by J. A. Owenby
After dinner, Sutton provided a partial tour of the seven-thousand-square-foot home. Her and Pierce’s bedroom was on the opposite side of the house, so I had plenty of privacy.
It was nearly eleven when I trudged up the stairs. I leaned on the doorframe of my new room and popped my neck. The tension in my shoulders slipped away as I consciously forced myself to relax. I’d finally overdosed on people and conversation and feigned exhaustion. Sutton had suggested I get some sleep, then she could show me the rest of the place tomorrow. Honestly, I didn’t know what else they could possibly have. I’d seen all six bedrooms, the office, family room, game room, and indoor pool.
The moment my attention landed on the color scheme in my new room, I knew my sister had put a lot of thought and love into her decorating decisions. The walls and thick carpet were a light silver, and the plush comforter matched. Light-blue pillows were propped up against the king-sized headboard.
An en suite bathroom with marble countertops and heated floors was all mine, too. Large fluffy indigo towels hung neatly on the heated towel holders. I ran my hand over the soft, plush material. I suspected that I could wrap them around my body a few times. Sutton and Pierce had spared no expense when they built the house.
A punch of emotion hit my chest while I hauled my suitcase onto the bed. What if I’d made a mistake by coming here? I would never forgive myself if anything happened to my family.
“Hey,” a deep voice said from the doorway, startling me from my self-inflicted torture.
I hesitated and checked my emotions in order to not reveal how deeply I was currently struggling—especially to Vaughn—but I’d not hidden them quickly enough. He pinned me with troubled eyes, and I quirked an eyebrow at him, silently warning him not to make a big deal out of it.
“You’re talking to me now?” I continued to fold my shirt and laid it neatly on the bed, refusing to look at him for any length of time.
“I didn’t mean … I didn’t mean to be an asshole tonight.”
My tongue darted over my lower lip, then I pursed them together in a tight line while my attention landed on him again. He rubbed his smooth chin as guilt clouded his gorgeous features.
“Did you say something to Pierce about …”
“No.” Vaughn shook his head adamantly. “I would never say anything. Besides, if they knew, I’m not sure who I should be more afraid of—Sutton or Pierce.”
A giggle slipped from my mouth. “Yeah, that would be a coin toss.” I grabbed another top from my suitcase and folded it. “Is this what it’s going to be like between us? Awkward? Sneaking around to have a conversation?”
Vaughn entered my room and stopped with only a few feet between us. As much as I tried to control it, my heart hammered wildly against my ribcage. Not even Tucker had elicited this kind of emotional and physical response from me.
“I wanted to know if you’re all right.” He assessed me openly while his attention roamed over my body and finally rested on my face.
I forced a shrug, trying to be casual, when inside, I was freaking out. Not because of the question, but because of his proximity. His eyes drew me in, and his rich, spicy scent propelled my hormones into a frenzy.
“Sure, why?” I returned my attention to my clothes, removed a pair of denim shorts from my bag, folded them, and mechanically placed them in the stack.
“Because you showed up out of nowhere. Pierce, Sutton, and I talk about almost everything. They would have told me if the move had been planned. In my experience, and how quickly this happened, you’re not doing as well as you lead everyone to believe.”
Fuck. Me. Who knew Vaughn would be this perceptive? It was his job to watch and analyze every detail and sign of danger, though. The last thing I needed was for him to start poking around in my business.
“I appreciate the concern, but I just needed a break. Everywhere I looked, there was a constant memory of what had happened. I couldn’t focus enough to even go back to school. Mom suggested online, but …” I threw my hands up in the air, expressing my frustration.
The chiseled lines of his face were etched with an emotion I struggled to comprehend. Protectiveness? Fear?
“I won’t pretend that I know what you’re going through, but we’re all here for you.” He buried his hands in the pockets of his shorts while he spoke.
“I know.” I rubbed my pounding forehead and peered at him. “I appreciate it.”
