They all fell quiet, until Layla said, “While I’m not saying Ira isn’t behind it, I’m not sure how he’s connected to Madison’s past. And clearly, whatever’s going on here, it’s connected to the night her parents died. We need a better strategy.”
“I wasn’t aware you had a strategy.” Madison frowned.
“Last time we came up with a plan, it didn’t turn out so well,” Tommy said.
“Meaning . . .” Layla narrowed in on him, and Tommy couldn’t help but cringe.
“Meaning we ended up charged with a crime we didn’t commit! What do you think he means?” Aster rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Yep, the band was back together again.
“Well, we can’t just sit back and do nothing.” Layla refused to give in. “Or actually, I guess we can. One phone call to Larsen and we can all walk away and be done with it. Let the LAPD unravel this mess.”
Madison looked terrified. Layla looked like she was about to make good on her word, and Tommy had no idea whether or not she was bluffing but knew he had to stop it from happening.
“No one’s suggesting that.” The second it was out, Tommy knew it was the final death knell of whatever he had with Layla, but it was the right thing to do. Madison was scared, and whoever had harmed her the first time was still out there. He couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t at least try to help. “But whatever we do from here, we have to be smart. I can’t take another night in jail, curled up in the fetal position on the top bunk, breathing through my mouth in order to avoid all the foul smells. Or maybe that was just me.” It was a lame attempt to add a little levity, and he instantly regretted it.
“No competing over which of us had the nastiest cell,” Aster said. “Because I win. Hands down, I win. I won the first time I was locked up.”
“Jeez, you’re competitive.” Layla rolled her eyes, but the smile that followed smoothed away all the snark.
Madison glared. “You guys are ridiculous. Seriously. Do you even hear yourselves? So sorry you spent a few nights in jail. A smelly bunk sounds like a luxury compared to what I went through.”
Unable to put words to what he was feeling, Tommy rose from his seat and headed out to the terrace in search of fresh air and a break from the tension. He’d rejoin them soon enough, but he needed a quiet moment to decide what to do about the fact that his dad was looking guiltier by the moment.
If it turned out Ira was responsible, what then? What did it mean for Tommy and all the plans he’d made?
“Hey—you okay?”
Tommy turned. “Are you?” He watched Layla’s cheeks flush a lovely shade of rose as she forced her gaze to meet his.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Tommy shrugged, unsure where this was going. Though when she tucked her hair behind her ear in the way she did when she was about to be really earnest, he knew he needed to take her seriously.
“I jumped to conclusions, and . . .” She stared down at her shoes. “I guess I kind of lost it.” He started to speak, but before he could get to the words, she stopped him. “But it’s not you. It’s—it’s just that everything has changed and not necessarily for the better, and sometimes I just want to rewind, you know? I miss riding my motorcycle. I miss the person I thought I was at the beginning of the summer. I . . .”
She fluttered a hand before her face and scrunched her nose in a way so adorable he had to fight the urge to grab her and kiss her and never let go.
“You know what?” Her blue-gray eyes met his. “That’s a lie. Truth is—it was about you.”
Tommy forced himself not to speak. He knew how much a moment like this cost a girl like Layla, who equated vulnerability with weakness.
“I messed up the night I kissed you and didn’t tell Mateo.”
“You messed up because you kissed me, or because you didn’t tell Mateo?” He inched closer. He’d been drawn to her from the beginning, and though so much had changed since then, his attraction to her had never once wavered.
Without hesitation she said, “I messed up because I wanted to kiss you and I liked kissing you, and that’s the moment I should’ve known it was over with Mateo and I should’ve come clean and told him as much. I don’t fall easily. And I’m certainly not the type who’s attracted to every cute boy I see.”
Tommy was flattered, but he knew better than to let on. “And now?” His voice was hoarse. He’d already talked himself out of being with her. But now, he wasn’t sure what she was offering, and he had no firm idea how to respond.
“Madison is lovely.” She tilted her chin toward the den. “Even when she’s battered and bruised and traumatized, she’s the most beautiful girl in the room.”
Tommy knew better than to comment. If Layla was baiting him, he was too smart to bite.
“Funny how she turned to you for help.”
Tommy shifted his weight between his feet. He was beginning to feel like a bug under her lens. “I can’t explain that,” he said.
“I can. It’s because she trusts you.”
Layla regarded him as though she could see right through his flesh to the beating heart below. Did she realize in that moment it was beating just a bit faster for her?
“You two have a connection. Anyone can see it.”
“And what about us? What about our connection?” He forced the words from his lips. He might not like the answer, but he needed to know where they stood.
Layla’s cheeks lifted in a smile. “You’re pretty easy to connect with. Easier than me.”
Any other girl, he would’ve let the statement go, sure he was being forced into a compliment he might be reluctant to give. But Layla wasn’t that kind of girl, and no matter where this went, he wanted her to know she meant a great deal to him. “I’ve seen you—the real you. The sharp-edged side you share with the world, and the softer one you save just for private. And if you decide you never want to share that softer side with me again, I want you to know I feel lucky to have known it for the short time I did.”
