‘It will make an interesting headline to start the New Year. Might even be good for business, come to think of it.’
Andrew released Dan with another growl and glared at him, the intensity of the hatred burning in his chest making him feel dizzy.
‘Probably better this way. Enjoy your night.’ Dan nodded in the direction behind Andrew’s shoulder. ‘It certainly looks like Edie is enjoying herself without you.’
Andrew turned without thinking and was greeted by the sight of Edie Thomas hanging off some young actor’s arm. They were both watching the fireworks, but plenty of people were watching them instead.
Edie exclaimed something to the man, pressing her body against his as she did so. Seeing as the tiny dress she was almost wearing left very little to the imagination, it was pretty obvious what the guy was thinking. What everyone was thinking.
God damn it. He’d had enough. Of Edie. Of the winemaker. Of all of them. He hadn’t been able to put Dan in his place tonight, but with time and patience he would bring him down. To ease his frustration, he could sure as hell teach Edie a lesson in the meantime. The stupid bitch thought she had him under her thumb and that she was the one with all the control, but he wasn’t going to let her make a mockery of him in public.
Andrew strode towards the unsuspecting couple.
Chapter Forty-Three
Jet came out of the bathroom and stopped when she saw Dan waiting for her in the corridor.
‘Are you alright?’ they both said at once.
They laughed. It felt tight to Jet and Dan didn’t appear much more relaxed. He looked whiter than usual under the fluorescent lights.
‘What happened?’ Jet said, before Dan could speak again.
‘I had an enlightening conversation with your ex-husband. He’s a charming man.’
Jet rushed over to close the distance between them. ‘He did not.’
Dan grimaced in response.
‘I’m so sorry. Perhaps I shouldn’t have brought you here tonight. Andrew just can’t help himself.’
‘Don’t be. Like I said, it was an enlightening conversation.’ Dan blew out a breath. ‘I don’t want to freak you out, but he’s obsessed with you.’
Jet sighed. So far it had been wonderful to have Dan with her tonight, but Andrew had obviously taken it as a challenge. It was going to take some time for Andrew to get used to the idea of Jet having a new partner.
‘I know,’ she said. ‘He’s still having a difficult time accepting we’re divorced—’
‘Jet.’ Dan put his hands on her shoulders. ‘I mean it. He’s not having a difficult time, he’s downright obsessed. You need to stay away from him.’
Jet’s shoulders stiffened beneath Dan’s hands. ‘I wasn’t planning on spending any quality one-on-one time with him if that’s what you mean, but we move in the same circles and—’
‘Jet,’ Dan said again. ‘He threatened to destroy Dad’s business if I don’t leave you.’
Jet froze. A fresh image of Andrew’s face contorted in anger flashed into her mind. His bloodied fist making contact with Alex’s already bruised and battered face ...
‘Shit,’ Dan swore. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything.’
Jet tried to focus on Dan. She put a hand to her head. ‘No, it’s not that ...’
‘I think we should go,’ Dan said softly, dropping an arm down to encircle her waist. He began to lead her along the corridor. ‘Let’s see in the New Year at your place instead.’
‘I remembered.’
She stopped walking and Dan turned to look at her.
‘I had a flashback. I think. From the night Crystal died.’
Dan glanced up and down the corridor but no one else was around. Everyone was watching the fireworks.
Jet reached for Dan’s hand. Anything to feel like she was in the here and now. She needed to know that Dan was real, that this was actually happening. ‘Alex and Andrew fought. Crystal was in the corner. She helped me from the room and ... and, that’s as much as I remember.’
‘Wow. How do you know it was real?’
‘I don’t. It was terrifying. Like a waking nightmare. Andrew was really terrifying.’ Jet closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall, then she lifted it again. ‘Oh my God. You’re right. He’s obsessed. I need to tell the Commissioner.’
‘Tomorrow. You can tell him tomorrow. Let’s just get you home for tonight.’
‘I know he’s intense, but I never thought him capable of hurting anyone, but in my flashback, something about him was different that night.’ She opened her eyes and looked at Dan. ‘It was wrong. All wrong.’
