Cherry Creek (17 page)

“Yes.”

“I'm sorry you cut your night short because of me.” I flush slightly.

“I didn't. I went back after you passed out.”

Jealousy creeps up on me, and it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. He'd either gone back to the club to be with friends or to be with a woman. Maybe even a girlfriend. I want to ask if he has one, but I can't work up the nerve. I threw myself at him Friday night, no need to make it worse by asking if he's single.

Trace straightens up, no longer leaning against the gym equipment. “Do you work tomorrow?”

I nod.

“You should try to get some sleep, or you'll be tired during your shift.”

I guess that's my cue that this conversation is over. “I should go back upstairs,” I agree as I rise to my feet.

***

On Tuesday, I am determined to hire another private investigator. This time I bring along more cash after digging into the secret stash in my shoe box. I also take off early from the store after asking Selena if I could leave for an appointment.

The entire way to Minneapolis, I watch the rearview mirror intently. It doesn't seem like anyone's following me. But just in case, I drive around the city aimlessly until I feel comfortable driving into a parking ramp about a block down from Kramer's office. He's expecting me after I'd called earlier for an appointment.

After exiting the ramp, I walk briskly down the street, looking around every so often. I'd deliberately parked in the ramp so that my car wasn't noticeable if I am indeed being followed tonight. I don't feel that odd sensation of being watched, so I'm thinking I'm in the clear. I either lost a tail in traffic, or no one's watching me. Maybe they still think I'm at work.

The meeting with Kramer is quick. He balks at my age, but when I offer up extra cash, his eyes gleam and he accepts my case. I dare to inquire if he'd look into one other person, and when I give him Khristos's full name, Kramer immediately shakes his head. “I'll look for Caroline Vauss, but I'm not looking into Khristos Deveroux.”

“Why?”

“He's an acquaintance. He's off limits.”

I begin to worry. “Can we keep the investigation confidential?”

“Yes, every case is always confidential. And considering this is off the record because of your age, I'm not likely to share it with anyone.”

After I fill out the paperwork, I walk out feeling pleased by the meeting. Hopefully Kramer can find my mom.

The sooner the better.

Chapter Ten

My heart sinks when Tatum enters the store during my shift on Wednesday. The last person I want to see is the girl responsible for me jumping Trace in the foyer. I quickly turn my back on her before she notices me, and I walk to the very back of the store to begin rearranging the satin robes hanging off a rack. Someone had gotten sloppy earlier when rummaging through them. I begin separating the colors and organizing them neatly.

I smell her unique perfume before she speaks, and I try not to tense up.

“You cut out early Friday night,” Tatum says from behind me.

Since I'm working, I have no choice but to act professional and friendly. Especially since Selena is working tonight. I turn and paste a polite smile on my lips. “I wasn't in the mood to stick around.”

Her bright red lips compress slightly as she studies me. “Why are you so standoffish?”

“I'm not,” I say as I turn back to the robes and grab a couple more pinks that are mixed in with the purples.

“Yes, you are. Roman can't get close to you, and neither can I. It's like you're anti-social or something.”

I level her with a look as I shove the robes in place. “Why exactly would you want to get close to me, Tatum?”

“You're Roman's cousin,” she points out.

Now, I turn and face her completely as I give her my undivided attention. “I feel like there's more to it. Roman acts strange around me. And you...I get the feeling that you don't even like me.”

Tatum cocks her head, her dark brown eyes narrowing before she says simply, “You're right. I don't like you.”

I hate her confidence. “I don't like you, either.”

“Glad we're in agreement over something.” Her eyes drift over my outfit, taking in my pale blue skirt and white blouse. “Someday, real soon, you're going to need me. That day will be here sooner than you think,” she warns.

Her comment sobers me up real fast as I study her. She knows whatever Roman and Khristos is keeping from me. I don't like her, but I have to ask, “There's a lot that I don't know, isn't there?”

“Yes,” she confirms.

I can't keep my eyes from widening slightly, because I hadn’t expected her to admit it. “Khristos and Roman are hiding something. Something big,” I guess.

