Phoenix: Book One of The Stardust Series

by Autumn Reed

  As annoyed as I was with Knox, I felt the most betrayed by Ethan. After opening up to him and sharing memories of my mom and the constellation story, I could have sworn we had a connection. While he genuinely seemed to care about me, the phone conversation I overheard shattered that illusion. And, technically, if I couldn’t trust Ethan, that meant I couldn’t trust any of them.

  After just a week around these guys, I felt like I was riding on a perpetual roller coaster. One minute they were sweet and thoughtful, the next they were controlling and acting shifty. I knew I was perhaps overly suspicious thanks to my dad’s influence, but I couldn’t ignore all of the signs that things didn’t totally add up with these guys.

  Part of me screamed to run away as fast as I could. But another part knew my best chance of finding out more information about their intentions and my dad’s disappearance was to stick around. And, as much as I hated to admit it, I was relieved that they hadn’t left me alone in the woods with no money and nowhere to go. I hadn’t been able to justify making the decision to go with them, but now that I was here, I planned to take advantage of it.

  Deciding that I’d spent enough time lost in my thoughts, I grabbed my crutches and headed toward the living room. Theo was there, putting his laptop in a beat-up brown leather messenger bag.

  He looked up and gave me a welcoming smile. “Good morning, cutie. Love the outfit,” he said with a wink. “I’m actually heading to the library to work on a group project. I left bagels on the counter, or help yourself to anything in the fridge.”

  I sat down on the sofa and watched him get the rest of his stuff together. “Okay, thanks.” He was leaving me alone? And did he just call me “cutie”?

  He walked toward the door, pulling his bag over one shoulder. “Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll see you later.”

  Sitting on the leather sofa, I remained the picture of calm relaxation, but my insides danced with anticipation. As soon as the door shut behind Theo, I jumped up. I was alone. Alone in the loft. I had been itching to explore, to see what the rest of the space was like and to find out more about Theo and Knox. Now I had my chance.

  Although I had already seen the kitchen, living, and dining room, I used this time to take a closer look. Admiring the work and design that had gone into their home, I couldn’t possibly imagine them anywhere else. Thanks to the light-filled interiors and wood floors, the space felt airy. And yet, the large furniture in heavy materials and the metal accents on the railing and fixtures kept it grounded.

  Despite its industrial framework and overt masculinity, their home was still inviting and homey. I supposed it was thanks to all the details throughout, definitely Theo’s doing.

  Walking toward the immense bookshelves, I tried to gauge their size. With such high ceilings, everything had to be oversized to not be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the building. Not only were they tall, the shelves spanned two walls forming a large L-shape.

  I marveled at the number of books; it almost looked like they had raided a library. Running my fingers along their spines, I scanned the titles. Some looked newer than others, and they seemed to be organized topically. The books ranged in subjects from woodworking and criminal psychology to fashion and art history. There was even a large fiction section, complete with many of the classics.

  Even with all the books, the shelves had more than enough space for other items. There was a nice balance of decorative items and books, creating an overall effect that was pleasing to the eye. Their extensive record and movie collection took up several shelves. I hadn’t even noticed the TV, large as it was, distracted by all the books. Who needs TV when you have all these books?

  I scanned the rest of the living room and stopped when I reached a giant trunk on wheels. Reminded of the old movies I loved to watch, I laughed. Maybe they’re magicians too? They certainly did a good job of making me disappear. I was curious about the trunk but had more important things to explore, like Knox’s room and the rooms upstairs.

  I turned and headed toward the dining room. The living room, dining room, and kitchen were combined in one large area, but there were still clearly defined rooms. The areas were designated by the furniture yet flowed seamlessly from one to the next.

  I skimmed my fingers along the rectangular table top, admiring the beautiful wood grain. Stopping, I leaned forward, unable to detect any seams and very few knots. I couldn’t imagine how large the tree would have to be to get a single piece this large.