‘You don’t need to try to figure it all out now. It’s enough that you’re remembering. Come on.’
Jet didn’t move. She needed to say it. She needed to speak the words out loud to know she wasn’t going crazy. ‘Do you think he’s capable of murder?’
Dan didn’t say anything for the longest time. ‘I can’t imagine what his motive would be for hurting an innocent girl ... but yes, at this point, I think anything is possible.’
Tears stung the corner of Jet’s eyes. Was the man she’d married a murderer? It was pretty clear Andrew was obsessed with her. Obsessed enough to do something drastic? Something violent? None of it made sense. It was like a blank still existed in her memory she couldn’t access. Jet wondered if maybe that was because the truth was so terrible a part of her didn’t want to remember.
Dan led Jet down the corridor in a daze. She was glad of his steadying arm. Somehow she managed to put one foot in front of another.
‘Andrew! Don’t!’
Jet and Dan stopped dead at the sound of Edie’s voice.
‘Edie,’ Jet murmured.
Jet broke free of Dan’s hold and ran along the corridor toward the party.
‘Jet! Wait!’
Jet didn’t stop. She couldn’t. If Andrew was dangerous, then Edie could be at risk. She’d been stupid. So stupid. She’d been so busy trying to deny to herself, to Dan, to Edie, that Andrew wasn’t obsessed with her, she hadn’t stopped to think Andrew could hurt others, too. Like Dan, like Edie, and anyone else she loved.
When Jet raced out into the restaurant area her blood ran cold. All the guests were motionless and looking in Andrew and Edie’s direction at the front of the room. They stood near the opening to the balcony. Andrew was bent over at the waist, his hands on his knees, breathing heavily.
Edie stared at him, her blue eyes wide with shock. Slowly, not taking her eyes off Andrew, she crouched down and disappeared from view.
Jet took a few unsteady steps forward so she could see, and when she did, she faltered. Blindly, she reached out to steady herself on a nearby pylon. Dan arrived at her side, but Jet ignored him.
Matt. Matt Sweettree. He was lying motionless on the ground. His face covered in blood. His light blue shirt spattered with red like it was a piece of modern art.
‘Not again,’ Jet whispered.
Edie was sobbing. ‘You bastard! You piece of shit! You’ve hurt him. Oh my God, you’ve hurt him!’
You’ve hurt him.
The flashback hit her like a bolt of lightning and Jet moaned softly, her world suddenly shrinking.
Edie crouches over Alex. Tears stream down her face.
Jet blinked and she was with Dan again. His hands were on her waist, keeping her upright.
‘Jet. Talk to me.’
‘Edie was there,’ she whispered. ‘That night.’
Dan frowned and then he was gone again.
‘What do you care?’ Andrew says, his face dispassionate.
‘I love him, you creep! I God damn love him!’
A moment of silence. Then laughter. Andrew’s laughter. Alex moans. Edie’s eyes widen.
‘Come on,’ Crystal whispers in Juliet’s ear. ‘We must go.’
‘No. Wait. Please wait.’ Juliet peers through the crack in the door. She can’t leave. She can’t leave Edie in there alone.
Andrew stops laughing. ‘Love? What do
you know about love?’
Edie jumps up. Races over to him. Hits her fists against his chest. Andrew catches them.
‘Everything, you piece of shit!’
Andrew holds Edie’s fists effortlessly. He glances down at Alex on the floor. ‘You deserve better. He fucks underage prostitutes and he drugged my wife.’
‘She’s not your wife anymore you arsehole! And I drugged her. Do you hear me? I drugged Juliet!’
Jet sucked in a sharp breath.
‘Jet. I’m here, Jet. Can you walk? It’s better if you can walk,’ Dan was saying.
Breathe, all she had to do was breathe, but the images kept overpowering her.
‘What did you say?’ Andrew’s voice is dangerously low.
Edie’s hands are still trapped. She bares her teeth in an unfriendly smile. ‘You heard me. I drugged your wife. Why else would I hang around with the help in the kitchen pretending to be a good friend? So I could make sure Juliet wasn’t thirsty, of course. Want to know why I did it?’
