by Knight, Evie
Penelope ran her fingers across the edge of the desk. “Have you found out any more about what happened with his ex?”
Of course, what did she expect of Penelope? How did she not see it coming? “No, I haven’t.” Ariel pushed to her feet. “Penelope, I don’t have time for this. You know the way out. Have a good afternoon.”
“Ariel, dear, you’re such sweet girl. Don’t let the devil fool you. I came to warn you. Colin can be very persuasive and make you believe things. Bad things. You don’t want to regret losing yourself in him.”
Ariel wouldn’t listen to Penelope’s lies. “He’s not what you want me to think he is.”
“When he comes after you with a gun or a knife, what are you going to do? Who’s going to hear you scream in this big house?” Penelope gestured to the big room.
“He wouldn’t do that.” Bile rose to her throat.
“Oh, but he did. Remember what happened to his fiancée? Never forget it.”
“Penelope, please leave.”
“I’m going. Never say I didn’t tell you so.” Penelope waved to the bookshelves. “Search in this room. You’re a smart little thing. It’s possible you can find the rest of the clues of his last tragic love story here.”
“Please leave.”
Penelope smiled and spun on her heel. She glanced at Ariel one more time, as she walked out, leaving the door ajar.
Ariel ran her hands over her arms trying to get rid of the goose bumps spreading through her. She refused to believe a word Penelope said. She sat back on her chair and went back to work. She reviewed the documents on her desk and responded to Marissa’s emails. Ariel looked at the time and sighed. Colin wouldn’t be home for another hour.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get Penelope out of her mind. Why did she pay attention to her venomous words? Ariel trusted Colin. She’d been at the same place, too. The rumors weren’t true. They couldn’t be. Maybe if she found some sort of proof she’d scream to the world his innocence. She’d talk him into showing everyone how wrong they’d been.
Ariel pushed her chair from the desk, and against her better judgment, she walked to the secret compartment she’d found a few weeks ago. She removed the faux books and pulled open the door to the partition discovering a black leather portfolio in it. A cold chill surged through her, her knees almost gave way. Ariel swallowed, hesitating for a moment, and then reached for it. She sat on the floor and with shaky hands she opened the folio.
Ariel scanned the police report and newspaper clippings, learning it’d been a homicide-suicide. Valerie was stabbed to death and her killer, according to the evidence, committed suicide, allegedly shooting himself with Colin’s gun. Making matters worse, the bullet extracted from the guy’s head proved to be the same caliber as Colin’s, which placed him at the scene the night of the heinous crime.
Except forensics worked on his favor showing his gun hadn’t been fired. To clear any lingering doubts, the timing of events didn’t coincide with his whereabouts that night either, according to his testimony in addition to several witnesses’ accounts. Ariel knew it. She’d been there.
Ariel recalled how the media made a circus of the case with the little bit they learned, regardless of it being true or not. The press published their theories on why the moment Colin walked into the detective’s office, not another detail on the case was ever known. Unhappy with how the powers that be handled everything behind closed doors, the media did their worst to muddy his reputation. The case went cold after a while.
“What are you doing?”
Startled, Ariel jerked her head up. Colin strode in her direction. “I-I…” She shut the folder in her hands.
Colin leaned down and yanked the file from her hands. “You said you trusted me. What the fuck, Ariel?”
She rose from the floor and advanced him. “It’s not what you think.”
“Care to explain what it is?” Colin walked over to the desk, tossing the portfolio on top. “I know what I saw.”
How would she explain she’d done it to prove Penelope and everyone else wrong? The words didn’t come to her.
He raked his hands through his hair, setting it loose of its strap. “You promised to trust me. You said my past didn’t matter to you.” He met her gaze across the room.
“I do trust you. I didn’t mean to—”
“Why are you snooping around? I said you could ask me anything. You wanted to know what happened to Valerie, I had no problem telling you. I asked you to ask me. To trust me, Ariel.” Colin surveyed the room.
