Third Time's a Charm (Crimson Cove Mysteries Book 3) Read online

  “That's not a strong enough statement.” She shook her head. “I would never sleep again if I were you.” She wiped up and started working again, mostly correcting the mess she’d made.

  Her words rang in my head.

  I still slept. I hadn’t lost a minute of it, not since I was rescued or freed or whatever. In the box I had slept from exhaustion but in the hospital and at home I slept because I liked sleep.

  I watched her working in the mirror, wondering if that was why the little dark-haired bitch picked me: I would sleep again and fight again, and eventually I would find a way to rock my scars and not care what she had done to me. Maybe she didn't want me to die. Maybe she just wanted me to see so I could understand. And maybe I was the only one who was strong enough to take that on.

  The thought flashed in and out like a cool wind, dismissed before I really let it become my truth.

  “Oh, you look lovely.” Mom came into the room, already in her dress. It was a black strapless vintage Dior, formfitting but with waterfall lace that fell in an A-line to the floor and a long black sash. She looked like a model. She had modeled a bit when she was a young socialite in the eighties. She was perfect.

  “Just have to throw on the dress.” Cindy smiled at me as she added the last of my lip gloss to the middle of my lower lip.

  I literally threw it on. It certainly wasn't vintage Dior. In fact, it wasn't even high fashion. I’d gotten it at Burberry in London when I was there last year. It was a knee-length oxblood-colored lace dress with long lace sleeves and a gathered waist. It showed off my huge boobs and long legs, which would have been nice except I was going to the party with a guy who didn't even notice I had boobs. I slipped on my black Christian Louboutin pointy heels and walked out of the dressing room. My mother’s eyes went directly for the scars, which were mostly covered.

  “You look beautiful.” Tears filled her eyes but she didn't dare cry, not after she’d been completely made up. “I have my girl back.” Her lip trembled.

  “Let’s not do this,” I snarled at my mother and forced a grin for Cindy. “Thanks for making me look less haggard.”

  She winked. “You are beautiful with or without the makeup.” Her eyes shone too.

  “Thanks.” I hurried away from the two blubbering ladies. “Meet you in the car.”

  Downstairs wasn't better.

  My dad waited at the bottom of the stairs with a cheesy expression like I was one of the girls in those high school movies where a dork like Lainey gets a makeover and suddenly she’s popular.

  But I wasn't Lainey. This dress wasn't even elegant enough to be called fashion. It was a casual lace dress to fake a casual attitude on my part.

  Everyone knew I’d been held captive and tortured.

  Everyone had to know I was a hot mess from it.

  I didn't need to pretend it didn't faze me.

  It did.

  That didn’t mean I needed to cry about it constantly or talk about it at all.

  I just wanted answers and I was going to get them.

  After I kissed that boy, of course.

  The car ride over wasn't nearly as painful as my parents seeing me for the first time. They bounced back while we were in the limo. Mom texted someone, aka my uncle. And dad chatted on the phone with someone about a file that needed to be typed up before the morning.

  I got to stare out the window and get lost in the memory of the Christmas party last year.

  We’d drunk too much, Rachel and me. I slipped my underwear into Vincent’s pocket at one point. Rachel threw up and had to be taken home by Ashton who was less than impressed. Jake had a black eye from the game they’d played the day before which I teased him about mercilessly. We’d kissed but Lainey came and he pretended like we hadn’t been kissing at all. He followed her around all night without her noticing, and I went home with a senior named Scott who was mediocre at everything.

  This would be the first year where I didn't vie for the attention of some random guy or my friend’s boyfriend. I was just going with someone I liked and he liked me, and we talked, but we didn't kiss and we didn't date, and he was driving me mad. Even if he did make me happy, liking me without any of the other stuff.

  I didn't feel the need to write any depressing poetry or journal about any of it. And not just because some psycho had found my journal, but because I didn't want to spoil it. I didn't want to jinx us.