Andrew shakes Edie. She keeps smiling like some sort of evil doll.
‘So Alex’s career is ruined,’ Edie says in a sing-song voice.
‘What?’
‘I want Alex to suffer.’ Edie looks down at Alex. He isn’t moaning anymore. He’s still. Passed out.
‘But you just said you love him.’
‘Oh, I do. With all my heart. But I can’t have him sleeping with young girls.’
Andrew goes to step back and realises he’s still holding onto Edie. He lets go of her hands. ‘You’re crazy.’
Edie shrugs. ‘He needs to pay.’
‘You’re sorely mistaken if you think Juliet is going to go to the police about this. Drugged or not, she hates any sort of publicity.’
Edie bares her teeth again. ‘You underestimate me.’ She holds up her phone. ‘I have pictures. Compromising pictures.’
Andrew glowers at her. ‘She’s your best friend.’
‘Women like me don’t have best friends, but if Juliet wants to think that, she’s doing me a favour. Besides, if she’s pathetic enough not to stand up for herself, the minute these images hit the media, the public won’t stand for it. She may have divorced you, but people still adore her, God knows why. Alex will be castrated publicly for daring to harm our dear, sweet, darling Juliet—you’ll see.’
Andrew shakes his head in disbelief.
Edie steps forward. ‘Be careful casting judgement, Temple. I think you’re just like me. I think you’d do anything for the person you love.’
‘I think you’ve lost the plot.’
‘No. I think you have. You’re pathetic. Mooning over Juliet like some sort of puppy. She divorced you. She doesn’t want you anymore. Can’t you see that?’
Andrew’s mouth curls into a cruel smile. ‘What? Like Alex doesn’t want you?’
The slap rings out into the night. Andrew catches Edie’s wrist.
‘Be careful, Edie. What’s Juliet going to say when she finds out you drugged her?’
Edie’s eyes narrow. ‘She won’t find out.’
‘She will if I tell her.’
‘And she’ll never give you the time of day again when I tell her that slut wasn’t the only woman you slept with during your happy marriage. I know of at least three others.’
Andrew releases her hand. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Oh, yes you do. I’ve been watching you, Andrew. Men like you think the world is here to serve your needs.’
Andrew takes a step back. ‘What I need is to go and find Juliet. What did you give her?’
‘Nothing too serious. Just a party drug. She’ll be fine.’
‘You don’t know that.’
‘I’ll admit mixing it with alcohol amplifies the effect. She won’t remember anything, don’t worry. I’ve actually done you a favour. Now you can be her knight in shining armour.’
‘Go to hell, Edie.’ Andrew walks towards the door.
‘Remember it’s our little secret. We can be good together, you and me.’
Andrew stops. He doesn’t turn around. ‘You’re delusional.’
‘You know what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Remember, Andrew, not a word, or I’ll make you pay for not being able to keep your prick in your pants.’
Chapter Forty-Four
Jet sucked in a deep breath. It felt as though she’d been underwater and she was coming up for air.
‘Jet. Can you hear me?’
She took a few more deep breaths and the room slowly came into focus. She was with Dan. She was safe. Dan had propped her up against one of the pylons facing the bar, away from the commotion Edie and Andrew’s scene had caused.
‘How long?’ Jet whispered. ‘How long did it last?’
Dan frowned. ‘Not long. A minute maybe.’
‘It felt so much longer.’ In truth, it had felt like a form of time travel, and now she was back to real life, Jet felt disorientated. ‘Oh my God. Edie. Andrew.’
She pushed away from the pylon and turned towards the front of the room.
‘Jet. What are you doing?’
She didn’t answer. It had really only been a minute. Andrew had straightened and was standing to one side. Edie was still crouched beside Matt, who was now sitting up. He wasn’t too badly hurt after all. Andrew had obviously hit Matt’s nose when he’d punched him and that had been the cause of all the blood.
‘Come on. Let’s go,’ Dan said softly from beside her.
He was right. They should just leave Edie and Andrew to mop up after this latest drama. Tomorrow she would ring the Commissioner and tell him what she’d remembered. That her best friend and ex-husband had lied to her. While Andrew’s duplicity wasn’t exactly a surprise, she needed time to process Edie’s betrayal.
