Deadly Betrayal

by L A Dobbs

The place reeked of urine and vomit and poor life choices, and Dino wanted to get her as far away from there as humanly possible. Over the years, Stacy had become like the little sister he’d never had, and he’d do whatever he had to do to get her healthy again. Even if that meant confronting Jan about her decisions regarding her cousin. He slid his arm around Stacy’s thin waist and hoisted her up at his side. “C’mon. Let’s get you back to the clinic.”

  “But I don’t want to go back to the clinic.” Stacy pouted. “They’re no fun there.”

  “Rehab isn’t about fun, baby. It’s about getting you better.” He supported her weight on his hip and started back toward Fremont Street and the SUV. “And I’ll be having a talk with Jan about why she checked you out of there in the first place.”

  “Jan.” Stacy scoffed. “She doesn’t care about me. Hasn’t even been to see me in that place.”

  Dino weaved through the nosy tourists eyeing them and headed to the end of the block. Stacy was so blitzed right now, Santa himself could’ve checked her out of the clinic and she wouldn’t have recognized him. “Oh, she was there all right. That’s how they let you leave.”

  “No it’s not, silly.” Stacy smacked him on the arm and hiccupped again. “That wasn’t Jan.”

  Dino’s breath hitched. He dragged Stacy across the street then loaded her into the passenger seat of the Tahoe and buckled her in then climbed behind the wheel once more. Drunken, drugged confessions were hardly reliable, but Stacy had sounded so sure. “If it wasn’t Jan, who was it?”

  “Pffttt.” Stacy’s head lolled back onto the seat, her eyes closed. “I’m tired. I’m gonna take a nap now.”

  “Stacy, baby.” He reached over and shook her, earning him a peeved glare. “Who was it? At the clinic? Who checked you out?”

  “It was Erin, silly. She said she missed me and that I needed to make it up to her because I missed our dinner last night. Said I could buy her breakfast this morning instead. But when we got to the casino, I lost her. I couldn’t find her…” Her smile deflated into a forlorn frown. “She left me, Dino. She left me in there, and I couldn’t find her, and I couldn’t find you or Jan or anyone else I knew. And the nice waitresses kept bringing the drinks that I like, and pretty soon I didn’t care about finding her anymore.”

  Erin? Why the hell would Erin check Stacy out of rehab? She’d seemed so concerned about her when she’d shown up at the studio earlier. Hell, she’d tripped over her own feet and screwed up her shoes she’d been so worried. Except…

  All the pieces fell into place in his head with frightening clarity.

  It was Erin, stalking Jan.

  Not Lou, not some other crazy psychopath. It was Erin. Had to be. As he ran through recent events in his mind, he realized she’d been there all the time, lurking in the shadows, just waiting to strike—at Binion’s the week prior when he’d come to help Stacy, at the fundraiser the night he and Jan made out behind the building, at the studio the day Lou had gotten arrested.

  Fuck.

  He jammed the key into the ignition and gunned the engine, peeling out of the parking lot at breakneck speed.

  Beside him, Stacy scooted up a little straighter in her seat, her eyes wide. “What’s going on, Dino? Why are we going so fast?”

  “I have to get to Jan’s house. She could be in trouble.” He turned out onto Las Vegas Boulevard and headed toward Summerlin. “Did Erin say anything else to you when you saw her this morning?”

  “No. I did ask her why she had that funny wig on, though.”

  “Funny wig?”

  “Yeah, she kind of looked like Jan, and I was teasing her about it. But she didn’t think it was funny. She said something about teaching that bitch a lesson.” Stacy gasped and clutched at Dino’s arm. “Oh my God. You don’t think she’s going to hurt Jan, do you?” Tears welled in her eyes, and her inebriated emotions took over again as she dissolved into incoherent sobs. “It’s my fault. It’s all my fault. I should’ve stayed at the clinic and done what Jan wanted, and now she’s going to get hurt, and it’ll all be my fault.”

  “Calm down, Stacy.” Dino did his best to soothe her with one hand while steering with the other. “Listen, I need you to stay calm for me until we make sure Jan is all right, then I’ll take you back to the clinic, and you can get clean and sober and have a fresh start again, okay?”

