Dead of Winter_Aspen Falls Novel

by Melissa Pearl

“What?”

  “Candy is a street name for ecstasy. What color were the pills?” Blaine’s expression flashed with intensity.

  She made a face. “Blue.”

  “Did they have a star stamped into them?”

  “Um…maybe?” She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to think, and managed to conjure up an image of a bag of blue pills shaking in her hands. “Yeah, I think they did,” she muttered.

  Blaine clenched his jaw, then huffed. “Why didn’t you come forward with this? You saw the article in the paper. You could’ve told me the night I picked you up!”

  “I’m sorry! I was scared. I…” She let out a soft gasp. “The girl in the snow. You think there’s a connection to that girl.”

  He gave a short nod but didn’t say more.

  She stared at him, hoping he’d open up, but all he said was “I can’t disclose the details of an active investigation. But you are welcome to tell me any and everything.”

  His hard expression made her eyes sting. He had every right to be angry with her. He should be cuffing her and hauling her to the station for questioning.

  But he wasn’t.

  He was sitting there…giving her a chance.

  She swallowed and blinked away her tears. “So the police showed up at Damien’s place, and they wanted to search the apartment. I knew right away that something was off, so I lied and before they could start the search, I ran to the bathroom. I locked myself in there, threw up and then flushed those pills down the toilet. I was scared if they found them that Damien might get arrested or I might get arrested. I didn’t know what else to do.”

  Her stomach jerked with a sob that she managed to swallow back.

  “So the police didn’t find anything else?”

  She shook her head. “They left, and then about an hour later Damien got home. He figured out pretty quickly that I’d found his stash, and he wanted to know what I’d done with it. I was too afraid to tell him. He looked kind of crazy, and I was scared he might hurt me.”

  Blaine’s expression turned to granite as he muttered under his breath. “Asshole.”

  She swallowed her shame at dating such a loser and shakily continued her story. “A little while later, this guy Chester showed up…and that’s when Damien offered me to cover the debt.”

  The moment hit her full force again. The repulsion, betrayal and fear she’d felt swamped her. She covered her face, letting out a sob as she curled into a tight ball.

  “Damien’s given me a phone and he’s going to call me with a time and place. He said I either need to show up with the drugs or the money. I’m terrified of what they’re going to do to me if I don’t deliver. I think I’d rather die than be sold for sex.”

  Another sob rose up her throat. The weak walls she’d built to protect her were crumbling to dust, and she fell apart right there on the spot.

  She didn’t see or hear Blaine move.

  She wasn’t even aware of him lifting her off the chair until she was nestled on his lap. His arms wound around her, holding her against him, protecting her.

  “I’m not going to let them hurt you.” His voice rang with fierce determination. “We’re going to end this. You’ll be safe. And I’ll be safe. And those scumbags will be behind bars.”

  Her sobs ebbed as his words sank in.

  She became acutely aware of her cheek against his shoulder, the warmth of his neck. She pressed her forehead further into the crook, feeling secure and safe.

  “Rosie, you have to give the money back.”

  She stilled. “Is it enough?” she asked, not addressing his statement.

  “How much do you need?” She told him and he sighed. “Yeah, it’s enough.”

  She clenched her jaw, shifting her head so she could spy the black box on the floor.

  “But it’s not yours,” Blaine whispered.

  “Are you going to take it with you?”

  He didn’t answer so she turned back to look at him. After a heavy sigh, he softly said, “No. I’m going to let you decide. You can either report it tomorrow, saying you found it when you were out walking, or you can bring it into the station yourself. You can tell the truth or you can lie. I’ll leave that up to you.”

  She pushed off his chest so she could gaze down at him. “You’re not going to say anything?”

  His lips twitched. “I lied to protect you today. I went against everything I believed in, everything I promised to do as a police officer.” His eyes bored into her. “I’m hoping you won’t put me in the position of having to make that decision again.” Cupping her cheek, he caressed her skin and whispered, “Rosie, tell the truth. Your testimony could help more than just you.”

  It hurt to breathe for a second. She never should’ve flushed those pills away. She should’ve helped the police. She should’ve told Blaine that night in the car. There were a million things she should’ve done differently. The week she’d just lived through had been a series of monumentally awful choices, and she knew they would haunt her for the rest of her life.

  “It’s okay.” He trailed his fingers down her jawline. “I’m not going to force your hand. You’re stronger than you think you are. I know you’ll do the right thing.”

  She wanted to lean in and kiss him, but why would he want her after the way she’d behaved? She’d stolen. She’d lied. She’d freaking punched him in the face.

  Running her knuckle down his jawline, she murmured, “I’m sorry I hit you.”

  The edge of his mouth curled into a smile. “You punch like a girl, so it wasn’t too bad.”

  He winked and she couldn’t believe it. Was he seriously teasing her? Forgiving her?

  His expression turned serious as he drank her in, his deep brown eyes telling her something she didn’t deserve to hear.

  She leaned away from him and sniffed. “You should get home to your girlfriend.”

  “We broke up.” His voice was hoarse.

  She whipped back to face him. “What? Why?”

  “It was time.” He laid the pads of his fingers on her cheek and traced a soft pattern. “It was you.”

