W.L. Knightly's Blog

Silent Truths Chapter 1

Pre-Order Your Copy Here Chapter 1Elora

“Could you stop pacing?” asked Elora, who was growing sicker by the minute, watching Gavin as he walked back and forth across her small bedroom. “You’re making me dizzy.”

She put her hands on her head and tried to think of what she needed to say to get herself out of the situation. She had just witnessed two people being gunned down at Gwendolyn’s party, in Gwendolyn’s house, and one of those people was Paul.

“I’m trying to think,” he said.

“Think of what?” she asked, unsure what his next move might be.

“I’m trying to think of what to do.” He looked up and met her eyes. “Are you sure Aiden wasn’t there with you? I heard a commotion.”

She wasn’t sure what he heard, but she wasn’t going to help him out either. “It was me. That damned pillar almost fell over. I thought I was caught. Turns out, I was.” She had to think of something to make him believe her. If he knew that Aiden had witnessed what happened, there was a chance he’d kill them both.

“Dammit,” he said. “This is all fucked up. I wanted Paul out of the picture, but I didn’t want to owe him. His killing Paul the way he did means I do.”

“What are you going to do?” She knew what Enzo wanted. He wanted her.

He walked toward the bed, and Elora backed away.

Gavin gave her a sideward look. “Would you stop? I already told you, Elora, I’m not the bad guy. You can trust me. You don’t have to be afraid of me.” He sat next to her.

“Right,” she said.

“How long have you known?” he asked, looking into her eyes. “Did Marlowe tell you what was going on from the start?”

“No. I didn’t know. I still don’t really. I see what I see. And I saw Hallie. I know what he’s doing to her. And I saw what he did to Katie Pearly, remember? What Paul was doing to her. You tried to say that it was consensual.”

“It was supposed to be. In the beginning.” He shook his head, and Elora wondered if that’s really how it started.

“Yeah, well, it’s not how it ended up. Katie Pearly, the girl I saw with Paul, was found dead, Gavin. Whoever is taking these women, these men, you know they’re mistreating them.”

Gavin shook his head. “No, only Paul. It was always Paul. Enzo knew it. That’s why he did what he did. Things weren’t like that until he got involved. It was getting too messy, and even Enzo knew it.”

“But Paisley and McKenzie,” she said, as if he would understand. “You can’t tell me that they were willing. That they knew what they were walking into.”

Gavin turned away. “I was desperate,” he said. “I didn’t know what Paul or Enzo would do if I didn’t deliver. I know it was wrong, but it’s what I had to do.”

“What you had to do? Are you even listening to yourself? And you claim you’re not the bad guy.” She shook her head, feeling the disappointment that did nothing to overpower the fear inside her. Gavin would never get it. And she was supposed to trust him?

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” The chill in his tone gave her gooseflesh.

“For how long?” she asked. “Until you figure out what to do?”

“You’re not going to say anything. You planned the party, remember? You’re involved. At least that’s what my mother and I will say. I will tell them that you were a recruiter. They’ll believe us.” He gave her a pointed look. “I can be a bad guy,” he said. “If you force me to. Or, I can continue to be the best friend you’ve ever had.”

“You know nothing of being a friend. I have friends.”

“Right. Your best friend tried to kill you.”

Elora narrowed her eyes. “Show me you’re not a bad guy. Give me my phone.” She held her hand out. “If you want me to trust you, trust me.”

Gavin sighed. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. “I have trusted you, Elora. And this proves it. You’re one of the only people in this house who isn’t being surveilled either for their protection or ours. I even had Hunter take the camera out of your room. I did that, and I bought you a car, which you’ve been able to go all over town in. You can trust me. Because I already trust you. I have confidence you’ll do the right thing—if not for me, then for my mother.”

“Then tell me what happened with Marlowe. Why did she try to kill me? What was so horrible that she had to go to such extremes?”

“I was shocked to learn that, just like you were,” he said. “I didn’t find out what she had done until you ran into her in Milton.”

“Did you have her killed?”

“No,” he said, giving her a sideward look. What kind of question is that? Of course not. I loved Marlowe.”

“You gave her to Enzo. You let him have her like she was something you could trade with a buddy.”

Gavin was growing angry. “We did what we had to. She did what she had to do. I’ve already told you that we were open. I asked her to do it to help me, and she willingly did so.”

“You’ve seen how brutal Paul is. Did you ever think that maybe Enzo is just as bad?”

“I’ll admit, things were different after that. She resented me, and I knew it. We had issues. By the time I left for business, I thought we were getting past them.”

“And then Hallie happened. She was upset that Hallie had been handed over. I could tell.”

“You’re very observant,” he said.

“I’ve had to be. She tried to kill me, Gavin. My old friend and roommate. And I don’t even know why.” She remembered Marlowe’s apology as she lay dying. Elora had always thought she had no other choice. She was desperate. But those weren’t the answers she was looking for.

Gavin shrugged. “I didn’t understand why you showed up here, honestly. When she told me who you were, I was a little suspicious about you coming around and what she had up her sleeve. I didn’t know how bad it was for her. I misunderstood her signals.”

“She asked me to come. She showed up where I worked and invited me.”

He narrowed his eyes. “She showed up and asked you?”

“Yes, she did. She showed up at my job. I was sure she would be angry with me, but she was willing to put aside our old differences and let bygones be bygones. Or so she told me.”

“And yet, all I ever heard about you was how much she loathed you. And how much she blamed you for what happened to your other roommate. What was her name?”

“Skye.” Elora realized that it was her plan all along. She had brought Elora there to set her up. There had never been any forgiveness.

“Right. Skye.” He shrugged. “I figured that she had changed her mind about you. But when the fire happened, I was suspicious.”

“Then why didn’t you do anything to find her?” she asked.

“I did,” he said. “But I don’t want to talk about Marlowe. She did what she did.”

“It’s why she did it that I want to know. That’s why I came back, Gavin. I would have stayed away. Of course, you were never letting me get away, were you?”

“My mother found value in you. She wanted me to encourage you to come back.”

“So, you hired Aiden to keep an eye on me?”

“Yes, I did. And he was supposed to just observe you. Too bad he can’t follow simple instructions.”

“And you’re the good guy, huh? Hiring someone to spy on me.” She shook her head. “I didn’t realize I was so important. I wanted to get away from you and your mother and start over. I should never have come back.”

“I wish you hadn’t either at this point.” Gavin got up and started pacing again.

“Stop it,” she said. “I’ll save you some trouble worrying. I won’t say anything to anyone. Not that I even know who I’d tell in the first place. I know your mother has the police in her pocket. I’m guessing there’s no one I could go to and make an allegation against you and your mother who would take my word for it.” She gave him a pointed look.

Gavin nodded.

“And I don’t have anywhere to go where you won’t find me, I’m guessing.” He had already proven that to her.

He nodded again.

She put her hands out. “So, I’m here. And I’m not usually one to wish harm or death on anyone, but I’m really glad Paul is dead. If that makes me a horrible person, I guess I am. But I think the world is a better place without him. It’s just Enzo I worry about.” She had watched him gun down his cousin. So, who was worse?

Gavin smirked. “We all have a dark side, Elora. Even you.”

“I guess your world brings out the worst in people,” she said. “But, also, he hurt Hallie. I saw what he did to her. You had to know that I wouldn’t overlook that. Why would he even bring her here like that? He was rubbing your nose in it.”

Gavin’s smirk faded. “My mother wanted proof of life. He hadn’t brought her around like he usually did the other girls. She knew something wasn’t adding up. He started wanting two girls. One for the public and one he kept private, by the looks of it.”

“And what will happen to Paisely and McKenzie?”

“Paul is dead.” He shrugged.

“So, they are at Enzo’s mercy? And Marlowe was willing to kill to get away from him.”

He looked away. “Marlowe had her dark side, too.”

“So, I noticed,” she said. “Did she recruit girls like you do?”

He met her eyes. “I think you’ve had enough revelations for one night.”

“Are you ever going to tell me everything?” Elora asked.

“Maybe one day. But not tonight.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine, then can you leave already? I’d like to get changed and go to bed. It’s been a horrible night, and I need to see who was trying to call me.”

He turned on her phone and looked down at it. “Someone named Tad,” he said. “At least by the name you put on your screen. Why don’t you tell me who that is?”

“It’s one of Oscar’s roommates. He’s probably updating me about Oscar like he does every day.”

His eyes narrowed. “Have you told him anything?”

“No. Why would I tell him about any of this? It’s embarrassing, and I don’t want him to do something stupid to get himself hurt.”

“Smart girl. Because if he does do something stupid, he won’t end up hurt. He’ll end up dead.”

“Right,” she said. “Again, why would I tell him when Marlowe almost killed me over whatever the hell is going on with Enzo and Paul? And now what’s worse is Enzo wants me now. If I end up missing, people will notice.”

“You won’t end up missing. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

“Because you care?”

“I do. And so does my mother. She sees your value. She never wanted you to be mixed up in any of this, I can promise you that. She’s going to be devastated when she realizes what happened tonight and how you saw it.”

“Will she be mad when you tell her what Enzo wants?” If Elora meant so much to her, there could only be one outcome. It would surely tell the tale.

“She’ll be livid,” he said, looking upset. “They’ve already made too many problems as it is. My mother didn’t always know what they were into. She was devastated about Hallie. And she’s still pissed at me for that.”

“Why don’t you do the right thing and stop all of this? Paul is dead. There has to be a way to fix it.”

“You make it sound so easy,” he said. “But Enzo is keeping me alive. I messed up. I owe him.”

“For how long? The rest of your life?” she asked. It didn’t make sense or seem fair that he had to keep paying the price. How long would they hold it over his head until they considered it even?

“You don’t get it. This is how it works.” Gavin sighed. “Trust me, if there was some other way, I would be all over it. But excuse me for not wanting to die.”

Elora got a knowing look on her face. “Okay, so whatever for everyone else, as long as it’s not you. Okay, got it. But you’re the good guy? Is that still your story?”

Gavin glared at her. “You think it’s all black and white. But you try navigating these muddy waters. See how long your hands stay clean. Besides, I didn’t know any of this shit was going down. Not until it was too late to walk away.”

“You know there’s blood on your hands?” she asked.

Gavin met her eyes. “I haven’t killed anyone.”

“Right. You just send them to their deaths. Or something worse. Gotcha.” She pulled the covers back on her bed and started taking off her jewelry. “I’m so tired, Gavin.”

He tossed her phone on the bed. “I don’t want you to hate me, Elora. I’m really not the bad guy. And I’ll make sure that nothing happens to you.”

“Because your mother wouldn’t like it. I heard you the first time. So, since all is well, please let me clean up and turn in.”

Gavin started to the door, then stopped and put his ear to it. “Shit,” he said quietly.

“What?” asked Elora.

“Trouble.”

All of a sudden, there was a knock on the door.

Deadly Disguise Chapter 1

Pre-Order Here Chapter 1Elora

Elora got out of her car, leaned down to check her lipstick in the mirror, and swiped on another coat. She wanted to make sure it wasn’t obvious she had been kissing someone and hoped that she’d make it up to her room before running into anyone with a bunch of questions.