  “Okay.” She sniffled. “You won’t let Jan get hurt, will you, Dino? Promise me you won’t let her get hurt.”

  “I promise I will do everything in my power to prevent that.” He jammed the accelerator down and passed a few slow-moving cars ahead. “Everything in my power.”

  As they zoomed out of Las Vegas proper and into the desert beyond, he did his best to focus on what needed to happen once he got to Jan’s house and not the adrenaline pumping through his system. He couldn’t afford to let his emotions get the better of him, not with Jan’s life possibly at stake. He needed to stay cool-headed, calm, collected.

  What he felt was rage—white-hot, irrational rage.

  If Erin so much as harmed a hair on Jan’s head, he’d…

  No. Those thoughts wouldn’t help any of them.

  They passed the sign for Summerlin, and he dialed Blake’s direct number.

  “Hey, buddy. I wondered when you were going to—” Blake started before Dino cut him off.

  “I’m headed to Jan’s house in Queensridge. The stalker is there. Send backup.”

  “Wait a minute.” Blake’s voice shifted from friendly to ice-cold serious. “The stalker’s in jail.”

  “No.” Dino paused at the gatehouse for the guard to wave him through, but there was no one present. Shit. His already sky-high tension levels ratcheted to stratospheric levels. It seemed every security measure in place to protect Jan was either gone or not working today. He sped up and headed for Jan’s house. “It wasn’t the manager. It’s Erin McCabe.”

  “Why does that name sound familiar?”

  “She went to high school with us. The busty head cheerleader, remember?” He turned into Jan’s driveway, and his hopes nosedived as he spotted the unfamiliar sedan parked in front of her door.

  “Her? Really?” Blake sounded surprised. “Wouldn’t have expected that.”

  “Yeah, well, like I told Jan, it’s always the ones we least expect.” He reached over and flipped open the glove compartment to pull out his Glock and a full clip of bullets. Stacy scrambled back in her seat and stared wide eyed at the weapon. “I’ve got to get in there. Send backup, okay?”

  “Be careful. Backup’s on the way.”

  Dino ended the call then jammed the magazine into the butt of the Glock then slid it into the holster at his side. He opened his door and turned to Stacy. “Do not leave this car. Undo your seat belt and get on the floor and stay down there until I come back for you, okay?”

  Stacy did as he asked, then peered at him over the center console as she cowered on the floor. “Hey, Dino—”

  “Yeah?” He halted with the door half-closed.

  “Thanks for saving us.”

  “Don’t thank me,” he said, giving her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “I haven’t saved anybody yet.”

  25

  Jan stayed inside her steamy shower for what felt like forever, hoping the hot water would drain away not only the aches from her body but also her heart. Hoping she could scrub away all the pain, all the worries, all the regrets these past few weeks had caused. Didn’t work. Once her fingers started to prune and the water turned tepid, it was time to get out. Time to face the world again.

  Alone.

  As always.

  Honestly, she should be used to it by now. Everyone she loved left her eventually. First her dad, then Dino. Then Lou. Then Dino. Again.

  She slid the heavy glass door open and fumbled a hand outside for the towel she’d left hanging on the wall. After drying off, she stepped out and pulled on her robe then faced the fogged mirror in the spacious bathroom. The fact that the bathroom in this
house was bigger than the first tiny studio apartment she’d rented during her early days in Nashville was one of the reasons she’d bought the place. One of the few simple luxuries she enjoyed every day.

  With a sigh, she used her damp towel to wipe off a spot on the mirror then leaned closer to inspect her face. Dark circles of fatigue under her eyes, fine lines in the corners—man, she’d never considered thirty-four old before, but after the day she’d had, Jan felt ancient.

  She towel-dried her hair, cleaned her face, then brushed her teeth. Maybe later, she’d order a pizza and drown her sorrows in beer and carbs. Lou had always insisted she eat healthy, stay in shape, avoid anything that might slow her down or risk her voice or her future.

  Too bad Lou hadn’t taken his own advice.

  Shaking her head, she turned sideways and assessed her body in the mirror. Still the same old issues, still the same old Jan. A slight movement near the back of the space where a door opened into the walk in closet caught her attention.

