Web of Lies

by Sara Dailey

  I may be eighteen years old, technically an adult, but I couldn’t stop myself from thinking that if something did happen to my father, I’d be all alone. Sure, I’d have my pack, but it wouldn’t be the same.

  I pulled up in front of the resort just in time to see Michelle pulling into her parking space. I sat there stunned; my little fantasy about Dad and Michelle may have been ridiculous but for that brief moment, it gave me a tiny ounce of hope. Now that hope was gone.

  Michelle saw me and waved as she walked over to my truck, “Hey handsome. What are you doing up this early?”

  “Hi, Michelle. Just grabbing some breakfast. Did you and Dad have a good time in Santa Fe?” I asked trying to pry some information out of her.

  “Oh, honey, it was great. Didn’t your daddy tell you about it?”

  “You know Dad. He never says much,” I replied with a smile and a shrug.

  “Oh Luke, it was wonderful! The Marriott was all decorated for the holidays. We had this fabulous dinner, we danced, we drank champagne…well, I just wished I didn’t have to be back so early on the first. We were having such a good time. I hated to leave, but he was so sweet to wake up early and drop me off here where I’d left my car,” she gushed, completely unaware that she was confirming my worst fears.

  I looked down at my hands, hoping to hide my concern. “I’m glad the two of you had fun.”

  Michelle snuggled into her coat and then glanced at her watch. “Gotta go, honey. Tell your dad to call me, okay?”

  “Sure Michelle,” I replied and watched her walk into the resort. That was it then. Dad was safe in his car in this parking lot twenty-four hours ago. Sometime between then and now, somewhere between here and home, he’d disappeared.

  The car behind me honked, breaking me from my daze. I rolled my window up and pulled out of the resort.

  I had taken the main road into town to get here and didn’t see any signs that maybe Dad had car trouble, so I took the back roads home to the estate.

  Nothing. I was grasping at straws, and I knew it. Even if Dad’s car had broken down, and his cell had died, he could have easily made it to the woods where no one would see him. He is a werewolf. He could have simply changed and run home…unless he was hurt.

  I was almost home when I decided that I couldn’t do this on my own, and Marcus needed to know that his second in command was missing. I probably should have told Marcus sooner, but I really hoped that Dad was fine and just having a good time.

  I pulled up in front of the Walker house, turned the truck off, and just sat there. I could feel the weight of the last few days bearing down on me. The fight between Cade and Aiden, my relationship with Scarlett, and my missing father was all heavy stuff and threatened to suffocate me. Who knows how long I sat there, but it must have been long enough to draw attention because Cade actually came out to get me.

  Cade opened the passenger door and slid into the seat. “Is everything all right, Luke?” “My dad never came home,” I blurted out without looking his way.

  I heard Cade take a deep breath, like he was processing that information and what it might mean before he asked, “When was the last time you saw or heard from him?”

  “New Year’s Eve.”

  “Let’s go inside. Dad will want hear all of this. He was just complaining that Phillip hasn’t been around.”

  Once inside, Noel insisted that I join them for breakfast while I told Cade and Marcus the whole story, or what I knew of it anyway. She set a huge plate of eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes in front of me and squeezed my shoulder as she went back into the kitchen. I’d never considered how much I missed out on not having a mother, but for some reason, at that moment, I realized I had. It was probably just because Dad was missing and I was worried, but out of nowhere, a stabbing pain shot through my chest as I imagined what it would have been like to sit at our table with my Dad as Mom brought us a hot breakfast and smiled at me the way Noel smiled at Cade. Pushing the painful thought aside, I dug into the scrambled eggs.

  Between forkfuls, I told Marcus and Cade about Dad’s New Year’s Eve plans, how he and Michelle had gone to Santa Fe for the night, but Marcus was already aware of that. I told them that I had tried calling and texting Dad several times, but he never responded. Without hesitation, Marcus grabbed his cell and tried, but it too went straight to voicemail. That was a very Marcus thing to do, I thought. As if my dad was would answer his call but not mine. Then I told them I’d tracked down Michelle this morning, but she didn’t appear to have a clue that anything might be wrong. Obviously, I avoided telling her that he never came home as she would surely insist on calling the police.