Her best friend had used her, with little regard for her safety. Then she’d tried to blackmail Andrew. Was that why he’d been in a relationship with Edie? To protect Jet? No, not to protect Jet. Not really. To protect himself from the truth coming out about his affairs. If he’d really wanted to protect Jet, he would have told her about Edie’s actions that night. He wouldn’t have allowed them to remain friends. How could Jet remain friends with someone who had drugged her without her knowledge?
Jet reached out to steady herself on a nearby chair.
What else was Edie hiding?
Only minutes ago Dan had said, ‘I can’t imagine what his motive would be for hurting an innocent girl ...’
That’s because Andrew would never hurt an innocent girl. Jet knew that now. She’d let her doubts about Andrew’s obsessive behaviour get the better of her. But what about Edie? Edie had a motive, didn’t she? If she loved Alex the way it had appeared in Jet’s flashback and was able to drug Jet without an ounce of regret, what else was she capable of? If she’d been willing to drug Jet to ruin Alex’s reputation as a punishment for his supposed involvement with underage girls, maybe she’d gone one step further.
‘Jet, you need to talk to me,’ Dan said from beside her.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said without looking at him. ‘I just need to do one thing and then we’ll go.’
Strangely, Jet didn’t feel unsteady on her feet anymore. She felt more certain than she had in a long time. Finally she had a focus for all of her anger about the events of the last few months. It wasn’t temper that urged her forward, but a sense of righteousness as though Crystal was there by her side.
Jet slipped through the crowd of people surrounding Edie and Andrew, not bothering to excuse herself. She was sick of making excuses. She couldn’t go another day, even another hour, with the perpetual questions about what had happened that night. It had to stop now and this might be her only chance.
Jet stepped in front of Edie, coming to stand at Matt’s feet.
‘Juliet?’ Edie said, forgetting to call her Jet.
‘You drugged me.’
Edie coughed, then looked around, her eyes wide as if to say ‘who i
s this crazy person?’ She was a good actress.
‘Are you feeling alright, Juliet? Where’s Dan? Maybe you should go home.’
‘I’m feeling fine. You drugged me the night of Alex’s party.’
Shocked murmuring broke out in the crowd behind them.
Edie stood up slowly. ‘I think you’ve had too much to drink. Either that, or you’re trying to protect Andrew by providing a distraction. Face it, Juliet. Your ex-husband is a creep.’
‘I know he slept with other women while we were married.’
Andrew flinched and the shocked murmuring intensified.
Andrew took a step forward. ‘Juli—’
‘It’s Jet,’ she corrected, holding up a hand. ‘You knew Edie drugged me that night and you didn’t tell me.’
‘You remember,’ he said flatly.
‘Yes,’ Jet said. ‘I remember you were angry when you came in and found me. So angry that you attacked Alex Benedetti, even though he was the one to come and get you.’
Jet let her words sink in. She wasn’t an actress, but she intended to use the people around them to her advantage. They’d all be witnesses to this conversation.
‘Then Edie came in—’
‘Jet,’ Edie cut her off. ‘I really think you’ve had too much to drink.’
‘Shut up, Edie. You’re not just a good actress, you’re a good liar. You drugged me that night with the intention of making Alex the bad guy.’
Edie huffed and took a step backward. ‘Are you sure you’re not the one on drugs tonight? All of this sounds pretty far out.’ She laughed, but it came out as a nervous titter. The crowd didn’t join in, but were hanging on every word.
‘You wanted to make Alex the bad guy,’ Jet said. ‘You were in love with him and he dumped you. For an underage prostitute. You wanted revenge.’
Edie laughed again, but it wasn’t a gentle sound anymore. ‘You’re out of your head. Me and Alex Benedetti? You’ve been watching too many soap operas.’
Andrew stepped forward. ‘Knock it off, Edie. Juliet is telling the truth. You drugged her to make Alex the bad guy.’
The crowd wasn’t just murmuring now, there were genuine exclamations of surprise. They may not trust Edie, but they certainly believed Andrew Temple.
Don't Let Me Forget Page 26