She sits up straighter, her shoulders squaring off. “I’m not one of you. You all got to stay here and live your lives. I…” She shrugs. “Had to leave in the middle of the night. I didn’t get to say goodbye to anyone I cared about, didn’t get to take any of my things. One minute it was a normal Wednesday night, the next my life was over.”
My hand moves up her leg, and finding her fingers, I lace them with mine. “Why did you guys run?”
She shakes her head, and I think that’s the end of our chat, but then her eyes lock back with mine. “Dad was scared. He said we had to.” A lone tear strolls down her cheek. I swipe it away and cup her face,wishing I could take away her pain. But even I know it’s too late for that, there are some events you never get over.
“Do you know what happened to your mum?”
“I thought I might find answers in that safe.” A jolt of fear flickers through her eyes. “Someone was after her, Riv. I always thought Keller had something to do with her death; I remember him there that night, but now I’m not so sure. You saw the photos, right? There was something more going on between them, something I don’t quite understand. But if he wasn’t the one, what does that mean for me?”
I pull her into my chest and kiss the top of her head. “If you’re really hell bent on getting answers, I’ll help you find out what happened to your mum. Just don’t hate me if you don’t like what we find.”
She inhales deeply, and I know she’s trying not to fall apart completely. “It’s a cold case, the cops gave up years ago. Why do you think we will be able to work out what happened to her now?”
“We have resources the cops don’t. But baby, you have to stop pushing us away and let us help you. I know you have been alone for a while, so this whole badass independent chick thing was your go-to, but you’re not alone now. We got your back.”
Her sigh is heavy and breaks my heart all over again. “I wish I could believe you, Riv, but it’s not that simple.”
I hold her face in my hands, staring deep into her soul. “Nope, it is.”
She offers a half smile. “If you say so.” She stands, brushing past me, and moves into her closet then comes back out wearing a pair of denim cutoffs and a tank top. “Are we locked up inside by King Kasen or can you give me that tour?”
I stand and do a fancy bow for her. “Deadwater Bay tour guide at your service, baby.”
Chapter 24
Dove
Slater pulls up his Range Rover in a spot on the main street and kills the engine. When River said the two of us were heading into town, he insisted on coming with us. Apparently the two of them had work to do anyway, and I could tag along. Love how he made it all about him. Not. So now I have not one but two oversized babysitters. Fun for me. And impossible for me to do the snooping round town I want to do with them looking over my shoulder.
“Where to first, baby?” River drapes his arm over my shoulders like it’s supposed to be there. It feels way too natural and that in itself gives me the ick. I will not let myself fall into their trap.
I shrug him off and keep wandering up the street. Everything is so different, why would I have any idea where we should go? The shops and cafes are all located under high-rise buildings with flashing neon signs, and the most modern-looking fit-outs. Most of the businesses are chains, when in the past, they were all one-story family-owned by people I knew on a first-name basis. My hunt for information is going to be harder than I thought.
How could an entire town have changed so much in just ten years? I want to run into the streets and scream at the top of my lungs,what’s wrong with you people?But that would be futile. I know whathappened. They all fell under the spell of the charming Thrones and their promises of a better life.
I stare through the window of a cupcake shop painted in pastel colors. Even I have to admit it looks enticing, with all the cute cakes lined up in their categories. I glance back to the boys, wondering if they would let me go crazy in there and buy whatever I wanted. Slater gives me a knowing look. I’m sure he remembers how much of a sweet tooth I have, but I didn’t bring my stash of cash. It’s still in the combi, and I’m not asking them for shit, so I guess that’s a no, even though my stomach protests. The cookies-and-cream cake is especially calling my name.
Slater gives a not-so-subtle nod to River, and he wraps his arm around my waist and guides me into a hair salon just next door, smiling at me all warm and charming. He’s so damn flirty, I catch myself grinning back at him before I quickly scowl. He is not your friend, girl, get your shit together. Yeah, he might kiss better than I ever imagined he would, but it’s just not worth it.
River walks right up to the front counter, greeting the middle-aged lady with bright red hair with a flirtatious smile. “Linda.” He purrs her name like the two of them are familiar.
She glances up at him, an uneasiness in her features. “Is it that time of the month again, Riv?” she asks, popping open the till. She tries to subtly hand him a wad of cash, but it’s obvious to anyone with half a brain what’s going on. When her attention comes to me and Bodhi, I turn away, pretending I’m looking at the products on the far wall instead. It’s expensive shit, the same type I have in my bathroom, and I wonder if this is where Kasen shops. I pick up a few bottles, reading the descriptions just to distract myself. I don’t want to be caught up in any of the boys’ business.
“Want to get your hair done, sunshine?” Bodhi asks, his fingers tangling into my long hair. He studies it, running the silky strands through them.
I glare at him. “Stop calling me that,” I snap, snatching my hair out of his grip, and move further down the line of products.
He moves with me, leering at me in that intimidating way he does. “Why? You worried people might think we’re a couple?”
“Yes,” I answer through clenched teeth.
His hand moves down to my waist, and he tugs me closer to him, his eyes darkening. It’s a carnal look that I know means only one thing. The movement is so sudden it nearly knocks the air out of my lungs, or has he just stollen my breath by the dominating way he’s holding me? Fuck, that can’t be it, can it? Slater doesn’t really want me, he just likes toying with me for sport. He must be bored because he’s kept his distance since the first day I got back here.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, not liking the intention in his eyes. Actually, that’s a lie, the desire is a massive turn-on. But not here, not with him. I take a shaky step back, but that only makes him grip me tighter and sends my heart into overdrive. His other hand wraps around my hair, holding me so I’m forced to gape up at him. “We’re in public,” I protest under my breath.
His sly smile grows wider. This is fun for him. Fuck, why am I on his radar today? “Holly, you got a free time slot this morning? I think our girl needs a little pampering.” He tugs my hair harder so I’m forced closer to him. He doesn’t care who sees him holding me like this. Right now, he reminds me of his buddy Kasen, and that’s not a good thing—for him.
Even still, my heart flutters. Oh, dear God, why does it feel so damn good for him to be manhandling me like this? And in public. His gripis so tight, all I can do is glare right into his eyes. “Slater,” I growl in warning because I have nothing else.
