Everynoiselastnightjolted me awake. I kept expecting to hear Dax walk into the pool house. With hope, I’d pad around the bed, desperate to feel his body lying beside me.
But he didn’t come home.
Again, all my text messages went unanswered.
I have no idea whether he slept at the clubhouse, his old house, or somewhere in the mountains.
Or, perhaps, he didn’t sleep at all. Maybe his brother had him up all night, doing goodness knows what. Dax still hasn’t told me what kind of work he does for The Scorpions. Hopefully, whatever he had to do, it’s for the last time.
I clasp my hands together, and pray his plan worked.
I reach for my phone and open my ignored texts.
“Did everything go okay last night?”
I lock my phone, not expecting a reply. I saw him tapping at his phone, and it barely functioned. I suppose it’ll be like yesterday. He’ll turn up when he’s ready.
Oh my gosh, I hope he’ll be in a better mood than yesterday.
That was rough.
A sudden ringing makes me almost jump out of my skin. My heartbeat slows when I realize it’s the landline telephone hanging on the living room wall.
It usually doesn’t ring. It’s here so we can contact Murphy when we want food or drinks brought poolside. Considering Murphy knows I’m staying here, I figure he’s the most likely person to call me.
I move to the phone and answer it. “Hello?”
“Oh, you are there,” my mother replies.
“Hi Mom.”
“Are you dressed yet? We need to head out soon.”
I yawn loudly enough to be heard through the receiver. “Nope. I won’t be ready for ages.”
“Vanessa, really?”
“Just go out without me. I’ll catch up.”
“I told you what time we needed to leave today. I refuse to be late.”
“Then go without me.”
“What about the united front we agreed on?”
“I’d hardly call my surrender an agreement.”
“Look, I need to go. I’ve instructed Claudia about what outfit to lay out for you. I’m trusting you to get ready and be right behind me.”
“Fine, whatever.”
“Improve the attitude, Vanessa. I need you to be poised and charismatic today.”
She hangs up on me, and it’s a sweet relief. I hang up the phone and rest my back against the wall. At least I won’t have to listen to her orders on the way into town.
I give it thirty minutes before venturing into the manor. I don’t want Mom fussing about with Claudia and catching me before she leaves. When I make it upstairs to my wing, thankfully, it’s deserted.
In my bedroom, my mother-approved outfit lies across my bed. A purse rests next to the blouse, and beneath the skirt, high heels sit on the floorboards. I dawdle over to the bed, looking over the items.