  Marcus took one last sip of his coffee and stood abruptly. “I don’t like this one bit. Phillip is in trouble. He would never take off without telling anyone. Something is wrong, and he definitely needs our help. I can feel it.”

  He paused for a moment, then said, “Luke, go home and get something of your father’s, a shirt or jacket, something with his scent on it. Come straight back here. I will form a search party. If he’s out there hurt, we will find him.”

  As I got up to leave, Noel came back in the room and gave me a big hug. “It will be okay, honey. We’ll find him.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Walker. I’m sure we will. And thanks for breakfast. It was perfect.”

  “Cade,” she said, “go with Luke. He doesn’t need to be alone right now.”

  I was about to say that I would be fine, but Cade was already slipping into his coat.

  *****

  It felt weird going through my dad’s things. Cade suggested something from his hamper would be best, something that hadn’t been washed yet. So I grabbed the t-shirt Dad had on New Year’s Eve before he changed to get ready. I held it up to my nose to make sure his scent was strong. It was, and my eyes filled with tears. I hadn’t shed a single tear since the age of five, and for the first time in so long, I felt weak. Completely helpless.

  “Ready, Luke?” Cade called from the living room.

  Shit! I quickly dried my eyes with the back of my hand and went to meet Cade. Avoiding eye contact, I nodded toward the door. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this, especially not Cade. Weakness was not an option for an enforcer.

  But as soon as I opened the front door, I came face to face with yet another major weakness. Just the sight of her made my pulse quicken. Apparently, this day was hell-bent on breaking me down. Scarlett was walking toward me with two steaming cups of coffee, one in each hand, and a beaming smile on her face. Seeing her this morning, so oblivious to my new situation, I tightly clinched my jaw as my eyes threatened to fill again.

  Her eyes shifted quickly between Cade and me, and her smile faltered. “I hope it’s okay that I just stopped by.”

  “I’ll go on ahead. Want me to take that?” Cade offered.

  I handed him my dad’s shirt and assured him that I wouldn’t be far behind. Then Cade smiled and said a polite hello to Scarlett before leaving.

  With genuine concern in her eyes, Scarlett asked, “Is everything all right?”

  When I didn’t reply immediately, she handed me one of the cups, but instead of taking it, I took both. I sat them on the railing to the porch and pulled Scarlett to me. I held her tightly, and without question, she let me. Breathing deeply, trying to control the all-consuming emotions that I had no idea how to handle, I stood there, inhaling her scent and letting it run through me. She didn’t let go, but finally asked, “What’s going on, Luke?”

  I pulled away and let go of the words I’d been holding in. “My dad is missing.”

  Her eyes widened as she latched onto my arms. “What do you mean missing?”

  “I haven’t seen or heard from him since he left here on New Year’s Eve. I’m heading over to the Walkers’ right now. Marcus is putting a search party together.”

  Her head collided with my chest and she let go of my arms to hug me around my waist. “Oh Luke, I’m so sorry. You must be going out of your mind with worry
.”

  “Please let me help,” she said into my chest before she stepped to look up at me. “I’m going to run home and get my dad and I’ll meet you there, okay?”

  I couldn’t have said no if I’d wanted to, so I nodded and walked her to her car. Before she left she reached up and whispered, “Don’t worry. We’ll find him.” Then she gave me the quickest of kisses and left.

  CHAPTER 34

  Drew

  Scarlett came barreling in the house like Leatherface was chasing after her with a chainsaw in his hands. She didn’t stop to say anything to me; she just ran upstairs and slammed her door shut. The bitch has some serious issues, I thought from my usual spot on the sofa in front of the TV. It was about two minutes later when she hurried back down wearing a sweat suit and flip-flops, not really appropriate attire for the bitter-ass cold outside, but they were her toes, not mine. Then I realized that she must be going for a run. I thought about going with her. Maybe that was what I needed to shake the boredom from my body.

  If only Avery were here, I definitely wouldn’t be so sexually frustrated. Sure, I could convince Becca to spread her legs at any given moment. She’d been all over me since we got here, but if Avery ever found out, she’d probably beat Becca within an inch of her life, give her time to heal, and then do it again. And I would very likely lose my favorite appendage. Best I just stay bored.

