His eyes narrowed and I looked away from his suspicion with a shaky laugh, clicking on my pen and scribbling out my note.
“After her last phone call, I didn’t think she’d want to, but I checked my phone this morning and she hasn’t cancelled on me yet, so I’m guessing she still thinks it’s on.”
I glanced up at his reluctant expression. “Why don’t you just call her...or text her with the truth. I’m sure she’d be a listening ear if you needed her to be.”
Shaking my head with a quick snigger, I wrote the name on the front of the note and put the pen back into my bag. “She’ll probably spend the whole time telling me off for breaking Eric’s heart and I don’t think I can sit through that again.” I zipped up my bag and looked at him.
He gave in with a small nod and chuckled.
“I don’t want to get into a texting frenzy with her, either. I just need to get away and if anyone can talk me out of it, it’s her.” I held out the note to him.
His hands remained in his pockets as he stared reluctantly at the folded piece of paper.
“Please. Give her the note. At least by the time she gets it, I’ll already be gone.”
With a sigh, he took it from my hand. “Chicken.”
I gave him a sheepish grin and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, unable to take my eyes off him as he read the name on the front.
ERIC
His eyes snapped to mine and I held his gaze, silently pleading for him not to ask.
A wave of understanding washed over his expression, followed by instant concern.
“Thanks for your help, and I hope she doesn’t shoot the messenger.” I chuckled, grateful when he forced a grin of his own.
“I’m sure I can talk her around.” He slid the note into his back pocket. “I’ll give it to her as soon as I get home.”
“Thanks.” I nodded, my eyes burning with unshed tears.
“Have a good time away.” Scott’s sincere gaze nearly crushed me. “You take care of yourself.”
“I will. Thanks for understanding.” My smile was watery and I couldn’t help myself. With a sniff, I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed tight. He hugged me back, patting my shoulder a couple of times before letting me go.
“See ya later, Scott.” I raised my hand with a short farewell wave and spun away from him before he could say anything else.
I didn’t want to turn around to see if he was still watching me. Instead, I rested my chin on my binder and scurried away.
“Okay, now that all your gush is behind us,” Kaplan spat. I cringed, hating that she was back in my ear again. “Can we please focus on the job at hand? You’re leaving in twenty minutes, so start running, blondie.”
I did what I was told, picking up my pace and hurrying back to my dorm. A small smile tugged at my lips as I raced up the stairs to my room. I closed the door behind me, checking the room was empty before leaning my head against the wood and letting my smile grow.
I’d gotten a note to Eric.
Thanks to Scott, the truth was now heading straight for my boyfriend. The security in knowing that outweighed the fear of my impending trip.
The fact that I’d managed to do it right under Kaplan’s nose was freaking epic. Insanely, I felt like doing a little happy dance. The relief was intense. Eric would read my note and finally have a chance to understand my bizarre behavior. It would explain everything...and then he would forgive me.
My job now was to make this Thanksgiving trip count. My brain switched into work mode, snapping off my emotions as I hauled my bag off the bed and checked that I hadn’t forgotten anything.
The trip better work, because when I returned, I was winning my boyfriend back. I didn’t care what it took. As soon as these girls were safe, I was washing my hands of Kaplan and making sure she could never touch me, or Eric, again.
All I had to hope was that he’d get my note before writing me off for good.
32
Eric
I packed up the car and hit the road late afternoon. My plan was to make it to Gramps’ by sunset. My day had been total shit.
Watching Caity run away from me hurt like hell, her words open bullet wounds in my chest.
I felt like such an idiot.
I drove home in a mindless stupor, which eventually bubbled into my standard rage. By the time I got back to my house, I was fuming. If Caity had been there to read me, she would have given me that sympathetic smile and told me it wasn’t my fault. People didn’t reject me because of who I was. They all walked away for different reasons.
But no matter how anyone put it, the truth remained the same.
People left me, and there was nothing I could do about it.
I’d walked to my room, fighting despair and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. It hadn’t help that draped over the chair in the corner was Caity’s sweater. The shards of ice running through my veins had become chunks of wood that sliced and tore, leaving behind painful splinters.
I’d squeezed my hands into fists and punched the wall. It fucking hurt.
I glanced at my swollen, red knuckles and grimaced.
I needed to get to Gramps. He’d be the only thing to calm me down, help me think straight. I had no idea where Piper and Scott were when I pulled out of the driveway, but I was determined to leave before they got back.
I didn’t bother with a note. Scott would probably guess where I’d taken off to anyway.
I gripped the steering wheel and kept my eyes fixed on the road, trying not to think about the last nightmare week.
The phone on the dashboard buzzed. I collected it and saw the caller ID.
Scott Ferguson.
“Not in the mood to talk, man.” I threw the phone back down and let it ring.
After three more, it went quiet and then a minute later I got a voice mail notification.
I shook my head. I was driving. I couldn’t check it and I didn’t think I had the will to check it later, either. Whatever he needed could wait.
About ten minutes later, the phone started up again.
Snatching it up, I saw Scott was trying once more.