“I’ll let you relax and get some sleep.” After hesitating for a moment, Vaughn stepped backward, gave me a slight nod of his head, then disappeared from my sight.
I sighed and massaged my aching head. Under no circumstances could Vaughn find out what had brought on my sudden move. He’d tell my sister, and she’d dig and dig until she learned the real reason I had called her.
My bare feet sank into the thick carpet while I crossed the room and closed the door. I finished unpacking my suitcase and placing my clothes in the six-drawer dresser. Unlike my scuffed-up cheap one at home, this one was brand-new and dark cherry. I bit my bottom lip as I realized it had been barely more than twenty-four hours since Coen warned me to get the hell out of Portland. It was strange how life could change within seconds.
I zipped my bags closed and tucked them neatly into the walk-in closet. A white-and-blue blanket caught my attention, and I stood on my tiptoes to pull it down. Scanning the room, I attempted to locate the best available corner. I grabbed a few pillows off the bed and grabbed my purse, where my knife was safely tucked away in a hidden compartment. Although logic argued that I was safe, my emotions continued to win the war.
I tossed the items on the floor and made myself as comfortable as possible. I didn’t even bother to change into my pajamas. After I returned home, I’d started sleeping in my clothes. At least that way, I was fully dressed if I had to run. Poking my head into the bathroom, I flipped on the light switch and closed the door two-thirds of the way. After spending days in the dark container, soaked in my own piss and terrified that I was going to die, I began sleeping with a light on. My purse also held a mini flashlight and spare batteries. My stomach fisted into knots and a shiver wracked through me at the thought of being in the dark again.
I laid down on the floor, pulled the blanket underneath my chin, and trained my focus underneath the bed. Since the bed frame was raised up higher than most, there was a clear view of the door, and I would see if anyone walked in.
Unable to close my eyes, I listened to my breathing while I kept watch. Eventually, a fitful sleep descended over me.
The bright summer sun streamed into the bedroom. I stretched and yawned. My body ached like a motherfucker, and I had to pee. It was time to break in my new bathroom.
Even though I’d stuck my head in last night and seen it briefly, I was still in awe. It was the same size as some of the small New York apartments I’d seen online. I could live in this space if I had to. My fingers trailed over the white marble countertop that supported the dual sinks, and I made a beeline for the shower. Excitement filled me while I spotted multiple shower heads extending from the walls and ceiling. I turned on the water and allowed it to warm up while I relieved myself. After sticking my fingers under the spray to make sure it was the right temperature, I stepped in and closed the door. It was heaven. Blissful. I might never have left, but eventually I pruned up like a little old lady.
Forty minutes later, I hopped down the stairs and strolled into the kitchen. It was amazing what a shower, clean clothes, and makeup could do for my mood.
“Morning,” Sutton said from the island. She took a bite of her bagel and dabbed the cream cheese from her upper lip. “How did you sleep?”
“Good.” I flashed her a big smile, reached for a coffee mug in the cabinet, and filled it with the freshly brewed dark roast. I topped it off with a hearty splash of peppermint mocha creamer.
“I have a surprise for you.” Sutton’s expression brimmed with excitement. “Bring your coffee.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I
tossed her a salute and rolled my eyes. “I guess you’ve not gotten any less bossy in the last several months, huh?”
“Not a chance.” She looped her arm through mine, an infectious grin spreading across her face.
I held on to my coffee and attempted not to spill it on the floor as we hurried through the living and dining area, then moved toward the back corner of the house. Sutton stopped at beautiful mahogany double doors.
My eyebrows rose as I wondered why in the world they would need such a wide entrance to a room.
Sutton turned the handle and swung one side open. “This is the gym.”
My forehead creased in confusion. Sutton was well aware that I wasn’t a gym kind of girl. “Okay?”
Unable to contain her eagerness, Sutton tugged on my hand and pulled me across the huge space past the weights, the weight bench, and the folded-up blue mats. A doorway led into another room. “This is for you.”
