True Colors (book #1, The Masks Series)

by Melissa Pearl

  “Well,” I licked my lips. “Let’s help you get another A+ then.” I winked, pretending that I hadn’t spotted her morose mood change.

  Micah arrived a second later and saved the day. Everything seemed better with him around. It hadn’t taken Libby long to figure out that he was a nice guy. Indie already knew it, but it was nice to see her come out of her shell. She was so much more open when Liam wasn’t around, laughing at Micah’s jokes and joining in with our friendly banter. I loved this side of her and I wanted to see it bloom, something it couldn’t do under Liam’s reign.

  I watched Indie’s boyfriend saunter into the library and stop at our table. His friendly smirk was in place, he looked calm and in control, but underneath he was frothing. He despised Micah...with a vehemence that nearly choked me.

  I coughed and spluttered as Micah pounded me on the back. “You okay?”

  Nodding, I covered my mouth to try and hide my horror. I didn’t like reading Liam. He was hell scary.

  Clearing the last tickle out of my throat, I sat back with a smile, hoping nobody could tell how forced it was. Liam was chuckling at me, but I didn’t see that. I was too busy reading the insidious glint in his eye as he stroked Indie’s hair. His very touch brought her into line. She was internally squirming, wanting to pull away from it, but knowing she couldn’t.

  “So, how’s it going guys?” His voice was friendly and charming, but I knew better. His congenial blue gaze landed on Libby and she quaked beneath it. Her lips quivered as she smiled back and told him what we were up to. A few weeks ago she would have been bubbling with enthusiasm. Having Liam Donovan acknowledge her would have made her day, but not today. In fact she was doing a super crap job of hiding it. Micah could even tell. I noticed his eyebrows dip slightly.

  “Well, thanks for helping my girl, but I’ve got to steal her away now.”

  I used to swoon. Now I just wanted to be sick.

  Indie collected her stuff and Liam took her bag, smiling tenderly at her as he ran his hand down her back. At least that’s what everyone else saw. All I witnessed was a stern look and eyes that told Indie she was in for a punishing.

  I jerked out of my seat, grabbing my stuff. “Sorry guys, I gotta split. I didn’t realize the time.”

  Micah looked skeptical as he nodded. It was a relief to hear him ask Libby if she wanted to stick around for another ten and at least finish off their discussion. She said yes and I left them to it, hoping I’d spot which direction Liam took Indie.

  I was scared for her. It might have been an overreaction, but I saw it. It was written all over his face. She was in trouble.

  Panic sizzled through my system as I walked outside and headed down the open hallway. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Would I seriously have the guts to help her if he tried to do something? Who did I think I was? But I couldn’t just ignore this. I spotted a flash of dark red hair on the grass below and raced for the stairs. When I reached the grassy quad I couldn’t see them and I felt my spirits deflate as I once again cursed my ability to see all this stuff.

  Ignorance was bliss. I knew that for a fact now.

  I kicked a stone and headed to my next class not expecting to see Indie again until the morning. But on my way, my ears snaffled a voice that would have been familiar had it not been so terse.

  “I told you to keep away from her.”

  “It wasn’t my choice we were put in a group together. Mrs Mac—"

  “Mrs. Mackerly’s an idiot. She can be talked into doing anything. You should have asked for a different group.” I poked my head around the edge of the building and spotted Liam. He was standing over a cowering Indie, his hands on his hips as he reprimanded her like a little kid. “You should know better, Indie. I’m relying on you.”

  “I’m not doing anything to let you down.” Her voice was submissive and small, her head bowed as she spoke to him. “This study group could be a really good thing. I can keep an eye on her.”

  Were they talking about me?

  “I just know how useless you are at keeping your mouth shut. I’m trying to run a business here, Indie. I can’t have people poking into my past.”

  She flinched and touched her stomach. She looked ready to cry and I wasn’t even reading her.

  “She’s apologized for prying. She said she didn’t mean to and she hasn’t been asking any more questions. I don’t think she’s a threat.”