  When the limo pulled up to the clubhouse I held my breath until I saw him. When I did I had to sigh. He was adorable in a black tux with a crimson bow tie. It almost matched my dress, like he somehow knew. He was cleaned up and cute, not sexy or anything, just cute. His glasses and dark hair made him look like Clark Kent.

  “Is that Mr. Finn?” My father puzzled.

  “Yeah, I invited him.” A smile crested my lips the moment his dorky glasses turned my way and we made eye contact. He didn't smile back. He was still just as excited about this as he was everything else in the world—moderately.

  “You invited him?” My father’s tone went to the scary lawyer place.

  “Yeah.” I snapped my head around, ready to defend Finn. “So what?”

  “He’s not exactly the type of guy—”

  “Don't act like he’s something you aren’t. You aren’t better than he is. He does the illegal shit at your behest. So don't play innocent. I don't care about any of that shit. He’s a nice guy who looks me straight in the eye every time we meet. He has never once put a single finger on me except to help me up when both of you left me in that friggin’ mental hospital alone. He might not be Ivy League, but he’s also not a douche like all the other guys here.” I climbed out, opening my own door as flashes from cameras hit.

  “Sierra, who are you wearing? Sierra, can you pause so we can get a picture? Sierra!” They shouted but I didn't turn back to the paparazzi who should have been banned from the property or from being anywhere near it. They hadn’t had a chance to see me since I’d gone missing, and I hadn’t missed them.

  “Sierra, how are you feeling? How was Silver Hills?” One voice hit me straight in the stomach, sending chills up my spine. I spun, staring at the crowd, searching for the source but she wasn't there.

  The cameras and flashes blinded me but I squinted, scanning for the girl with the dark hair. I was about to take a step forward when warm hands grabbed my arms and turned me, tucking me into an arm and escorting me inside.

  “Come on,” Finn whispered, pulling me to the coatroom. He tilted my face up and looked down on me. “Are you okay?” His face spun with the room for a moment until I closed my eyes and got my focus back.

  “I heard her. The girl with the dark hair. She’s out front.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “No.” I shook my head and opened my eyes. “I don't know. I’m not sure about anything. I swear I heard her. But the cameras and the flash, I couldn't see.”

  “She won’t hurt you again,” he said as he wiped the single tear trickling down my cheek.

  “Sierra!” My mom entered the coatroom, all her anger melting away when she saw me. “What happened?”

  “The flash, it was too much. I panicked,” I lied but I didn't know why.

  “I told your father that those damned reporters needed to have a hundred-foot rule. I told him and he didn't listen.” She turned, giving him an angry glare as he entered the coatroom. “She panicked. You’re an ass.” She shoved past him, leaving me.

  My dad’s eyes revealed everything, regardless of what he said. He couldn't stop staring at Finn as he spoke, “I hoped you would be fine. You’ve seemed fine.”

  “I am fine, I was. But then I heard her. She asked me a question from the crowd, about Silver Hills. She’s pretending to be a reporter.”

  His gaze hardened. “What!”

  “She was here, is here. The girl.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “No. I don’t know. It sounded like her and who mentioned Silver Hills?”

  “Shit!” He turned on
his heel, also leaving me.

  “I can’t believe she came here. She’s ballsy.” I looked back at Finn as he smiled. It wasn't huge or charming. It was goofy and exactly what I needed. He was so socially awkward I couldn't handle it.

  “What are you grinning about? This is serious. She could be watching me.”

  “I guarantee she was watching you.”

  “And that makes you smile?”

  “No. I was just thinking that your parents are kinda weird.” He looked down to the side. “And that maybe we match more than I thought.” His eyes darted to my hands as he reached for the badly scarred one and lifted it, pressing his plump lips to the back of it and closing his eyes.

  A tingle jolted through my entire body as I imagined his lips on mine. He made everything better, always.

  Clutching my hand he led me out to the party.

  Eyes darted from me to him to my wrists, the legendary scars.

  But he didn't notice.

  He walked us to the bar and ordered me a Shirley Temple and himself a Coke.

  “You don't want wine or a scotch or champagne?” I hinted that Shirley Temples weren’t really my thing.