My mouth opened and closed, and I attempted to find the right words. “Holy shit. Are you serious?” Excitement and gratitude overwhelmed me, and I handed her my cup of coffee and slid my bare feet across the smooth floor of the dance studio.
“I had barres installed yesterday, along with full-length mirrors on every wall. You should have some privacy, as well.”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, performing a few pirouettes. “Why didn’t you use the space for something else? I mean, why for me?” I gracefully lifted my leg onto the bar and stretched.
“Mom said you’ve not danced since you were abducted. Dance to you is like martial arts to me. It’s an extension of our soul. I don’t know how else to say it. Pierce and I wanted to provide a healthy outlet for you.”
My heart soared. I would be able to spend time here whenever I wanted, day or night. “What about the music? Won’t it bother everyone?”
Sutton opened a closet door and waved me over. “You have plenty of hand towels here for your workouts. This is a state-of-the-art system, and the speakers are in the ceiling, so you’ll experience full surround sound. Also, the gym and studio are soundproof, so blast the music all you want.” She handed me a remote control. “You can connect your Spotify account via Bluetooth.” Sutton grinned, unable to hide her enthusiasm.
“Wow. I …” I threw my arms around my sister’s neck. “Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me.” Silent tears slipped down my cheeks and landed on her shoulder.
Sutton wrapped me in her arms. “You’re welcome. You deserve to have something that helps you heal.” She released me, and her electric-blue eyes connected with mine. “We’re going to meet Gemma and Mac today for some serious shopping. I suspect you’ll need some ballet shoes, but what do you need for contemporary dance?”
I flipped my foot up and patted the sole. “Just these.” A messy lump of emotion clogged my throat. Sutton and Pierce had already done so much for me, and now this. If things went south … I slapped the nagging thought away like it was a pesky gnat. This was my chance to make a new start, and I needed to take it.
“How can I pay you back for everything?” My voice trembled with gratitude.
“All we want is for you to be happy, Claire. The next steps will come in time. Just let us love you.”
I nodded, unable to form words.
Sutton gave me another hug. “I’m glad you showered already. We need to meet the girls in about an hour. It will take about thirty minutes to get downtown. Oh, I almost forgot. We need to pick you up a more formal dress for tomorrow evening. We’ve been invited to a gathering at a potential client’s house.”
4
“Sutton! Claire!” Mac yelled and waved her hand wildly in the air at us from the corner booth of Twig’s. She would have been easy to pick out in the crowd since her bright-pink shirt was louder than she was, but the color looked amazing on her. Her deep-brown eyes radiated happiness, and I wondered if I would have that same expression on my face some day.
Twig’s was known for their martini bar, but I loved the pyramid of bottles that reached from the bar to the ceiling. Orange, blue, black, and red—all of the vivid colors warmed me.
I’d met Mackenzie Worthington and Gemma Thompson at Sutton’s wedding in Italy. Gemma was the female lead singer for August Clover. Hendrix Harrington was the male lead, and her fiancée. Pierce had been Gemma and Hendrix’s bodyguard for a year. He’d even toured with the band before he took over the security company.
Sutton and I worked our way through the maze of crowded tables of the restaurant, finally reaching where Gemma and Mac were already seated at.
“Hey!” Sutton waved as we approached them.
I smiled shyly, wondering how I would fit into this tight-knit group.
“Claire!” Gemma stood and embraced me. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
My insides warmed with her genuine words, and I slipped into the booth next to my sister. Gemma’s emerald-green polo shirt accentuated her blue eyes and gorgeous red hair. From what Sutton had mentioned, Gemma was one of the kindest people in the world, but if anyone messed with her or her friends, she had balls of steel.
“Omigosh welcome to Spokane!” Mac clapped her hands together. “I know we met at the wedding, but this is so much better. We can hang out, watch movies, shop, drink together. It’s like gaining another sister.” Her face lit up, and she flipped her long brown hair behind her shoulder.