  “She’s something. We need to be wary of her. I don’t like the way she looks at me.”

  Wow, so someone finally noticed. I knew they were definitely referring to me now and it did make me jittery. Indie clutched her turquoise cotton dress, squeezing the fabric in her hand.

  Liam noticed and gently pried her fingers loose. “You know I don’t like it when you do that. It makes you look nervous.”

  “Sorry,” she whispered. I could see she hated the feel of his hand as it skimmed up her arm and cupped her face. It looked gentle, but there was a pressure to his grip as he made her look at him.

  “I don’t want to you get punished like you did last weekend. Don’t give Caitlyn anything else, okay?”

  “I won’t.” Her lips quivered as they rose into a smile.

  He kissed her forehead and smiled at her. “That’s my girl.”

  With a light pat on the butt, he sent her on her way. Thankfully she headed in the opposite direction from me, so I could stay and keep watching Liam. I felt sick. He punished her? No wonder she was so scared of him. Ideas of the type of punishment he inflicted coursed through my brain, making me want to hurl. I never would have believed it before, but I’d seen the soft blue tone of Liam’s eyes become dark with malice. Oh yeah, he was no doubt capable of inflicting a lot of pain.

  Liam’s phone jingled. He yanked it from his back pocket and his face fell. His mask was already off, so I saw his fear easily. Who could he possibly be afraid of?

  He swallowed and answered after one more ring. “Yeah...no it’s not going to be a problem.” Liam rolled his eyes. “Yes, of course I’ve spoken to her...She’s not! And you don’t need to scare her like you did on Saturday. I’d already dealt with the problem.” His cheeks burned with color as he listened to the other caller. “My methods are just fine and they work.” He clenched his jaw. “I am not a sicko. I love her and having sex is not a crime.” A sudden shame lashed his features before his chin stuck out. “At least I never punch her. I know you made sure her bruises couldn’t show, but she was pretty stiff the next day. Someone might have noticed.” He paused to listen. His skin paled, his blue eyes filling with fear. “Don’t you dare. Indie’s mine and you will not touch her again.” He wanted to say those words more forcefully, but couldn’t. Whoever he was talking to had him petrified. “Yes, yes. The business is fine. I’ve done damage control and no one’s going to squeak.” He sighed. “She seems to have backed off. I don’t think she’ll be a problem...Dude, you don’t have to do that.” His usually confident gaze wavered. He kicked the concrete wall behind him, running a hand through his ashy blond hair. “Alright fine, but just control yourself this time. I don’t want anymore blood on your hands.”

  He hung up, shoved the phone back in his pocket and swore. His limbs were shaking as he ran his hands through his hair again and cursed a few more times. But it wasn’t anger I was seeing. Much like his girlfriend, he was scared and for the first time since seeing him properly, I almost pitied him.

  I would have stayed to see more, but he turned in my direction and I had to split before he caught me. My limbs were quivering as I raced into the human traffic that was now scurrying off to class after the post lunch bell. What I had I just heard? What did Liam do to Indie? I felt sick for her, weak for her. I wanted to cry and scream and hit Liam until his face bled, but that would only land me in trouble.

  I shuddered.

  Liam was a sicko, but whoever was controlling him was obviously worse.

  For the remainder of the day my mind replayed the two conversations. As the impact of t
heir sinister nature began to ease, one thought stood out amongst the filth - business. Liam was running some kind of business and I just knew Libby and her brainiac counterparts were somehow involved.

  Chapter 19

  “And be sure to lock the door each night before you go to bed. Check the windows as well.”

  “Mom, I’m not an imbecile.” I rolled my eyes in the back seat. Thankfully we were nearly at the airport so I wouldn’t need to listen to this for too much longer.

  “She knows that, dear. We just want you to be safe.”

  Reaching forward, I squeezed Dad’s shoulder. “I will be. I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m eighteen and capable of looking after myself. Besides, Layla and Seth are both around if I need them.” I didn’t want to need them at all, but I knew the reminder would be a comfort to my fretting parents.

