Lies Never Sleep

by Stacy Claflin

“Again, how will that help?”

  Zion took her hand and stepped back. “If we’re rested, then we’ll have enough energy to do what we need to do tomorrow.”

  “And what is that?”

  “Ask around about the boys at the school. Morgan was talking to people who know Atlas. We need to talk to the kids in Emmett’s drama club.”

  “Didn’t the police talk to all the kids?”

  “Yeah, but two days have gone by. Someone might have thought of something in the interim.”

  “Maybe.”

  “If anyone has, I want to know. Kids won’t necessarily speak up. Someone has to ask, and that someone is me. Us, if you’ll come.”

  Rowena’s heart ached. “You think that would help?”

  “The girls might feel more comfortable opening up to you.”

  He did have a point. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

  They headed for the living room. When they passed the kitchen, Zion turned to her. “Do you want anything to eat or drink?”

  She shook her head. That was the last thing she wanted. She only wanted Emmett back.

  “A glass of wine to relax?”

  “You know I don’t drink.”

  “Nobody could fault you for having a few sips now.”

  “Not after seeing everything my dad went through.”

  “Of course. I wasn’t thinking. Sometimes I forget since you have the occasional social drink.”

  “It’s fine. I don’t want to start now. Not while I’m this stressed. I just want you. You’ve always been my rock, since I was sixteen.”

  Zion kissed her hand and led her to the living room. Once she was comfortable on the couch, he tucked a blanket around her then turned on some soft music and lit a few candles after dimming the lights. He sat and put an arm around her. “Does this remind you of anything?”

  She looked into his dark eyes and saw the skinny bullied kid she’d fallen in love with. The football players had made him their target the moment he had started school. He’d been an easy mark because of being poor and having such a thick Jamaican accent that most kids had a hard time understanding.

  Rowena, however, had been intrigued. She’d thought he was exotic and brave. Zion had never backed down from the bullies, and he always gave back what they’d given him. Eventually, the football players got bored and moved on.

  Then later, Zion became a successful and respected attorney, outshining all those guys whose glory days had been back in high school.

  Zion rubbed her jawline and traced her lips, bringing her back to the present. The first song they’d ever danced to played softly in the background. “This doesn’t remind you of anything?”

  “The spring Tolo dance.” The corners of her mouth curved up.

  He brushed his lips across hers. “The most beautiful girl in the whole school asked the gawkiest boy to the girls’ choice dance. Changed his life forever. Shocked the hell out of him, too.”

  She kissed him. “You weren’t gawky. You’ve always been perfect.”

  Zion ran his fingers through her hair. “Only because you’ve always believed in me. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

  “Oh, please. Zion Powell could do anything, with or without me.” She traced the stubble on his cheeks.

  “You say I’m your rock, but you’re mine.” He rose and helped Rowena to her feet, pulling her close and leading her in a dance.

  She leaned against him and followed his lead. It brought her back to that dance floor so many years ago, only now he wasn’t skinny and unsure. He’d filled out perfectly and now danced with an alluring confidence.

  Another love song from their high school years played. She closed her eyes and could smell the cologne he’d worn on their first date. Could feel the stiffness of his borrowed suit. The only thing that had changed was their love for each other. It had been a mystery and an immature attraction, but now it was a deep love and a closeness from a lifetime of shared experiences—both soaring highs and crushing lows.

  “I’ve always loved you.” Zion’s whisper tickled her ear. “And I always will.”

  “I love you too, and will never stop.”

  He trailed soft kisses to her lips, then cupped her chin and took possession of her mouth, deepening the kiss. Chills ran down her back, then her skin heated as though on fire. It was like they were reliving the early days, except they had the advantage of experience on their side. He knew exactly how to melt her in one simple movement.

  The song ended. Zion pulled away and gazed into her eyes. “You’re right. Who needs wine? You’re intoxicating enough.”

