Page 31 of Tell Me Your Lies

“Yeah, so it seems. If you find her, I don’t need to speak to her.” Linc runs a hand through his hair and turns to Lucas. “I can’t imagine why Isabelle insisted she come along in the first place. I mean, who takes a PA to a party? She has so many staff, it’s not as if she needed her along.”

“There’s something else you should know.” Lucas stares at his father with an unreadable expression. “One of your guests sold images of you sleeping on the pool table with the girls to the media. It’s gonna be all over the tabloids this morning.”

I look from one to the other waiting for a reaction. “It gets worse. One of the guests was holding up their phone when Isabelle threw the water over you as well. Maybe filming, I’m not sure.”

“Oh, man, that’s gold. I’ll call my publicity guy.” Linc’s mouth spreads into a wide grin. He pulls out his phone. “Max, can you arrange to have all the trashy tabloids delivered here ASAP and record the news?” He turns to me. “Don’t look so worried. All publicity is good publicity, especially around the release of a new album.” He slaps Lucas on the back. “You know how to deal with the press—deny, deny, deny.”

We walk through the family room and out onto the deck. I look out toward the yacht as a group of security guards disembark. Beside me Linc’s phone buzzes and Lucas moves around restlessly.

“Well, did you find her?” Linc looks at us and shakes his head. “Has someone grabbed her things? Okay, bring them back to the house.” He disconnects and looks at us. “She’s not there and her purse, phone and clothes are in her cabin. This doesn’t look good. I’ll wait until Pete gets back from searching the house. If she’s not here, I’ll notify the Coast Guard. Maybe she drank too much and fell overboard.”

“Someone was spiking the drinks.” Lucas frowns and flicks a gaze over me. “I found Alani out of it a little before two this morning; she’d fallen into the hot tub and could have drowned.”

“That’s why you took her to your cabin to watch over her?” Linc rubs his chin and then tosses his head. “There are paparazzi all over. We’d better clear the deck. It’s lunchtime. Why don’t you go and change, Alani, and I’ll order something to eat. You’re sheet white.”

I swallow hard and nod. Allison is missing. I’ve never had any bad feelings about her and she’s always been nice to me but what if I’ve murdered her? I’m trembling and my legs grow weak. Without warning, the room moves in and out of focus. Hands touch my arms. Low urgent voices surround me and then everything goes black.

“Alani.” Linc’s voice penetrates the fog around my brain. “Open your eyes.”

“Maybe we should call Sam.” Lucas is close by. “She looks so pale. I made sure she ate and gave her coffee but I don’t know what she took.”

“What on earth are you two doing?” Mia’s voice drifts into my consciousness. “Did she drink too much? Honestly, some people just can’t handle our lifestyle. She’s probably been wrapped in cotton her entire life.”

“I’ll call Sam.” Linc moves away.

“Are you insane?” Mia’s voice is just above a whisper. “Get out of the way.”

My head reverberates with pain and my cheek stings as the noise of the slap echoes through the room. I jerk awake. “Ouch! What was that for?” I glare at Mia’s smiling face.

“You fainted.” Mia turns to Linc and chuckles. “See, easily fixed. Have you ordered coffee?” She drops onto the sofa beside me. “You’ll be fine. Next time you party with us, don’t leave your drink unattended. Anything else happen? Did you wake up in someone’s bed with your underwear around your ankles or anything? If you did maybe you need to see a doctor.”

I glance up at Lucas and then look away. Mia follows my gaze and grins. I shake my head. “No, I fell into the hot tub and Lucas dragged me out.”

“Ah, pulled you out, huh? So, they were your clothes in the hot tub?” Mia looks at Lucas and smiles. “The security told me the clothes clogged up the filter. The cleaners were not happy.”

“That’s why we pay them the big bucks.” Linc paces the floor and checks his watch. He stops walking and looks at Mia. “When did you last see Allison?”

“Hmm.” Mia taps her bottom lip. “She was heading to the swim platform looking for Mom. I told her by midnight she’d be in her cabin. I didn’t see her after that. I went down to the party deck and drank vodka martinis with the bartender.” She giggles. “The tall blond one.” She looks at me. “He’s a hunk but he’s gay.”

My stomach bottoms out. Allison was on deck. My heart races as Pete walks into the room and speaks to Linc. Their conversation drifts over to me. Linc is telling him to call the Coast Guard. He fears someone fell overboard. If they discover a body, what if it has stab wounds? What if I’m a killer?

FORTY-ONE

“If you’ve called the Coast Guard the cops will be on their heels.” Lucas offers me a hand and pulls me to my feet. “I’ll take Alani up to her room so she can change out of my band shirt. I figure it would look better if she’s wearing her own clothes when they arrive.”

“Why?” Mia looks from him to me and raises an eyebrow. “Have you got something to hide?”

“No!” Lucas glares at her. “Why do you blow everything out of proportion?” He turns to Linc. “By the way, has anyone seen Oliver? I haven’t seen him since he stepped foot on the yacht. No one seems worried about him.”

“He’s in his room, headphones on and playing games.” Mia rolls her eyes to the ceiling. “We came back to the house together. I don’t know why you insist he comes to the parties. He hates them. He just wants to be left alone in his own world.”

“I’m fully aware of what my son does, thank you very much.” Linc frowns at her. “He’s a grown man and can do whatever he likes. I never pressure any of you to follow my lifestyle.” He nods at Lucas. “Don’t be too long, I’ve ordered lunch.”

As I head up the stairs beside Lucas, he leans in close and drops his voice to just above a whisper.

“Don’t say anything to me about this morning in your room. Mum has a bad habit of watching her visitors and it’s probably bugged.” He laughs. “That was some party last night, wasn’t it?”

I nod and move up the stairs, placing one foot in front of the other, trying not to appear like I’m freaking out. “Yeah, it was an experience. I’ll pick out some of the good bits and add them to a chapter. Linc seems to like the bad boy image, so I’ll lean toward that, and what about you? I saw those women drooling all over you.” I smile at him. “You could charm the skin off a snake.”