“There is some risk, of course,” he agreed reluctantly. “And we’ll have an extra security detail assigned to the crew as a result. But you as a female would be at particular risk, and you fit the exact profile of the other women who’ve been taken – young, beautiful, and American. There’s talk that this gang is upset with the government about all the money being spent getting ready for the Olympics, and that they’re trying to discourage tourists from coming to Brazil as revenge.”
“And I still say I can take care of myself,” she insisted stubbornly. “I’m not your average dumb tourist who wanders off where she isn’t supposed to be. I’ve traveled to far more dangerous places, taken much greater risks. And I promise for once to obey all the rules, to stick with the rest of the crew and not try anything stupid.”
“No.” Ben’s reply was crisp and no-nonsense. “None of us are willing to take that risk. I’m not willing to take that risk. Look, most of these women were taken at gunpoint. How would you feel if Karl or Chris got shot by this gang so they could get to you? Do you really want that on your conscience?”
She glared at him sullenly. “Aren’t you all worrying over something that’s not likely to ever happen? I mean, I read over those stories and none of the kidnappings actually happened around the main tourist sites.”
“They were close enough,” Ben fired back. “Not to mention the fact that you wouldn’t be staying in Rio the entire time. Some of the proposed Olympic venues are a ways from the city, and two of the women were abducted near one of them.”
“This isn’t fair!” she burst out. “You’re penalizing me just because I’m a woman. And I’m way better prepared to take care of myself than any of the other guys on the crew. You’re just doing this to prove a point or something.”
He arched a brown. “And what exactly would that point be, in your opinion?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t figured that part out yet. But I don’t accept your decision, Ben, or agree with your reasoning. I think you’re totally overreacting here, and I’ll go see Brad van Patten in person if I have to and make him change your mind.”
“The hell you will.”
Lauren stared at him in surprise, the stern tone of his voice not one she’d ever heard from Ben before. He had a deadly serious look on his face, and for the first time since she’d known him, was more than a little intimidated by what she saw.
“You will not go over my head on this, understand?” he emphasized. “Besides, Brad has already been made aware of the situation and agrees completely with my recommendation. It’s just this one trip, Lauren,” he explained, his voice gentling. “Don’t look at it like a punishment when all we’re trying to do is keep you safe.”
“I can keep myself safe,” she mumbled resentfully. “I don’t need to be babied or treated differently from the others.”
“But you are different from the others,” he clarified. “You’re a female, and a very attractive one to boot. And you’d be a prime target for this gang. So you’re going to Utah instead to do a story on the five National Parks.”
“Ho, hum.” She pretended to yawn. “That sounds fascinating. So much more exciting than the Copacabana, Sugarloaf, or the Tijuca Forest. Come on, Ben,” she coaxed. “Please. I promise to be extra diligent. Just let me go to Brazil. I’ll beg if I have to.”
“My decision is final,” he stated firmly. “I’m not changing my mind, Lauren. And if you persist in being stubborn about it, I’ll call your father and tell him all about the situation. Maybe you’ll listen to him.”
Her jaw dropped open in shock. “You wouldn’t dare. And my father – unlike you – respects my opinions and wouldn’t dream of interfering in my business.”
“Wouldn’t he?” challenged Ben. “When I spoke to him that day he sounded very concerned about his little girl. I can’t imagine he’d allow you to willingly put yourself in danger.”
“It’s not his decision to make,” she shot back.
“No, but it is mine. And none of your usual little tantrums or threats or even flirting is going to work this time. The decision is final and I’m not going to discuss it again.”
The closed off expression on his face told her that so far as he was concerned the discussion was also closed. But Lauren rarely went down in a fight that easily – if ever – and hadn’t quite utilized all of her weapons.
“From where I’m looking at this situation, it reeks of sexual discrimination,” she declared. “You’re holding me back from advancing my career because I’m a woman. I’ll bet HR would love to hear about this.”
Ben gave her a warning look. “Your career – not to mention your life – could come to a grinding halt if you get kidnapped. And if you weren’t acting like a spoiled, immature brat right now you’d realize that this decision was made to protect you, not hold you back or punish you. But I guess it’s too much to ask for you to be grateful for once, instead of going on another of your rants. Let me give you a little unsolicited career advice, Ms. McKinnon – grow up. Because the next boss you have might not be quite as accommodating about your tantrums as I’ve been.”
She stood frozen in place at his outburst, his words hurting her more than she would ever reveal. “I can’t believe you just said that to me,” she whispered, her fists clenching and unclenching repeatedly from distress.
“It needed to be said,” Ben replied solemnly. “You’re a law unto yourself most of the time, Lauren, you run roughshod over everyone you meet, and have little to no respect for authority. It’s time you realize that you can’t always have things your way or expect everyone to always bow to your demands.”
“Really?” It was all she could do not to spit at him, or kick him in the knee, or let loose with a torrent of swear words in mingled French, Italian, and Spanish. “Well then, Ben. If we’re getting stuff off our chests today, then maybe this is a good time to tell you a few things that have needed to be said for a very long time.”
He crossed his arms over his abdomen, returning her stare without blinking. “Be my guest,” he invited. “In fact, I’m shocked at just how long overdue this is. Say what’s on your mind then.”
“What’s on my mind,” hissed Lauren, “is that I was a stupid, naïve fool to ever invite you into my home, and even more so to let you in my bed. I trusted you, confided things to you that I’ve never told anyone else, and the way you betrayed me was beyond belief. When you left the way you did – without a word or a note or even a fucking “hey, it’s been fun, babe, catch you later”, I told myself that if I ever had the bad luck to see you again I’d either kick you in the balls or call you every filthy name I could think of. Or maybe even both.”
Ben spread his arms wide. “Go ahead. I’m sure you think it’s the least I deserve.”
She eyed him warily. “Are you trying to imply that you don’t think you deserve it?”
He smiled faintly. “Well, you’ll never know the answer to that question until you finally give me a chance to tell my side of the story. So, tell me, Lauren. Are you finally ready to listen?”
Lauren hesitated, her heart pounding so fast that she struggled to take a breath. This was it, she realized dizzily. The moment when she could finally learn why he’d left her five years ago, why he’d broken her heart and left her bitter and disillusioned, unable to place her trust in any other man again. All she had to do was say the word. But there was still one thing she needed to know before she agreed.
“That depends.” She looked down at her boots for several seconds, willing herself to ask the question. “If I listen to whatever half-assed explanation you’ve cooked up, will it make a difference?”
Ben’s brow furrowed in confusion. “A difference? To what?”
“To us,” she clarified, lifting her gaze to his. “Will my knowing why you left change things between us?” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “If you tell me, and I accept your explanation, then what about – Elle?”