by Jeannie Moon
“Oh… OH! Jack. Gosh. Where are my manners?” Mia finally realized Jack was still there. “Gio, this is Jack Miller. My future brother-in-law. I’m so sorry. That was rude. Jack, Gio Graham.”
Gio flashed the thousand-watt smile, without any idea that Jack knew he was a lying dirtbag. Extending his hand, he wondered if anyone would notice if he crushed Pretty Boy’s fingers.
Jack put on his best face, knowing he was also playing a part. “Nice to meet you. Are you enjoying your time here?”
“Yeah! It’s a great place. I actually visited here a couple of years ago with an ex. Didn’t see much, but the place has a great vibe.”
“Oh! Right! I forgot you and Lilly dated.”
“Right. Yes.” Gio’s expression froze momentarily when he heard Lilly’s name mentioned. His to-the-point-response might have been meant to downplay his relationship with Lilly, but Jack could see Gio’s interest was piqued. “She came back to town, didn’t she? I heard she has her own salon.”
“She does,” Mia offered. “It’s a great place.”
That one question about her was one too many for Jack.
“So, Gio,” Jack began. “How did you get into the acting game? I’ve always wondered what draws people to certain jobs.”
Gio’s eyes turned toward him, not even realizing he’d just been played. His gigantic ego allowed Jack to redirect the conversation.
“I kind of fell into it. I was in the design program at UCLA. One day there was a crew shooting a short on campus and one of the actors didn’t show. The director saw me watching the shoot and asked me to step in. It was a bit part, two lines.” He shrugged. A move he’d probably practiced a hundred times. “I was hooked.”
Jack nodded. “Wow. That’s something. Like you were fated for the big screen.”
“I was lucky.” Gio dropped his head and shuffled his feet in a display of feigned humility, but not before flashing that lady killer grin at Mia. It was an act, just like everything else the guy did.
Guys like Gio fooled everyone in their orbit. With his easy smile, and quick wit, and “aw shucks” charm, women fluttered around him like butterflies in a garden. Men were either jealous or wanted his secrets. Jack, however, had other ideas, and none of them were good. Burying him up to his neck and covering him with honey and fire ants was on the top of the list. Then again, that was too good for the bastard.
He watched, bile creeping into his throat, as Mia giggled every time Gio opened his mouth. It was the last thing he expected. This woman had brought his superstar brother to his knees. She wasn’t impressed, or intimidated, by Adam’s name, fame, or reputation. Yet here she was acting like a smitten fifteen-year-old.
He suspected if Mia discovered the truth about Gio and his relationship with Lilly, she would be looking for a place to hide the body.
Jack had to remove himself from the situation before he said anything that could jeopardize Lilly. Gio was an unknown. A wild card. Logically, it made no sense for him to look for Lilly and make contact. But guys like him, who got off on power, on hurting women, didn’t fall on the logical spectrum. If Jack had to guess, Gio Graham was a sociopath. That meant he had no lines. There were no boundaries he wouldn’t cross, no chances he wouldn’t take, no person whom he considered out of bounds. He operated by his own set of rules and expected everyone to follow his lead.
Lilly had learned that the hard way.
On the surface, the guy seemed affable and easygoing. But there was something beneath the cool exterior that put Jack on high alert. Maybe it was the movie running through his brain, photos he’d seen of Lilly and Gio in the tabloids, that he now knew were total fiction. An illusion.
The truth—the whole truth—was hard to handle, but it was laid out in the police file he’d read.
From the corner of his eye, Jack saw movement. A young production assistant—maybe she was twenty-five—approached the three of them, and handed Gio a binder. “Here are some new pages.”
“Tilly, you’re a lifesaver. I’ve been waiting for these.”
The young woman, a slim redhead with eyes the color of a good whiskey, flushed and tucked a long curly strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll be around if you need to run lines later.”
There was something coy and familiar in the way she approached him. His response was equally flirtatious.
“I’ll look for you in a little bit,” he said quietly. “Thanks.”
He watched the young woman glanced over her shoulder as she walked away, and Jack had the overwhelming urge to warn her off. This guy was no good. But he couldn’t protect every woman swirling around Gio’s orbit. Right now, it was all about Lilly.
“Does that happen all the time?” The chemistry between Gio and the PA wasn’t lost on Mia. “Do women just fall for you?”
Once again, Gio shuffled his feet humbly. Again. A practiced move, it was total bullshit. The guy was trying to play Mia. He flashed that thousand-watt smile as he leaned in. “I wouldn’t say that. You aren’t in love with me, are you? I’d consider that my lucky day.”
Gio had just oversold the act. Charm was one thing, but Mia wasn’t stupid. Jack saw the change in Mia’s posture. It wasn’t much, but there was a subtle shift that said very clearly that she was not having it.