She had so much on her mind. First and foremost, the agonizing decision to leave Aiden hanging. She had needed his company, but taking it too far would be a mistake if her heart wasn’t in the right place. Both were in their messed-up headspace, and the last thing she needed was more chaos in her life.

As she walked to the door, Gavin nearly ran her down, coming out with a large bag on his shoulder. “Oh, there you are,” he said, shifting the overnight bag to his other one. “I didn’t think you’d be home in time to wish me a farewell. But I’m glad you’re here.”

“Where are you going?” she asked, looking confused. He was packed up to go on a trip. “You’re leaving now?”

Gavin nodded. “Duty calls. I have to go out of town for work.” He looked energized and ready to go. “No rest for the wicked.”

“Out of town? Where?” She was curious where business was for him, and what it concerned. She had a feeling she already knew.

“Oh, nothing major. I’m not even leaving the country, so no worries. And I’ll be back tomorrow, so maybe you’ll miss me and maybe you won’t.”

Elora didn’t bother to press him on the location, but she noticed that he had avoided giving her a straight answer.

Sometimes she thought it was best not to know too much, and other times she wanted to know everything. Either way, he was leaving, and that would give her more time to figure out what to do about Aiden.

Aiden who had shown up out of the blue. Aiden who was not supposed to be in Calter.

It was hard enough to go through with things knowing that Oscar was in the hospital and didn’t really ghost her the way she believed. When it came to Aiden, she felt she couldn’t take things to the next level until she worked things out with Oscar and figured out what to do about him. What if he still wanted her as much as she wanted him?

Gavin took out his keys. “Are you feeling alright?” he asked. “You still look pale, Elora. I was serious when I said I could have my mother’s physician come and check your iron levels. You can’t ignore your health. As a matter of fact, I insist you see someone. I’ll make the call and have him come out.”

“No, Gavin, don’t do that. I’m fine, really.” The problems plaguing her weren’t anything a doctor could cure, and there was no way she’d trust their family doctor. The man would tell them anything they discussed, doctor-patient privilege be damned. “You don’t have to do that.”

“And I said I insist. Now, don’t argue with me. I always win. Besides, I’ll feel a lot better if you have a checkup. You never know. It might just save your life.”

“I think you’re overreacting. I’m fine.” She didn’t want to see Gwendolyn’s doctor or any doctor for that matter. “Please don’t. I’ll call my doctor back home and see if he can recommend some supplements.”

He gave her a sideward glance. “Suit yourself. But if you don’t get better, I’m calling him. We can’t afford to have germs getting everyone here sick.”

“Okay, I promise I’ll let you know if I need medical intervention.” She had no intention of following through but she would say anything to get him to back off.

“Excellent. I’ll see you tomorrow. Be a good girl.” He walked out to his car and tossed his bag in the back seat.

Elora watched him as he got in and waved at her. He stopped before he closed the door. “Oh, you may want to find my mother.”

“Is everything okay?” she asked, hoping that Gwendolyn wasn’t angry she had stepped out.

“Yeah. She was asking about you. I told her you went shopping.” He gave a slight shrug and reached for his sunglasses.

“Oh,” she said. “You could have told her about Oscar.”

He put the glasses on. “I figured I’d let you do that. Take care.” He shut his car door and started the engine with a roar.

Elora went into the house and straight up the stairs. She wanted a minute to herself before she saw anyone else. This damn place was like a hotel lobby, it had so many people coming and going.

She still couldn’t get Ronnie out of her mind. He had attacked her for no reason, but a part of her felt he had a point. Maybe it was her fault Oscar was in that coma.

As she went up to her room, she thought about the entire situation. She would have never gotten involved with Aiden had she known that Oscar hadn’t just stopped talking to her cold. He’d been attacked and was laid up in the hospital, hanging on by a thread.

Would Oscar be better off without her?

There was no guarantee that Oscar would be the same after what happened. Even the doctors and nurses said there was a possibility that his brain could have damage that would cause him to need physical therapy to learn to speak and walk again. The people who had attacked him had beaten him so badly, he might never be the same man he was before.

And while she wanted to be there for him, what could she do? If he woke up, could she be helpful or would she get in the way? And then there was the risk of him not remembering her.

She wasn’t sure she could handle that. To think that he could forget everything that happened between them seemed unreal. And unfair. Life just kept taking things from her and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

As odd as it seemed, there was no telling what would be until he woke up. Still, Elora felt like she owed him. He had saved her life and had been her best friend for months after. He was the last man she was intimate with. And she knew in her heart that she had deep feelings for him. It was why it had hurt so much when he never responded to her attempts at contact.

Those feelings were keeping her from acting with Aiden. As much as she fell for him, as much as she had wanted him, it wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. And she didn’t want to cheat herself out of something wonderful if it still existed with Oscar.

It was a messed-up situation she never expected to find herself in. But there she was, having feelings for two men. And only her feelings for one had begun to fade.

She didn’t want Oscar to wake up hoping she was there, only to find out that she had moved on with another man. Could she do that to him?

No. She knew she couldn’t. She didn’t have it in her.

Yet, there was Aiden, who wanted to be affectionate and take things to the next level. And there was a time she was bitter toward Oscar and wanted Aiden more than anything or anyone. Timing had been bad with them from the start, but maybe that was for a reason.

And then there was Gavin. She didn’t even want to think about what he had in mind. Not that she cared. She already knew that he wasn’t a good man. And as soon as she could find out what was really going on and save Hallie, she was out of there.

Her phone pinged in her pocket. She took it out and noticed it was Gwendolyn asking where she was.

Elora sighed. “I guess I can’t put her off.” She went to the bathroom to freshen up and texted Gwendolyn that she was on her way down. Maybe she would tell her what Gavin was up to.

She pulled her hair up and headed downstairs to find the fashion matriarch of the Dutch design empire.

Gwendolyn was sitting in her private living room, looking at swatches. She had been hung up on the summer fabrics for some time. She looked up at Elora and smiled. “There you are. Thank goodness you’re here. I’m in desperate need of fresh eyes.”

“Gavin told me that you wanted to see me.”

“Yes, I was hoping you’d given these more thought?” She flapped the swatches of fabric like a fan. “I’m going out of my mind over it. And we’re already out of time.”

Elora figured that she wasn’t really going out of her mind about the swatches. Something told her that it had more to do with Hallie showing up looking like a beaten dog than anything else. But she knew that Gwendolyn wouldn’t tell her about it.

As soon as she could get with Tad about the missing person’s database, she would have a better idea of just how deep it went. And she had a feeling Gavin was truly in over his head. Perhaps his mother was too.

Elora walked over and took the swatches. “I think the problem is the colors. I think there are too many. And I say you cut the patterns by three. Keep it simple. You’ll work best with this one gone, for sure.” She pulled the bold print out. “It reminds me of my grandmother’s couch.”

“Oh,” said Gwendolyn, raising her eyebrows. “I thought that looked a little bold.”

“I think you’re good to go with these.” She handed her half of the swatches back. “Those are safe. Now, these?” She shrugged.

“Thanks, Elora. You made that easy. But now, what do I do? I’m down by half and need three more to finish the line.”

Elora used it as an opportunity to bring up Gavin. “Why don’t you see if Gavin can go to the textile factory and pick a few more up for you? I’m sure you could call ahead and have something ready.”

“Gavin is busy with something else,” she said, waving her hand as if she didn’t want to discuss him.

“Well, it can’t be too much. He said he would be back tomorrow. And you know he won’t mind. Not if it helps you out.”

Gwendolyn didn’t look happy at the mention of her son. “No, he’s entirely too busy.” She shook her head. “I may have Hunter take me. It’s been a while since I went down. I always send someone in my place. But I think this time, I will go.”

“I think you should design your own pattern,” said Elora. “Something about half the size print as the bold one we pulled. Or you could ask them if they can cut that one down? I’m sure they can. They may already have one that suits the rest.”

“You know,” she said. “That’s not a bad idea. But do you think anyone really wants to wear your grandmother’s couch?” She gave Elora a skeptical look.

Elora smiled and shrugged it off. “Change the colors. Play with it.” Elora wished the woman would be more open in her creativity. “You have the talent. You don’t need me.” But she hoped she would keep her around all the same.

Gwendolyn sighed. “You have no idea what a lifesaver you are, Elora. I used to be so good at throwing out ideas. I seem to have far too much on my mind lately to keep those creative juices flowing. It’s like it’s gumming up the works.”

“Maybe you and Hunter should get away for a while.”

“I don’t know. It will hinge on Gavin’s trip, but we might. I’ll definitely get out to the factory. I love looking at fabrics. It makes my day.”

“Well, I’m glad to help.” She wondered sometimes what Gwendolyn’s part was in it all.

“I’m glad you came back, Elora.” There was a desperation in her tone. “You’re like the daughter I never had.” She gave a tense smile and looked back at the swatches as if there was so much more she needed to say.

Elora took the opportunity to mention Enzo. “Well, according to your son, we’re cousins.”

“Cousins?” she asked, giving Elora a sideward look. “You and me? Or you and him?”

“I guess all of us. But that’s what he told Enzo and Paul.” She still couldn’t believe Gavin had thought that fast on his feet or why it would matter to them who she was related to.

“He did?” she asked, giving a nod. “Ah, I see. Well, that’s what we should tell everyone. Cousin Elora. I like the sound of that.” She gave a nervous giggle. “I never really had any cousins. One or two who were older, maybe.” She shrugged.

“On your mother’s side.” Elora chuckled, but she could see the uneasy look in Gwendolyn’s eyes, having brought them up. “Anyway, I thought it was funny. Those two give me the creeps.”

“Yes,” said Gwendolyn. “That they do indeed.” She got a faraway look in her eyes and wiped at her eyes. “You know who you remind me of?”

“Who?” Elora asked.

“Marlowe. I miss her so much. I know I’ve told you I like having you here. But I guess Marlowe never knew. I didn’t tell her enough how much she was appreciated.”

“I’m sure she knew.” Elora missed Marlowe, too, at times, until she remembered how their relationship ended, with Marlowe trying to fake her own death by murdering Elora in a house fire.

“No.” Gwendolyn shook her head. “I didn’t tell her enough. So, if I tell you too much, know why.”

“I understand,” she said.

“You know, I love all of my girls. My models. I grow so close to them. It’s natural, I suppose. I felt so blessed to have a boy when Gavin was a baby. He was my little man. Just us against the world. I knew I would always have someone to love me and take care of me when I was older. So, by the time he got a little older, I wished I had a daughter. Too, I mean. Not instead. I guess that’s why I cling to so many of you.”

“It’s okay,” said Elora, understanding her better than she had. Was it her way of telling Elora she disapproved of what was going on with Hallie? She had to know they were in the house with her. She had to have seen. And yet, for some reason, one which Elora didn’t understand, she let it slide. She let Enzo and Paul get away with what they were doing.

