Page 65 of Twisted Elites

“What?” I gasped out. “Why?”

“You ruined his life, and he wanted revenge.”

I glanced from Sebastian to Leopold, who each wore incredulous expressions. Something in Ashley’s anguished face told me there was a kernel of truth in her words.

“You were in Ibiza. How did he find you?”

“Bones wanted us to drive down to the Isle of Wight for the April Showers Festival, so we all went down in a converted bus I bought.”

“Right.” This still didn’t explain how she ended up with Mr. Byrd, but I let her continue her story.

“At some point, someone must have broken into the bus. Most of our things went missing by the end of the festival.”

I clenched my teeth, predicting where the financial aspect of this story was heading.

“By the time I called the police and got through the bank, they’d already used my card to buy all kinds of things, and they withdrew a lot of cash.” Her voice wobbled. “The bank tried to say it was me because the person had my passport and driver’s license.”

“It sounds like someone you confided in stole your identity,” said Leopold.

Ashley nodded. “I’ve had time to think. Bones’ girlfriend disappeared on the first day. I thought it was because she was jealous, but I think she stole my money.”

Sebastian turned to me and grimaced. I gave him an apologetic grimace back. All those funds he had put into her was squandered, and she would probably want more.

“Just as we were about to board the ferry to Bilbao, Geraldine called.”

Our gazes snapped back to Ashley, who still sat by the sink with her knees to her chest.

“When?” asked Sebastian.

“About two weeks ago,” Ashley replied.

I leaned against the wall. “What did she want?”

“She said the kings had brought you to London to pig you at a house party. The queens and knights would be there, and she said I could restore my reputation if I came to help.”

The drop of sympathy I might have had for Ashley evaporated, and I folded my arms across my chest. “What happened next?”

“She gave me the address. Bones and the others wanted continue to Ibiza, but they didn’t understand how badly I needed to set the record straight.”

A hard knot formed in my stomach. Even if Geraldine had directed her into a trap, it still hurt to hear Ashley callously describe wanting to participate in an event set up for my pain and humiliation. Leopold placed an arm around my middle, and Sebastian wrapped an arm around my shoulder. The warmth of their touch filled me with the strength I needed to continue.

“Who was at the house?” I asked.

“Mr. Byrd answered the door and let me in.”

“You know him?”

Ashley stared at her knees and shook her head. “Not at that time, no.”

“What did he want?”

“He told me you’d blackmailed him, pushed Bianca off a building, broken up his marriage, and gotten his youngest daughter taken into care.”

“And you believed him?” I asked.

She shrugged. “It sounded far fetched, but I was prepared to listen.”

I shook my head. Was she so blinded by hatred for me that she hadn’t noticed Geraldine had tricked her into being alone with a bitter man with a grudge against me? “Did he kidnap you?”