  The sun streaming in the kitchen windows blinded me momentarily. Apart from a large island that ran parallel to the dining table, most of the cabinets and appliances were placed in an L-shape, mirroring the bookshelves. Unlike my kitchen in Coleville, this kitchen had no upper cabinets, leaving the space nice and open.

  The dark gray cabinets contrasted nicely with the wood floor and the light stone countertops. Despite the ample counter space, the countertops were mostly bare. I took a mental inventory: a fancy looking coffee maker, a knife block, and a container holding cooking utensils.

  Walking along the length of the table, I eyed the second floor. I set my crutches against the wall; then with one hand on the metal rail, I hesitated at the foot of the stairs. How much time do I have before someone returns? If I went upstairs, I couldn’t just sprint back down to the living room and pretend I hadn’t been wandering around. Curiosity got the better of me, and I shrugged. If I get caught, I’ll come up with something.

  I held onto the rail, using it as a crutch to help avoid putting too much weight on my ankle. It was cold and hard beneath my hand. Climbing the stairs, I reassured myself I was making the right choice. I felt entitled to some snooping; after all, they had kidnapped me.

  The wood floor and metal stair railing continued up the stairs and onto the second floor. I reached the second floor landing and turned right to continue down the walkway. I noticed that thick wood beams ran in parallel lines across the second-floor ceiling.

  To my right was the metal railing overlooking the kitchen, dining room, and living room; to my left was a concrete wall with several doors. Behind door number one, I thought. I knew the first door belonged to Theo’s room, although I had yet to see it. The door was partially open and I peeked my head in. With no one in sight, I listened for any sounds of movement.

  I entered the room tentatively. I felt slightly guilty entering Theo’s personal space without being invited since Theo had been so kind and welcoming to me.

  The wall in front of me was red brick, like the one in the room I was staying in downstairs. Apart from the placement of the door, and what I assumed was an extended closet, the size was much the same. But, the ceiling was different; the parallel wood beams continued into the bedrooms.

  Although the style of the room matched the rest of the loft, it definitely had its own flair. It even had its own scent. I sniffed, trying to put my finger on it. The smell was inviting, calming even. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. There were notes of citrus, lavender, and perhaps rosemary. Combined, the flavors created a scent that was at once clean, refreshing, and relaxing. I smiled. The perfect complement to Theo.

  The headboard backed up to the wall with the windows, the bed facing the closet. Two nightstands flanked the bed, each with a lamp. The one to the right of the bed held a tidy stack of books and a square leather tray with various items in it: loose change, a pair of sunglasses. I scanned the titles, wondering what Theo found interesting: George Washington, by Alexander Chernow; Willpower, by Roy Baumeister; and The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexander Dumas. I’d like to read all of those!

  The brick wall had framed pictures on it, much like the ones in my room. While those downstairs were mostly landscapes, these were a mix of cities, famous landmarks, and other travel-related scenes. Many of the photographs had the same feel to them, and I wondered if maybe Theo or Knox had taken them.

  A few feet away from the foot of the bed a long and narrow wooden desk spanned much of the wall. The desk chair was wooden with wheels
and looked like it belonged in someone’s office long ago. There were few items on the desktop and any papers were sorted into trays and folders. The top paper in the tray appeared to be some of Theo’s homework. I was impressed by the bright red “A” before I even realized he was listed as “Theodore Bennett.” I smiled; the name had a nice ring to it.

  A large calendar hung on the wall above the desk next to a bulletin board. I leaned forward to get a closer look. There was a picture of two children I assumed were Knox and Theo, magazine clippings of bikes and men’s fashion, a cocktail recipe, and some random quotes.

  Opening the door to the right of the desk, a light immediately flickered on. I stood speechless, admiring the lines of clothing hung in neat rows on matching hangers. Long and narrow, the closet stretched the length of the room. Toward the end, a set of shelves several feet wide went from floor to ceiling. Pairs of shoes were lined up on display. What guy owns this many shoes? This many clothes for that matter?