  “No. And I don't think you should drink. You act out when you drink and you need to stay calm.” He just dropped it, like he wasn't telling me what to do but more like advising me. My natural instinct was to rebel. I nearly ordered three champagnes but he was right. I hated it and loved it at the same time. He knew me well enough to know what was good and bad for me.

  “You know me so well and I know shit all about you.”

  He glanced sideways at me as he took my drink and passed it to me. “I grew up in an orphanage, I’m an only child as far as I know, and a graduate of MIT. I enjoy hacking and long walks through dark alleys. I prefer cats over dogs. I’m much more of a self-reliant pet owner. I think they need to be able to keep themselves alive for a couple of days. Dogs are needy, and I don't really like being needed.” He scowled and gave me another look. “At least I didn't like it.”

  “Do you have a cat?” I didn't dare touch on his last comment that had my heart racing.

  “I do. I have two. Kevin and Stella.”

  “Kevin and Stella?” I couldn't fight the chuckle at the human names. “Not Fluffy or Max or Simba?”

  “No.”

  “When did you get them?”

  “After I finished college I found them in an alley next to my apartment in Boston. Their mom had been hit by a car and was dead, and they were mewing like crazy. Their other siblings were dead so I took them to the vet, but I couldn't leave them there. They were so tiny. Luckily, I’d just graduated from school and was working on a huge contract from my apartment so I was able to be home to get them healthy. Now they sort of just do their thing. I can be gone up to three days if I leave enough food and water, and they don't really care either way.” He smiled again, his same goofy grin. “Kevin is black and white and fluffy. And Stella is orange and white and even fluffier. They get hair on everything. I keep two lint brushes in my Jeep.” He seemed like he might pull out his wallet and show me pictures. It was the first time I’d seen him get mushy or even slightly emotional.

  “I wouldn't have ever guessed that.”

  “I don't seem like an animal lover?”

  “No, you don't seem like a guy with lint brushes and cats and an apartment.”

  “You never know what’s inside a person.” He sipped his cola and shrugged.

  Vincent and Lindsey made their way over to us as we stood off to the side. “I’m sorry you’re the ‘it girl’ for the moment.” She winced as she got close enough to mutter.

  “Yeah. Whatever. It’ll fade.” I hesitated but then just said the thing I wanted to, “She’s here. She pretended to be a reporter and asked me about Silver Hills. But the flash was bright and she was hiding I think.”

  “Who?”

  “The girl with the dark hair.” I gave Linds a look. “Did you tell Vince everything?”

  She nodded.

  “She’s here?” Vincent’s jaw flexed. He had the best jawline, maybe in the world.

  “Yeah, my dad knows but I never told my mom. I don't need hysterics right now.”

  “Well, she’s probably trying to make you seem crazy, smear you the way she did my dad and Lain’s. Mine didn't even come tonight. He’s holed up at the house, won’t even leave. No public events anyway.” Linds rolled her eyes. “At least mine is paranoid and ashamed. Lainey’s dad came with Judith.” She nodded her head to the right.

  I followed, letting my mouth fall open as I gasped. “What a dick. Is her mom here too?”

  “Of course. Lainey’s mom wouldn't miss the annual after-Thanksgiving party. It's the warm-up for the Christmas season. She’s royalty out here. This is her holiday.”

  Vincent’s upper lip lifted. “I can’t believe he would bring her.” Not that his dad was much better. Fortunately, Vincent didn't know about his father’s past and his mother’s suffering. That hadn’t been outed, yet.

  “I’m sorry, who is Lainey’s dad in the grand scheme of things?” Finn gave us a blank stare.

  “Lainey’s dad has been having an affair with Judith for like over a decade. He and Lain’s mom were forced into their marriage so he has been in love with and sleeping with her best friend forever. They even have a friggin’ kid together. His name’s Mike. He’s a little pain in the ass who goes to school with my bothers.” Lindsey sighed. “Lainey’s mom recently found out about the whole thing. It’s disturbing.”

