Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
“Ithink this is a bad idea,” Colton murmurs as we drive toward his family estate on Saturday.
We spent the rest of the week planning, and as the time to leave grew closer, he became quieter, more reserved.
“I think we should turn around,” he says, chewing on his bottom lip.
I glance over at him from the driver’s seat. I insisted I drive. I knew this would happen, that there was a chance he’d turn around and head back to his frat house.
I was determined to save him from this.
“We aren’t turning around. We’re finishing this.”
“No one has ever been there. I don’t know how they’ll be around you.”
“Probably on their best behavior.”
“Fuck, but that would ruin our chances of catching them.”
“No, it won’t. Because they can’t help themselves. And they want the power and money that come with your shares in the company.”
He worries his bottom lip again. “I don’t know. I don’t want you to get involved with this.”
“Well, I’m with you, right? I’m already involved.”
“Why?”
“Because I care about you.”
“Yeah, and I care about you, so we should probably go back home.”
“No. Maya gave us the surveillance stuff. She’s gonna stay up and watch the live feed and make sure nothing gets erased. And she told us about your stepdad, remember? He’s not as perfect as he thinks he is. After this, we will have something to hold over him.”
He turns to look out the window as I continue to drive down the winding back road.
“I’m sure he’ll find a way to get out of it. He always does. They were never caught for a reason.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
He doesn’t sound sure, and part of me wants to reassure him, but I’m pretty sure at this point, nothing I say can help talk him down.
I think he’s sure this is going to go badly. But I think there’s a possibility this will go differently. I think we may get justice. Or at least proof that Colton has been telling the truth. That this isn’t him imagining things, or making things up. That it’s truly happening.
My hand reaches out and touches his leg. He shifts closer, seeking comfort, and I give it to him. I hold on to him until we arrive at the sprawling mansion.
I’ve never seen anything like this in real life. It’s enormous. There’s an extensive yard and columns on the front porch. Marble staircases and gaudy golden statues sit on the front drive. There’s even a fountain that looks like it was hand-carved.
“Wow,” I murmur as I pull the car to a stop.
“Not wow. This place is a hellhole. I can’t believe you’re here. We should go.”
“Nope,” I say, turning the car off and facing him. “We do this together.”
He turns toward me, and his lips tremble. “This is gonna be so bad, Myles. So fucking bad.” I can almost taste the desperation in his words. He is dreading this. A part of me wants to listen to him, to turn around so he can relax, but if we don’t do this now, we may never get a chance.
I want him free of this. Of this family.
“No, I can’t believe that. Think of what the ending could be. You could end up finally rid of them.”
“I’ll never be free. This is my family. They’ll always be there. In my life. Lurking in the corners, waiting, watching…”
“But now you have me and my family. And we may be poor, but we’re strong. Resilient. And loyal.”
His eyelashes flutter, and I reach out and gently touch his face.
“I’ve got you. We’re in this together.”
“They can’t know about you. About what we are. They will only use it as ammunition.”
“We won’t let them know.”
My hand falls from his face, but he grabs it and presses my palm to his lips.
“Promise me, Myles. Promise me it will all be okay.”
“I promise.”
We step out of the car, and I see him breathe deeply before squaring his shoulders and stepping forward. By the time we reach the front door, he’s a different person. Cold, smug, egotistical.
He’s more like the man I first met than the one I’ve come to know.
I now realize it’s a shield, a mask. He wears it to keep himself safe. The door opens, and two men appear.
“Hello, Dex. Myles has the keys.”
I realize this is the valet who will be parking the car. He has a live-in valet. What the fuck?
When I was told he was rich, I didn’t realize he was this rich.
I hand the keys over, and the man walks past, not even looking my way. Not that I expect it. But I watch him, wondering what he does all day. Does he sit around waiting for people to arrive, or does he have a secondary job here?
My head shakes those thoughts away, and I turn my gaze back to Colton, who is stepping through the front door. He looks at me over his shoulder and arches an eyebrow.
“You coming, or are you gonna stare at Dex’s ass?”
I bristle at his cold, unamused tone. “Fuck off. I wasn’t looking at his ass.”
“Sure were. You gay?” he asks, his tone not teasing.
I don’t like the way he says it. Like what we have together is a joke. Part of me knows that this is what he needs to do to survive this weekend, but the other, more sensitive part of me hurts.
And aches for him.
But I need to be strong for us, for this. He needs to be free of this place, of his family.