Or perhaps she didn’t have a choice. That was both disappointing and sad. Elora wanted to like her. But all she felt deep down was that the woman could do much better with her power. And she was going to find out why she didn’t.

 

 

Stolen Faces Chapter 1

Pre-Order Your Copy Here Chapter 1Elora

Elora’s heart pounded so fast and loud in her ears that she worried it would jump right out of her chest. She could still see the pain and fear in Marlowe’s eyes, and more than that, she could see the regret.

Marlowe had gotten away. She had made a new life for herself and hid away from whatever danger she had feared enough to escape. And now she was dead. That final breath slipped from her like a warm summer breeze. Everything had changed since.

Elora glanced over at Aiden, who gripped the wheel tightly as he sped toward the apartments. “Are you sure she was dead?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she said. “She told me to run, and that was it. As soon as I heard someone in the house, I knew I had to get the hell out of there. There wasn’t anything I could have done for her. I couldn’t tell what was wrong. There was so much blood.”

“There was nothing you could do. You’re safe now,” he said, placing his hand on her knee. “We’ll go home and sort this out.”

“I have to call for help,” she said. “What if there’s still time to save her?”

“It’s not safe. And it’s already been too long,” he said, shaking his head. “You said she wasn’t breathing, Elora. There is nothing you can do for her now.”

She understood that. “But I still have to call the cops. The killer might still be in her house. We can take that person down.” She wanted them to pay for what they had done.

Aiden still looked doubtful. “I know you want to do that, Elora, but they’re probably long gone. And what’s to say they won’t think you’re involved?”

“Why would they?” She crinkled her brow. “I’m the one who got her identity stolen.”

Aiden nodded. “And that’s a good motive to kill Marlowe. She stole your life. She left you burning in a house fire, right? Even you think she did it on purpose. She said she didn’t know you, remember?”

“I know. She said she was sorry.” Elora closed her eyes. She hated to think that Marlowe could have done something like that, but the apology she had given her said it all.

She had orchestrated everything to save herself. Elora saw it on her face when she opened the door the first time. It was the same look she got when the cops would show up at their college apartment after she and Skye had gotten into trouble. And now, Elora was torn. She could hate Marlowe for what she had done or figure out what pushed her friend to such extremes. If Marlowe felt she had no other choice, how bad was it? And how many other girls out there were in the same danger? “I still think there’s something I should do.”

Aiden sighed. “Let’s get back to the apartment first, okay? We’ll sort it out when you calm down. There’s nothing you can do to help her now anyway.”

Elora felt the sting of those words. Marlowe was gone. Really gone. “I think it was easier not knowing where she was. At least when she was missing, I could pretend she was alive. Now I know she’s gone.” There was an emptiness inside with that knowledge. She felt the warmth of her tears as they ran down her cheeks.

“You’ll get cleaned up and feel better,” he said. “It’s going to be okay, Elora.”

Elora looked down at her arms. There was blood on her hands and forearm. “Oh no. I didn’t realize.”

“That’s why you need to calm down, get cleaned up, get your wits about you. You can’t go off half-cocked to the police. They won’t understand why you were there or why you have her blood on you. You can’t trust that you won’t end up behind bars.”

Elora was confused. “Okay. You’re right. I need to think this through.”

“You said she died. Could you tell me how? What happened to her?” He glanced her way.

She shrugged helplessly, remembering. “There was blood everywhere. She was bleeding out on the floor. I think she tried to get up. It looked like she had pulled the sofa table over on herself. There was broken glass. It stuck in the bottom of my shoe.” It was strange how every detail was still in her mind. The sound of the glass beneath her shoes as she hurried across the tile to leave, and the smell of blood so thick in the air, she could taste it. “Pennies,” she said. “It smelled like my hands when I used to roll pennies.”

Aiden glanced her way. “I’m sorry, Elora. We’re almost home. You’ll be okay.”

“I need to know who did this. I need to know what happened.” She shivered.

“Are you cold?” he asked, diverting the vents from her.

“I’m fine. I want to get home.” She closed her eyes and realized it was true. She wanted to go home, but not her apartment. She wanted to go back to her grandmother’s house. She needed to open the back door and find her grandmother in the kitchen, waiting with a warm hug and the reassurance that everything would be all right. She tried to imagine that warmth, but it only made her colder.

“We’re here,” he said, pulling into the apartment parking lot. He took the long way around and backed into the parking spot.

Elora looked down at the blood. “I just want to get this off of me.”

“Hey, I’ll fix you a nice, hot bath. You should relax. It’s going to be fine.”

“Thank you again for coming to find me. I’m sorry I went without you. I just needed so badly to confront her. I needed to know what was wrong and who had gotten to her. I guess now I’ll never know.”

“Come on, Elora.” He opened the car door, and by the time he shut it, Elora opened hers. She stepped out and into Aiden arms. He held her tightly against him. “It’s going to be okay.” He put his arm around her and walked with her up the stairs.

“Will you stay the night?” she asked. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

She took her keys from her pocket, but when she went to put the key in the door, she could hear laughter coming from inside her apartment. She looked at Aiden, who shrugged.

“It sounds like Hope,” he said with furrowed brows.

Elora could hear her, too. How to explain the blood? Before she could say anything, the door opened, and Hope stood there with a huge smile on her face.

“I thought I heard you, Elora.” She looked at Aiden. “Well, don’t just stand there. Come on in.” Elora noted the moment she noticed the blood. “Oh no! Elora, what happened?”

Elora walked in and stopped in her tracks. Hope wasn’t alone. Gavin sat across the room on the sofa and smiled up at her while Hope freaked out.

“You’re bleeding!”

“No, it’s not my blood,” she said, trying to reassure the woman.

Aiden stepped over to the sink and turned on the water. “Yeah, you wouldn’t believe what happened to us,” he said. “We were uptown, and this woman fell in the parking lot outside the coffee shop. She face-planted, busted her head open, and started gushing blood.”

“Oh no,” said Hope.

“Yeah, so Elora ran over and helped her. She applied pressure to the wound, and we waited until her husband came out. It was nuts.”

Hope’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

“Yeah, it all happened so quickly,” said Elora, walking over to the sink to join him. She squirted some soap on her hands and began to lather.

“Elora really stepped into action. You should have seen it.”

She gave him a sideward look. He was a quick thinker.

“Oh, wow!”

Gavin cleared his throat. “That’s my Elora,” said Gavin, who walked over to join them. “Always saving the day.” He held his hand out to Aiden. “Gavin Dutch.”

“Aiden Kipp.”

“I’m glad you’re okay, Elora,” said Hope. “I didn’t think you’d be gone long, so when Gavin showed up and asked about surprising you, I decided to let him in.”

“Thanks,” said Elora, wishing she had better judgment. But Gavin was famous, so she understood why she trusted him. Everyone in the world thought they knew Gavin. If they only knew.

Hope looked at him, starstruck. “It has been such an honor to meet you,” she said.

“Likewise. Thank you for keeping me company.”

“Well, I’ll just leave you to it,” she said, gesturing at her ear for Elora to call her. She would no doubt want all the details of her visit with Gavin.

Elora wasn’t sure what to think. She looked at Aiden, who didn’t seem comfortable with Gavin there. And Gavin looked as if she should be happy to see him.

“Your friend said you went to a job interview?” Gavin asked, looking confused.

“Yeah,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

“I told you I was coming, Elora.”

“And I asked you not to come,” she said, unnerved. She began shaking.

“Why don’t you tell me what that blood was really about?” he said, stepping around the counter. “Because I don’t buy your story.”

Elora knew she had to tell him. He would learn it soon enough. “It’s Marlowe.”

“What about her?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. Suddenly, they were so full of confusion that she wondered what he knew.

“She’s dead.”

“Dead? What the fuck are you talking about, Elora?”

“She’s dead. I found her.”

“What do you mean you found her?” He took a step toward her. “Is that her blood? Tell me.”

“I found her living here in Milton. It was the utility mix-up. They said I already had an account, so I wrote down the address. I wanted to see who it was. I wanted to see if I knew them. So I went to the house to spy. And it was Marlowe.”

“You said she was dead. What the fuck happened?” He glared at Aiden.

“She is now.”

“You killed her?!” Gavin asked, eyes wide.

“No, of course not,” Elora said, scrubbing a hand over her face. “I approached her earlier. She pretended not to know me. But I knew better, so I decided to confront her again and was going to make her tell me why she staged the fire.”

“You think she staged the fire? Why would you think that?”

“Oscar told me details.”

“Oscar,” he said, shaking his head. “What details?”

“How she made me sleep in the master suite. How my things were not recovered but hers were. They were right next to each other. I doubt any burglar would take my cheap bag over her expensive one. She wanted me to be found dead. She wanted everyone to think she was the one burned up in the fire. She did that so she could start over using my identification, only she didn’t count on Oscar saving me.”

“That’s insane.” Gavin frowned. “You just happened to move to the one place Marlowe was?”

“Yes, I did. I did the same thing she did. I came to a place where I could be close to good memories. We came here once with Skye. It was long ago, but she must have loved it just as much. With me dead, no one would know about this place, and no one would look for her. I never believed she left. I thought she was taken.”

“What the fuck happened to her?”

“I went back to confront her. I heard something break inside. I tried to get in and found the door was open. I found her bleeding on the floor. She told me she was sorry. We heard a noise in the back of the house, and she told me to run.”

Aiden turned toward the sink.

“And where were you?” asked Gavin.

“He came looking for me. He knew where I would be because he spied on the house with me.”

Aiden turned around and leaned against the counter. “I found her in the street running around like a chicken with her head cut off and covered in blood. Scared to death.”

“You didn’t call the police, did you?” he asked.

Elora was ashamed to respond. “No,” she said, tearing up. “I should, shouldn’t I?”

“No,” said Gavin. “I’ll handle everything, Elora. You’ve been through enough. Calm down. It’s going to be okay.” He took out his phone and stepped away to talk to someone.

Elora turned to Aiden. “Shouldn’t I talk to the authorities?” She wondered if it was Milton police or Calter police.

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Let him handle it.” He stepped away and began to pace the room.

Elora could tell that Aiden felt uncomfortable with Gavin there. She didn’t know what he must think of her and everything going on. Still, he stayed.

Gavin walked toward the back of the house and Elora couldn’t hear the conversation. She was prepared for the worst.

When Gavin returned, he went to Elora and pulled her close before she could step away.

He brushed her hair down. “It’s going to be okay. I took care of it.”

Elora got a cold feeling. She tried to glance around him to see Aiden, but he was already on his way to the door.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I’m going home,” he said. “I’ll just give you two some time to work this out.”

Gavin put his arm around her. “Thanks,” he told Aiden.

“Don’t go,” she said.

He gave her a reassuring look. “I’m just across the hall.”

When Aiden shut the door, Elora shrugged away from Gavin. “You’ll give him the wrong idea about us,” she said.

“Or the right one,” he said, sounding amused.

Elora didn’t think it was funny. She was so put off by his remarks she glared at him. “What did the police say?”

“They’re taking care of it. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

“I want to make a statement this time.” Elora would tell them everything she knew. She never felt as if she had a chance to speak up when Marlowe went missing.