Without a word, she lifted a hand to his cheek and traced the line of his jaw with her fingertip. Tommy leaned into her touch, sure they would kiss. It was what he ached for most in the world.
Just as quickly, she pulled away. “I know why you came here,” she said.
At first he thought she meant to Madison’s hideaway, but something about the look in her eyes told him she meant something else entirely.
“I know why you moved to California.”
His eyes widened. His body went still. Just like that, his secret was out.
His first instinct was to deny it, but then he remembered who he was talking to. “Who else knows?” He cast a nervous glance toward the house, but Layla was quick to assure him that no one else knew of his connection to Ira.
“Are you going to confront him?”
Tommy swiped a hand through his hair. It felt really weird to discuss it out loud.
“Yes.” He nodded. Followed by: “Maybe.” He scratched at his cheek. “I haven’t decided.” He sighed. “It changes daily.”
“Do you really think he’s behind this?”
Tommy screwed up his face and squinted at the fence surrounding the yard. “I wouldn’t put it past him,” he said, returning his focus to her.
“So what’s the plan?”
Tommy sank his hands into his pockets. “I guess I’m going to find out once and for all, so I can get on with my life.”
Layla regarded him thoughtfully. “You know you don’t have to go this alone. Surprising as it seems, you’ve managed to make a friend or two since you arrived in LA.”
A slow grin lit Tommy’s face as he remembered the first time they’d met, when she’d said just the opposite. “Then I’ll consider that a victory, considering how you warned me friends were in short supply.”
Layla’s eyes flashed. “I seem to remember it differently. You spoke the words. I merely implied you were right. As it turns out, we were both wrong.”
When she laug
hed, Tommy had the unmistakable feeling that everything would be okay. Not just between them, but overall.
He watched as she started to head back inside. “And what happens next?” he called.
She paused and looked over her shoulder. “We put our heads together and work out a plan.”
“And after that?” The question was loaded, but he had no doubt she knew what he meant.
“I guess we just have to wait and see how this particular story ends.”
He waited a bit before he joined her. He was just crossing the room, about to reclaim his seat, when everyone’s phone began to simultaneously chime.
Tommy peered at his screen, then looked at Layla, Aster, and Ryan, wondering if they’d received the same message.
“It’s a breaking news alert.” Layla’s voice was tipped with panic.
“Larsen went to your trailer.” Aster stared at Madison. “He found your watch.”
Madison narrowed her gaze. “But I hid it.”
“Not very well.” Ryan frowned.
“I left it out in plain view,” Aster said. “I was angry, and I wanted you to know we were onto you in case you returned.” Turning to Ryan, Aster said, “Do you think Heather called him?”
“Heather?” Madison became visibly alarmed. “Heather was there? Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”
“I didn’t think it was a big deal.” Aster shrugged. “I mean, you guys were friends, right?”
Ignoring the question, Madison said, “Tell me everything—leave nothing out.”
Aster paused as though carefully choosing her words. “She talked about how much she missed you, then she flirted with Ryan, called me a Thoroughbred Girl—which she meant as an insult—”
“A what?” Layla leaned closer.
Aster groaned. “She’s got some chip on her shoulder from when she grew up on a ranch or something.”
“Heather didn’t grow up on a ranch.” Madison’s face darkened. “She’s from coastal Florida.”
“Well, she told some story about working on a ranch and how she hated the rich girls who boarded their horses there, or something like that.” Aster leaned her head against Ryan’s shoulder.
“Did she mention the name of the ranch?”
Aster looked up at Ryan, and he shook his head. “Not sure it matters,” he said. “If Larsen found the trailer, it’s just a matter of time before he finds this place too. I think we should leave. The sooner the better.”
“But what about her?” Aster stared pointedly at Madison. “She’s my ticket to freedom. We can’t just let her out of our sight.”
“I think she should stay with Tommy,” Layla said, surprising pretty much everyone in the room, but no one more than Tommy.
After the moment they’d shared outside, it was the last thing he expected.
“There’s no other option,” she explained. “I live with my dad and Aster’s at the W, which Ira owns. . . .”
“Actually,” Aster said, “I’ve been staying with Ryan.”
Tommy awkwardly cleared his throat. “Guess that leaves me then.” He looked at Madison, regretting how he’d just made her sound like some sort of disappointing consolation prize. “I have plenty of room, but you’re going to have to continue wearing the disguise.”
Madison hesitated. Then, looking at Layla, she said, “Thanks.”
Layla nodded curtly and headed for the door. Tommy was about to follow when everyone’s phone chimed again.
“What now?” Madison peered over Tommy’s shoulder to read.
Five little liars walking out the door
One ran off and then there were four
Four little liars looking for the key
One got scared and then there were three
Three little liars searching for a clue
One got caught and then there were two
Two little liars fighting for a gun
One shot the other and then there was one
One little liar convinced she finally won
Her fans turned against her and then there were none
“They know I’m alive—that I’m here, with you!” Madison clutched hard at Tommy’s arm. He’d never seen her so spooked. Not knowing what else to do, he slid an arm around her waist and rushed her outside to his car.
