Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
Every noise last night jolted me awake. I kept expecting to hear Dax walk into the pool house. With hope, I’d pad around the bed, desperate to feel his body lying beside me.
But he didn’t come home.
Again, all my text messages went unanswered.
I have no idea whether he slept at the clubhouse, his old house, or somewhere in the mountains.
Or, perhaps, he didn’t sleep at all. Maybe his brother had him up all night, doing goodness knows what. Dax still hasn’t told me what kind of work he does for The Scorpions. Hopefully, whatever he had to do, it’s for the last time.
I clasp my hands together, and pray his plan worked.
I reach for my phone and open my ignored texts.
“Did everything go okay last night?”
I lock my phone, not expecting a reply. I saw him tapping at his phone, and it barely functioned. I suppose it’ll be like yesterday. He’ll turn up when he’s ready.
Oh my gosh, I hope he’ll be in a better mood than yesterday.
That was rough.
A sudden ringing makes me almost jump out of my skin. My heartbeat slows when I realize it’s the landline telephone hanging on the living room wall.
It usually doesn’t ring. It’s here so we can contact Murphy when we want food or drinks brought poolside. Considering Murphy knows I’m staying here, I figure he’s the most likely person to call me.
I move to the phone and answer it. “Hello?”
“Oh, you are there,” my mother replies.
“Hi Mom.”
“Are you dressed yet? We need to head out soon.”
I yawn loudly enough to be heard through the receiver. “Nope. I won’t be ready for ages.”
“Vanessa, really?”
“Just go out without me. I’ll catch up.”
“I told you what time we needed to leave today. I refuse to be late.”
“Then go without me.”
“What about the united front we agreed on?”
“I’d hardly call my surrender an agreement.”
“Look, I need to go. I’ve instructed Claudia about what outfit to lay out for you. I’m trusting you to get ready and be right behind me.”
“Fine, whatever.”
“Improve the attitude, Vanessa. I need you to be poised and charismatic today.”
She hangs up on me, and it’s a sweet relief. I hang up the phone and rest my back against the wall. At least I won’t have to listen to her orders on the way into town.
I give it thirty minutes before venturing into the manor. I don’t want Mom fussing about with Claudia and catching me before she leaves. When I make it upstairs to my wing, thankfully, it’s deserted.
In my bedroom, my mother-approved outfit lies across my bed. A purse rests next to the blouse, and beneath the skirt, high heels sit on the floorboards. I dawdle over to the bed, looking over the items.
I pick up the blouse, and my heart sinks.
The blouse slips out of my grip and falls onto my slippered feet.
My eyes fall on the skirt, and I grimace.
I tug it off the bed, letting it fall in a clump over the shoes.
I toss the bag onto the floor and spring myself onto the bed.
With my body sinking into the mattress, I stare up at the vaulted ceiling.
“I’m not going,” I declare into the void.
My eyes close, and a happy smile counteracts the dread my mother causes to my nervous system.
There’s a knock at my door. “Miss Ashworth? Did you call for me?”
I sit up and smile at her. “No, I was talking to myself.”
“Oh, dear.” Sadness fills her eyes as she takes in the crumpled mess on the floor. “Your outfit.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her. “I’m not going out today.”
“Are you sure?” she asks with concern. “Because your mother said…”
“I know what she said.” I massage a hand against the base of my neck. “Can you ask Murphy to call Tonya? My body feels like a bag of knots.”
Claudia smiles sweetly. “Of course, Miss Ashworth. I’ll see to it now.”
I thank her, and she disappears into the hallway.
I flop back down on the bed and exhale calmly. Yep, a self-care day is very much in order.
Tonya is a godsend. Whenever Murphy calls, her arrival is always prompt. Okay, maybe I’m her best tipping customer, but still.
Last night, Dax’s health seemed to have declined. His reddened eyes, the cigarettes, and his anxiety-riddled words. And now he’s with his brother.
As Tonya works her magic on my muscles, the image of Dax collapsing drifts from my mind. He left to get his brother off his back. I have to trust he’ll be back soon, and won’t need to leave again.
“Relax,” Tonya whispers.
“I’m sorry.” I sigh into the headrest. “I’m just worried about someone. And there’s the added headache of my mother’s return.”
“I’d heard she was back in town.”
“She’s making sure everyone in town sees her face.”
“Is she running you ragged?”
“It’s more like she’s ruining my personal life.”
“Well, I’ll try my best to work out these knots and clear these negative thoughts.”
I exhale hard. “Thank you. And sorry about dismissing you so early last time.”
“It’s no problem. I was afraid you wouldn’t call me again.”