Gavin waved her idea away dismissively. “That’s not necessary. I told them already. I also called our family attorney and put him on notice.”

“On notice for what?” she asked.

“In case this comes back on you,” he said, giving her a pointed look. “You were there when she died. You’ll need to be represented just in case.”

“But I didn’t do anything,” she said. She didn’t see how it could be blamed on her.

“Well, I know that, and I told the police that, but it doesn’t mean they won’t want answers. Just relax, Elora. I’m going to take care of everything. You need to stay quiet and trust me.”

Elora knew she couldn’t trust Gavin to take care of her, but she had to play along if she was ever going to get the answers she needed. If someone was going down for killing Marlowe, it wouldn’t be her.

 

 

Twisted Words Chapter 1

Ore-Order Here Chapter 1Elora

 

 

Elora couldn’t believe how her life was going as she dealt another round of cards to Oscar and his fellow firemen. Nearly three months after realizing that Gavin wasn’t the man she thought he was and accepting that Marlowe’s kidnapper may be closer to home than she cared to admit, she was still living in Calter with no answers.

“Come on, hurry up,” said Tad, a blond who looked like he belonged on the cover of a surfer magazine or perhaps on stage modeling Gwendolyn’s spring line.

“I’m not as good at this as you are,” she said. “I told you I haven’t played but a few times in my life.”

“Yeah, well, your winnings say otherwise,” said Ronnie, who narrowed his deep-set brown eyes. He had been giving her grief all night, making it clear he didn’t want her there. “So, you can cut the crap. No one believes the innocent act.”

“Take it easy. It’s beginner’s luck,” said Oscar. “She’s never played before. Cut her some slack. She’s having fun, and isn’t that why we’re all here?” Oscar balled his fist and tapped it against Ronnie’s shoulder.

Elora stared at Ronnie. “I never said I haven’t played before. Just that I don’t play much.”

“See?” said Ronnie. “I knew she was hustling us the whole time.” He looked at the hand she dealt and folded. “I’m out.”

“Out,” said Tad, folding his hand too. “I’m going to get something to eat. Any of you suckers want something?”

Oscar gave Elora an apologetic look as the others got up from the table. There were four besides Oscar. All equally as fit, and handsome, but Ronnie’s personality could use some work.

Stu, an auburn-haired hunk, raised his hands above his head and stretched. “I’m going to turn in. Thanks for hanging out, Elora. It’s nice to have a pretty face to look at instead of these scruffy buttholes.”

“Hooray, I rank higher than butthole. Thanks,” she said, smiling. Everyone laughed.

Elora folded her hand and turned to Oscar. “It’s getting late. Maybe you should walk me out.”

“Hold up,” said Mike, who was still looking at his cards. “I want to finish.”

“Everyone folded and quit,” said Oscar.

“That’s bullshit!” Mike tossed his cards in the pile. “That was the best hand I had all night.”

Elora giggled. “Here, you win. Take my winnings too.” She pushed the pile of poker chips to him, but Mike got up from the table and walked to the kitchen to join the others.

“You guys suck,” he told them. “I would have skunked all of you.”

“Right,” they said in unison.

Tad shook his head. “Do we have anything other than cold pizza?”

“Yeah, hot pizza,” said Mike, putting a slice in the microwave and turning it on. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you to cook?”

“No, but your mother did.”

Mike grinned, not offended in the least. “I fucking wish. The woman knew her way around a casserole.”

“You guys really are like a family,” Elora said to Oscar, who had been watching his fellow firemen. “You bicker like brothers.”

“Yeah, well, when your life depends on each other, it helps to get along.” He smiled and raised his voice. “Even if they annoy the shit out of you.”

“Whatever, we know what true loyalty is,” said Ronnie. “Unlike most women.”

“Ouch,” said Elora, giving a wide-eyed glance at Oscar.

“Don’t take it personally,” said Tad. “Ronnie’s bitter about his last girlfriend. What was her name? Latrina?”

“Hey, don’t get into all that,” said Ronnie. “I don’t want her to know my business.”

“It’s all good,” said Elora. “I’ve already forgotten it.”

Oscar turned his attention back to Elora. “I should get you home.”

“Unless you want to stay and be a fireman,” said Mike. “We could use a woman on the team.”

“She’s too scrawny. She should stick to hustling card games,” said Ronnie. “Besides, we have enough gossiping hens here already.” He gave a pointed look to Tad, who punched his arm.

“You’re way worse about gossip than me,” said Tad. “And she could probably handle a small fire. Like, not an apartment building. But a shed, for sure. Maybe a gazebo.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence but one fire was enough for me,” she told them, getting up from the table. “Anyway, I had fun. Goodnight, all.”

“Night, Elora!” said Mike and Tad in unison, like annoying little brothers.

“See you later,” said Ronnie, rolling his eyes. “Since I’m sure you’ll be back.”

Elora didn’t respond but she sighed on their way down the stairs. “Ronnie hates me.”

“Nah, he doesn’t hate you.” Oscar tried to be convincing, but Elora could tell even he didn’t believe that.

“Are you sure? Because I’m glad it wasn’t him who came into my window that night of the fire. I may not be here now.”

“No. He would have saved you, too,” he said with a chuckle. “Personal feelings don’t come into it. We all want to help people.”

“Well, I’ll take your word for it.” When they reached the truck, he opened the door for her.

When he finally got in beside her, she angled in her seat toward him. “Don’t forget that you’re my date this weekend.”

Oscar nodded. “I won’t forget. I promise. I’ll be there.” He started the truck and headed toward Elora’s end of town.

“Thanks again for agreeing to go. I’m so nervous.”

“Well, I’ll be much happier when you’re done with them once and for all.”

They had been over it all before. “You know why I’m still there. I’m saving money, and until I know more about Marlowe and what happened, I think I’m right where I have to be.”

Oscar shook his head. “I still think you’re waiting for answers you’ll never get, Elora. And you’re putting yourself at risk being around them. They’re not getting any less sketchy.”

“It’s different now, trust me.”

“How?” he asked, giving her a sideward glance. “I trust you can take care of yourself, but who knows what they have up their sleeves?”

“The difference is I know they’re liars. I know to watch my back, especially when it comes to Gavin. Gwendolyn isn’t all bad. With her, I don’t think she wishes me harm. It’s more like she wouldn’t care if I disappeared like Marlowe.”

“Well, don’t go off anywhere alone with Gavin. I’m not sure you’ll come back.”

“I’m not going anywhere with him. Besides, he hasn’t been around too much lately. I’m not sure what he’s up to. But I’m staying out of it. You worry too much. I’m being careful.”

“I already rescued you once. I don’t ever want to have to do that again. So, I wish you would listen and move out now while you can.”

“Where would I go? You share an apartment with Tad and Ronnie when you’re off duty, and you still spend most of your time at the firehouse. Besides, they’ll be offended, Gwendoyln and Gavin, and I want to figure out what Gavin’s connection to Enzo really is.”

“Again, answers you’ll never get.” He let out a sigh. “Just be careful.”

“I will. And thanks for caring about me.” She smiled at Oscar, knowing what a good man he was and a good friend. She didn’t know his true feelings for her, and so far, things had stayed in the friend zone, but she would take what she could get.

“You know, part of the reason Ronnie disapproves of you hanging out is because of your connection to Gavin Dutch. I tried to warn you that they have a reputation in this town, and it’s not necessarily a good one, if you’re not one of their richie rich friends.”

“Ronnie knows Gavin? Or does he just believe the rumors?” She needed one person with solid proof to tell her something and then it might lead to the truth about Marlowe.

“If the rumors are true, what does it matter? And from our last long conversation about them, you know there’s something to it. You told me yourself.”

“I don’t know for sure,” she said. “All I know is that his friend, Enzo, is a gross scary pervert, and he had an interest in Marlowe. I also know that she’s not the only one missing.” She had explained all of it the day she left Gwendolyn’s to see Oscar after the party at Enzo’s sex mansion. It had its own bar and strip club, along with plenty of sleazy folks hanging around.

“You said that some guy assaulted a woman in this Enzo person’s bathroom. I bet you nothing was done about it. I’d bet that sort of thing happens all the time with that bunch. You also mentioned a colossal supply of cocaine. Last time I checked, that also falls in line with the rumors.”

“Okay,” she said with a sigh. “I get it. I need to have my bags packed and ready. But for now, I’m saving money, and when I feel like I can make it on my own, I’m out. I’ve already explained that. Now, you just have to trust me.”

“Well, don’t be surprised if more people out there feel the way Ronnie does. Some people don’t want anything to do with them or those who live with them.”

“I’m okay with that,” she said. “I know the truth, and I know who I am. I guess I’ll have to win him over once I’m on my own. I will save my money, and then we’ll find me a new place to live.” She had started over so many times she knew the drill. But she also knew she needed money if she was going to start all over in Calter to stay close to Oscar.

“When it comes to those knuckleheads, I’m the only one you have to impress, and you’re doing fine.”

Elora smiled at him, earning his toothy grin in return. “Thanks again for agreeing to be my date. I didn’t want to have to endure it alone.”

“Anytime,” he said. “Besides, I’ll keep an eye on you. If you hadn’t planned the event, I’d wonder what kind of party it would turn into.”

“Oh no, nothing crazy. It’s just an excuse for Gwendolyn to impress her friends with her new spring collection, which I have worked tirelessly on over the past two months.”

“Three months,” he said, shaking his head. “Things move fast in Dutch land. It feels like last week you showed up at the station looking like your whole world was falling apart. And now, you’re hosting a party like an old pro.”

Elora knew he was never going to let her live it down. He had begged her not to return to Gwendolyn’s, but Elora hadn’t given up on finding her missing friend. It meant staying close to them.

The police had long given up the search, and Oscar had explained that Gwendolyn likely had a hand in that, with her power and influence. If Gavin or his friend Enzo had something to do with it, which seemed likely, Gwendolyn would have covered it up.

She eased back in the seat until he pulled up at the gates, which opened to let him in. “That’s new,” he said. “No more waiting outside the gates?”

“They know you. And they know I’m out with you. They keep a close eye and a close ear.”

“Yeah, that still freaks me out. They are watching and listening to everything.”

“Yeah. How do you think it makes me feel?” She wasn’t sure if that was really for her protection or to keep her under their thumb.

“You really need to get a new phone. Something that isn’t linked to their house.”

“I know, but I’m trying to save money. I’ll get one when I leave.”

“I said I’d get you one.”

“No, you won’t. I can get one for myself.”

“I know. You’re a big girl and all that. But I hate not being able to speak freely.”

“At least you know about it.” She had given him fair warning.

“Yeah.” He sighed heavily. “Be careful in there.”

Elora leaned in and hugged him goodbye. “I’ll see you soon. Be safe out there, too.”

She got out of the truck and watched as he drove away. She wished that he felt for her what she felt for him. But so far, they had kept things friendly and only slightly flirty.

“Are you going to come in, or do I have to stand here all night?”

