Jay laughed and pulled me into him. “Relax. They are both fine. Aaron even found out who spiked you. I’m so sorry darling, he thought he was being funny. I don’t do that, I would never do that, I didn’t ask him to do it ether,” he looked down at me, “You know that don’t you?”
My head was still reeling from the information he had shared about Colton. Jay was looking at me as I chewed on my bottom lip. So much for the lip balm I thought abstractedly.
“Arielle?” Jay prompted.
“Hmmm yeah, I know,” I murmured. He looked so relieved. Just then the SUV to kill all other SUVs rolled up the drive. The one that had been modernised to look like a small village destroyer. Colton was wearing shades but there was no doubt in my mind that I was being eyeballed.
My face flushed in remembrance at the way he’d held me yesterday. I shot a guilty look at Jay, who’d tensed when he’d seen it was Colton.
I slipped my hand into his without thinking. He gave me a grateful squeeze. Colton jumped out of the SUV and approached us.
He slid his sunglasses off and I caught the quick assessment as he noted our joined hands.
There wasn’t a mark on him, he looked cool as a cucumber. He stopped just in front of us. His assessment of Jay was definitely frosty.
“Are you ok?” I asked taking a step forward. His smile was humourless. “Jay told me,” I added on, probably unnecessarily.
“I’m fine. It’s all sorted.” Another dead smile. Jesus. He went to move past us, but I put my hand on his arm. He stilled and looked at me.
“Cole…”
The eyebrow raised, his eyes flicked to my other hand which was still in Jay’s I realised. I flushed.
“I said it’s fine. Aaron and I had a long talk with Jay’s friend,” I winced. I didn’t want to know what that really meant. “Jay,” he nodded to Jay again and went into the house.
I took a deep breath.
Jay was shaking his head smiling. “What’s so amusing?” I asked.
“He’s a freaking machine. Even Aaron isn’t that detached. If I hadn’t been there today, I genuinely wouldn’t have believed he had lost his cool. Guy’s ice.”
No. He wasn’t. He burned with an intensity that made me melt. However, I said nothing, there was no point. Plus discussing how he wasn’t ice wasn’t going to be easy given the circumstances.
Jay tugged me back into his arms. With a bunch of flowers, that was an achievement.
“Take these,” he nodded towards the roses. “Go inside, deal with your boy. I’ll see you later. I’m sorry it happened to you, it will never happen again.” He peppered my face with light kisses as he spoke. I started giggling and he silenced me with a deep kiss.
He winked and walked down the drive.
I put my fingers to my lips and started shaking my head, I turned back into the house. Well this was a fine mess wasn’t it?
I walked cautiously down the hall to the kitchen. Corey was in the kitchen with Connor and Colton. She squealed when she saw the flowers.
“Oh! I think I need me some country boy,” she declared. Connor frowned, Colton snorted.
“What?” Connor asked.
“These are from Jay.” Corey explained as she fetched a vase and a pair of scissors. She deftly started cutting stems as she caught Connor up on my, what, love life?
“Jay’s so sweet on Elle, he’s so adorable.” She beamed at me. Connor raised an eyebrow.
“Really? These are from Jay?”
I nodded. I glanced quickly at Colton who was resting against the island as he drank a bottle of water.
“Did you know this was happening?” Connor asked Colton. Colton nodded again.
“Huh. Well like I said before, he’s ok. Brother, not so much. Stay away from Aaron,” Connor warned. Yes, I could see the guilt in him now. Asshat. I fumed.
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m dealing with,” I said pointedly.
Colton moved away from the kitchen worktop abruptly, bringing my attention to him. I rolled my eyes and accepted the vase of beautifully arranged flowers from Corey.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “Well, I’ll take these upstairs.” I saw Colton smirk out of the corner of my eye. “Cole could you help me?” I asked sweetly, “I’m still weak from the food poisoning.”
His eyes narrowed to slits.
He placed his bottle down and snatched the vase from me. He left the room and I had no choice to follow, despite my sudden misgivings at provoking the beast.