  “So are you.” Rowena traced his jawline and picked up where they’d left off with the kiss. Her pulse raced and she was swept back in time to a place with no worries.

  Ding-dong!

  Reality crashed down around her.

  Zion stepped back. “Who would be here at this hour?”

  Rowena’s heart shattered into a million pieces. “It can only be bad news. Emmett—”

  He put a finger over her mouth. “Don’t say it. It might be good news.”

  “What good news comes after ten o’clock?”

  “Maybe we’re about to find out.” He kissed her forehead, then led her to the front door.

  Ding-dong!

  Rowena gasped. Tears threatened.

  “It’s good news.”

  If only she shared his optimism. She pictured two officers standing outside the door with news that would destroy her.

  Zion opened the door. It was two people, but they weren’t police.

  “Brielle, Layne,” he said. “What are you doing here?”

  Rowena’s legs nearly gave out. She leaned against the wall and took measured breaths.

  Brielle held out a stack of papers. “We made posters. You can have these to hand out.”

  “Are you sure?” Zion took the stack. “There must be a hundred sheets.”

  “Two hundred.” Brielle smiled. “We printed out two thousand. If we run out, we’ll have more made.”

  Zion looked at the top page. “This is really good. Thank you.”

  “We want to find them as much as you do. Someone has to know something, right?”

  Rowena’s legs felt steadier, so she crept forward and looked at the poster. There was a color closeup of each boy, then another picture of the two of them in the bleachers at school. Underneath was more information about both of them.

  She looked at the girls. “How much did it cost to print these? Let us help.”

  Brielle shook her head. “I can’t take your money. I want to do this for them.”

  “Are you sure? We don’t mind.”

  “Just pass them out. We—”

  “How dare you?” Someone ran up the driveway toward the house.

  Rowena tried to tell who it was, but the light wasn’t bright enough. She could only tell that the figure was feminine. Maybe blonde.

  By the time she reached the porch, she recognized Violet. Her face was red and her nostrils flared. She glared at Layne.

  “What’s going on?” Rowena exclaimed.

  Violet shoved Layne. “Stop lying to everyone!”

  Zion exchanged a confused glance with Rowena. He turned to Layne. “What is she talking about?”

  Layne shrugged. “I have no idea.” She glowered at Violet. “I’m sorry your brother’s missing, but go away. I didn’t do anything to you.”

  Violet shoved her. “Like hell you didn’t! Emmett dumped you right before he disappeared, and you’ve been acting like he didn’t this whole time!”

  Layne clutched her chest.

  “Is that true?” Rowena demanded. “Did Emmett break up with you?”

  “She’s lying!”

  “I saw the whole thing, you ugly cow!” Violet pushed her again.

  “Stop!” Layne slapped Violet across the face.

  Violet lunged at her, slamming her into the door.

  Zion jumped in between them, pulling them apart. “
Both of you stop!”

  They swung fists at each other, but couldn’t make contact because of Zion holding them.

  Brielle pulled Violet back. “Calm down, sweetie.”

  “Calm down? Layne’s lying! What else is she hiding? She has to be the one behind all of this.”

  “You could get an award for your acting.” Layne struggled to get free of Zion’s grasp, but couldn’t.

  He cleared his throat. “Let’s bring this inside, and talk like civilized people. Any more physical assaults, and I’m going to have to report it.”

  “She started it!” Layne pointed to Violet. “She’s the one going psycho.”

  “Let’s talk about this. Can you two agree to that?”

  Layne glared at him. “Yes.”

  Zion glanced at Violet. “Can you?”

  She nodded.

  He let go of Layne. She marched inside, muttering.

  They all went to the living room.

  Brielle turned to Rowena with an apologetic glance. “Did we interrupt something?”

  “We were just trying to relax.” Rowena brightened the lights, and everyone sat. Layne and Violet shot death glares at each other. Brielle kept her arm around Violet.