TWENTY-SEVEN
SLEEPING WILD
Trena Moretti blinked her eyes open and listened to the soft muffled snore drifting from the man beside her. His back was turned, offering an impressive view of well-defined shoulders and dark, gleaming skin. Softly, so as not to wake him, she trailed a finger down the length of his spine and sighed. She had no business being there. She’d broken her own rule with barely a thought. Still, there was no denying James was a beautiful sight to behold.
She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, reviewing the night in her head. On the drive home from Ojai, James had sent her a text asking if she wanted to go out for a bite. Originally she’d planned to meet with @LuckyHearts16—the person who’d sent her the video of Madison leaving her earring at the memorial. Not wanting to look overeager, she delayed the meeting and accepted James’s offer instead.
But now, with the morning sun slipping through the crack between the curtains, she was no longer sure she’d made the right choice.
It had started innocently enough, with the two of them sharing a pizza at Pizzeria Mozza, where she’d effectively broken her strict no-carb rule. A couple of glasses of wine later, Trena found herself inviting him back to her place and doing the sort of things that, despite the lingering shadow of regret, still managed to bring a smile to her face.
Quietly, she swung her feet to the floor and was about to stand, when James rolled over, grasped her by the wrist, and pulled her back to him.
“You sure you want to do that?” His dark eyes were heavy with sleep, but something about his tone struck her as vaguely menacing.
“You mean take a shower and get on with my day?” She kept her tone playful and light, but when she tried to pull away again, he held tight.
Was he playing? Or should she be worried? With James, it was never easy to determine.
She shot him an uncertain look, unable to relax until he released his grip.
“Sorry.” He propped an arm under his head and drew a slow, leisurely gaze down the length of her body. “Can’t blame a guy for wanting a repeat. Especially when he’s lucky enough to wake up next to you.”
She frowned and pushed away.
“What’d I do now?”
It was a good question. One she wasn’t entirely sure how to answer. “What’re you doing here?” She faced him.
He cocked his head and sharpened his gaze.
“I mean, what exactly are you doing here—with me?”
He tried for a grin but only made it halfway. “Is this the relationship talk? The ‘what are we doing, where are we going, what does it all mean’ talk?”
Something about his exaggerated grimace made her laugh and ease up. “No, nothing like that. It’s just—we seem a bit incongruous, don’t you think?”
“Because I’m just a bouncer and you’re an important news lady?”
She studied him for a long moment. “But you’re not just a bouncer, are you?”
It was a question she’d been meaning to ask but kept putting off. Now that it was out there, she became acutely aware of the sheer awkwardness of waiting for his reply while she stood naked before him.
“What’re you getting at?” His posture was that of a man at ease, but the way his jaw tensed gave him away.
“What exactly do you do for Ira? What exactly did you do for Madison, for that matter?”
To her surprise, in one swift movement, he was up, out of bed, and pulling on his pants. “So that’s what this is about?” He buttoned his jeans and tugged on his shirt.
Trena stayed silent. She recognized a trap when she saw one.
“This was never really about you being into me. I’m just another potential source.”
br /> “That’s not—” She didn’t bother to finish. The accusation was only partially true, but still true.
He straightened the front of his shirt and went in search of his shoes. Was he hurt? It seemed impossible, and yet the tinge of regret on his face left her unsure.
“That’s not how it works,” she said, her voice quiet.
“What’s that?” He moved closer, till they were mere inches apart.
“That’s not . . . you weren’t . . .” Shit. There was something about him that was just so annoyingly irresistible. And when he laid those dark eyes on hers, she could no longer remember why she ever thought resisting him was a good idea.
Closing the space between them, he clinched her hard at the waist and kissed her so thoroughly it left her breathless, longing for more.
Without warning, he withdrew, placed a hand on each of her shoulders, and said, “I’m into you. If you feel the same, we can see where it leads. If not, then it’s probably better for both of us to walk away.”
She swallowed hard. She couldn’t date him. It was impossible, ridiculous to even consider. And not because he was a bouncer and she was an important news lady as he’d said, but because she couldn’t afford the distraction. Now that she knew Madison was alive and out there, somewhere, she needed to focus all her attention on solving that case.
James was complicated, unknowable, and possibly dangerous. Trena had just gotten rid of a fiancé with similar qualities. Last thing she needed was to take on another. It was time to break the pattern, not continue to build on it.
She reached for a silk robe draped over a chair and pulled it snugly around her. It was all the answer he needed.
Slipping his feet into his shoes, he said, “No hard feelings.” The look that followed was deeper and more reflective than she’d expected from him.
Maybe he really was into her.
Maybe she was using Madison as an excuse to not get her heart broken again.
Maybe she was making a colossal mistake.
She returned the look, wondering if it was too late to take it all back.