Tatum sighs, shifting on her feet slightly. She hesitates, then shoots me a warning look. “I can get in big trouble for this conversation, so it needs to end here. Do me a favor, keep it between us.”

I nod. I was hoping for more information, but at least Tatum had been truthful with me. She begins to walk away. “Tatum?”

She pauses and turns back to look at me.

“Thanks for being honest. I think you're the first person that's been open with me about whatever no one wants me to know about.”

Something shifts in her expression, and she reluctantly walks back to me. “I don't like to lie. I'll always tell you like it is.”

“But you won't tell me what they're hiding?”

“It's not my place to tell.” Then, she looks up at the ceiling briefly before she makes up her mind about something. She gives me a sidelong glance and says, “I'm going to give you some friendly advice.”

“Okay.”

“This conversation never happened,” she warns, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. I get the feeling she wants to say much more, but something’s holding her back. “If you repeat it, and I get in trouble, Roman won't appreciate it. We're tight, if you know what I mean,” she says deliberately.

That answers one question I've been wanting to ask. Tatum might not be Roman's girlfriend, but they've slept together. That, I am now certain of. I nod to Tatum. “I won't say anything. Everyone's lying to me these days. I can sense it, and things aren't adding up. I'm not going to stab you in the back when you're the only person that isn't treating me like I'm stupid.”

She smirks. “I never said you weren't stupid.”

“Ha. Funny,” I say dryly.

Amusement flickers across her pretty features before she turns serious. “I'll tell you this. They are keeping you in the dark, because they feel it's in your best interest right now.”

“My best interest? I'm feeling paranoid everywhere I go!” I hiss as I spy a customer walking closer to our corner of the store.

Tatum nods as if she understands how stressed I've been. “I know, it probably sucks, but you have to think about it logically. Your boyfriend tried to kill you, and now you're in a new town with family you're not familiar with. You really think they're going to dump more on you during a time like this?”

“I can handle it. It's better than being suspicious of every little thing.”

“Look at it this way, they care about you. All they are doing is trying to protect you. When things don't add up, just remember that they aren't trying to upset you. Just let it go for now, Livvy. Trust me on this.”

Frustration sweeps through me. I'm still not getting much out of Tatum. “Will you be honest with me about one thing?”

A delicate, black eyebrow lifts pointedly. “I'm being honest already.”

“And I appreciate it,” I say gratefully. “I really do. But I have one more question, then I'll drop it.”

“I'll try to be as honest as I can.”

Good enough. “Why is it so important that I befriend you guys? Roman's made it clear I need to be accepted. Why? Does it really matter?”

Tatum's silent for a moment. “Yes, it's important you get to know us. When school starts, you're going to need me, Harper, Roman, and even Nathan. I can't tell you why, but it's in your best interest to get to know us and get comfortable being around our small group,” she says simply.

I stare at her long and hard. “This school isn't friendly, is it?”

“They won't be to you.”

She says it with such conviction that a chill sweeps through me. What the hell? I'm new to this town. Why would the other students not like me? “Is it because I live with the Deveroux's?”

“Something like that.”

So, I'm going to be blacklisted partly because I live with the Deveroux's. What's the other reason? I can feel another headache coming on. “Do I have to worry about violence?” I ask warily as I reach up and rub my temple, trying to soothe the pain.

Tatum's eyes flicker to my hand massaging my temple, and her expression seems to abruptly shut down. “I can't say any more. Let everything fall into place naturally. I promise, by the time school starts in September, you'll know everything.”

“Thanks, Tatum,” I say as I drop my hand and look at her sincerely. “I swear I won't repeat any of this. This conversation never happened.”

“If you go back on your word,
I'll
be the one you have to watch out for at school, you hear me?” she threatens. And just like that, Tatum's back in bitch mode.

I can't resist riling her up, because I'm not the little mouse she thinks I am. “I have a feeling that if I did go back on my word, you wouldn't be able to touch me,” I muse. Roman and Khristos would never allow it. At least I don't think. Not if I go by what she just told me.

Her eyes narrow.