“I’m thrilled to be getting married in a couple weeks. So that would be a no.”
Her tone had shifted from giddy to cold, and his soon to be sister-in-law took a tiny step back. It wasn’t much, but Gio noticed it as well.
“Well, you all have been a pleasant distraction, but I’d better get back to work.” Gio held up the hand with the binder. “Nice to see you, Mia. Good to meet you, Jack.”
He took off before Jack could respond, his long legs covering a lot of ground very quickly. Gio was rattled.
“Okay, was it me, or is there something not right about that guy?” Mia’s eyes, narrow and suspicious, followed Gio as he walked toward the student union. “I mean, I admit I was a little starstruck, but he just seems so… smarmy.”
Only Mia could get a word like “smarmy” into a conversation without even trying. And it was dead on.
“You aren’t alone,” Jack responded. “And smarmy is one word, but I have a few others that aren’t suitable for mixed company.”
“You obviously haven’t heard my f-bomb repertoire. I can use it as every part of speech.”
“Yeah?” A breeze lifted the soft curls surrounding Mia’s face. He couldn’t picture the sweet librarian cutting loose with a profanity-laced tirade, but it was bound to be entertaining. “I’d like to hear that.”
Mia’s hand landed on Jack’s arm and she turned him, nailing him with her big brown eyes. “Jack, what aren’t you telling me? I don’t fall for your distraction tactics.”
He wanted to bring her into this, if only so Lilly had someone to talk to other than him. She needed the support of her people, but he’d made her a promise, and just like with Lilly’s abuela, Jack had no intention of betraying her trust.
“I can’t discuss it. I…” He tamped down the urge to spill his guts. “Please understand, I can’t.”
Mia’s jaw tightened, and it was clear she wasn’t satisfied with the answer, but she nodded anyway. He appreciated her faith more than ever at that moment. “You’ll keep an eye out?”
“Yes.” Her question was clear and to the point, as was his answer. There was no clarification needed. There was too much at stake.
*
Lilly had Jack on the brain. She’d been trying to keep her mind off him all day. She’d taken every difficult walk-in, a fussy kid, and had rearranged the storage area three times in the past two hours. She must have been putting off a snotty vibe, because most of the staff was keeping their distance. Boss of the Year material she was not. In fact, Lilly’s thoughts were so jumbled, she wasn’t sure if she could answer the simplest question.
Which was why Lilly went in for a fourth attempt at reorganizing the supply closet. There was safety in there with the bottles and jars
of potions and balms.
“Again?” Kendall leaned her shoulder into the wall. “I can only imagine what has you so nuts that you’re diving into this closet again.”
“It’s still not right. I want to make sure the products are all accessible, and look, the pink color is tucked all the way in the back.”
Kendall straightened, and moving one can of color aside, she retrieved the pink. “You’re right. That was such a pain in the ass.”
“Don’t be a snot.” Lilly was annoyed, but more at herself than the stylist.
“Come on Lilly, you have to tell someone. Spill. Was he great? He’s so gorgeous, I can only imagine. Although the gorgeous ones are sometimes big disappointments, but he didn’t look like he would be.”
“Nothing. Happened.”
“But…”
“No, really. I had a meltdown about something—personal—and he was worried. I shooed him away, but I found him sleeping on the landing outside my apartment this morning.” Lilly still couldn’t wrap her head around it. “He wanted to make sure I was okay.”
“Oh. My. God.” Kendall clutched her hands to her heart. “That’s even better than great sex! That’s so sweet!”
It was incredibly sweet. And protective. And Lilly didn’t know what to do about it. She’d wanted to kiss him senseless this morning when she saw him, dragging him into a rabbit hole of heat and bliss. But when their lips touched, his response was cautious. Measured.
Why did he hold back? Was he nervous about her? Or for her? Was Jack just being a gentleman, or had her experience rendered her off limits?
Was she damaged?
That’s what Gio had said. He made a habit of telling her men wouldn’t want her if she told them what had happened between them. They’d see her as weak. Broken. No man wanted a broken woman.
And Lilly had to admit, he was probably right. It was why she hadn’t told anyone about the rapes.
Rapes. The word vibrated in her head. It made her go cold. Made her hate herself all over again. She let him do that to her. She believed he could change, stupidly believing his lies, and losing who she was as a result. He was an evil man, but Lilly let herself be a victim, and she was ashamed.
“Lilly? Are you all right?” Kendall’s hand dropped on her shoulder.
She felt her muscles twitch at her friend’s touch, but she didn’t flinch. “I’m fine. I’m just tired, I guess.”
“You did a lot today. Why don’t you pack it in? I can finish up here.”
Normally, she’d brush off the suggestion, but Lilly was exhausted. The tiredness weighed on her brain. Nothing good was going to happen if she pushed it.
