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.