I followed him upstairs with a sense of trepidation. My bedroom door was flung open and I stopped just inside the room, unsure. Colton placed the flowers unceremoniously on the dresser. He turned to me and I took a step back.
Oh shit, this wasn’t your best move Elle.
He prowled towards me and when he was right in front of me, he leaned past me and closed the door.
“Colton…” I began. His finger came up and rested against my lips to silence me. I froze.
“Shut up.” My eyes widened. Cole never spoke to me that way. “You will not talk to me about today. I don’t want to hear about how sweet your boyfriend is. Your boyfriend whose friend drugged you, so he could get laid. Yes, that’s what the fucking bastard did it for. Jay’s not getting laid, so he thought he would ‘loosen you up.’”
My heart stuttered in horror.
The finger pressed firmer against my lips. “I will not listen to any fucking excuse that Jay didn’t know. I am not a fool. I know exactly how these sick fucks operate.” My eyes were as wide as they could go. My pulse was racing, I had never seen Colton so close to losing control.
“If you want to stay with that gutless shit, do so. We told you about the situation. Matt and Theo think Jay is ignorant of it all,” Colton leaned in further dangerously close and furious. “I am not an idiot. Your boyfriend knows more than he lets on.” The finger was removed. He straightened up and looked at me, he shook his head in disgust. “I’m done with this.”
He turned and walked out of the room leaving me speechless, hurt and so very confused.
Colton’s reaction had left me so unnerved, I didn’t venture back down the stairs that night. I was hungry, but I didn’t want to see anyone. In a few short sentences Colton had forced me to really look at things.
Jay claimed he never knew, but Colton said that the guy was trying to ‘loosen me up’. The phrase made me sick. He wouldn’t know I hadn’t slept with Jay unless Jay had told him. Was Jay discussing our relationship with his friends? I still wasn’t sure there had been a relationship, so what was he actually discussing?
I wasn’t sure I was comfortable with this. Colton implied this guy who drugged me, was a good enough friend that he chose to slip something in my drink. Jay had said he never knew it was happening, but even if the guy was not a good friend, the fact that he was in the circle of friends, was enough to make me pause.
Another detail I couldn’t ignore was Tattoo Neck. He had called Colton to say I was in trouble. Had he seen the guy spike my drink? No. I didn’t know him well, thank God – plus I didn’t like him – but he didn’t strike me as the kind of man who needed to drug women, nor the kind of man who would approve of the action.
Yes, he liked illegal fighting, he liked playing with people – but he wouldn’t appreciate the fact someone had no control. As he told me, he liked to fight fair. No, he wouldn’t have approved of this.
Which again brought me back to the bastard who had done this. Was he then an actual friend of Jay? Or just a hanger on – I mean there were lots of them, they moved in almost pack-like formation, they couldn’t all be close friends.
My head hurt. This was stressing me out. I remembered I was going to call my grandparents. I needed to do that. I texted Matt – yes, I was that much of a coward. I needed a landline and I wasn’t searching this house for one for fear of who I may meet.
Me: Is there a house phone I can use to call Scotland?
Matt: Why are you texting me?
Me: I don’
t know where you are.
Matt: I’m in the same house as you.
I rolled my eyes at that.
Me: Please. Can you just tell me?
I waited patiently watching for the three dots apprehensively and getting anxious when nothing came up.
The knock on my door made me yelp in surprise. It opened slightly and then Matt’s head appeared.
“What’s going on?” he asked as he walked into the room.
“Why can’t you just tell me where the phone is?” I demanded. My tone pulled Matt up short and his face showed his surprise.
“Right. What’s going on? Tell me now,” he crossed his huge arms and I wanted to scream. I hung my head in frustration.
“I just want a phone,” I said through clenched teeth.
A shadow moved towards me. I looked up Matt was in front of me.
“Arielle Miller. Talk to me.” Ugh.