  She punched out a shaky, surprised laugh. “Me? You can’t want me. I’m a mess.”

  He shrugged. “You won’t always be a mess.”

  “But…”

  He leaned forward, cutting her off with his lips. There was no holding back with this kiss. He dove in, his tongue claiming hers with swift determination. She gave in to his silent request and met him strength for strength. Her body wouldn’t let her do anything else.

  As his hand threaded into her reckless waves of hair, she melted against him, curling her tongue around his and forgetting all that lay outside of the kiss—the fear, the danger, the drugs, the betrayal.

  In that moment there was only Blaine—his tongue, his strength, his body.

  If he hadn’t pulled back, she never would’ve been able to end the kiss. It would’ve turned into more—clothes ripped from bodies, passionate sex on the threadbare couch.

  But he did pull away.

  His intoxicating heat was replaced with the cold blast of reality.

  She gazed down at him, realizing how unworthy she was, knowing everything she needed to do to even be worthy.

  But could she honestly do it?

  Her scrambled head ached with scenarios—all of them harrowing. Walking into a police station wasn’t any less scary than facing off with Damien. She could be arrested, tried, convicted.

  “It’s going to be okay.” With a soft smile, Blaine shuffled to the edge of the armchair and then stood, lifting her with him.

  Placing her gently on her feet, he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled. “Do the right thing, sweet Rose. Please, for both of us. But mostly for you.”

  She couldn’t find her voice. Her throat was too swollen.

  “I’m on duty tomorrow. I’ll look out for you at the station.” His whisper was deep with hope, and it hurt to watch him walk away.

  More than anything, she wanted
to ask him to stay, to hold her through the night and to make her believe that if he just stayed close enough, nothing bad would happen to her.

  But he couldn’t do that.

  Because it was time for her to find her courage…and she had to do that on her own.

  She followed him to the door and locked it the way he told her to. He also promised to make sure patrols were passing the street throughout the night. All she could do was nod and murmur a barely audible “thanks.”

  Pressing her ear against the wood, she listened to him descend the stairs, feeling a piece of her heart go with him.

  30

  Sunday, February 25th

  7:10am

  Rosie stared at the black box on the floor.

  She hadn’t opened it.

  Not only had she discovered that she actually didn’t have the tools to do so, but she didn’t have the emotional strength, either.

  Instead, she’d sat on the couch, staring at it until her eyes drifted closed. She’d woken up with an aching neck and sore back. The morning chill had seeped right into her.

  Ignoring the call for coffee, she’d stumbled to the shower and soaked herself until the water ran cold. She yelped and jumped out, securing a towel around her body and quickly drying off before the purpose of the shower was completely lost.

  She towel-dried her hair as best she could and combed it out. Shoving on a beanie, she jumped over the box on her way to the door.

  Deciding what to do seemed impossible.

  Yet it wasn’t.

  She knew exactly what to do. All she was lacking was the courage.

  Stomping her boots on the back step, she walked into the warmth of Lulu’s kitchen and breathed a sigh of relief. The coffee aroma woke her senses, pulling her out front where she found Louanne and Mandy sharing breakfast.

  Mandy’s eyes were puffy as Louanne held her hand and listened in earnest.

  “I just can’t believe it. Who would rob an old man? He’s traumatized. Most of his life savings are gone.” Mandy’s voice rose. “And then my sister goes and makes it a million times worse by going on about how great the bank is. I mean, the poor man is sitting there already feeling bad enough. The girl who robbed the place left a huge mess, and Grandpa didn’t even know where to start. Someone was in his room! He never wants to sleep in it again!”

  Guilt took hold of Rosie’s stomach, squeezing and twisting until it doubled her over. She clutched the counter, unaware that Louanne had glanced over her shoulder and spotted her.

  “Rosie?” Louanne stood from her chair. “Are you okay, honey?”

  “Yeah,” she mumbled. “I just…” Pointing over her shoulder, she started walking back toward the kitchen. “I think I just need the bathroom.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Louanne gave her a tight smile.

  Rosie fled and raced back up to her apartment. Would Mandy figure it out? How long would it take for her to remember their brief conversation in the coffee shop? She wasn’t stupid. She’d put two and two together.

  Jerking to a stop above the black box, Rosie ran through her choices.

  She could return the box to Mandy right now. Hand it over and spill the truth.

  Ugh. Terrifying.

  Or she could say she found it.

  Sketchy.

  Or she could walk it to the police station. She could find Blaine and do the right thing.

  It was the only option.

  Rosie was sick of running away, of always making the wrong choices. It was time to make some good ones. It was time to stop being the scum at the bottom of the pond.

  That black box on the floor stood for everything she’d become… and everything she didn’t want to be.

  Returning it to Mandy would not end anything.

  “Rise up, Rosie,” she whispered. “Be brave.”

  Gritting her teeth, she pulled out her phone and told what she hoped would be her last lie of the day.

  Louanne answered. “Hey, Rosie Sweet. What’s up?”

  “Yeah, hi. I’m really sorry, but I’m not sure I can work today. I need to stay near a toilet, if you know what I mean. And I don’t want to be spreading germs around the coffee shop.”