  Zion crossed one leg over the other. “Would someone care to explain what’s going on?”

  “She’s lying!” Tears shone in Violet’s eyes.

  Rowena studied her. Something was off about everything Violet had said and done since arriving. She was too upset about this over her brother’s best friend. “What do you think she’s lying about exactly?”

  Violet turned to her. She blinked, and a single tear trailed down her face. “She’s lying about being Emmett’s girlfriend. He dumped her right before he and Atlas went missing. She refuses to admit it, so she must’ve done something to them!”

  Rowena looked at Layne. “How much of this is true?”

  “None of it! She’s losing it. Her brother’s gone, her parents are probably divorcing, and her dad’s been shot. She’s lashing out at me.”

  “My parents aren’t divorcing! And I’m not lashing out. You’re lying about Emmett, so why should I believe anything else you say?”

  Zion leaned forward. “Did Emmett break up with you?”

  “Yes!” Violet jumped up.

  Brielle pulled her back down. “Let her answer.”

  Layne’s expression tensed. “Emmett’s my boyfriend.”

  “No, he’s not!” Violet pulled away from Brielle, but she didn’t let go. “He’s my boyfriend, you lying pig!”

  “What?” Shock ran through Rowena. “You and Emmett?”

  “Yes! We were going to tell everyone, but somehow we can’t. Funny how you’re parading around, acting like there’s still something between you two. I should’ve gotten a video of you pathetically begging him not to leave you.”

  Layne narrowed her eyes.

  “Did Emmett break up with you?” Zion repeated.

  She folded her arms, and after several beats passed, she gave a slight nod.

  “Finally!” Violet jumped up and ran to Layne. “Did you hurt them? Did you do something to my boyfriend and brother?”

  Layne’s mouth formed a straight line. She shook her head.

  “Liar!”

  “Enough.” Zion rose and stepped closer to Layne. “Why have you been pretending? This is valuable information.”

  Tears shone in her eyes. “I didn’t want to lose him! My plan was to work things out with him. I didn’t know he was already seeing someone. That he’d been cheating on me behind my back.” Layne shot Violet a threatening look.

  Rowena pressed her palms on the couch to steady herself. “Did you do anything to the boys?”

  “No.” Layne wiped her eyes. “I’m in love with him. I’d rather him alive with someone else than dead.”

  Her words felt like a punch in the gut. Rowena gasped for air. “You… you think he’s dead?”

  “I hope not! I’m just making a point. As much as I don’t want to see him with anyone else, I don’t want to hurt him, either.”

  Rowena struggled to breathe. “This is too much. I need to lie down.”

  Zion put his arm around her. “That’s a good idea. You girls should all go home—to your own homes.” He looked back and forth between Layne and Violet. “You two need to put your differences aside for now. We all want the same thing, and that’s what we need to focus on.”

  Violet stood taller. “I can do that.”

  “Without hitting me?” Layne narrowed her eyes.

  “As long as you stop spreading lies.”

  “Nobody’s going to believe you.”

  “Girls.” Zion’s tone was so authoritative, it sent a chill down Rowena’s spine.

  Both girls stood straight. Layne swallowed. Violet’s eyes widened.

  “Go home and get some rest.”

  They scrambled out of the room with Brielle just behind them. Rowena and Zion followed, seeing them out.

  Rowena turned to him as soon as he closed the door. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”

  “Me, neither.”

  His phone rang.

  She groaned. “Who is it?”

  He pulled it from his pocket and rubbed his forehead. “Ellen Waterman.”

  “Please don’t answer it.”

  “What if she shows up with a gun again?”

  “She’d be stupid to. Patrols are increased in the neighborhood. The police have to find her soon. She can’t hide forever.”

  Zion glanced back and forth between her and the phone. He declined the call.

  Rowena hoped they wouldn’t regret it.

  21

  Lila James

  * * *

  The front door slammed shut. Lila’s eyes flew open. She’d fallen asleep on the couch, reading through posts discussing theories of what had happened to Atlas and Emmett.