  I guess I should be fair. This was the first time they’d left me alone for this long. They’d done a few weekends here and there, and I’d been away from them, but I could tell Mom felt guilty for leaving me. Not because she didn’t want to go to Hawaii, but because she was torn. She felt a responsibility to me, and as much as it hurt, I knew for a fact that she sometimes lamented the fact that she was way too old to have a child still at home. They had already moved past the baby stage when I came along. I knew they loved me, but it still must have been a hard pill to swallow. I saw through her watery smile as she turned in the seat to glimpse me.

  “You guys are doing the right thing. You only see Holly once a year and I know she’s desperate for you to meet her new boyfriend. She needs you more than I do right now. I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry.”

  They were silent after that, both comforted by my encouragement. Dad parked the car and unloaded the bags, nervously handing the keys to me.

  “Drive it straight home. You use your Mini while we’re away. I’m only letting you drive it this one time because of your mother’s inability to pack sensibly.”

  “Craig.” My mother’s warning tone made Dad grin. He winked at me as he walked to the trunk and helped unloaded the two big suitcases that never would have squished into my little car.

  “Do you guys want me to stick around until you’ve checked in?” I slammed the trunk shut.

  “No, that’s okay sweetie. We don’t want you to be lumped with a big parking fee. You just get going.” Dad’s eyes glistened. I could see he was proud of me. His little girl was all grown up. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him, trying not to let my glee at their departure show too much.

  “Love you, Dad.”

  He squeezed me tight. “Love you too, Peanut.”

  I stepped into Mom’s embrace and whispered yet again, “I’ll be fine. Please trust me.”

  She pulled back and held my face in her hands. “Promise you’ll call Seth or Layla if you need them.”

  “I promise.”

  And with that, they finally let me go. I leaned against the car, waving at them until they had hauled their bags onto a trolley and headed inside. You’d think they were leaving for a year the way they kept looking at me.

  With a little jump of glee, I slid into the driver’s seat and enjoyed the power of Dad’s engine igniting.

  “Sweet ride,” I whispered, tempted to drive it the longest way home possible.

  I didn’t. I played the good girl, knowing that when Dad called from Hawaii, he’d ask. I pulled the car into the garage as instructed and noticed that Eric’s Jeep wasn’t in his driveway.

  Why would it be? He’d already texted to tell me he’d be home on Saturday morning as he was going out with Dale tonight. For once, Dale wasn’t heading north to see his girlfriend, Nicole. She was coming to him and since Dale had a free night, he asked if Eric wanted to hang out. Eric wasn’t the biggest socialite and seemed to have a very small group of friends, from what I could tell. Dale must be a really great guy if Eric was willing to give him a whole evening.

  I hoped they had fun, in spite of my disappointment. I’d so much rather spend my evening with Eric and having to wait was a total downer. But I refused to be a needy girlfriend...not that I was his girlfriend...yet. I grinned.

  I thought about texting Stella, but what was the point? She basically hadn’t spoken to me since I told her she wasn’t the only person in the world. It was getting super awkward hanging out with the group. Her evil glares and scoffing tone whenever I spoke was getting old super-fast. Between Chase and her, I was getting major outcast vibes and I knew it wouldn't take much more until I spent my lunchtimes hanging out alone. The thought was far from appealing, but I hated the subtle cold-shouldering that was in play. It made me feel like such a loser.

  I decided I was cool with my own company outside of school though. It’d give me time to think. I was still trying to work out what kind of business Liam was into. I wouldn’t put it past Liam to be involved in some sort of cheating ring within the school. Like maybe the smart kids were somehow helping Liam and his buddies get good test scores or something?

  It was only a theory and didn't really have time to flourish because another thought hit my like a bullet in the night...Liam had said, "blood on your hands." What had he meant by that? Was the guy he’d been talking to a murderer?