She turned around to find Hunter waiting by the front door. He was dressed in his usual jeans, but instead of a black T-shirt, he wore a white one.

“Sorry,” she said, walking to the door. “Thanks, Hunter.”

“No prob,” he said. “Did you have fun?”

She nodded. “Yeah, it was fun. We played poker. I overstayed my welcome.”

“I find that hard to believe,” he said.

“Well, I think the winning had a lot to do with it. Some of those big, tough firemen didn’t like being beaten by a girl.”

He chuckled. “Now that I can believe.”

She went to the stairs. “Goodnight, Hunter.”

“Goodnight, Elora.”

Elora went to her room, knowing that everything she did would be seen and everything she said would be heard. She had taken measures to be modest and made quick work of showering and changing.

Soon after, she crawled into the bed that was every bit as comfortable as Luna had said it was.

Elora reached for her party binder and decided to go over her plans one more time. She had a week to get things in order for the event and hoped that everything went off without a hitch. She was just as excited for people to see her effort in the spring line. Not only had she permitted Gwendolyn to use three of her jewelry designs, but she had put small touches on many of the clothing pieces, including the beaded buttons she had designed herself.

If the line got good praise, she could pat herself on the back, and if the party went well, Gwendolyn would be doubly pleased. She didn’t even want to think of Gwendolyn’s line not doing well. And she had a feeling that if it did fail, she’d be the one taking the blame.

 

 

 

Twisted Words Cover Reveal

Pre-Order Your Copy Here

Elora is a young fashion designer who finally landed her dream job after a series of tragedies, but all that glitters is not gold. The people she’s working for are keeping secrets. Dangerous ones.

Her new boss, the world famous fashion icon Gwendolyn Dutch, offers Elora fame and fortune, but women are going missing, including Elora’s friend Marlowe, and no one seems to care. Elora suspects the shady businessmen involved with Gwendolyn and her son, Gavin, and she knows she has to get away before she becomes another victim.

On her own, Elora uncovers new evidence related to the house fire that almost took her life.

But with nobody listening, Elora feels like she’s screaming into an abyss.

Until someone answers back.

  

Veil of Secrets Chapter 1

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Chapter 1Elora

“One more night?” asked Elora, her tone disappointed. “I was hoping I could leave today. I thought that I was doing better.”

With her breathing improving, she wasn’t sure why they would want to keep her another night.

The nurse, who had introduced herself as Jeanie at the beginning of her shift, gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, but the doctor wanted to keep you longer. You were dehydrated when you came in. You should drink more water in your day to day.” She gave Elora a sideward look with her kind, tired eyes. “Most young people don’t.”

“I’m not that young,” said Elora. “I’m a grown woman.”

“Well, you’re younger than me,” Nurse Jeanie said as she chuckled. “So, you are young. And the fact remains. Drink your water. Stay hydrated. It’s not hard.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Elora sighed and realized it wouldn’t change anything if she were sprung early or not. “I guess it doesn’t matter anyway. It’s not like I have anywhere else to be.” With the fire destroying everything she had brought to Calter with her, which was most of the important items in her life, she had to start all over or go home and see what she could find in storage, which wasn’t much. It wasn’t clothes or a new ID. She didn’t even have a cell phone or a credit card. Nothing that would make a difference.

Nurse Jeanie changed the bag on her IV. “You get some rest. We will keep pushing fluids and do a few tests later to see if you’re good to go.”

“Thanks for all your help,” Elora said. “I’ll be here waiting.” It wasn’t like she had anything else to do but sit and wait.

Nurse Jeanie stopped at the foot of her bed. “Would you like anything from the gift shop? Perhaps a magazine or something?”

Elora thought it was sweet of her to offer. “I don’t have any money. I don’t have a bag or an ID card, much less cash.”

“That’s fine,” said Nurse Jeanie. “I tell you what, there are a few magazines in the nurses’ station and a crossword puzzle book, too. I’ll bring them down so you have something to pass the time. Trust me, I know how boring it can get here sometimes, especially with our lack of TV channels.”

“Thanks,” Elora said. “That’s thoughtful of you.”

“No problem.” Nurse Jeanie gave her a wink and headed out.

Elora closed her eyes as she rested against the pillows and tried to let the problems ahead fade away. But the events of the past thirty-two hours were still running through her head.

The fire that she had been so sure would consume her still hung in the air around her. Her hair was smoky and gross, and she wanted to shower if the nurse let her out of bed.

She still couldn’t believe they had mistaken her for Marlowe, but she was grateful to her friend that he had told her to sleep in her room instead of the guest room, where she would have indeed died. But she wondered when Marlowe had gotten up to confront the arsonist and why it hadn’t awakened her.

Did she try and put up a fight? Did she scream? Or did they overwhelm her so fast that she couldn’t do anything? And what were they doing to her while Elora lay in the hospital?

Her old friend’s disappearance was troubling. Before Elora let the reality of that sink in and destroy what was left of her, footsteps brought her head around. Elora looked to the door just in time for Gavin Dutch to walk around the corner into her room.

The son of Gwendolyn Dutch was undoubtedly deserving of his career as the face of his mother’s company. His body was like that of a god, and his face was timelessly sexy, with piercing green eyes and brown hair that somehow blended natural red and blonde highlights into one perfect color. Still, he managed to pull off the tall, dark, and handsome like no other, and the sunny highlights left over from the summer sun gave him a boyish look that made him loveable in a completely different way.

He was everything. The total package. And he was standing right in front of her. “You must be Elora,” he said.

“Gavin. It’s very nice to finally meet you.” She could see the worry in his hollow eyes.

“You say that like it was inevitable,” he asked as his voice broke.

“Well, you’re dating Marlowe. And since this happened, I had a feeling you’d be around. I met your mother. She was here yesterday. She was so kind to me.”

“Ah, good old Mom. Always so kind.”

“I wasn’t sure if you would get to come back.” She had no idea the nature of his business or his obligations.

“Yeah, of course, I would. I just got back into town late last night. Did she ask you what the hell happened?” His eyes darkened with the sudden shift of interest. “Because I’d like to know that myself.” He gave her a demanding look.

Elora sat up taller in bed. “I wish I knew something. I was dead asleep when everything happened.”

She hoped he didn’t think she was responsible.

“Where is she?” he asked, walking to the side of her bed. “Where is Marlowe?”

This wasn’t the friendly check-in she had first thought it was. He was a man in love and suffering loss, and he wanted to know her part.

“The house was broken into,” she said. “That’s why she called you, remember? I guess they came back. Maybe they missed something. Or wanted to cover up the crime? Whatever it was, I’m sorry your house burned down.”

He shook his head. “That doesn’t help me. Did you see anything? Hear anything?”

“No.”

“And she didn’t say anything to you?” Gavin looked as if he found that hard to believe. “Didn’t tell you anything that could explain all this?”

“I’m just as confused as you are, Gavin. I assure you.”

“What am I supposed to do?” he asked, looking lost. “No one knows anything.”

Elora tried her best to find the right words, but Gwendolyn appeared behind him.  

“That’s enough,” she said. “I didn’t ask you to meet me here so you could berate the girl with questions she can’t answer. We’re here to bring her home.”

“Ms. Dutch.” Elora nodded at the woman and tried to force a smile. “You didn’t have to—”

“It’s Gwendolyn, dear,” she interrupted. “How are you feeling today?” She casually dropped her bag on the nearest chair and stood by Elora’s bedside like a concerned mother. “You don’t look like you’re ready to go.”

“Unfortunately, no. They want to keep an eye on me a little longer.”

“It is completely understandable,” said Gwendolyn, nodding as if she agreed. “You’ve been through a trauma, darling. Everything else can wait.”  

“If someone broke in, we have to find out who.” Gavin glared at his mother.

“The police are doing all they can,” said Gwendolyn. “We’re rich. They take our problems seriously. And I’m sure that Marlowe’s disappearance is their top priority.”

“It’s a kidnapping,” said Elora. “Won’t the FBI be involved?”

Gavin’s posture slumped, presumably at the idea Marlowe had been abducted.

Gwendolyn spread her hands and shrugged. “Who knows? I’ll speak with the police again later. It’s going to be okay. We’ll have to stick together, the three of us.” She gave her son a stern look. “But we’ll be fine.”

He took a deep breath and straightened his cuffs. “Fine. But I want to know everything every step of the way. Full transparency.”

“She’ll be okay,” said Gwendolyn, who seemed to be trying to help her son with calm reassurance.

Elora hoped like hell that was true. The people who burned down the house and grabbed Marlowe probably wouldn’t shy away from further violence. But maybe Gwendolyn already had an idea who was behind everything. Maybe she knew their motives.

“For now, I think we need to support Elora getting better. We must take this one thing at a time.”

“Marlowe is missing,” he said through gritted teeth. “Shouldn’t that be the first thing we focus on?”

“You haven’t gotten any word?” asked Elora, looking confused. She had assumed they would have gotten some information. “No ransom demands or anything? I mean, why else would they take her, right?”

“All that is yet to be determined,” said Gwendolyn. “Sometimes, people do what they do because they’re crazy. Or maybe they want attention.”

“Let’s hope they’re not crazy,” said Elora.

“Sometimes, Elora, this sort of thing is done simply to send a message.” Gavin turned to look at her as if he were gauging her expression.

“We don’t have any enemies,” said Gwendolyn, as if clarifying. “But there are people who envy us, as you can imagine. And some people want to see wealthy people suffer.”

Elora looked at Gavin, who was staring at her. “You look so much like her. You two could be sisters.”

“Doesn’t she?” said Gwendolyn. “I thought the same thing.” The two exchanged a look.

“I’ve been told that before,” Elora said. “That’s why they confused me for her, I’m sure.”

“You were in her room,” Gwendolyn said. “That probably didn’t help. That was Marlowe’s doing,” she said to Gavin. “I didn’t realize Marlowe was having back problems.”

“Neither did I.” He turned and looked at Elora. “Did she tell you that?”

“Yes, she said the guest bed was better for that. So she wanted to sleep in there. I had no reason to question it.”

“Huh,” he said, shrugging. “Did she say how long ago that started?”

“No,” Elora said, looking lost.

“Anyway, let’s not bombard her with questions and what-ifs. I’ve already asked her what we needed to know. I’ll catch you up on the rest later.” She gave her son a stern look.

“So, what now?” he asked his mother.

“Well, there are other things we can do in the meantime. I’ve already told Elora she can stay with me. Marlowe had asked if I would hire her, and I had agreed. But now, I’m afraid by losing Marlowe, I need an assistant to replace her.”

“I’m unsure if I could replace Marlowe,” said Elora.

“Well, I don’t think you could do some of the things Marlowe handled, but most of them you’ll be fine with, and that’s all I need. And with this deep loss, I could sure use the help.”

“I want to help, of course,” said Elora, unsure if she could fill in, but she had come looking for work. Turning it down wasn’t really an option.

Gwendolyn also didn’t look like she would take no for an answer. “She trusted you. I know I can, too. It’s the best way to help me, Elora. I’ll pay you the same thing I was paying Marlowe.”