I walk past him into the foyer, and I can almost feel the oppression, the thick, dark air surrounding me.
I’m not a believer in the supernatural, but if I were, I’d say this place is demon-possessed. I thought hell was supposed to be hot, but it’s cold in here. I shiver.
“Come on. Dex will bring our bags up. Time to meet the fam.”
I don’t know what to think as he steps out of the foyer and down a hallway. Seconds later, I’m led into the kitchen where I see a woman and a man bustling around, cooking. When they see Colton, they stop and greet him with a nod. Nothing about it is warm. They don’t seem to be happy he’s here.
Does everyone in this family really dislike him? Even the staff?
“Where is everyone?” he asks.
“Your mother is out by the pool. Your father is in his office.”
Colton bristles at that. Why that man insists on being called his father when his real father is dead is beyond me. But it seems to be something he does to make Colton uncomfortable. To remind him he’s a part of this family as well, and isn’t leaving.
Colton doesn’t even thank them, just swipes a croissant from the table and shoves some into his mouth as he walks out back.
I can feel the cooks glowering at him, but I don’t have time to sneer back at them.
Instead, I follow him outside, my eyes swiveling around the large backyard.
A pool with a stone grotto sits before me, lounge chairs surrounding the edge, and I see a beautiful older woman lying in one.
She’s probably in her mid-forties, a floppy sun hat on her head, large sunglasses on her face, and wearing a bikini.
She’s positioned right under a patio heater, her cheeks pink from the warmth.
In any other lifetime, I’d have stopped and stared, but I realize this must be his mother.
“Hey,” Colton says coolly as he approaches.
His mom arches her chin up, a drink in one hand, her other pulling her sunglasses down her nose. Her eyes are piercingly blue, almost translucent.
Kinda creepy, to be honest.
“You came home. What a surprise. I thought we’d have to force you, kicking and screaming.”
“This isn’t my home,” he replies, and she rolls her eyes before turning her gaze on me.
“Hello, who are you?” Her gaze travels up and down my body, and my skin heats from the perusal.
“A friend,” Colton responds quickly. “Myles.”
“Well, you’re a cutie, aren’t you, Myles? Look at those thighs. I assume you don’t play soccer like Colton.” She hums and then takes a sip of her drink. “Let me guess. Football?”
“Rugby,” I reply, and she giggles.
Fucking ridiculous.
“Ah, well, I can see that now. Those thighs of yours…well, nice to meet you. Colton never brings friends home. I have no idea why.”
She bites her bottom lip and looks up at me coyly. It makes Colton bristle slightly, the way she’s obviously flirting with me. But he has to know I’m not interested. Not that I can show it. I don’t want to give us away.
So I smile back and lean forward slightly. “I can see why.”
It’s stupid and really cheesy, but it makes her giggle, and I can’t help but smile at how ridiculous all of this is. My mom would be horrified if she thought I was flirting with this woman. She’d probably give me a stern talking to.
But I can’t give anything away. Maya strictly forbade it.
“Would you like to join me? I can get you a drink,” she says, and then snaps her fingers and a man materializes from the shadows.
It makes me jump at his quick appearance, and she giggles again, thinking I’m hilarious, but I’m not trying to be. I’m freaked out by the way everyone seems to be at their beck and call. Colton’s glower doesn’t help either. He’s angry with me.
I meet his stare, and he glances away.
“We have shit to do—”
“Watch your tongue,” she bites out, and Colton bristles, but says nothing.
“Thanks, but we have things to do,” I say.
She arches an eyebrow and then shrugs. “Suit yourself, but if you’d like to join me later, Myles, feel free.”
It’s riddled with sexual innuendo, and I wonder if this is normal for her. Is his mom cheating on his stepdad? Does his stepdad know? If he does know, does he even care?
I don’t have time to ask. Colton is striding from the backyard and into the house. I traipse after him, tucking my hands into my pockets so as not to reach out for him.
But when he turns a sharp corner and reaches out for me, pulling me roughly into a small closet, I’m left with no way to balance myself. I fall into him with an oomph as he grabs on to me.
“Stop fucking flirting with my mom,” he murmurs, his fingers digging into my sides.
“You said they can’t know about us. I was just playing a part…”
He pulls me closer, my hands going around his neck, my forehead hitting his.
“Don’t make me jealous,” he whispers, his lips brushing mine. “I can’t fucking stand it.”
“We have to pretend we’re just friends.”