  She swiveled fast. “Hello?”

  Nothing.

  Unease sprouted roots in her gut. Clothes didn’t move by themselves. There was definitely someone in there. Maybe one of the cleaning people or… “Hello?”

  A flash of bright-red hair eased out from between two of her evening gowns as the culprit emerged.

  “Hi, Jan.” Erin said, stepping forward from her hiding spot near the back of the attached walk-in closet. “Long time no see.”

  For a second, the whole situation seemed surreal. How had Erin gotten in here? She’d reset the security codes when she’d gotten back from… Dread dropped like a ten-pound bowling ball in her stomach. No. She hadn’t. Her guard had been down with Lou in jail, and she’d been so preoccupied she’d bypassed everything and headed straight upstairs for the shower.

  Shit.

  Keep calm, keep calm, keep calm.

  Jan forced herself to breathe. Erin’s hands were empty, no signs of weapons, and she was smiling as she approached from across the room. Maybe she was here just to talk or hang out. Except for the breaking-and-entering thing. And that crazed gleam in her eye.

  Chest constricted, Jan forced her most polite smile. “How did you get in here?”

  “Stacy gave me the codes.” Erin moved closer, and Jan noticed a slight bulge beneath the side of her black leather coat. Maybe not unarmed after all. “Sweet kid. A little misguided, but still. Shame she left rehab too soon.”

  “What?” Jan frowned. “I checked her in myself yesterday.”

  “I know.” Erin crossed her arms and gave Jan a once-over. “All it took was a brown wig, a fake id, and a sappy story to get her out. You might want to check into a facility with better security. All the staff seemed a bit starstruck having the great Jan Winters in their presence.”

  Jan’s stomach clenched tighter. Stacy was out there somewhere, alone, possibly hurt or worse, and all because of this woman before her. “Where’s Stacy now?”

  “Don’t worry. I left her someplace she’s sure to be happy. The craps tables at Binion’s.”

  “She’s an addict.” Jan gripped the edge of the vanity counter tightly to keep her fear from spilling over into her tone. “That place is like crack to her.”

  “Hmm.” Erin looked around the room, her small smile turning frigid. “Guess we all have our crosses to bear, don’t we? Except you.”

  “Why not me?”

  “Everything’s always worked out for you, hasn’t it?” Erin walked over and sat on a small chair in the corner, lounging back like they had all the time in the world, like she hadn’t just broken into Jan’s house, like she wasn’t completely batshit nuts. “I mean, look at you. Beauty, brains, talent. Even way back in high school, I knew you were destined for great things. I used to hear you play and wish I could be that good at something.”

  Erin had heard her play in high school? Jan thought back, vaguely remembering the redhead lurking on the fringes, watching her. Back then it had seemed like she was mocking her. The popular girl making fun of the geeky musician. Could it be that the whole time Erin had been jealous of her?

  Jan crossed her arms and glanced to the side. There were maybe six feet between her and the exit. If she sprinted for it, she might make it. Then she looked back at Erin.

  Erin cocked her head to the side, her gaze locked on Jan as she unzipped her coat and pulled out a butcher knife, the one from Jan’s kitchen downstairs. The one she always kept razor sharp. The one she was hoping to sprint downstairs and grab to defend herself with. Erin placed the blade across her lap then grinned. “I wouldn’t leave yet, if I were you. We’re just getting started.”

  “Started?” The word croaked out past her constricted vocal cords.

  “Yeah. Aren’t you interested in why I’m here?”

  Trembling, Jan leaned her hips against the vanity and pulled her robe tighter around her. More than anything in the world, she wished Dino were there right now. Dino would know exactly how to handle this situation. Dino would protect her.

  An image of Dino and Erin in the hallway at the studio flashed through her mind. Too late, realization dawned on her ... Dino had been telling the truth. What she’d seen back at the studio had been nothing. Erin had set it up to make it look like Dino was flirting with her. To drive a wedge between them. So she could get Jan alone.

  And now there was no hope that Dino would come and save her. Because she’d sent him away. If she wanted out of this mess, she’d have to rescue herself. She shrugged. “Okay. Tell me.”