“I think I could handle that,” she said. “I just don’t know Calter well. Or the people.” She hoped that she didn’t have to reach out to people for her. She wasn’t sure she had the same gift Marlowe did.

“Look, you just do the best you can. I want you to stay close with everything going on. I’m unsure what will happen next, and I want to know you’re safe. This is one way to ease my mind.” Gwendolyn patted her arm.

“Mine too,” said Gavin, who suddenly seemed to want to go along with his mother. “I think she’s right. You’re the person for the job.”

“Well, thank you. You’re all so kind to me. And I appreciate the help until I get back on my feet.” She felt like it was the same old story as before. Would she ever land on her feet?

“Well, we’re here to help you, dear.” Gwendolyn smiled at her son.

“Thank you.” She gave a soft sigh. “I know I keep saying it, but suddenly, that just doesn’t seem like enough. I wish there were something that I could do to repay you all.”

“Well,” said Gavin, giving a casual shrug. “I think she has a point. It is a good time to give back,” he told his mother. “I think you should look into that. I’ll make a nice donation in Marlowe’s name, if you will. That could do wonders to speed things up.”

“Certainly,” said his mother. Gwendolyn turned to look at Elora. “We’ll figure something out. For now, you should focus on getting better.”

“That’s right,” said Gavin. “I’m sorry I came off a little strong at first. I’m just so beside myself with Marlowe gone. I’m sure you understand. And I hope you will forgive me?”

“Oh, of course, I do, and again, I’m sorry. I wish I could do more.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “If I think of anything, I’ll tell you. But I think I’ve told your mother everything already.”

“That would be helpful,” he said. “We need to get everything we can to help Marlowe.”

“Marlowe raved about you,” said Gwendolyn, patting her hand. “And I know you’ll do a fine job as you fill in for her.”

“She did?” asked Elora, remembering how Marlowe had told her to trust her. “She said she would. I miss her so much.”

Gwendolyn nodded. “A promise kept.” She looked at her son. “Now, if Elora’s not going with us today, we should go home and ensure everything is ready for her arrival.”

“Thank you again for coming down,” said Elora. “It means a lot to have someone check on me.”

Nurse Jeanie returned with a few magazines and a small tray. “I managed to sneak you some juice and cookies from the kitchen downstairs.”

Gwendolyn looked at the nurse. “Is that Dutch magazine?” she asked as the nurse laid a stack on Elora’s bedside cart.

“Yes, ma’am,” said the nurse, whom Elora could tell was a little awestruck by Gwendolyn’s presence as well as Gavin’s. “We had it downstairs. I thought she would like to see it.”

“Well, it’s a great issue,” she said, taking a hundred-dollar bill from her bag. “Get her whatever she needs. And no more leftover cookies from downstairs, please. Find her something healthy and not full of sugar. She is my assistant. I’d like her taken care of, please.”

The nurse looked shocked. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Thank you.” She turned her head back to Elora. “Now, get some rest. We’ll be back tomorrow to bring you home.”

Gavin forced another smile as they left together. Elora could tell by the way it didn’t meet his eyes that his heart wasn’t in it. She felt terrible for him. He had to be so worried that Marlowe was missing and that he didn’t know where she was or who had her.

Elora could only hope that they would have the answers they needed. The police had to make some headway, and hopefully, Marlowe would be found and home soon.

“Well, you’re fortunate,” said the nurse. “You work for Gwendolyn Dutch? She’s an icon.”

Elora let that sink in. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

Release Day for Broken Trust

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Imagine this: Your best friend isn’t who she says she is. She steals your identity, sets fire to your life—literally—and disappears into the night. Now, you’re left picking up the pieces in a world you don’t belong to, surrounded by people with secrets of their own. Some claim they want to help, but trust? That’s hard to come by. That’s where Elora finds herself in Broken Trust, the first book in my new Identity Series. The police are useless. The lies are piling up. And the only person who seems real is the firefighter who saved her from the flames. This story is dark, twisted, and will have you second-guessing the people around you. Because the truth is—how well do we really know anyone? Broken Trust is out now. You in?

BROKEN TRUST CHAPTER ONE

pRE-oRDER hERE Chapter 1Elora

After a long day limping around campus, the last thing Elora Ashley wanted was to go home to roommate drama, but as she walked up the stairs to her apartment, the sounds of shouting ripped through the walls. By the time she reached the door, glass shattered behind it.

Elora took out her phone in case she needed to call the police, then opened the door to see Skye cowering across the room.

“Get out!” Skye screamed at the man looming over her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

It was Skye’s ex, Dawson, standing over her. One hand gripped his hair as if he was so stressed he could pull it out. The other was balled into a fist at his side as he threatened Skye.

“Just stop it and listen to me!” he shouted. “You always do this. You’re acting like a fucking child.”

“I’m not listening to you!” She put her hands over her ears and shook her head.

“Whoa!” Elora said, charging in to get between them. “You need to back the fuck off.” She held out her hand and kept the phone at the ready.

“She won’t listen to me, and she just started freaking out,” said Dawson, whose blue eyes suddenly looked much darker.

“I’m calling the cops,” Elora said. “You need to leave.”

But that didn’t deter him. “Fine, call them. I hope you do. That’s not going to help her any. But be my guest.”

“Don’t!” Skye jumped up from the floor. “Please, Elora, don’t call them. They’ll only make it worse.”

“They’ll take her ass in. Maybe that’s what she needs,” said Dawson. “Now, I want my shit back. You can’t just show up at my place and take shit that isn’t yours.”

“She did what?” asked Elora, wondering what Skye had taken.

Skye had been in recovery from drug addiction for two months, and ending her relationship with Dawson had been a big part of staying clean. The asshole had done his best to keep her hooked, and now, she was struggling again.

“Skye?” Elora hoped she would explain.

“Butt out!” said Skye, much to Elora’s surprise. “It’s not a big deal. I can handle him.” She started brushing herself off, but Elora noticed the way she rubbed her arms and scratched at them. It was the same way she had done it when she was using before.

“Yeah, it is a big deal,” said Dawson. “She broke into my fucking house earlier today. I got her ass on camera.”

“I didn’t break in. I still have a key.” Skye gave him a defiant look and her tone wasn’t any better.

He turned his attention to her and put his finger in her face as the other hand gripped her arm. “I want my fucking stash back now. I know you took it.” He gave her a shake.

“Your stash?” asked Elora, still trying to figure out what was going on. “What the hell, Skye? You’ve been clean for two months. You’re doing so well. You don’t need it. You don’t need him.”

She moved in closer and was about to intervene when Skye jerked away from Dawson’s grip.

Skye glared at her. “You don’t know what it’s like, Elora. So, spare me the lecture.” She turned back to Dawson. “I didn’t take your drugs. I only wanted my photos and my two vinyls back. I don’t even know where you keep it anymore.” She walked across the living room to the coffee table where she had placed the albums. “See? These are mine!”

“No, they’re mine,” he said. “I paid for them. You don’t get to just show up and take my shit. And you know it’s more than that. I have cameras everywhere, so don’t try that shit with me. I want it back!” He lunged for Skye again, pinning her against the wall.

“Hey!” Elora moved toward him, favoring the ankle she twisted weeks ago. “Just back off.”

Dawson pushed Elora out of the way, throwing her off balance. As she fell to the floor, she tried to catch herself, dropping her phone in the process.

Dawson grabbed hold of Skye’s hair and dragged her to her bedroom. Elora heard the first strike and knew that her friend was in trouble.

It left Elora no choice. She hurried for her phone and called the campus police. “I’m calling the cops,” she called out as she limped to the bedroom door, where she found Skye crying again.

Skye’s long blonde hair clung to her tear-stained face. “Take it!” she screamed, going for her bed. She unzipped the cover on her throw pillow and pulled out a bag of pills so big it made Elora’s eyes widen. “Here!” She shoved it at Dawson.

Elora ended the call. She didn’t want the cops coming with the amount of drugs Dawson was holding. It was enough to take all of them down, and she wasn’t going to ruin her life for Skye. Both she and Marlowe, their other roommate, had gone through hell trying to get Skye help in the past two years, and it was clear that all of their hard work and stress was for naught.

“Give me that!” Dawson snatched it from her hands. “There better not be one pill missing, you stupid bitch. Do you think this is some kind of fucking game? You’re going to get my ass in trouble. I have people who would come for me and not think twice about killing me over this shit. How many did you take?”

“I didn’t take any yet,” Skye said. “I just needed a couple. Please, Dawson. You can front me some. I’m good for them. We can work something out.” Skye put her hand through her messy hair and tried to force a smile in a flirty way as if she could still tempt him with the body he had already used up. “I could do that thing you like.”

Elora couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“You’re pathetic,” Dawson said, stuffing his bag of pills down his pants. “I’m over your shit for good. You’re too much drama. It’s dangerous for me and anyone around you.”

“Whatever she is, you made her that way,” Elora said. “Just take your shit and leave.” There was no reason for the personal attacks.

But Dawson turned on her. “You shut your fucking mouth.” He pointed his finger in her face. “You never saw this.” He grabbed his crotch, where the drugs gave him a ridiculous bulge. “You feel me?”

“No thanks. Now go,” said Elora, showing him to the other room. “Please, just get out.” She was afraid that Skye might keep on until he lost it enough to hurt them both.

“Did you hear what I said?” he asked, his eyes narrowing as he cornered her at the bedroom door.

Elora realized that he wanted an answer. “Yes, I didn’t see anything,” she said. “Now leave.”

“One word, and I’ll kill you both myself.”

Elora had never been threatened like that, and she didn’t like it. But she was not going to get into it deeper with Dawson Sonnier, who was the biggest dealer in town.

Dawson walked to the door, and Elora followed to lock it behind him. He pointed back at Skye. “You’re trouble. You stay out of my way and stay away from my fucking place. If I find you there again, next time I won’t be as nice to you.”

He opened the door to leave and ran right into Marlowe, who stumbled back as he exited the door.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” she asked with a gruff tone.

Dawson glared at her. “Fuck off, Marlowe. Keep your bestie under control, or I will.” He stormed past her and left without looking back.

Marlowe walked in and slammed the door. “What the hell was he doing here?”

She looked at Skye for answers, but Skye was too busy crying. So, she looked at Elora. “What the hell just happened?” Marlowe’s brown eyes narrowed. “Will one of you tell me?”

“He came to get his drugs,” Elora said. “Skye broke into his house.”

“I didn’t break in. I have a key.” She wiped her eyes and straightened her hair.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re not welcome, and you know it.” Elora didn’t know what Skye was thinking pulling a stunt like that, but it was clear, the worst wasn’t behind her yet.

“He had my stuff. I just wanted my stuff.” She walked over and showed Marlowe the albums and photos. “They’re mine. I wanted them.”

Elora glared at her. “And?”

“What a dick,” said Marlowe, as if she wasn’t even paying attention. “He came all the way over here and made a big deal out of that? What a loser. He probably just wanted to see you. You cannot get back with him. No way, no how.”