“I’m sorry.” Ariel went to him. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, I do.”
“No. You don’t.” He stared at her, and she raised her hand to touch him. “I’m done talking with you.” Colin pushed her hand away and walked past her, leaving his study.
Ariel watched his back retreat into the hallway, fighting the urge to go to him. Her heart ached because she’d hurt him. It’d be useless running after him to make him listen to her right now. She’d been so stupid letting Penelope’s words get to her. Only now did she realize the woman’s goal. To break them apart, and Ariel fell right into her trap. Ugh. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
****
Colin paced in his music studio going over what Ariel did. Her trust meant everything to him, and she’d broken the trust he’d placed in her. Without trust they didn’t have anything. He’d learned his lesson the hard way with Valerie. After Val, he didn’t see the need to pursue any other woman until Ariel.
When he thought he had a chance at being normal again, Ariel proved him wrong. He walked to a cabinet on the far end of the room, opened the door, and removed a bottle of bourbon. Colin sat on a brown leather stationary chair and took a mouthful from the bottle, letting the strong liquid set his throat on fire as it made its way down to his stomach.
He remained in his studio alone for a few hours, hoping no one came to disturb his peace. Colin looked at the bottle in his hand, realizing he’d imbibed more than half. He wasn’t drunk. Correction. He didn’t feel drunk, though the room did seem to spin a bit. All right, so he might be a little drunk.
“You can’t come in.” Lola strode into his studio behind Penelope.
“Colin, dear.” Penelope ambled toward him.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” His words slurred. Shit, he was drunk. Colin waved Lola off. She looked from him to Penelope then left.
Penelope ran her finger over his face. “Did you get in a fight with her?”
He threw his head back, rested it on the chair then closed his eyes. “It’s none of your fucking business.” Colin shifted in his seat, opening his eyes. “What do you want?”
Penelope straddled him. “You. I want you, Colin. I’ve waited for this moment so long.”
“What the fuck? Get the fuck of me,” he said.
“First, Valerie. You only had eyes for her. Now, it’s her. I can’t even say her name without making myself sick. No more, Colin. It’s time you look at me the way you look at them.” She cupped his face with her hands and leaned forward, lips puckered.
“Colin!” Ariel stood by the door.
He pushed Penelope from him as he stood, and her ass landed unceremoniously on the floor. “Ariel.”
“Colin, you hurt me,” Penelope said.
“Get the fuck out of my house.” Colin felt more disgusted at himself than at Penelope. He dropped the bottle in his hand, and fixed his pants. Ariel shook her head and left. “Ariel, let me explain.”
****
Tears rolled down her cheeks as Ariel made her way to the entrance hall. She needed to go for a walk to order her thoughts after what she’d seen. Whether something indeed happened or not, didn’t matter. Colin let Penelope go too far. Would he go to her or some other woman every time they argued? Ariel didn’t plan to stay around to find out. The little bit she’d seen hurt her in more than one way.
“Miss Parks.” The housekeeper stepped in her path.
“Not now.”
Ariel whispered her thanks and quickened her pace to the entrance hall. “Logan.”
“Ariel, is everything all right?” Logan asked.
Her lips quivered and tears rolled on her cheeks. He placed his arm around her back, hugging her to him. “Come here, sweetheart.”
“I don’t want to be here,” she said against his shoulder.
“Come on. Let’s go.” Logan guided her out the door and to his car. He drove the short distance to the village. “Are you hungry?”
Ariel looked out the car window. “No.”
Logan parked his car. “A little food will do you good.” He got out and made his way to her door. He helped her out and led her to a patio table of a small restaurant.
She welcomed the fresh air along with the comings and goings of the tourists and locals walking on the sidewalk they sat next to. “Sorry for screwing up your plans.”
He glanced at her. “You didn’t. I have news to share with you and Colin.” A waiter came by their table to take their orders.
When the waiter left, Ariel asked, “News about my brother? Please say there’s at least a lead.”
