Authors: Alyson Noel
Unrivaled (28 page)
Tommy paused, not exactly following.
“They won't come after you. I've taken care of the evidence.”
Tommy glanced at Layla and Aster, both of them lost in thought, before returning to Ira. “What evidence?”
“The security video showing you standing right outside Night for Night just seconds after Madison went in.” Ira clutched the chilled bottle by the neck and held it between
them. “It's handled. Luckily, I had enough time to delete that part before the cops seized it. Now they'll never know you were there.”
“But I'm innocent!” Tommy's voice cracked. He sounded as frantic and perplexed as he felt. “I had nothing to do with it.”
“Of course not.” Ira shot him a look that wasn't at all convincing. “Look, I'm on your side. I think my actions prove that. Point is, now you won't have to defend yourself to anyone else.”
So there it wasâIra being paternal and looking after his son without even realizing. Tommy was tempted to tell him and shock Ira as much as he'd just shocked Tommy. After all, Ira had destroyed evidence on his behalf. They were in this together.
“Ira,” he started, but Ira was already heading back to the table, giving Tommy no choice but to follow.
“Soâwhat do you say?” Ira's gaze moved among them. “Are you ready to officially join the Unrivaled Nightlife team?”
Layla was the first to accept, which struck Tommy as strange. He figured she'd tell him to stick it, or worse. He wondered if it had anything to do with the check.
Ira looked pointedly at Tommy, and, just like Layla, he reluctantly agreed. Glad he hadn't revealed himself. The day would come soon enough.
Aster was the last to respond. Tommy watched as her face played host to an array of emotions as she stared at the check in her hands. Maybe she was worried about being an accessory to Ryan's crimeâmaybe her reluctance had something to do with the DVD, and whatever it was she was about to reveal before Ira interrupted her and ushered them all insideâall Tommy knew for sure was she hesitated so long, Ira had to prod for the answer.
She curled the check until it fit snugly into her palm and folded her fingers around it. “Of course.” She arranged her face into her head-shot grin. “Guess I'm a little flustered. I wasn't sure I'd win. Tommy was tough to beat.” Her smile grew wider, a toothpaste commercial in the making. Though Tommy couldn't help but notice the way her gaze dimmed, her lips twitched, when her gaze met Ira's.
Had something happened between them? Before Tommy could ponder too long, the sudden pounding of fists slamming metal interrupted his thoughts.
“Open upâLAPD!” a voice boomed from the other side of the door.
Tommy froze, unsure what to do, but Ira remained as cool and composed as ever.
“What do you say we toss the drinks as I slowly make my way to the door?” He shot them each a look that had them racing behind the bar, pouring the expensive champagne down the drain, and shoving their glasses in the
dishwasher, before rushing back to the table as though nothing had happened.
“What can I do for you?” Ira cracked the door.
Detective Larsen squinted past Ira's shoulder. “We're looking for Aster Amirpour.”
Tommy instinctively reached for Aster. She'd gone cold, shaky, and totally unresponsive at the shock of hearing her name.
“What's this about?” Ira stood his ground, did his best to delay. Buying Aster just enough time to reach into her purse, retrieve a package, and thrust it at Tommy.
“Whatever happens, do
not
let them see this.” Her face looked pained; the scent of smoke clung to her skin. “Not until you hear from me.” Her lips trembled. She had trouble pronouncing the words, though her meaning was clear.
Tommy nodded, started to slip it under his T-shirt, then thought better of it and passed it to Layla, who frantically shoved it deep in her bag as Larsen fought to muscle inside.
“Don't mess with me, Redman,” he barked. “If she's in there, it's in your best interest to turn her over. I don't care who you are; you try to keep her from us, we'll nail you for obstruction of justice.”
Without another word, Ira swung the door wide, allowing a blast of heat and light to shoot into the room. His features sharp, gaze darkened, he seemed to almost fade into the shadows as a swarm of cops overtook Aster.
“What's this about?” Her eyes darted wildly from Ira to Larsen. “Why are you handcuffing me? I haven't done anything!”
“Aster Amirpourâ” Larsen grinned, seeming to relish each and every word. “You are under arrest for the murder of Madison Brooks.”
Aster's face drained of color as she bucked hard against the detective, an attempt to break free that was futile at best. “That's insane! Iâ”
“You have the right to remain silent,” Larsen continued. “Anything you say can and will be used against youâ”
“On what grounds? I had nothing to do with this! What did that creep Ryan Hawthorne tell you?”
“Ryan has a solid alibi.”
“But that's not possible! I was with him that nightâonly he left and never returned!”
“You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, the court will assign one for youâ”
“I was with him! I left the club with Ryan Hawthorne!”
“Ryan Hawthorne left the club with friends and returned to his place with those same friends. The doorman and video footage confirm it. There's no record of you.”
“
But Ryan doesn't have a doorman!
” Aster screamed, recoiling in fear when Larsen thrust his face close to hers, his squinty eyes glinting with the anticipation of what he was about to reveal.
“Witnesses at Night for Night saw you leaving, but not with Ryan Hawthorne. We've uncovered the clothes you wore that night, and they're covered with Madison's blood.”
Layla gasped, as Tommy instinctively reached for her hand. The two of them watched Aster crumble before them. Her body collapsing, folding in on itself, looking so lost and defeated she bore absolutely no resemblance to the strong, sexy, overconfident girl Tommy had known.
“That's impossible,” she cried, her voice hoarse, reduced to a whisper. “I had nothing to do with it!” She lifted her chin, gazed around frantically until she found Ira. “Please,” she cried. “Tell them! Call my lawyer and get me out of this!”
Her face lifted with hope as she watched him approach, only to crash in despair when he reached around her and removed the prize-winning check from her fingers.
“For safekeeping,” he said. His gaze impenetrable, he returned it to his pocket. The cops pushed Aster out the door and through the throng of tourists and paparazzi already gathered like vultures, leading her away under the glare of falling ash and flashing lights.
This book has been so much fun to write, and it's all thanks to the following people: my lovely and amazing editors Katherine Tegen, Claudia Gabel, and Melissa Miller, who made this book possible; my wonderful agent, Bill Contardi, the perfect combination of humor and smarts; and, as always, my husband, Sandy, who showed me that all things are possible for those who believe.
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ALYSON NOÃL
is the #1
New York Times
bestselling author of twenty-three novels, including the Immortals, Riley Bloom, and Soul Seekers series. With millions of copies in print, her books have been translated into thirty-six languages and have made numerous international bestseller lists.
Born and raised in Orange County, California, she's lived in both Mykonos and Manhattan and is now settled back in Southern California, where she's working on her next book. You can visit her online at
www.alysonnoel.com
.
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Katherine Tegen Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
UNRIVALED
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ISBN 978-0-06-232452-8 (trade) â ISBN 978-0-06-245840-7 (int'l ed.)
EPub Edition © April 2016 ISBN 9780062324542
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FIRST EDITION
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