“You know he’s obsessed with me,” said Skye, shrugging it off. “Anyway, I’m glad he’s gone. I hope I never see him again.”

Elora wasn’t going to let it go. “You know that’s not what happened. Tell her or I will.”

Marlowe glared at Elora. “What the hell are you talking about?” She turned her attention back to Skye. “Did he put his hands on you?” She looked at her arms where she had been scratching.

Skye pulled her arms away. “Don’t freak out. It’s done. He’s gone. Let’s just order some pizza before you go to work.” Skye seemed to want to bury the whole thing with pepperoni and smiles, but Elora couldn’t let that go.

“Skye, I’m serious,” she said. “Tell her about the drugs.”

“You’re a bitch, Elora,” Skye snapped, and her lip turned up in a snarl.

Elora couldn’t believe her nerve. “You had your ex, the dealer, come here and push us both around because you stole his stash of pills, and I’m the bitch? I don’t think so. I’m not putting up with this again. You have a problem.”

“He put his hands on you?” asked Marlowe, whose mouth dropped open with outrage. “You should have told me. I would have put him in his place.” Marlowe looked at the door as if contemplating if she could catch him.

“You would have only made things worse,” said Skye, giving her a pleading look. “So, don’t. Let’s just drop it. Please?”

“She was asking him for pills. She stole his stash, and when he came to get it, she begged him to front her some.” Elora wanted it all out in the open. She was done with Skye’s lies and she wasn’t letting her divide them again with her problems. She had nearly torn their friendship apart.

“Have you been taking pills again?” Marlowe looked at her with disappointment in her eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t do anything stupid. You’ve been doing so good, Skye. You know you’re just about over the hump.”

Skye slumped her shoulders like she wanted to disappear. “I haven’t done anything.”

“Then why did you go to the house and take his stash?” Marlowe gave her a sideward look. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“I just wanted to. I felt like I needed it.” She tried to play it down, but that was what she always did when she messed up. Elora could see her old pattern coming back. The old Skye would lie, cheat, and steal for drugs. She didn’t care who she hurt along the way to getting what she wanted. And since she was only two months removed from that mindset, Elora still remembered what it was like.

“It’s just hard,” said Skye with her hands on her head. “I’ve had a rough day, okay?” She scrubbed her eyes and began to sob again.

“We all have,” said Elora, sick of the girl’s pity party. “I’ve been hobbling to class daily with this stupid ankle injury, and Marlowe is working two jobs and going to school. Things are tough for everyone. But you have responsibilities, or we’ll all end up on the street.”

“Well, then you’re not going to like what I have to tell you next,” Skye said. “My parents told me if I fucked up again, they were going to cut me off.”

“But you’ve been doing so good, Skye. They just said how proud they were of you.” Marlowe sighed. Elora could see the disappointment in her eyes but also the love. The two were just closer.

“That’s before.” Skye closed her eyes and raked her fingers through her stringy blonde hair.

“Before what?” asked Elora, wondering what she had done.

“Before they got the credit card bill.”

“Your credit card bill?” Marlowe narrowed her eyes. “Why would they care? They pay it every month, and you don’t go over your limit.”

“My parents pay it off every month, yes. It’s like an allowance that my father set up for me. I spend what I need, and he pays the bills. I’m not supposed to go nuts with it. Not like I used to.”

“You haven’t exactly been spending crazy money,” said Marlowe. “I don’t notice any new clothes. No new bags or makeup. So what is he upset about?”

It didn’t make sense, and that made Elora wonder what she had spent the money on.

“I didn’t spend the money. I let someone else use it,” she said.

“What?” Elora looked at Marlowe and sighed. She didn’t know what else to say.

Marlowe sat down. “Who did you let use it?”

“I gave it to Theo.”

“Theo? As in Theo Larson, our old pot dealer?” Marlowe looked outraged. “What?”

“Yes, okay. I traded the use of the card for some pot. He said he wasn’t going to run it up, and I gave him a limit. He said he needed groceries, and I didn’t think they’d notice or care. But he went on an online spending spree with his new girlfriend.”

“Can’t you just say it was stolen?” Marlowe shrugged like that was the easier thing to do.

“I tried. But that wasn’t the worst part. Since I broke their trust, he made me take a drug test. He knows I’m not clean because I smoked one little joint with Theo. He’s said I’m cut off. I’m on my own.”

“What about the rent?” asked Elora, knowing that it was probably more than one joint she had smoked, seeing the way she had begged Dawson for pills. “What are you going to do about that? You should be getting another job, not getting high.”

“I’ll get my part. I will.” Skye seemed sure about it. But her part-time job at the movie theater didn’t pay enough to cover her part of the bills.

“How?” Elora asked. She had heard all of the excuses before. The only reason she hadn’t kicked Skye to the curb and found someone who could pay her part was because of Marlowe. They had been besties for years, and they always teamed up together and had each other’s backs.

“Well, I can’t pay extra,” said Elora. “I spent all of my extra money on medical bills and medicine that makes me sick when I take it.” She never realized that narcotic pain meds could make her feel so miserable. Now, she was stuck taking over-the-counter pills that were only half as effective.

Marlowe gave her friend a helpless look. “And I’m already working two jobs, Skye. I guess I could pull another shift on the days I don’t have class.” Marlowe was always trying to figure out a way to help her friend. In Elora’s opinion, she would be much better off if she let Skye go.

Elora shook her head. “You can’t keep doing that. You could ask Jim if I could come back.”

“You know he’s not going to take you back. You stole from him, Skye. It almost cost me my job. I’m sorry, I can’t ask him.”

Elora shook her head. “So you work your ass off to cover her this time, and what happens next month? She has to learn. Maybe she should move home.”

“No, that’s not an option,” said Marlowe. “We worry about that when the time comes. You sound like our parents, for shit’s sake. It’s Skye we’re talking about.”

“It’s always Skye.” Elora was sick of the same problems.

“I have some money,” said Skye, giving Elora a scathing look. “I took out some cash before my parents shut off the card.”

“Great. How much?” asked Marlowe.

“Forty-five dollars,” she mumbled.

“Forty-five? That’s it?” asked Elora. “That’s not going to help with groceries.”

“Why didn’t you take more?” asked Marlowe. “You should have grabbed enough for rent, at least.”

“The card was at its limit, I guess. It’s all I could get.”

“Jesus,” said Elora. “You were doing so good. Now what?”

“Lay off of me,” said Skye. “You know what, fuck this. I have to pee.” She turned and stormed away to the bathroom, leaving Marlowe and Elora annoyed.

“Just take it easy on her, would you?” Marlowe didn’t like anyone fussing at Skye. “She’s going through something you can’t understand.”

Elora didn’t want to make excuses. “I think you’re too easy on her. I can’t pay her way, Marlowe. I’m dealing with a lot, and this doesn’t make it better. I don’t have a family to fall back on if I fail.”

“You have a grandmother who would give you anything.”

“And I can’t depend on her forever. She’s not well. It’s time Skye grows up like we all have to.”

All of a sudden, something crashed in the bathroom.

Marlowe’s eyes widened. “What now?” She ran to the bathroom door with Elora behind her.

The door was locked, and Marlowe began beating on it. But when Skye didn’t respond, Elora went to the kitchen for a butter knife that she had used before.

“Get out of the way,” Elora told her. “I’ve got this.”

“That’s not going to work!” Marlowe banged on the door again.

“It will. Now back up.” Elora put the knife in a little slit on the doorknob and turned it like a screwdriver. “There,” she said as the doorknob turned. “Done.”

She threw the door open and found Skye standing at the bathroom window, which was open. Skye stood on the side of the tub looking out. She had knocked over a small plant that Elora put on the windowsill. And she hadn’t bothered to try and clean it up.

“Don’t come in,” said Skye. “I don’t want to talk to you!”

“It’s me,” said Marlowe. “You know you can talk to us.”

“I don’t care. I just want to be left alone. My life is over.” Skye broke after that, crying so hard she had tears and snot rolling down her face.

“Your life isn’t over.” Marlowe walked over to get some toilet paper for her to wipe her nose.

“It is. Everything is messed up. I messed up. Again.”

“What are you doing with the window open?” asked Elora.

“Nothing. What does it fucking matter? Can’t I get some air?” She put something down at her side.

“Do you have drugs in here?” asked Elora. “Were you going to smoke something?” She didn’t want drugs, even pot, in her house. They weren’t allowed in their apartment and still illegal where they lived.

“No, I’m not smoking anything.” She shoved her hand in her pocket.

“Were you going to leave through the window?” Elora asked, making a point. Whatever she was hiding, she wasn’t going to tell.

“From the second floor? No, I’d kill myself. Although that might not be such a bad idea.” She wiped her nose.

“Don’t say that,” said Marlowe. “Don’t ever say that. You’re my best friend, and I love you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You would be better off. Elora knows it, too. She knows that I hold you back with my drama. And now I’ve messed up again. I just keep messing up. It’s never going to get any better.”

“That’s not the answer,” said Elora. “We’ll figure out the whole rent issue. The important part is that you stay clean. No more drugs. Pot or otherwise.” She had a feeling that she had used more than just weed. “It’s not too late to get back on track.”

She wanted to give her hope, but she also knew that Skye had to want to be clean.

Marlowe looked at Elora. “Can you give us a minute? I have to get to my shift at the club, and I want to talk to her before I leave.”

“Sure,” said Elora. She left and went to wait in the living room, where she cleaned up the broken lamp that must have gotten knocked off the counter in the struggle with Dawson.

The lamp was one she had bought herself, and it wasn’t cheap. But losing material things had become the norm with Skye around, and Elora had really hoped that they had gotten over that hump two months prior. But apparently not.

Elora had considered getting her own place many times before, but with rent up across Bellwick, especially in the university area, she wasn’t sure that was her best option. She liked her apartment and was settled in to finish college living there. She didn’t want to lose what she had worked hard for just because of someone else.

Elora wanted to heal and get through her third year without issue. But things were looking grim where her roommates were concerned.

Marlowe and Skye came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, and Elora walked over to check on them. “Are you okay?” she asked.

Skye didn’t say a word. Instead, she walked like a zombie to her bedroom and shut the door.

“She’s fine,” said Marlowe. “But you really need to keep an eye on her. She’s really down, and I don’t know if she’s going to get through the night without some support.”

“I’m sure if she goes to sleep, she’ll be fine. I’ll stay up with her until she does. We’ll watch some videos and play a game or something.”

“Just keep her mind off of it. I’m going to work. I know I get off late, but I’ll try and hurry home. Maybe Jim won’t make me stick around and clean up.”

“If he pays extra, you may need to.” Elora knew things were going to be tight.

“He doesn’t pay extra, and it’s going to be okay. I have some money saved. I’ll swing her rent. So, don’t worry about it.”

Elora sighed. “Okay, thanks. I’m really running low as it is. It’s just a bad time all around. That late class is really kicking my ass.”

“Yeah, I hear you. Working late isn’t always fun, either. I feel like I work so much that I don’t have time for my friends. But it is what it is.”

Elora hugged her. “Let’s just stay strong.”