  “Because bitches like you step on whoever they want to get to the top.”

  Erin said the word bitches with such vehemence that Jan’s skin crawled.

  “I don’t understand. We just met again for the first time in fifteen years at the gala party. Why would you do this? And how did you get my phone number, and into my dressing room?”

  Erin snorted. “You’d be surprised what those security guards over at Treble will do for a blow job. Turns out it’s easy to get access to just about anywhere if you offer the right incentive to the right people.”

  “I still don’t get it. Why me? I’m sorry if someone mistreated you, but I had nothing to do with it.”

  “Right.” Erin scoffed. “Now I remember why academics were never your forte. Good thing you got that smart manager of yours to handle the difficult stuff for you. Too bad he couldn’t be bribed like the security guards.”

  “Bribed?”

  “I offered to exchange certain favors with him, but he didn’t bite. Said he was a family man. Loved his wife. Something about some kid with cancer.” Erin waved the knife. “All a pack of lies. But it worked out good for me in the end, seeing as he’s in jail and I’m sitting here free as a bird.”

  Lou. Jan’s heart rate tripled. Lou had a family that he was loyal to—and apparently a sick child—and she’d had him arrested and incarcerated while her real stalker was free to do more damage.

  She should have gone with her instincts about Lou. She remembered the pictures she’d found on her counter. Lou had been in them, which made her think he couldn’t be the stalker. But she’d rationalized that away and not said anything. She should have told Dino about those pictures. He might have been able to find a clue in them, or the envelope, that would have alerted them to the real stalker. Erin. But she’d screwed that up, too. “Lou’s a good man.”

  “Lou’s a pig.” Erin practically spat the words out. “And a liar.”

  “Well, he’s no saint, but I think—”

  “Honestly, I really don’t give a shit what you think.” Erin stood, the knife clutched in her hand. “You’re no better than he is, thief.”

  “Thief? I’ve never stolen anything in my life.”

  “Really? What about your new song?”

  “What about it?” For each step Erin took toward her, Jan inched away, until her back hit the wall beside the door. “Lou wrote that for me, for the new album.”

  “Oh, yeah? Lou wrote it, huh?” Erin’s pretty f
ace scrunched into an unattractive scowl. “Since when has the great Lou Tanner ever written a fucking thing in his life, huh?”

  Jan blinked at Erin, now looming above her as the accusation sank in. Erin was right. Lou had never been a songwriter before, and the new song was good. Too good to have been written by a rookie. And the lyrics were far too perceptive, far too feminine to have been written by a guy. The pieces started to click. She was surprised she hadn’t questioned it before—the copyright infringement notices, the altered lyrics, the way Lou kept everything hidden away from her so she wouldn’t discover the truth. “You wrote Lie With Me, didn’t you?”

  “Damn straight, I did.” Fury burned bright in Erin’s deep-green eyes. “I approached Lou with that song, thinking I finally had a shot to make it out of this shithole life and hit the big time. I knew the song was good, but he turned me down even when I offered to do anything he wanted. I’ve been writing for years, you know. Ever since high school. Not that you’d notice. You were too wrapped up in your own life, your own success. Dino.” Erin laughed, the sound devoid of joy. “God. All the things you had, and you even got him too. Everything. Fucking everything.”

  “So there really wasn’t anything going on…”

  “Oh, I tried. Believe me.” Erin sighed. “Even back in high school. All those other boys were only interested in getting in my pants, but Dino was always a gentleman. He treated all of us cheerleaders with respect. I’d never had anybody else treat me that way. People think if you have big boobs, you’ve got no brains. I wanted him from the moment I saw him, but no. He only had eyes for you. I thought maybe if I spread those rumors though…”

  “It was you.” Realization smacked her upside the head. All these years, it had been Erin, never Dino, who’d betrayed her. And now again, it was Erin still trying to ruin her life. Or end it. “But why?”

  “Like I said, I wanted him for myself.” She shrugged. “Or more like I didn’t want you to have him. That’s more accurate, I guess.”

  Jan exhaled. “I never knew you hated me that much. I was a nobody. No one even knew who I was back then. You were the most popular girl in school. If anyone should’ve been jealous, it was me.”