  “I can’t believe you did that!” It sounded like Brielle. “You got her to confess.”

  “I’d have beaten it out of her if I’d had to.” That sounded like Violet, and she sounded furious. “I hate that liar!”

  Lila stretched and forced herself off the couch. She needed to find out what the girls were talking about. Violet was supposed to be in her room, sleeping. Not just coming in from who-knew-where. She stumbled over to the entry.

  Violet and Brielle both turned to her, wide-eyed.

  “Where have you been?” Lila tried to keep her tone non-accusatory.

  They exchanged a worried glance.

  “You may as well tell me. I’ll find out one way or another.”

  Brielle stepped forward and bit her lower lip. “Violet was only across the street. I had texted her that Layne and I were there with some Missing posters that we’d put together. She went to get them but then got into an argument with Layne.”

  Lila turned to her daughter. “Why Layne?”

  Violet took a deep breath. “It’s a long story.”

  “Enlighten me.”

  Violet exchanged another glance with Brielle. “She keeps saying that she’s still Emmett’s girlfriend, but he broke up with her.”

  “Okay…?” Lila strained to make the connection between that and Violet’s obvious upset over it.

  “Mom, Emmett and I are in love.”

  It took her a moment to comprehend the news. “You and Emmett?”

  She nodded. “It’s true. We were going to tell everyone the day after he and Atlas disappeared. Don’t you find it convenient that Emmett’s gone and nobody knows that Layne was dumped?”

  “I’m not sure that convenient is the word I’d use, but it’s definitely suspicious. Do you really think she’s capable of… whatever happened to them?”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me!” Fire shone in Violet’s eyes.

  “What happened, exactly?”

  Brielle stepped forward. “Violet told Emmett’s parents and Layne tried to deny it, but finally admitted the truth. Well, about getting dumped. She still claims innocence
over Emmett and Atlas being missing.”

  Lila tried to make sense of it all. She’d have never thought Violet and Emmett would have paired off. “Do you think she’s telling the truth?”

  Brielle shrugged. “It’s hard to tell. Layne’s a good liar.”

  “What about you?” Lila turned to Violet. “Do you think she’s guilty?”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me at all.” Violet scowled.

  “Maybe we should go to the police with this.”

  “Yes, we should.” Violet nodded vigorously.

  “Sounds good to me.” Brielle yawned. “I’d better get back home before Dad figures out I’m not home yet.” She grabbed a pile of papers from the table by the door and handed some to Lila. “I’ll print out more if we need them.”

  Lila took the papers. “Thanks for everything, Bri.”

  She smiled sweetly. “Sure. Just let me know if you need anything else.”

  Lila nodded, then held the door open for her.

  Once Brielle was gone, Violet yawned. “I’d better get to bed.”

  “Not so fast.”

  “What, Mom?”

  Lila gave her a knowing look. “What were you thinking?”

  “About confronting Layne?”

  “No. Dating your brother’s best friend. Did Atlas know?”

  Violet shook her head. “He was going to be the first person we told.”

  “Did you stop to think about what would happen after you broke up?”

  Violet crossed her arms. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  “It isn’t anything personal, hon. We both know that relationships at your age don’t last. It would be awkward, or worse, with Atlas and Emmett being best friends. What if Atlas felt like he had to take sides? Even if he didn’t, you’d have to see Emmett all the time.”

  “We’re in love! And we’re the perfect couple to actually last—we’ve known each other forever. We started out as friends. And besides, his parents were high school sweethearts. It can work for us, too.”

  “What if Atlas doesn’t like the idea? Did you think about that? He’s protective of you girls, and guys don’t like their friends dating their sisters.”

  Violet threw her arms into the air. “None of this matters now! We don’t even know where they are. Besides, did you stop to think about how hard this is on me? Both my brother and my boyfriend are missing!”