Logan beamed at her, lines cracked around his eyes. “More than a lead. Do you know anything regarding the trust your dad left for you and Tanner?”
“No. Not much. I know Uncle Ken had a power of attorney until my brother turned twenty-five years old. Tanner would take everything from our uncle and assume his responsibilities in Dad’s company.”
Logan tapped his fingers on the table. “Did he assume his responsibilities as expected?”
Ariel considered his question, trying to recall what her brother had done. “No. My uncle remained the head of the company for the past five years, and Tanner showed up for important meetings and stuff.”
He frowned. “That explains it.” The waiter came back with their food.
“Explains what?” What did Logan mean? His news didn’t sound so great after all. Ariel wished her brother well, wherever he was.
Logan grabbed his fork. “From what my guy told me, your brother signed some paperwork your uncle gave him. What he signed implicated him in a financial fraud. Unfortunately, Tanner found out too late. He’s wanted for embezzlement. It makes me wonder how he managed to flee the country undetected.”
Her jaw dropped. What? Embezzlement? Ariel couldn’t believe their one and only family turned on her and her brother. Finally she understood why she hadn’t heard from her uncle.
“Where is he?” She had enough funds now to get her to Tanner.
“My investigator got a reliable lead. Tanner is in Brazil.”
“Where in Brazil?”
Logan raised his brows. “The investigator doesn’t know where exactly. What’s more important is he believes your brother was setup. His partner flew to São Paulo with a couple of her team members to look for him.”
Ariel furrowed her brow. “Wait. You’ve got a team of people looking for Tanner?”
Logan placed his fork on the plate. “Yes. The P.I. has a partner, and she’s fed up with all the resources it’s taking to find your brother.” He took a drink. “She’s decided to look for him herself while the rest of their staff gathers all the details to prevent Tanner from going to jail.”
Did he say jail? Oh, she felt sick. Ariel took deep breaths, controlling her nerves and the urge to throw up. Tanner couldn’t go to jail, be prosecuted for something he didn’t do. How were they supposed to think their own uncle capable of doing something so devious? Now, thousands of miles separated her from her only real family.
Think positive thoughts, Ariel. She’d see Tanner soon. Still, she couldn’t get past what Logan revealed. Ariel barely touched her dinner, and the couple of bites she managed to swallow scratched her throat. Today had been one of the worst days she’d ever had. First Penelope, then Colin, now Tanner.
Silence settled between her and Logan on the drive back. Ariel felt relieved Logan hadn’t asked her why she’d been crying earlier. He probably knew better than to ask. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase the picture of Penelope on top of Colin. Tonight, Ariel planned to go straight to her old bedroom and cry her heart out. Tomorrow, with a clear head she’d decide what to do.
Logan parked right in front of the entrance steps and got out of the car. He went to her side to help her out. “How are things with Colin? Is everything with you two all right?” He held her hand in his.
Why did he have to ask now? He didn’t know better after all. Tears pooled in her eyes at the mention of Colin’s name. Her lips quivered and her nostrils hurt every time she tried to breath. I won’t cry. Not here. Not here. A tear slid on her cheek.
“Sweetheart, is there anything you need?” Logan touched her face, his thumb caressing her cheek.
Ariel couldn’t hold it anymore. He closed his arms around her, pulling her to him, placing his chin on top of her head. Between sobs, she blurted out what happened before he’d arrived earlier.
Logan cursed under his breath. He stepped back and looked her in the eyes, holding her to him. “If you need a place to stay, you know you can come to mine.”
Ariel clasped her arms around his neck. “Thank you.” She dropped her hold on him.
Logan held her by her waist, his gaze searching her face. He closed the short space and kissed her. She remained motionless for a moment, unsettled by his kiss. His soft lips on hers felt so wrong.
Ariel pushed him away from her. “Logan.”
He let go of her. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kiss you.”
“I value your friendship and what you’re doing for me, but it stops there.”
“I’m sorry, Ariel,” Logan said once again.
