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The sun ishigh in the sky and the beach is completely empty today. I haven’t touched my phone in three days, but Onyx hasn’t stormed the beach yet, so I guess I’m still safe. Only Mia has her phone on and she swears she’s only using it to call Zander and see Asher. Not that I blame her. Ocean left hers on the plane in her safe and refuses to look at anything or talk about Ezra.
My skin eats up the warmth from the sun. I want to stay here forever. I could just never return and make my life here. My aunt always wanted that for me when she thought my mom couldn’t care for me anymore. I didn’t back then, but now might be a good idea. I could take care of the house, eat seafood every day and drink as many margaritas or daiquiris as I wanted.
“What if we just stay here?” I glance over at Ocean and she nods in agreement. Mia scoffs.
“I’d have to fly my husband and my child down here. Then the peace and quiet would be over.”
We laugh together and clink our glasses in cheers. After last night's dance-a-thon and champagne hot tub, I am officially drinking water. The distraction has helped though. I still haven’t sorted out my feelings, but I refuse to until I have to leave. And knowing Onyx, my time is probably almost up.
Mia’s phone vibrates twice before ringing. She glances at it. “Tabbi?”
“Is she okay?” I turn to Mia, whose face is pinched.
“I told her to only call if it’s an emergency because we needed some time off. Hold on, I need to get this.” She gets off her chair with her phone in hand and starts walking toward the house.
Ocean lifts her sunglasses, her eyes squinting in the sun as we watch. “This doesn't look good. Her face is red and her hands are flying everywhere.”
We both sit up and I reach for my beach towel. I have no idea how long the conversation is, but soon, Mia is making her way over to us. She looks perplexed and agitated. “We need to head back. There’s an emergency with the tour.”
We hop on our feet and grab everything. Mia is on her phone calling to get a car, our plane ready and for someone to meet us at the airport. All the air leaves my lungs and it feels like my body moves on autopilot. We’re on the plane before I know it, heading home, heading to the hotel, where everyone is waiting. My stomach flutters with nerves. I’m not sure what is more terrifying now: Onyx’s love or his wrath.
ChapterThirty-Two
Jade
“Murder. That is what the headline is going to read. So unless we get on top of this, both of your careers might be ruined.” Mia’s eyes are large and tears form in them. For just having a baby a few months ago, she looks beautiful, but she has been extra easy to cry. My heart clenches, knowing it's because of me this time.
Well…us.
“Have Sara call me.” Onyx rolls his shoulders back as if the whole thing isn’t bothering him. He thinks he can just call the record’s attorney. True, she’s amazing and handled all of Mia and Ocean’s things, but this seems at a different level.Murder.
“It's past that point, Onyx.” Mia’s hands push up on the table as she stands. “You aren’t getting it. Whoever this anonymous source is claims that you murdered someone. And you used the Bedroom Tour to hide it.”
“Lori will look into it and Sara can field our game plan, while we wait and find out who made the call. Terrance will handle it from there.”
I watch the exchange between one of my best friends and the man I realize I am in love with while they discuss murder. He isn’t out right denying it to her, but he isn’t telling her the truth either. He did murder someone. For me. Because of me. And he has been hiding me with him on this tour, as a part of Mia’s label, so I wouldn’t be hurt again.
Bile crawls in my throat and I swallow over and over to keep it down. Sweat breaks out on my face, my neck, and my hands shake. We’re so fucked and it’s going to ruin everything. Onyx’s eyes flash to mine. I read his silent warning to say nothing and my lips clamp shut.
“Do you need anything else right now?” Onyx asks Mia, his voice softer this time.
Mia shakes her head, her pink ponytail brushing against her back. “No. Just go to the hotel and stay there, both of you. I’ll call Lori and Sara.”
Onyx stands and grabs my hand in his, ushering me out of the room. My legs don’t want to move and my whole body feels ready to collapse. This has to be a nightmare. Our elevator ride is silent. No one speaks until we reach the penthouse suite and Terrance locks the doors behind us.
“I thought it was cleaned up?” Onyx’s brow rises.
Terrance has his phone out. “It was. Spotless. Gail was out there. You know she never misses anything. It wasn’t on our end. This is coming from somewhere else. Or someone else.” His eyes flick to me and Onyx follows. His lips turn down when his eyes sweep over my shaking form.
“Have Lori look into both,” he finally says. Shivers run down my spine at the cold, detached sound of his voice. “Reach out to my father as well.”
Terrance nods firmly before heading to his own private side of the suite that used to be mine. Onyx’s head tilts back and he flings his hat from his head onto the couch. He looks exhausted. For the first time since we landed and arrived at the hotel, I notice he’s dressed in joggers and a t-shirt. His usual get-up when he’s relaxing or sometimes sleeping. I feel guilty but only for a second.
“What do you mean both?” I raise my gaze to his. “You said look into both. You and Terrance looked at me and said both. There was only one man there that night in Vegas.”
Onyx’s jaw clenches and his eyes spark. I know the mask that slips over his face. It’s the same one as that night. The same one I saw when he was in my bedroom the last time I saw him all those years ago.