“Colton went all scary Colton Dawson on me over Jay. Do you know he went to the garage today to confront them about Saturday? Apparently, he attacked Tattoo Neck.” Matt didn’t flinch. That meant he knew. He may not have known at the time, but he knew now.
“Jay came here to see me, to see how I was and I asked him if he knew. And he didn’t, said that Colton and his brother found out who it was and dealt with it.” I had used the dreaded air quotes as I said dealt. “Colton came home when I was outside with Jay, then when we came in, I asked him to carry the flowers up to my room. I was going to ask him if he was ok…” I took a breath as it all rushed out of me. “He came in here and he was furious and told me that Jay knows more than he lets on, Colton isn’t an idiot and he’s done with me.”
I felt like crying. I was not going to cry.
Matt stood impassive throughout it all. I took a ragged breath.
“I want to phone my grandparents. I need a landline. Please.”
He nodded and walked out of the room. He led me to his room and stood back as he opened the door. I walked past him and he closed the door behind me. Leaving me alone. I spotted the landline and went over and sat down beside it. Using my mobile to find the number, I called Scotland.
The phone rang briefly and I started to panic, suddenly realising that there was a seven-hour time difference and I was calling them in the middle of the night.
I hastily hung up. Jesus what is wrong with you Elle?
The phone rang and I jumped. I answered it. “Hello?” I was dreading having to explain to my grandparents why I had forgotten what time it was.
“Hello, who is this?” The voice was clipped and definitely American. More importantly I knew who it was.
“Oh hi Mary Ellen, it’s Elle.”
“Arielle?” The voice was much warmer. I smiled. “How are you? I thought I had called Matthew. Did I call the main house?”
Figures they would have direct dials, like a business. No general numbers for these guys.
“I’m in his room. I was going to use the phone to call my grandparents and then realised the time,” I explained.
“Ah easy mistake. Are you well, he told me you had contracted food poisoning. You must make sure you drink plenty of fluids,” I could hear the genuine concern in her voice.
“I didn’t have food poisoning Mary Ellen. My drink was spiked.” I have absolutely no idea why I told her that.
“I see,” her voice softened. “Ok Arielle, I’m sitting comfortably. Why don’t you tell me what is going on?” Her voice was gentle and to my surprise and I am sure, Mary Ellen’s dismay, I burst into tears. Over the next hour, I told her everything. I cleansed my soul and my conscience and confessed everything. I left nothing out. Nothing.
When I was done there was silence. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered horrified.
Oh my God what had I done? Colton was going to kill me. Literally kill me.
“Mary Ellen?” I asked.
“I’ll be there tomorrow. Don’t tell them I am coming please. I will see you all tomorrow,” she hung up.
Shit. I told her everything. I told her about Connor and the trust fund money and how he lost it. I told her that Colton, Matt and Theo were fighting illegally to repay the loan payments. I told Mary Ellen Landers, that her only son was fighting illegally for money. Oh my God. I told the most cultured, well mannered, sophisticated woman I knew, that her son was fighting for money.
I wiped my face and felt the steady building of panic within me. I was going to be flung so fast out of this house, when they found out what I had done. I needed to tell them. No. I couldn’t, that meant Mary Ellen would be upset with me and I just couldn’t cope with one more person being disappointed in me.
I slipped out of Matt’s room and like a thief I sneaked back into my room. There was a sandwich and a bottle of water sitting on my dresser. Even grumpy they still thought of me. It was too much, I started to cry again.
Feeling incredibly sorry for myself and full of apprehension about tomorrow, I slipped under the blanket and closed my eyes.
Very early the next morning I dragged my sorry self into a shower. I dressed listlessly and then having no other excuses, I left the room. It was barely past 6:00. I made my way to the kitchen, there was no one around. I would make a coffee and then having thought about it in the shower, I was going to tell them when they came down.
I had just brewed the pot and was pouring a cup when I heard the front door opening.
I glanced at the clock. She wouldn’t be here already. She couldn’t – could she? Sure enough, Mary Ellen walked into the kitchen dressed immaculately as always in a soft pink tweed skirt suit. Her hair was perfect as was her make-up.