“Thanks. I was a little nervous about fitting in. Ya know, being the new kid around here.”
“I told her there’s nothing to worry about. She’ll be the perfect addition to the group.” Sutton elbowed me in the side and winked at me. “The hamburgers are delicious, but order whatever sounds good.”
“Okay.” Inwardly, I cringed. Everyone at this table had money, except me. That would have to change and fast. I was already beginning to feel like a leech.
The waitress set waters down in front of each of us and took everyone’s order.
“I’m buying lunch for everyone today.” Mac beamed at us until she rounded her gaze on me, then she frowned at the expression on my face.
“Mac, you don’t have to do that.” I hesitated, not wanting to come across like an ungrateful bitch.
“You can’t talk her out of it. I’ve tried to before,” Gemma said, offering a gentle smile.
“I like doing things for the people I care about.” Mac pushed out her bottom lip a little.
I understood that. “I …” My shoulders slumped forward, and I glanced at Sutton, Mac, then Gemma. “I won’t say another word, but I’m buying the next time.”
“Deal!” Mac lit up brighter than my childhood Christmas tree. “Now that we have that taken care of, how are you doing since the abduction?”
I blinked excessively, staring at her in shock. Mac had brought the topic up faster than I’d anticipated, and I wasn’t prepared for that conversation. I’d forgotten that Mac had ADHD and no filter.
“Mac, don’t be so insensitive. We’re in public, plus Claire might not be ready to talk about it yet. She barely knows us,” Gemma chided and gently nudged Mac’s shoulder with hers.
“Shit. You’re right. I’m sorry, Claire. It’s … well … Has Sutton told you that I was abducted, too? The circumstances were completely different, but I still have nightmares.” Mac slumped back into her seat, compassion settling over her pretty features. “I know how hard it is to find yourself outside of the trauma. I just want to help and be there for you.”
Was this why Sutton wanted me to spend time with Mac and Gemma today? A waterfall of emotions crashed over me, and my hands began to tremble. I slid them under the table, hoping no one noticed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“I wasn’t gone as long as you were, thanks to my best bestie, Gemma.” Mac leaned her head on Gemma’s shoulder.
“I traded myself in exchange for Mac was all.” Gemma’s cheeks reddened slightly. “It was Pierce. He had instructed me on what to do once I was in the warehouse with the kidnapper.” She tucked a strand of her red ha
ir behind her ear, almost as though she wanted to tuck the memories away forever. If only it were that easy.
I peeked at Sutton, whose gaze was full of encouragement. Regardless of how much Mac had thrown me off balance, I knew that my sister’s intentions were in the right place. She wanted me to understand that I wasn’t alone and that I had people to talk to.
“It’s fucked up,” I confessed softly. “I wonder if I’ll ever return to normal again.” There was no way I was open to providing more detail right now, but at least I’d given an honest response.
“It won’t ever leave you, but you will find a new normal.” Gemma reached across the table and patted my hand. “My experiences haven’t been the same as yours and Mac’s, but it was still traumatizing. My life was never the same. I had to find what a new normal looked like for me. Part of that was training with Pierce and learning to protect myself.” Gemma glanced over at Sutton. “Your sister is just as badass as your brother-in-law, so you have two highly trained people at your disposal if you think it’s a good fit for you.”
“I should at least learn the basics.” I certainly could have used it the night Coen broke into my house. The idea of inflicting a bit of bodily damage after he scared me too death warmed my heart.
Our conversation was interrupted, and the waitress placed our food on the table.
“What do you think about coming over to mine and Hendrix’s place this weekend?” Gemma asked. “Cade and Mac will be there. We can watch a movie, have some drinks, and talk about whatever. We can just hang out and have some fun.”
“Yeah! That will be so awesome. We can even plan the next girls’ day out.” Mac took a huge bite of her hamburger, her eyes rolling in the back of her head. “So damned good.” She wiped her mouth off with the napkin, then flashed us a big grin. “I love food. What can I say?”