  I closed the door gently and returned to the upstairs walkway. I peeked my head in the next door. Realizing it was a bathroom, I didn’t linger. The next door was open, revealing another bedroom. Does someone else live with Theo and Knox? If not, why do two guys need four bedrooms?

  The room was decorated much like the bedroom downstairs with several noticeable differences. The ceiling of this room had wood beams, the windows were larger and arched, and there was slightly more space. I wondered why Theo chose the room he had. Given the choice, this was the room I would have picked.

  I quickly surveyed the furnishings but sensed it was another guest bedroom. The closet was empty of clothing, confirming my suspicions. Still anxious that someone was going to return to the loft, I hurried out of the room.

  Arriving downstairs, I felt calmer, although I still felt like I was being watched. Don’t be ridiculous, Haley. I grabbed my crutches and then turned left, heading down the hallway toward my bedroom. I breathed a small sigh of relief. At least they would expect to find me down here.

  I knew that a bathroom and guest bedroom lay behind the doors to my left. What I really wanted to know was what hid behind the door on the right and the one at the end of the hall. Assuming Knox didn’t have an opaque glass door for his bedroom door, I figured the one on the right side of the hall must lead to his room.

  I stared at the door, wishing I could see through it. I didn’t want to imagine how Knox would react if he found me snooping around his room. Wait, why am I even hesitating? I straightened and took a deep breath. Grabbing the handle, I swung the door open defiantly. I quickly glanced around and released my breath when I saw that the large room was empty of anyone else.

  In front of me was a window as wide as the bed centered beneath it. I tilted my head to one side, eyebrow raised. With no bed frame, the mattress rested directly on a large rug placed on the wood floor.

  I stepped onto the rug, feeling its soft fibers respond beneath my feet. The bed was inviting, covered in plush layers of sheets and blankets in varying materials and shades of gray and white. If the bed had been a person, I would have said it was in a state of undress. It didn’t look sloppy, it just looked relaxed; I wanted to fall into it.

  On each side of the bed, a dark metallic lamp was attached to the wall, pointing toward the pillows. There were no nightstands, but I figured the bed was so close to the ground you could just set books or items on the rug.

  Knox’s room had two interior doors; I discovered that one led to a bathroom, the other to a closet. I stuck my head in the closet, turning on the light. His clothes hung neatly and the floor was clean. Although the space was smaller than Theo’s closet, it still felt somewhat spartan in comparison. I gently flipped through the hanging items. Knox owns a suit? I had only ever seen him wear jeans and T-shirts.

  The rest of the room was much like the closet; there were few items beyond the essentials. On the brick wall to the left of the bed was a simple wooden desk, no drawers or shelves. A laptop, notepad, and a cup of pens sat on top. I flipped through the notepad; it was mostly mechanical drawings of gears or rough sketches of rooms with dimensions. Private security, huh?

  I heard a car door shut and my heart lurched. I turned my head and eyed the door to the room feeling momentary panic. Is someone coming? Feeling jumpy, and not wanting to press my luck any further, I returned to the kitchen. There were dishes from breakfast that needed to be washed anyway.

  Standing at the sink, my back was to the rest of the loft as I looked out a window. My hands were covered in soapy water, the smell of the lemon-scented soap clean and pleasant. I washed the dishes, mesmerized by the bubbles and the repetitive motion.

  When I heard the front door open, I figured it must be Theo or Knox returning. I finished washing the remaining dish, rinsed off my hands, and dried them on the kitchen towel. I turned, expecting to see a familiar face; instead, I practically jumped out of my skin.

  Hartfelt Apologies

  I yelped in surprise at the sight of the tall stranger standing in front of me. I probably should have been worried that he was an intruder, but I was too busy speculating whether he just stepped off the pages of a Ralph Lauren ad. With his sun-kissed skin, pale blue polo, and white shorts, I could easily envision him on the deck of a sailboat, staring off into the distance.