  Dashing up to my computer, I pulled up the history I’d found on Liam. I decided to try searching in the Burbank local paper again, this time looking for anything involving murder about two years ago. I found four articles —one shooting, two robberies and a domestic violence case. It was horrible reading the meaty details, but I was able to rule out two that had already been solved. The shooting and one of the robberies remained a mystery. In fact the robbery wasn’t even a robbery; it was attempted. The owner of the car had been bashed over the head with a blunt instrument, but the weapon and the culprit were never found. The article suggested that the person was trying to steal the car, the victim tried to stop him, and then it got messy. I couldn’t help wondering if there was a link to the other car thefts happening in the area at the time. There were a couple more articles I found about the case, but it quickly went cold.

  I exited the screen and sat back with a sigh. Reading about those murders had really unsettled me. I felt jittery and my house suddenly felt ginormous and cold. Not really wanting to kick around by myself all night, I decided to walk to the nearest shops. I should have taken my car, but I loved this time of day. The sun hadn’t set yet and the air was refreshing. I was hoping it would clear my head and help me sleep.

  Wandering down Montana Avenue, I stopped to buy an ice cream and sauntered past the shops, watching people out of the corner of my eye. I wasn’t in the mood for reading, so I kept people’s masks in place and found the task easy. It was such a relief to know I could switch off if I wanted to. I pretended for a while that I was just an ordinary girl, licking on an ice cream and in no particular hurry to go anywhere. My nerves stopped clanging together and my mind shifted from murder mode into swoon mode. I started thinking about Eric and what we might do over the weekend. I was thinking a Saturday-morning surf followed by a little make out session on the beach. We could then go home, get cleaned up and spend the afternoon chillin’ at my place...just hanging out on our own.

  I blushed, wondering if Eric would show me what he meant by getting lucky.

  Crunching down the last of my ice cream cone, I wiped my hands and threw the napkin away, deciding I should probably get home before it got too late. I was just starting back when someone yanked my arm from behind and pulled me into the alleyway.

  The shock gave me no time to respond and it wasn’t until he was shoving me behind the dumpster that I even had the notion to scream. I opened my mouth to let it rip when what felt like a cannonball struck my stomach. I doubled over, struggling for air as pain radiated though my abdomen. He pulled his fist back and thrust it into me again, my feet lifting off the ground with the force of the impact.

  I wanted to cry, to scream, to do anything! But I couldn’t breathe. He let me go and I crumpled to t
he ground, my hair covering my face like a discarded blanket.

  I tried to spot his face through my tendrils, but tears were blurring my vision. He pressed my face into the concrete, his thumb digging painfully into my cheek. I thought my heart might explode; it was thrumming so loudly. The rough ground cut into my cheek as he leaned over me, pushing until my skull felt ready to splinter.

  I whimpered as he brought his lips to my ear.

  “This is a warning.” His voice was harsh and gravelly. “Keep your nose out of Liam Donovan’s business or the next time I find you, you’ll really understand the meaning of pain.”

  He pushed up off my head and strode away, his black shoes not making a sound. Tears gathered in my eyes as I strove for some kind of composure. I knew I had to get up and go home, but I was too scared to move. My insides hurt and my limbs were shaking. Pushing myself up, I drew my knees to my chin. Wrapping my arms around my legs, I tried to quell the tremors and get my brain to function. I couldn’t stay tucked behind this dumpster. I needed to get home. But the idea of walking was too painful...and petrifying.

  I reached for my phone and ran my thumb over the screen. I could call Stella; she’d probably come and get me if I asked nicely. In spite of her cold attitude, I knew she still had a heart. But then she’d want details, plus I’d owe her for all eternity.

  My next thought was Seth, but he’d just freak out and call my parents who would freak out even more and fly home again. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to have to explain any of this to anybody. No, there was only one person I should be calling, because he already knew everything...but I really didn’t want to ruin his night with Dale.

  My lips quivered as I held my shaking finger over Eric’s contact details. Would he freak out? Would he tell me off for taking things too far? Would he make me go to the police? I didn’t want to. What could I tell them? That a guy with black shoes attacked me? That’s all I had. For someone with the power to read people, I was pretty damn useless.