  Scarlett stopped in front of the sofa, blocking my view of the TV. “Drew, I need to ask you a question. And I need you to be honest.”

  This sounds promising, I thought. “You know honesty isn’t my strong suit, but go ahead, ask away.”

  “Did we have anything to do with Luke’s dad disappearing?”

  Here was where my semester of drama in high school would pay off. I shot up to a sitting position and widened my eyes in shock. “What? He’s missing? What happened?”

  “He never came home. The last time Luke saw him was New Year’s Eve. Please tell me that my dad wasn’t responsible for that,” she pleaded, looking very suspicious. “I know we’re trying to cause issues here, but we’re not kidnappers. Surely you wouldn’t go that far, right?”

  I stood up and, channeling my inner Johnny Depp, I placed my hands on her shoulders and vowed, “I swear I don’t know anything about Luke’s dad. If we had anything to do with it, someone would have told me.”

  Scarlett chewed on her bottom lip, obviously trying to decide if I was lying. The minute I felt her shoulders relax, I knew she’d bought it.

  Just then, Brian walked through the front door and instantly shot me a look that screamed, get your hands off my daughter! What the hell had gotten into him? It was perfectly acceptable to pimp your own daughter out to Luke, but I wasn’t allowed to touch her? To prove I didn’t give a shit what he thought, I tugged Scarlett closer to me and wrapped my arms around her in a big hug, and not a brother/sister-type hug either. Turning my head to Brian, I said, “Scarlett just told me that Mr. Stanton is missing.”

  “I heard. Marcus called and asked me to help with the search.”

  I released Scarlett from our embrace but kept one hand on the small of her back. “I was just reassuring Scar that we had nothing to do with it when you walked in,” I explained.

  Brian, who was an even better actor than I was, walked over to us, and looking his daughter straight in the eyes promised, “Honey, I swear to you we were not involved. When Marcus called me, that was the first I’d heard about it.”

  Scarlett’s face paled as her eyes studied both her father’s and my own, surely searching for some sign that we were lying. Her attention was diverted when her phone buzzed, and Brian and I both watched as she read the text. “That was Luke. I’m heading over there now. Do you want me to wait for you?” Scarlett asked her father as she squirmed out of my reach.

  Brian, shaking his head, told her to go ahead and to tell them that he would be there soon. Scarlett nodded her head and took off out the door.

  Brian stood by the window and watched until Scarlett was far enough away before turning his attention to me. “Everything went exactly as planned.”

  I followed Brian as he turned on his heel and marched into the kitchen.

  “My men followed Phillip from the Marriott in Santa Fe to the ski resort in Red Ridge. After he dropped the domestic off, my guys forced Phillip’s Mercedes off the road. Once they took in his imposing size, they decided to go ahead and tranq him and just be done with it. When I left our land, he was still unconscious. They will most likely need to keep him drugged while he is there just to be on the safe side,” Brian explained.

  “I don’t understand. Why didn’t they just kill him? It could have easily been made to look like a car accident. Why keep him alive?” I asked.

  “Leverage. Your dad wants to make sure that things with Marcus are handled. Once he’s out of the picture, we’ll dispose of Phillip. We might need him if our cover is blown or my plan for Marcus falls apart. So we’re keeping him alive until then. Don’t worry. Phillip doesn’t pose a threat. He is sedated and locked in the jail cell beneath our meeting room.”

  “Sounds too risky to me. A guy like Phillip is dangerous.”

  “Not my call. That’s the way your dad wants it,” he said as he shrugged. “I just do what I’m told and don’t ask any questions. You know how your father is. He’s never been one to take advice from anyone.”

  “All right, you have a point there. Should I go with you and help with the search?” I asked.

  “Nah, stay here. I’m going to make sure they don’t stumble upon any scents or evidence that could lead them to us.”

  I felt an anxious tick start up in my jaw. “I thought your guys handled it. Why would there be anything to stumble upon?”

  “There isn’t,” Brian stated defensively. “We covered our tracks very well since we expected that there’d be a search once they realized Phillip wasn’t coming home. We should be fine but it won’t hurt to get out there with them and see what they find. It’s just a precaution, and it’s not like I can tell Marcus no, right?” Brain stopped for a moment and looked around the kitchen. “If you need something to do, how about you clean this mess up?”