  His shirt was just snug enough to display the outline of his muscular chest and biceps. His glossy raven-colored hair was curly but cut short enough to lay in perfect waves. Dark brows hovered over piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into me with intelligence and purpose. His chiseled face was softened only by stubble that simultaneously looked rough and groomed.

  When he spoke, his tone was formal but friendly. “I apologize for startling you, Haley. My name is Jackson Hart.” Jackson? This must be the guy Knox mentioned the other night. He held out his arm, initiating a handshake. I hesitantly placed my hand in his, hoping that he didn’t feel my tremor at his touch.

  I stepped back, trying to get a handle on my nerves. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  His stance was casual, but somehow his demeanor betrayed an overall sense of authority. “Yes. I need to speak with you about a few things.” Gesturing to the dining table, he said, “Would you mind taking a seat?”

  Too intimidated to even consider arguing, I sat in the chair he indicated. I twisted my hands in my lap, uncertain why Jackson wanted to talk to me.

  After sliding into the seat diagonal from mine, he got right down to business. “First of all, I would like you to know that my team has fully briefed me on the circumstances of the past week.” His team? While I had assumed Knox was in charge based on my previous observations, obviously I was wrong. Amazingly, I could imagine Knox following orders given by Jackson. While Knox was the epitome of raw strength, Jackson personified calm and control.

  “On behalf of the entire team, I would like to apologize for the method that was employed to bring you to Santa Cruz. I hope you know that it was done with your best interests in mind.”

  Taken aback by his impromptu apology, I remained quiet, weighing his words. I couldn’t help but wonder how they could possibly know what was best for me when, at that moment, I had no clue.

  Seemingly unperturbed by my silence, he continued. “It is my understanding that Knox and Theo have offered to let you stay here at the loft for the time being. Is that acceptable to you?”

  It hadn’t occurred to me that I had a choice in the matter. But, even without asking about other options, I knew I wanted to stay at the loft. I felt comfortable here, and it just seemed like the right fit. Plus, after spending the day with Theo yesterday, I was looking forward to more time with him. Somehow I could imagine us becoming really great friends.

  “As long as it’s not too much of an inconvenience, yes, I would like to stay here for now.”

  Jackson’s deep blue eyes drilled into mine, searching. I wondered what he was thinking but didn’t dare ask. “Good.” He scrolled through his phone, as if consulting a list, and
then continued.

  “Next, I want to emphasize that you need to stay with one of the guys on the team at all times. They have been instructed to follow a rotation system based on their availability. Obviously since Knox and Theo live here, they’ll be around more than the other guys.”

  At this news, I gasped in dismay. “I don’t need a babysitter! I’ve been here by myself all morning, and I’m fine.” I couldn’t believe the gall of him to demand that I remain with one of the guys all the time. Maybe I was a prisoner here after all.

  As I was stewing over Jackson’s news, another thought hit me. “Wait, are you saying that Theo is a part of the team? He’s in security?” Considering Theo’s engaging personality, it never even occurred to me that he had the same job as Knox and the others.

  Jackson leaned back in his chair and draped one arm along the top of the chair next to him. His relaxed posture seemed at odds with the serious topic of conversation. “Yes, Theo works part time since he’s still in school. And actually, Knox has been in the garage the whole time, so you haven’t been alone. The loft has a sophisticated security system, so he would know if you attempted to leave.” Oh crap. Did that mean they had security cameras around the loft? What if Knox caught me snooping?

  Unaware of my internal dilemma, Jackson proceeded. “And while I can appreciate your position, I must insist. Our constant presence is for the benefit of your safety, I assure you.”

  As difficult as it was to argue with him, I spoke up. “I don’t understand. Why is my safety an issue here in Santa Cruz?” It didn’t make sense. The guys had supposedly taken me away from the Coleville area for my safety. No one else should even know I was here.