She placed her purse on the island and then I was in a tight hug. I returned the hug and as she pulled back, she kissed my cheek.
“Thank you,” she said simply. I cringed inwardly.
“I shouldn’t have told you,” I said softly. She smiled gently.
“You’re the only one with sense enough to know that this is not a situation these boys can fix.”
The front door opened again and then to my ultimate horror, Jake Dawson walked into the house. That explained how she’d gotten through a locked door. Daddy dearest had a key. I looked at Mary Ellen, she squeezed my arm in silent support.
“Hi,” I said weakly.
Just then the basement door opened and Colton entered the kitchen. He was in workout clothes and was dripping with sweat. He stopped dead at the sight of the people in the kitchen. Despite the situation I couldn’t stop my eyes running over his low hanging shorts and sweat soaked t-shirt that sculpted his upper body. It was so wrong to stand here and admire him at this moment, but I couldn’t look away from him.
He looked from his dad to Mary Ellen and then he exhaled. He glanced at me once. I didn’t meet his eyes.
“I’ll go wake them up,” he said resignedly. His father clasped his shoulder as he passed them and then it was just the three of us again.
“Coffee?” I blurted. Mary Ellen murmured please as Jake nodded.
I heard distant doors opening and then a stampede of feet. I kept my back to them as they entered the kitchen. There were mumbled greetings and then an awkward silence descended.
I turned.
Matt and Theo were staring at me. A mix of confusion and disbelief obvious on their faces. I averted my eyes.
“The sitting room then?” Mary Ellen suggested.
If I hadn’t felt like I had just stabbed them all in the back, it would have been funny watching the four of them trot past her like naughty children.
“You too.” Came the terse command from Jake. I nodded. I poured two coffees and carried them through to the sitting room.
The four of them sat down. I hovered. Mary Ellen came to me and clasped my hand. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be singled out.
She turned to the four of them. Her eyes hard as they rested on Connor. “You should start to explain yourself now, explain to your father, your brother and your friends.”
Connor gulped. He looked to his brothe
r for support.
Colton shook his head. “Just tell them Con. I’m tired of it all,” he slumped back in his seat. He closed his eyes. He looked so worn out. I noticed he had managed to change into non-sweaty clothes. Who was he? Superman?
“I wasn’t thinking properly,” Connor began, bringing my attention back into the present. He leaped to his feet. He ran through the beginning of the year and my leaving. Then how he had met Corey and he became more settled. He said he was jealous of Jake taking Colton to Japan for the deal.
He wanted to show his dad he could make good investments too. Jake’s focus was laser sharp. Connor couldn’t meet his father’s gaze.
“I arranged for the bank to transfer five hundred thousand from my trust fund.”
“How?” Jake demanded.
“I forged both your and Colton’s signature,” he admitted. Colton shook his head again as Jake leaned back in his chair, assessing his son coolly.
“Continue,” Jake directed.
“I got the money transferred into my everyday account and then opened a new account for the funds,” Connor coughed. “I had checked out the new development downtown, you know the mall expansion?” He looked quickly at us all. No one reacted. He took a deep breath. “I put out some feelers with the info that I was looking to invest.”
“You decided to make investment queries on a multi-million-dollar project with $500k?” Jake asked. “To who?”
Connor nodded. “There were some guys in a fraternity. I’d heard their dads had connections. I knew I would need more, but I thought if I got in, then when you saw what a good investment it was, you would want to back it.”
Jake said nothing, he merely gestured for Connor to continue.
“I made a connection. I swear dad I thought he was legit,” he pleaded. Jake still said nothing. Connor took a deep breath in the stony silence. “We had a couple of business meetings. Then on the third meeting he told me I needed to sink all of the money to be considered an investor,” he slumped in his seat.
“He took all the money? In one go?” Colton demanded incredulously. I remembered this was the first time the guys were hearing this too.
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