  “Oh, you poor thing. Can I bring you something?”

  “No! Please don’t. I hate being near people when I’m sick like this. I don’t want to pass on any germs. I’m going to be just fine. You focus on your place.”

  “Alright, well, I’ll give Tania a call and see if she’s free.”

  “I’m sorry to let you down.”

  “Oh, don’t you be silly. You take care of yourself, and just call me if you need anything.”

  “Thanks. I will.” Rosie ended the call and, before she lost her nerve, shoved the box in her bag and snuck downstairs.

  She walked to the end of the street, ordering an Uber as she went.

  The same guy who picked her up the day before arrived with a smile.

  He grinned. “Hey, I remember you.”

  She gave him a tight smile.

  “So you want to go to the police station, huh? That’s intriguing.”

  “Can we not…talk? I’m sorry, I’m just…”

  “No, that’s cool.” He winked. “Silent and mysterious. I get it.”

  She let out a quivering laugh and zipped her lips, clutching the bag to her chest as they drove.

  Aspen Falls became a blur out the window, her insides a chaotic mess as she thought about what she was doing. Tight knots seized her stomach, expanded in her chest until she thought she couldn’t breathe.

  “Blaine,” she whispered under her breath.

  He’d be proud of her for doing the right thing, but would that be enough? Was their heated kiss the night before just a moment of emotion? He’d admitted to loving her in high school, but was he just living in a dream world? What if the reality of life kicked in after this was all over and he started to see her for who she really was—a flighty, chaotic mess?

  Tipping her head back against the seat, she resisted the urge to cry. For the first time in her life, she liked someone who was out of her league. It was a different kind of vulnerable to anything she’d experienced before.

  Her nose tingled as she thought about Blaine’s kind eyes and understanding smile. All she could hope was that she’d see them when she turned up at the station.

  Because she was doing the right thing.

  She clung to that thought as the Uber slowed to a stop.

  “Here you go. AFPD.” The driver smiled at her.

  She stared out the window, her heart lodged securely in her throat.

  Pulling in a breath, she swallowed and whispered, “You’re doing the right thing.”

  It was enough to override the terror searing through her and help her out of the car.

  31

  Sunday, February 25th

  7:35am

  “She’s sick again? Oh, man.” Blaine winced as he talked to his partner.

  “I’m taking her to the hospital. She needs to go on an IV drip to replace all the fluids she’s puking out. I don’t want her to be there alone. Her mom’s staying to look after Andy.”

  “Hey, I’m really sorry she’s not doing great.”

  “I just feel bad that I’m bailing on another shift. Has Kellan found a replacement for me?”

  “No, I told him not to. I’ll be fine, and thankfully Matt’s off duty today so I won’t get lumped with him.”

  Ollie laughed. “Hope it’s a quiet, boring shift.”

  Blaine grinned and nearly told Ollie that he hoped it wasn’t. He hadn’t been able to stop glancing out the front since arriving at the station. All he could hope was that Rosie would show up before he was forced to go and see her again. He didn’t want to pressure her, but they couldn’t just drop this. Nate had to know about her ex-boyfriend and the possible link.

  “Okay, gotta go.”

  “Keep me posted on Cherry. I hope she feels better after the IV.”

  “Will do.” Ollie said goodbye and
hung up.

  Blaine grimaced and ran a hand through his hair. He felt so bad for Ollie and his wife, but a small part of him was kind of glad that Ollie wouldn’t be around. If Rosie popped in and Ollie was there, he’d have to fess up about lying for her the day before.

  It was better this way.

  Less dramatic…and less guilt-inducing.

  “Officer Hartford,” Michelle called from the front desk. “There’s someone here to see you.”

  His heart jerked into his throat and stuck there as he whipped around the desk and clipped out to the front.

  A relieved breath punched out of him the second he saw Rosie, chewing her lip and hugging a backpack to her chest. Her eyes rounded with hope when she spotted him, a tendon in her neck straining as she sucked in a breath.

  Oh yeah, she was nervous.

  Blaine forced a smile. “You made it.”

  Her head bobbed erratically.

  “Come on around.” He indicated with a flick of his hand.

  After a nod from Blaine, Michelle buzzed her in to the main hub of the station.

  He held the door for Rosie, then placed his hand on her lower back and past the row of desks. He thought about leading her to the interview room, but he didn’t want her to feel like a criminal. She was on edge enough as it was, and even though she was a criminal, making her feel that way might freeze her tongue.

  “Uh, let’s go in here.” He steered her left into the break room and pulled out a chair at the round table.

  She glanced around before tentatively taking a seat.

  “Do you want a coffee?”

  The question surprised her, but she nodded. “Thanks.”

  He poured her a cup, mixing in sugar and milk, just like he had the night before. He walked it to her and set it down on the table before taking a seat across from her.

  She ignored the coffee. With trembling fingers, she unzipped her bag and pulled out the box. It scraped on the table as she pushed it to the center. The noise made her wince and her eyes glassed over.

  “Here you go.”

  He stared at it for a long moment. “You didn’t open it.”

  She shrugged. “It’s not mine to open.”