Ariel glanced around their surroundings, needing to sit. She ran her hands through her hair then looked at Logan. “Let’s not bring this up ever again, okay?”
He pressed his lips together, nodding. “My offer still stands. If you need some place to go, call me. My home is yours,” he said.
“Thanks for everything, Logan.” Ariel walked up the stairs to the door.
****
Colin watched Ariel from one of the windows. What the hell? His blood boiled at seeing Logan, his dear friend, kiss her. Betrayal knocked on his door once more and louder than last time. Not again. Colin turned from the window and headed to the intercom on the wall. He dialed Lola’s extension.
“Mister Hoskins,” Lola said.
“Lola, go to my bedroom and pack Ariel’s belongings. She’s leaving this house tonight.”
“Are you sure you want me to do that?” Lola asked.
“If you value your job, don’t question me,” Colin said and pressed the button disconnecting the call. He’d been so bloody blind. Ariel had been seeing Logan behind his back all along. How did he miss it? She’d lied. What did she think to gain? He’d been such a fool. An idiot.
Colin strode in his bedroom. “Did you get everything, Lola?”
“We’re almost done, sir.” Lola walked out of the closet with a handful of Ariel’s dresses in hand, and directed a younger woman to the dresser.
Colin watched the suitcases on the bed. He rather lay in a cold bed at night than sleep with a liar.
He’d shared his bed with a liar before and it almost sent him to jail. Colin swore it’d never happen to him again. For two fucking years he’d stayed away from everything and everyone so he wouldn’t have to deal with this kind of shit. What for? Ariel showed up, he let his guard down and let her in. What did he get in return? Lies. Fuck.
“What’s going on here?” Ariel asked from the door.
“I want you to leave.” Colin turned to her. This time the pain of betrayal pierced through him, dissolving everything in him.
“Why?”
“Why?” He squeezed his eyes, raking a hand through his disheveled hair. “Leave, Ariel. I don’t ever want to see you again.” Valerie’s betrayal hurt.
Ariel’s rocked every cell in his body. Colin glanced at her once more then walked out the room.
****
What a mess. From the moment Penelope paid her that visit, everything went downhill. Ariel understood Colin’s anger at her for going behind his back to look for answers. He thought she didn’t trust him, but she did. When she’d been ready to explain her actions, Ariel found him with Penelope. Her heart ached every time the picture of Penelope on top of Colin flashed in her mind.
If anyone had the right to be upset, enraged at the events of the day, it should be Ariel. Not Colin. He’d humiliated her by throwing her out of his house. Too shocked to function, to react, her body went on auto-pilot to get out of his place as fast as possible. The housekeeper had already packed most of her belongings. Thankfully, she didn’t have much else to take with her. On her way out of the room, she dropped the necklace he’d given her on the nightstand.
She walked out of the house and stopped mid-stride on the steps. A worried-looking Logan stared at her. His arms crossed, he leaned on his car’s passenger’s door. Ariel glanced back at the house. Framed in the doorway, the housekeeper shrugged. She didn’t know if to thank the elderly woman or be upset at her for getting involved in Ariel’s affairs. Since she had nowhere to go, or anyone else to call, Ariel allowed Logan to help her get in his car. He didn’t ask her anything as he drove straight to his place.
His house wasn’t large but just as grand as Colin’s. He took her to a guest bedroom. “Please make yourself at home.”
Lost for words, she nodded her thanks. Pain and humiliation ran through her veins, eating her inside out. She looked around the room. Ariel sat on the edge of the bed and covered her face with her hands. Her mind ran wild replaying the events, making sense of nothing.
She found nothing logical to justify Colin’s behavior. Not that there’d be an acceptable explanation for the way he’d treated her, thrown her out. Not to forget how she’d found him in his studio. Her body shook with disgust, hurt, and Ariel didn’t know what else. The harsh truth of her reality dawned on her. She was alone, broken-hearted, and still more than half broke.