  “And Lindsey’s dad was once a bit of a reckless and crazy youth, breaking laws and being a general badass. When he got into college he changed his name, legally, and became a different person, trying to leave his past behind. But he too was just outed for his bad behavior. Also, his ex-wife was blackmailing him. The whole thing is a hot mess, all thanks to the dark-haired girl and Andrew and all their little minions who are set to destroy us.”

  “And Crimson Cove,” Vincent added as he sipped his scotch.

  “Wow.” Finn stepped back. “You guys have insane lives. I can’t imagine having that much drama. It’s like daytime television here.”

  “Where’s your family from, Finn?” Linds didn't even try not to be herself.

  “I don't know. I grew up in an orphanage in the city.”

  “Did you check your records and find them?” She was relentless.

  “I did but my records have no indication of who left me there.” He didn't say it to make us feel sorry for him; it was the answer and the truth so he gave it. He was so weird.

  Lindsey’s eyes widened. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

  “Don't be. I have an easier life than you guys do. It was drama-free until a couple of weeks ago.”

  “Tell me about it.” Vincent rolled his eyes.

  Linds whacked him in the stomach and gave me a look. “So do you think she came here to set you off?”

  “Yup. Why else say the Silver Hills comment?” The conversation was a buzzkill, but that was sort of our jam since the fatal night our friend was killed. Not one of us was the same, and with the current events we were getting worse.

  “You look beautiful, Sierra.” A warm hand brushed my lace-covered arm. I turned to see the charming smile of Rita’s mom. She was stunning in a floor-length halter dress with a thigh-high split.

  “Thank you. You look beautiful too. Is that Valentino?” I had dress envy. Old-lady dress envy.

  “It is. He sent it over for me as a favor.” Her lips toyed with a smile as she discreetly dragged Rita up next to her. “We both got one.”

  Rita’s was amazing. It was also floor length and crimson red, like blood. It almost matched mine in color, but hers was silk and fluttered as though it was made to caress the skin like a thousand feathers as you walked. Her silky hair was up in a twist and her lipstick matched the dress. Ashton walked up next to Rita and cocked an eyebrow at me but shook hands with Vince and Finn. “Gentlemen.” He offered up another cool look to me. “La
dies.”

  “Rita has something to say to you both. She’s already said it to Sage and Lainey.” Her mother nudged her.

  “I’m sorry.” Rita gritted her teeth. “I shouldn’t have started the fight yesterday. It was a dick move. We’re all in this together.” By the end she didn’t sound forced.

  “It’s cool.” Linds shrugged it off, but we all knew it didn’t mean Rita was forgiven. Linds was a master of grudge holding and she would never forget.

  Finn pressed his hand into my back, almost pinching a little. “I’m sorry too,” I muttered. I didn’t know why I was sorry though.

  “No, it was me.” Her eyes flashed with fear and regret. “I just hate this, all of it. I don’t know what to say about any of it. I want it over and I want the authorities to solve it for us.”

  “But you see they won’t do that? They’ll finger you girls for the crime because of the evidence against you, even if it is circumstantial.” Her mom was a smart lady, more than just a pretty face. And clearly in the know. I wondered if all of us had betrayed our vow of not telling anyone. I had told my dad and Finn, and I had to assume Rita’s mom and Ashton knew everything like Vince did.

  “Yup.” Linds nodded, as if grateful Rita’s mom had done the convincing so we didn’t have to.

  She squeezed Rita’s hand gently. “We will get to the bottom of this. Your fathers are all looking into everything they can and have hired guards to be at all the houses and around town. Suspicious people are being watched without their knowledge. Everything is being taken very seriously.” She leaned in and brushed a fake kiss on Rita’s cheek without smudging lipstick on her face. “Now have a good night and try not to kill each other.” She winked and laughed and stalked off, greeting one of the men my father knew with a hug and a real kiss on the cheek.

  Rita’s eyes bore into mine. “I really am sorry. I panicked. You guys just make me feel like such an outsider sometimes.”

  “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have talked with my hands.” I didn’t touch the outsider comment. It was the truth.