“Forget it,” I muttered, pressing down on the top button and switching my phone off.
With an angry huff, I flung it onto my backseat, not even caring if it broke.
If Caity wanted space, I’d damn well give it to her. It was probably a good thing we were apart for the long weekend. It’d give me time to think about what I really wanted out of life, too.
That morning, I’d been convinced it was Caity.
“Now, I’m not sure!” I spat out the words and thumped the wheel...not believing one word of my lie.
33
Caitlyn
A limo picked us up from UCLA at four p.m. sharp. I handed my bags to the hesitant driver and slipped in behind Quella. As soon as he’d closed the trunk and gotten behind the wheel, he swiveled in his seat and asked Quella a question in Spanish.
“Quien es ella? Tu padre no le gusta tener invitados de sorpresa.”
Her nose lifted into the air and her mask slipped away. Nervous guilt maybe? Had she not told her father I was coming?
Oh, shit. This was so not cool.
“Bueno, el va tener que lidiar con esto. Ella es mi amiga y yo la puedo traer conmigo si yo quiero.”
What had she just said?
The driver chewed the inside of his cheek before making a clicking sound with his tongue. I tried not to squirm beneath his scrutinizing gaze. A smile quivered over my lips and he humphed, turning in his seat and driving slowly out of campus.
I couldn’t be one hundred percent sure what they were arguing about, and it didn’t help that when I gave Quella a questioning look, she just waved her hand in the air telling me not to worry about it.
My guess that I was not supposed to be in the limo with her was yet again confirmed when the exact same thing happened at LAX. The limo pulled up next to a private jet. I slid my shades off as I got out of the car, my lips
parting. I’d never been on a private jet before.
Quella once again argued with the crew, her lips drawing into a stubborn line, her eyebrow arching defiantly.
She threaded her arm through mine. “Fine then. Take me back to the dorm. I am not spending Thanksgiving without my friend, Caity.”
With a resigned sigh, the security guard huffed. “Usted pequeño niño obstinado. Luche contra tus propias batallas entonces.”
He flicked his hand at me, indicating that I should spread ‘em. I did so, shooting Quella a nervous look, grateful I wasn’t actually bugged. She rolled her eyes and gave me an apologetic smile as he waved a bug sensor over me. When it came away clear, the guard reluctantly ushered us onto the plane.
“Are you sure it’s all right that I’m coming? I feel like this is kind of a surprise for everyone.”
“It is.” Quella winked and then giggled at my shocked expression. “Do not worry about it. My father is very strict on security. He never lets me bring friends home, so I figure if I am going to get what I want then I have to surprise him.”
“But what if he doesn’t let me stay?”
“He will. You are my first friend outside of my family and you make me happy. He cannot deny me.” She grinned, pretending to wrap an invisible thread around her little finger. “Besides, it would be rude for him not to welcome one of my guests. Above all things, he is a gentleman.”
I grinned at her, desperately trying to hide my disquiet. She actually believed that. She had no idea what her father was really up to. Poor thing. When he got arrested for his crimes, it would really hurt her.
I closed my eyes and drew in a breath, forcing myself to think of the kidnapped girls.
“How are you feeling today?” Quella’s question was quiet and filled with concern.
I opened my eyes and looked across at her, giving her a glum smile, which was in no way forced. She was referring to Eric, and just the very thought of him was like a wound to my soul. The look on his face as I ran away...
My eyes glassed with tears. “Heartbroken is probably the best way to describe it.”
I sniffed and turned away from her, not wanting to give away my small smile. He’d have read the note by now. I clutched the bag on my lap, wishing my phone was in it, but Kaplan made me leave it behind. I hoped he didn’t try to call me. I silently begged him to hold out for the long weekend. I’d be back soon to make everything right. If only I could speak to him telepathically. That would solve all my problems.
“You will be okay.” Quella nodded and gave the security guard a pointed look as he boarded the plane.
He humphed and shuffled past us before plonking his large frame into the seat across from me. I shrunk away from his intense glare.
I leaned toward what felt like the only safe thing on the plane and whispered, “So, where are we going?”
Quella shrugged. “I am not sure. I find out when the plane lands. My father likes surprises.”
Nibbling the edge of my lip, I sat back in my seat and tried to relax. Knowing Diego Mendez’s paranoia for security, Kaplan had made me de-bug before getting into the limo. She’d of course waited until I was nearly out of the dorm before barking the order into my ear. I’d had to veer off to the bathroom where Rhodes was waiting for me. I’d had to take my shirt off in front of him, which wasn’t humiliating or anything! I forced myself not to read his face while his fingers lightly brushed my skin, removing all technology from my body.
“And your phone.” He held out his hand.
“Why?”
His face crested with empathy. “This is a business trip. You have to put your life on hold for the next few days; no distractions.”
With a dark glare, I slapped it into his hand. He turned it off and shoved it in his back pocket.
“I promise I won’t peek at any of your stuff.” He winked.
I huffed a short breath out of my nose and crossed my arms.
“You’ve got the black phone Kaplan gave you, right?”
I nodded.