“Yeah, we have no choice. Well, I should get going.” Marlowe grabbed her bag and headed out.

Elora walked to Skye’s door and knocked. “Do you want me to order that pizza?” Elora figured Skye was as hungry as she was.

“Sure,” she heard a quiet voice say from behind the door. “Can you get some breadsticks too?”

“Absolutely. I’ll call them.” She went to the kitchen and found the latest coupon on the fridge. With any luck, the drama was over, and the two could settle in for a restful night.

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Elora knows what it means to have her whole world torn apart—and she also knows what it means to be blamed for it all. She never wants to feel that kind of hurt again. So, when a familiar face from that old life resurfaces, she’s hesitant to accept the olive branch. Marlowe used to be Elora’s closest friend before everything burned down. Now she’s a beautiful young woman dating the city’s most eligible bachelor. She has access and resources to a whole new luxurious life… and she wants to help Elora open some doors and repair their broken friendship.

Having nothing to lose, Elora takes a chance and plunges into a world of glamor and scandal.

However, not everything is as it seems.

When tragedy strikes Marlowe’s home, she’s nowhere to be found. Elora is desperate to find out what happened to her friend, but in this new world where she doesn’t measure up, answers are going to be hard to come by…

And the truth?

Well, it seems like that might just be impossible.

Equitable Chapter 1

Chapter 1Isla

 

 

Milo sped down the bumpy backroads while sirens grew farther into the distance. Isla held on to the door panel and prayed he wouldn’t wreck and kill them both.

Isla couldn’t think of anything but Tom, his bloody body slumped in the driver’s seat of his car as the life slipped out of him. She looked at Milo gripping the wheel and realized that they looked guilty.

“We have to go back!” She knew that would be an unpopular opinion, but she had to say how she felt. “We have to tell them what we know.”

If there was any way she could help, she wanted to.

“No way, I’ll be the first person they blame, and they’ll take my gun and say it’s the one that shot him, knowing damned well it wasn’t. I’m not going back to jail for anyone, not even Tom.”

“He was helping us, Milo. He died helping us.”

“We don’t know that,” he said. “For all we know, he’s into some seedy shit, and I’m not going down for it. We don’t know his enemies.”

“He didn’t have enemies,” she said.

“You don’t really know that, though, do you? You don’t know him, Isla. We don’t know anything about his personal life.”

“I know he was a good man. He was willing to help. He helped with the DNA. He put himself on the line and paid for it.” She wished she hadn’t asked him to help them.

But Milo was too busy freaking out to feel anything but fear of going back to prison. “I’m sorry. I know you had feelings for him, but he died in the line of duty. And I’m not going back. We need to get away and pretend we were never there.”

Isla wished it was that easy. “If someone saw us, they’ll say we ran from the scene. We have to go back. We can say we were going to get help, that he called me. I have the proof.”

“They won’t know what you’re talking about. They’ll say I was jealous or something. I’ll take my chances. But I’m not going back to another murder victim.”

“Then at least slow down!”

“I’m putting as much distance as I can between that scene and us. You know how this works, Isla. You act as if I’m overreacting when they always come at me first for this shit. Well, not this time. No way.”

“Well, where are you going? I’ve never even been on this side of Daybrook before.” The area was more rural, with large fields and plenty of barbed-wire fences. The road seemed to stretch ahead for miles and connected to many other streets that led into neighborhoods.

“I’m going to loop around and take the main road back to Preston’s office. I know where I am.”

“Good,” she said. “I have no idea.” She didn’t know how the road would come around to Preston’s part of town, but she would trust him.

She eased back in the seat and hoped that her heart would stop pounding in her chest, That was when it really hit her. Tom was dead. Fresh tears formed and slipped down her cheeks and she wiped them away. “I can’t believe this. He’s dead. Oh my gosh, Milo. He’s really dead.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Isla. Whoever was following him tried to run him down, and when they couldn’t make him lose control, they must have shot him.”

Things were quiet for the next few minutes as Isla let that sink in. Somehow, Milo made his way to the main road and she realized they were already on the other side of town.

“I never knew that back road existed,” she said.

He slowed the car and turned down the side road that led to Preston’s office on the other end. “We took it to avoid the press on our way to court. If I had turned two roads back, I would have come out next to the courthouse.” He pointed ahead, and Isla noticed Preston’s law office in the distance.

“Nice. Let’s hope he’s not busy.” She hated to barge into his office and wasn’t really sure what Milo expected him to do.

“Let’s just hope the cops are not already after me.” Milo turned into the parking lot of the small brick office building and found a place to park.

Isla felt weak when she went to get out of the car but took a deep breath and put one foot ahead of the next. She couldn’t lie down and cry over Tom. His friendship and kindness had been so helpful to her, and even if they never got anything from it, she would be forever grateful. She hated that she was responsible for what happened, even if Milo didn’t think she was. 

When they went inside the office, Preston’s secretary was just sitting down behind her desk with a cookie in her hand. “Milo!” she said with a big grin on her face. “Preston is in a meeting. Is he expecting you?”

The smile faded as she realized that the two of them were in panic mode.

“Hey, Debbie. Not exactly.” He tried to get his breath and began tapping his finger on the desk. “I need to talk to Preston now.”

“Are you okay?” she asked, looking at Isla. “Ms. Perry?”

“I just need to sit down,” said Isla, who made her way over to the fancy black leather sofa in the waiting area.

Debbie got to her feet. “I’ll just tell him to take a minute.”

“Thank you.” Milo walked over and looked out the window. “Who could have done that?” he mumbled to himself. “Someone must have found out about the prints and the DNA.”

“I don’t know, Milo.”

“He said it wasn’t Dobson. But let’s face it, it could be anyone. There’s no way we can trust any of them. I’d bet money that person he thought was loyal wasn’t and told everyone.”

Debbie came out from the back. “Milo, he said he’d be out in just a minute. You should really sit and have a cup of coffee or something to eat. There are cookies in the breakroom if you want them.” The worry creased her forehead, and she seemed to be trying any solution to help Milo calm down.

“I can’t eat,” he said, shaking his head. “My life might be over.” He paced the area in front of the window, and Isla could see the worry in Debbie’s eyes increase.

“Our friend is dead,” Isla explained.

“Oh no,” said Debbie. “I’m so sorry.”

“Someone shot him,” said Milo. “And I didn’t know where else to go. They’ll blame me. You know they will.”

Debbie put her hand to her heart and looked helpless, as if she didn’t know how to help. “Well, Preston will be out soon. Just give him a minute.”

Thankfully, Preston came out with his clients before Milo wore a hole in the carpet with his pacing.

“Thank you again for coming down,” he told them, looking nervously at Milo across the room. “I’m sure we’ll have this matter cleared up in no time. But I’ll be in touch.” He gave the clients a reassuring look when they looked over to see Milo raking his hand through his hair like a maniac.

The man and woman hurried to leave, and Preston walked over after glancing at his watch. “What’s going on out here?” He didn’t seem too happy to see them. “You couldn’t have called?”

“We’re not sure what to do,” said Isla.

“I could be in big trouble again for something I didn’t do. I just panicked and came here.”

“Wait, slow down,” said Preston. “Let’s take this to my office.”

Debbie looked relieved to hear that, and Isla followed Milo and Preston.

“Have a seat,” said Preston, closing his door. “Now, tell me everything from the start. Just catch your breath, slow down, and tell me.”

“I got a call from Tom, and he was telling me that he wanted to meet. He had some information and seemed to be in a good mood, but that was short-lived. Someone came up behind him. I could hear the engines revving, and then they tried to run him off the road. We thought he had wrecked, and the call ended. So we went to look for him.”

“Big mistake,” said Milo. “When we found him, he was shot and bleeding out. He said it wasn’t Dobson, but when he was about to say who, sirens started sounding, and he looked at Isla and told us to run.”

“He said to run?” asked Preston. “That’s odd. Why would he do that if help was on the way? I mean, wouldn’t he think sirens are a good thing?”

“I think it was a cop who shot him. Whoever is dirty, whether it’s Dobson or not, is probably a cop. So, when he heard sirens, I think he thought that whoever ran him down might be coming back with the rest of the crew. Plus, I know I’d be their number one suspect.”

“Did anyone see you at the scene?” asked Preston.

Milo shook his head, but it was Isla who spoke up.

“There were other houses around, but we’re not sure. I didn’t see anyone else. No one came out. We were the only ones there at the time.” Isla wasn’t sure if there was someone at the neighbor’s house or not.

“He was shot?” asked Preston. “Could you tell where?”

“I couldn’t tell. But he was bad off. I think they came up to the car and did it. He had said that it wasn’t Dobson like we thought but that we were on the right track.”

“So, I think that means it’s a cop,” said Isla.

“Do you think it was someone he trusted? It sounds like they had to get close to him.”

“Yeah,” said Milo. “I don’t know. All I did know was that we had to get away. We couldn’t be there. They would have shot me on the spot. A dead cop? You know how that would have gone down.”

“I told him we should have just stayed and told them what happened. Tom called me, and all of this unfolded.”

“They could use the call against you, Isla. You did the right thing. I just hope no one else saw you going to and leaving the scene.”

“I can’t be sure,” said Milo. “But I know if I was there and a cop pulled up, they would have shot me on the spot.”

“No, I agree. You did the right thing.” Preston put his hand in his pocket and rattled his keys.

“I don’t want to go home,” he said. “I think if we go back, they’ll know where to come and get me. And I don’t want to be a sitting duck.” Milo was convinced that they were going to blame him.

“I told him if we flee, it will look bad.” Isla just wanted things to be more reasonable, but so far, law enforcement had never been reasonable when it came to Milo.

“She’s right,” said Preston. “It will look bad. My best advice is to go home. Carry on like normal, and if something happens and someone shows up, call me immediately. Otherwise, it will look like you’re running. And that’s worse.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” said Milo. “You haven’t ever been locked up in prison for something you didn’t do.”

“Tom did tell us that he got the hat to the lab. So there’s that. I just don’t know how we’re going to get it. Do you know anyone in that department?”

“I don’t know anyone personally. The pal I had there retired two years ago.”

“Well,” said Milo. “I don’t think it matters now. It’s probably why Tom was killed. He trusted that person, and now he’s dead.”

“He didn’t give you any indication of who his friend was?” asked Preston.

“I know it’s a woman. I’m not sure how many women work there, but that could help narrow it down if they want to find her.”

“No way,” said Milo. “I don’t want to meet them. Look what happened to Tom. They did that. I’d bet money.”

“Just go home. I’ll see what I can find out about all of this, and I’ll be in touch.”

“I still think I should leave town.”

“You’re not leaving town. Just go home and settle in. If someone comes around, just don’t say anything and give me a call. You didn’t do anything wrong. Don’t give them a reason to be suspicious.”

“He’s right, Milo. Let’s go home. We have to find answers. And we can’t do that if we’re not here.”

“I can’t do it from prison either.”

Isla tried to keep calm as Preston saw them out. “I’ll drive,” she told him, taking the keys. She wasn’t sure what he would do if the cops tried to pull them over.