“Never. I need you more than ever.”
Poor Tonya. Her hands are probably cramped after working on my stress-filled back.
She’s such a gem. Before she left, she lit candles in my bathroom and put new-age music through the sound system. Claudia ran my bath just how I like it, and the two left me to soak, wearing a face mask.
With washed hair and a fresh face, I throw on a silk robe and toss my hair in a towel.
I’ll have Claudia blow-dry it later, but right now I want to crash on my bed.
Even after the relaxation therapy, I’m still exhausted.
I just wish all the family problems and society commitments would disappear.
The only thing I want to concentrate on is my relationship with Dax.
Now we feel so far apart, when all I want is to be close to him.
I turn off the music, blow out the candles, and move toward the door. When I clutch the door handle, footsteps move down the hall. The floor quakes as if heavy boots have passed by. None of the staff, my family, or Christie’s family moves around the manor like that.
Deep inside, something sends out a warning signal.
I tie my robe tighter and pull the door open a sliver. When I peek out, there isn’t anyone around. I close my eyes and laugh. Claudia was probably wheeling past the laundry cart, and my mind went racing. I fix the towel on my head and venture into the hallway.
I move across to my bedroom, and then my breath hitches in my throat. Disappearing down the hall are two broad men with scorpions emblazoned on the back of their leather jackets. My mouth hangs open as the hallway empties again.
Did I really just see that?
Before I can blink, a hand covers my mouth, and an arm pulls across my middle. My back thrusts against someone, and panic courses through my body. My breathing accelerates so hard, I suck in the palm to my lips.
“You weren’t supposed to be here,” a voice whispers in my ear.
My heart throbs. It’s Dax.
An ache burrows deep into my skull. Why is he holding me like this? When did he get here? Did he bring his crew with him?
Dax drags me backwards with his hand clasped over my mouth.
As he pulls me into my bedroom, the towel falls off my head, and my damp hair cascades by my face.
With the curtains drawn, the darkness is both a comfort and a threat.
My heart spasms, unable to determine if I should feel relieved in Dax’s arms, or terrified by this disturbing situation.
“Oh, Sassy, why are you here?” His tone is wounded as his hand slides off my mouth. “I’d never have brought them here if I'd known you’d be home. I thought you had plans all day.”
My blood pumps so hard, I can barely keep track of what he’s saying.
“You gotta hide.” His whisper is raspy as he looks over his shoulder, ensuring no one is walking in on us.
“Wha… Wha… What’s…”
“Shoosh,” he hushes, panning around the room.
“Why… Why are they here?”
He turns to me, smoothing his hands down the sides of my head. “I’m so sorry.” He looks to the side, targeting my antique armoire. He pushes me toward it. “In here.”
He opens the door and I lean against him, losing strength in my legs as my head rushes with blood. For a moment, everything is white.
He taps my cheek. “Sass? Come on, baby, get in.”
I blink my eyes open and stare at the closet-full of clothes.
“Murphy, Claudia, and the other staff are tied up downstairs,” he whispers, helping me inside. “They’re all okay. Just stay in here until your family comes home.”
My mind whirs with thoughts, none of which help this situation make sense.
“Is there anything small in here that’s worth something?” he asks.
I shake my head, not understanding. “Huh?”
He snaps his fingers, looking over his shoulder. “A piece of jewelry, or something?”
I flick my thumb against my bracelet, and a chill runs over my skin. I shudder with the realization he’s asking what he can steal. With fear fracturing my reasoning, I unlatch the clasp of my bracelet.
“No,” Dax whispers frantically. “Not that one. It’s your favorite.”
I shake my head, and my whole body convulses in shivers. “Just take it.”
He pushes it back. “No.”
My eyes well and I hiccup a sob, dropping the bracelet in his hand.
Pain strikes his eyes, and he grunts as he pockets the bracelet.
“Okay. Just stay here,” he whispers, grabbing the door. “Don’t make any noise.”
As the door closes, my heart pounds, and I reach out to him. Dax catches my forearms and pushes them back toward me.
He shakes his head and whispers, “You’re safer if I go now. I don’t want anyone to see you.”
With no control, I whimper. He frowns and wipes his thumb under my eye.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, closing the armoire doors.
Dax’s heavy boots stomp across the hardwood, leaving my bedroom. “Cleared this wing,” he calls out. “Let’s move on.”
Surrounded by my clothes and hugging my knees to my chest, I listen to my heavy breathing. Since Dax left, there are no other sounds in the room, but I don’t budge an inch. Sickness vortexes in my stomach, my skin grows icy, and I sink further inward.