“It's not fun being on the other side, is it?” I ask as I deliberately smirk the way she has a tendency to smirk at me.

Recognition flares in her eyes. “You might start to grow on me. You have a long ways to go before I upgrade you to 'like' status, though.” She shoots me a look before she turns and saunters off.

I fight back a grin. I have to admit, I kind of like our banter now that I know she's not a complete bitch. She just put herself on the line by being honest with me. It's something I won't forget. And ironically enough, I'm coming to realize that I feel more alive here in Cherry Creek than I had back in Missouri. Back home, everything had been just a routine that I'd grown accustomed to. Wake up, go to school, go home, go to work, maybe hang with Brad, go to bed. I hadn't done anything exciting, and Brad had been the type who was always playing football or video games. We spent a lot of time at the apartment or at his house. We didn't even go to parties. Well, he did, but I didn't, because I worked a lot. Not that I'll ever admit it to Khristos, but every day here is a new one, and I'm always curious as to what the day will bring.

Unbelievable.

I'm actually starting to like it here.

***

My conversation with Tatum haunts me the rest of the evening during my shift, and slowly my mood begins to darken. Why would the other teenagers at school not like me? It has something to do with the Deveroux's, but what? Now that I know I won't be easily accepted at school, I feel anxious to contact my mom. My life with her might have been a bit boring and repetitive compared to the life I lead now, but at least no one had issues with me at school. I have my entire senior year to get through. I can't imagine being stuck at a school where people openly dislike me.

As if my conversation with Tatum isn't enough to dampen my mood, Selena asks me to stay late and help her with some inventory. Around nine she sends me on my way while she decides to stay another hour.

By the time I step out of the store and walk across the now empty parking lot, my head is pounding horribly. My car is the only car left in the back of the lot except for Selena's little, white car parked two spaces down. I can't help but wince as my temples throb intensely. Why won't it stop? Nothing I take for the headaches help anymore. I'm halfway to my car when a sharp pain in my right temple causes me to clutch my head as I stagger, then I drop to my knees as an imaginary knife seems to tear into my temple.

A whimper escapes me as I kneel in the parking lot, unable to do anything but cradle my head. Small rocks from the pavement dig into my bare knees as the pain in my head grows debilitating. I can barely function as I huddle there, drawing in jagged breaths as the pain continues on and on.

“Livvy.” I hear Trace's voice from out of nowhere, and his arms wrap around me, drawing me up against his solid chest. “It'll pass soon. Just try to relax,” he says grimly.

I'm in so much pain that it's impossible to enjoy the feel of his warm arms around me or his body pressing into mine. “Hurts,” I mumble as I cradle my throbbing head in my hands.

“I know,” he says as he rubs my back. “It'll fade, I promise. Just don't fight it. The more you fight the pain, the longer it lasts.”

I try to pull my thoughts together, because the things he's saying bother me, but my mind is a jumbled mess thanks to the intense pain. It's pure agony. I let out a soft sob as it seems to intensify. If anything, it's getting worse, and nausea is beginning to build within me.

I'm forced to look up when Trace's hands cover my own. He forcefully lifts my head up so that he can peer at me with commanding eyes. “Look at me. Don't concentrate on the pain.”

My eyes close as my body stiffens within his arms. I can't ignore the stabbing agony in my temples... It's impossible. I feel sick to my stomach, and I know I’m on the verge of puking. Either that, or I’m going to pass out from the mind numbing pain.

Suddenly, Trace's lips come down on mine. The warmth of them seeps into my cool lips, and I feel myself go completely still as I try to figure out if he's really kissing me or not. Or have I receded into a pain-filled haze, and now I'm imagining things to get through the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life? Whether it's a fantasy or not, I can't help but get lost in it. His tongue teases the seam of my lips, and I promptly open up for him. I like that
he's
the one kissing me. I allow him full control as he explores my mouth. He takes his time, teasing me here and there as his tongue twists and flicks along mine, urging me to respond. He's a really good kisser. Much better than Brad. I can feel myself relaxing into him, and when the kiss ends, I'm more than a little disappointed.