“There’s an app installed on there so we can track you the whole way. Make sure you have it on you at all times so we know exactly where you are.”I swallowed at the grave look on his face, my insides exploding with nerves. “We’ll be nearby the whole time. I’ve got your back, I promise.”
I gripped the soft leather of my bag as the plane took off, hearing Rhodes’s soft voice in my head and reading the truth behind his mask. He was worried for me, scared that something would happen to me...but he was also determined to keep me safe. That part felt good and I was more than relieved that he was on this assignment, too.
It was dark when we landed. I followed Quella down the plane stairs and was met by another surprised driver. He eyed me up and down, and then barked something at the security guard who barked right back at him.
Quella rolled her eyes and grabbed my arm, pulling me into the limo. The ninety-minute drive passed quickly with Quella rabbiting on about all the things she was going to tell her father and all the things I had to promise not to say.
“He will not approve of the drinking...and probably not the dancing. And do not mention Carlos to anyone.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her that her father probably knew exactly what she’d been up to thanks to Carlos.
The long limo slowed. I peered out the window, but the combination of tinted glass and a moonless night made it impossible to see anything. My butterfly nerves turned traitorous, and cold sweat broke out on the back of my neck. I rubbed at it, squeezing my neck and holding my breath as the limo pulled to a stop at the end of a very long driveway.
I went to open the door.
“Not yet.” Quella touched my arm with a smile. “I know where we are now and the parking is underground.” She winked and chuckled.
I paused and heard a soft whir in front of us. A few moments later the car descended. The lower we got, the lighter it became and we were soon pulling into a large courtyard. The limo pulled around the bubbling fountain and came to rest outside a Spanish-style villa.
My door popped open and I hopped out, taking in the ornate tiles below my feet and the plush, rich garden around us. The fountain created a soothing soundtrack for the idyllic space. I couldn’t believe it was all underground. No wonder Kaplan couldn’t find it.
I gazed up at the high ceiling and captured a few stars. There was a massive hole at the top of this mountain. It was like being inside a volcano, minus all the lava of course. I’d never seen anything like it.
Quella let out a little squeal and raced away from the car, jumping into the arms of a man who was about the same height as she was. He had thick, black hair and bitter cocoa eyes set deep in his hard, narrow face. His tanned skin crinkled when he smiled, flashing a set of straight, sharp teeth.
Deigo Mendez.
My stomach clenched.
“Bienvenida, mi princesa preciosa. Te he hechado mas.”
Quella’s father held her at arm’s length, drinking her in. I could instantly see how much he adored his daughter. His warm, unmasked smile showed me how protective he felt of his little girl. Sending her away to college had been hard for him, and he hated the mischief she’d gotten up to. I pulled another layer free and saw the faint whistle of guilt resting beneath the surface. He’d rather die than have her find out what he was really up to.
He pulled her back into a tight embrace and then his gaze hit me. It was like being shot by a bullet. Unmasked, his intense stare cut straight through me. He was taking me in, assessing what kind of threat I might be, checking me out, finding me slightly attractive, but also a total nuisance. He didn’t like me; that much was clear. I was the girl who was leading his precious princess astray.
I tried to stand tall against his scrutiny, smiling bravely and hoping he couldn’t smell fear.
“I see you brought a friend.”
Quella giggled. “Sorry to surprise you, Papá, but Caity is my roommate and she has looked after me.”
“
Has she?”
I didn’t miss his dry tone. He was holding me responsible for all the party antics. Carlos had obviously given him very thorough reports.
Quella threaded her arm behind her father’s back. “Please.” She rested her head on his shoulder and batted her eyelids at him. “She is my guest and we must make her feel welcome.”
Mendez smirked, kissing his daughter’s forehead and smiling across at her. “Of course, my angel.”
He looked to the driver and clicked his fingers, pointing at the bags. “We’ll put her in the guest room next to Quella’s.”
“Ooo, they are adjoining.” Quella gave me an excited smile before turning with her father and entering the house.
I shuffled behind them, smiling at the house staff and pulling off masks like my life depended on it, which it actually kind of did.
“Rosa!” Quella squealed, letting go of her father and running into the chubby arms of a short Mexican woman. She grabbed the slight girl to her and squeezed and kissed her cheeks until she wiggled out of her grasp.
“Mi querubín. Estás en casa, estás en casa! Esta casa esta tan sola sin ti. No lo puedo creer que estés aquí viéndote mas hermosa que nunca. ¿Cómo voy a dejarte ir otra vez?”
“Ah, yes, Rosa, our little angel is home and has grown even more beautiful while she was away.” Mendez smiled as the woman pulled Quella in for another embrace, and then he turned to me.
I met his gaze confidently in spite of the fact it made me want to melt into the floor. If I wanted him to buy into who I was pretending to be, I had to act like it.
His masked face was quite pleasant, his smile soft and welcoming. I snatched his mask away and saw it again, drinking in that dark malice. It took every ounce of courage I possessed to smile sweetly at him. I was about to open my mouth and thank him for having me when another man appeared behind him.
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