  I chuckled at the thought. “Yeah, right!” I hadn’t cleaned a day in my life and certainly didn’t plan to start now. I pushed off the counter and headed back to the couch.

  Five minutes later, Brian left and I was flipping through the TV channels in search of something decent to watch. Man, this sucked. I could be home right now buried between Avery’s hot thighs. Hmmm, maybe she’d be up for a little fun. I grabbed my phone and shot off a text.

  Baby, I hate it here. And I miss you so bad.

  Tell me what you’re wearing and then take it off and send me a pic.

  Seconds later, my phone dinged, and I looked down at the message and smiled. Oh yeah, I could work with that.

  CHAPTER 35

  Scarlett

  With shaking hands and a stomach full of nerves, I walked to Marcus’s house, hoping it would give me time to collect my thoughts and calm myself down. Tears stung my eyes as I considered the possibility that my pack was behind Luke’s father’s disappearance. I wanted nothing more than to believe that my own father would never do such a thing, to trust that even Drew wouldn’t stoop that low. But my gut told me otherwise. This was no coincidence.

  I was supposed to be making my grand escape from Red Ridge, but now I had no choice but to stay. Gavin was going to kill me for not leaving, but with all-consuming guilt and grief running through me, I knew I had to stay, had to see this through. I couldn’t leave Luke, not like this. I’d never forgive myself for walking out on him. In the end, he would hate me either way. I knew in my heart that even if I ran, he would eventually find out about the part I played in all of this. The least I could do was stay and help in any way I could.

  As I stood in front of the Walkers’ home, I swallowed back the lump in my throat and decided what I must do. First, I needed confirmation that my pack was indeed behind Ph
illip’s abduction. Only then could I come clean to Luke. I had to be sure, and then I’d be ready to make whatever sacrifice I needed to. This time, my pack had gone too far. It’s one thing to infiltrate the pack, mess with Cade and Aiden’s head, and stir up trouble; it’s another to hijack their enforcer.

  I’d almost made it to the front door when my phone buzzed again with another incoming text. I didn’t have to look to know it was Gavin…again. He’d been blowing up my phone all morning after I texted him to tell him I wasn’t coming home. I didn’t offer any explanation because I knew he would flip if I told him that Phillip was gone. He definitely wouldn’t want me involved. Before I went inside, I took a look at my phone on the off chance that it was Luke.

  If you don’t answer me, I’m getting in the fucking car and driving down there! I’m not kidding, Scar! Don’t test me.

  Damn it, Gavin! I couldn’t let him do that. Things were already screwed up enough. Quickly, I responded, my fingers trembling as they moved over the letters.

  I promise I’m fine. I’ll leave as soon as I can but something came up and I can’t get away. I’ll call and explain asap. Just stay home!

  Silently praying Gavin would stay put, I knocked on the door ready to face the pack I had betrayed. Would they see through my lies? When Luke looked at me, would I crumble? I wanted to crumble, needed to, but I couldn’t. Not yet. Soon, I’d tell Luke everything, but I knew when I did, he’d push me away. He’d never want to see me again, so before the inevitable, I had to do what I could to help bring his father home safely.

  The door swung open, and Luke stood before me looking as breathtaking as usual, but the hopelessness in his eyes caused my heart to constrict. Not caring who else was there, I threw myself into his arms, needing to be close to him. Luke enveloped my body in his arms and gently kissed the top of my head. “I’m so glad you’re here. Thank you for coming, for wanting to help.”

  I pulled away and looked up into his desolate eyes. “Thank you for letting me. Right here is where I need to be.” And it was true. This was exactly where I needed to be right now. I only wished my father wasn’t coming. I could hardly look at him without wanting to claw his eyes out. I may not have proof, but I knew in my heart that he was lying to me. Soon he would be here, pretending that he didn’t know exactly what had happened to Phillip, and somehow, I would have to act as if my own father wasn’t a kidnapper. But he was. He was The Fixer. If there was a problem, he “fixed” it, and it appears as if someone decided that Phillip was a problem.