me."
Hanna let her feet slide besides Caleb's body, leaning her head on his shoulder. His arms wrapped around her waist as he kept her body close to his. Hanna turned her head slightly, facing him, before she placed a kiss on his cheek. Caleb turned his head and captured her lips with his own, his hand keeping her jaw in a way that allowed him to have better access to her lips.
He got up and grabbed Hanna's body, her legs encircling his waist, and brought her over to the couch. He gently laid her down; her eyes glazed over with lust before he headed to the door and locked it. Returning to her he resumed kissing her, his hands quickly disposing of her shirt. As his hands went behind her back and tried to unfasten her bra they both stopped kissing, hearing Olivia's loud knocking on the door.
-"This isn't over yet." Caleb placed a soft kiss on Hanna's lips as she put her shirt back on. Once they managed to straighten their clothes Caleb opened the door to reveal Olivia standing with her arms crossed and a smug smile on her face. Hanna made her way out of the office and up the stairs to her room.
-"You just can't keep your hands off her, can you Caleb?" Olivia grinned, entertaining herself with the fact that she had managed to become a cock blocker for her stepbrother. Usually when Jason had an assignment that meant weeks could pass by without him touching Olivia. And if she couldn't get laid she as sure as hell wouldn't allow Caleb to get some.
-"Mark my words sis. One of these days I'm gonna lock you and Jason in a room and you won't get out of there until there's a grandchild for Rochelle on the way." Caleb grinned at Olivia, turning his head to her after watching Hanna's silhouette walk up the stairs.
-"Oh I'm shaking with fear." Olivia laughed as Caleb put one of his arms around her shoulders while they both climbed the staircase. Caleb led Olivia to the room she shared with Jason and then entered his own room. He stopped himself short as he noticed Hanna was lying on his bed, her body covered by the blankets.
Smirking, Caleb closed the door behind him and locked it as Hanna turned her head to face him...
Hello lovelies, how are you all doing? I've been meaning to update this two days ago but i got so caught up with stuff I forgot to do it.Now let's move on with the story ok?
Anon 1. Haleb in this story are moving to getting together for real.
Liss I'm really interested to know what you think of their connection.
Pigua, thanks for reviewing.
Pllover13 I hope you liked this chapter.
Safrena, babe thank you for reviewing. It was time for Olivia to have a change of heart.
SereneCalamity, thank you for reviewing :)
Well guys I hope you enjoy this chapter as well so before you leave hit that small review button and let me know what you think. XO