“That’s a good idea,” said a voice from behind her. Turning, Lilly didn’t expect to see Mia at the entrance to the work area. Jordan was right next to her. “We brought food. Let’s go upstairs and have some dinner.”
Mia reached out and took Lilly’s hand. There was warmth there, along with understanding. When Lilly’s eyes met Mia’s, she realized she couldn’t keep secrets forever. And that she shouldn’t have to.
*
When the door of her apartment clicked shut, Lilly didn’t know what she was going to be facing. Were Mia and Jordan there to mine for information? She didn’t think Jack would divulge anything, not when he’d promised to keep what he knew between them.
It was possible Mia got her information from the source. Gio was on campus today. Did he say something that tipped off her friend? Did someone else? God, she had to redirect the conversation before they started asking questions she wasn’t ready to answer.
“Thanks for bringing dinner over. I’m starved! What’s in the bag?”
Mia started pulling containers out of the white paper sack. “I went over to the Gourmet Whaler. It’s Taco Tuesday, so we have an assortment of deliciousness.”
Jordan raised an eyebrow. “How did you get Denise to give you the taco special for takeout?”
Mia winked and smiled like she’d gotten away with something. “It’s a secret.”
Denise was the owner of the Gourmet Whaler, an amazing little café one town over from Compass Cove. It was similar to Rinaldi’s, but different enough that the two establishments weren’t in competition. And while Lina Rinaldi’s burgers were to die for, Denise made the best tacos on Long Island.
“Oh, I got these too.” Mia took a bag from her tote and Lilly felt her stomach growl at the sight of the contents.
There were few perfect things in this world, but Denise’s brown butter and sea salt Rice Krispie treats fell into that category. Not too sweet, these were a grown-up version of the confection Lilly and her friends used to make in Abuela’s kitchen a lifetime ago.
“You are a goddess. I want to eat these first.”
Jordan grabbed three plates out of the dishwasher and helped herself to two tacos before sitting on one of the stools at the counter. “If it will get you talking, you can do whatever you want.”
Lilly froze in place. Shit. “What do you want to talk about? Yesterday’s errands, maybe? Jack proved to be extremely helpful.”
Jordan and Mia were staring at her. Their eyes, steady and unblinking.
“Who would have thought it? But yep, he was really great. Completely.”
Mia and Jordan didn’t speak, but moved to her side of the island. Lilly realized she’d put the barrier between herself and her friends, just like she’d done with Jack. The kitchen island wasn’t going to protect her from the truth.
The girls were her closest friends and she was faced with telling them something horrible about her life, something that left her feeling open, raw and ashamed, or lying to save herself from reliving what had happened.
“I don’t… I can’t talk about it.”
“You can tell us anything,” Jordan said quietly.
“No, I can’t. I really can’t.” They didn’t understand. They couldn’t.
Lilly squeezed her eyes shut, doing her best to stop the tears from spilling out. Once they started, they might not stop.
“What happened with Gio Graham?” Mia moved in and rubbed her hand across Lilly’s back. “I have a feeling he’s at the center of this.”
“Did Jack tell you? Because if he did…”
Jordan straightened where she stood. “He knows what’s going on?”
“He knows something,” Mia replied. “But he didn’t say what.”
Focusing her enormous blue eyes out the kitchen window as she gathered her thoughts, Jordan asked a more pointed question. “Does he know as Jack the friend, or Jack the G-Man?”
Lilly swallowed hard. “A little of both,” she confessed.
The girls looked at each other, silent understanding passing between them.
“Alright then. I have large black garbage bags. That’s a start.” Mia’s gaze shot back and forth between Jordan and Lilly.
Lilly felt a smile break across her face. Only a true friend would be willing to do in your ex two weeks before her wedding. “That’s tempting, but can we just eat and not think about Gio right now? We can figure out what to do with the body later. Even in my dreams, it could be cathartic.”
Jordan reached her arm around Lilly’s shoulder and squeezed. “You bet.”
“Good. Now, what kinds of tacos are in here?” Lilly started digging through the tray. “Tell me you brought shrimp?”
“At least half are shrimp, There’s also carne asada, and chicken.”
“Now you’re talking. Thank God Maddie is letting out my dress.”
Mia froze just as she was about to take a scoop of guacamole. “Seriously? How tight is it?”
Lilly went to the fridge and took out a bottle of wine and two bottles of water. “It zipped, but it was uncomfortable. I was going to crash diet, but both Maddie and Jack had something to say about that idea. So, she’s letting it out a bit.”
Jordan patted her growing pregnant belly. “She’d be letting mine out every single day the way this baby is growing.”
“Well, I don’t
have a baby to blame. It’s all me.” Happy for the distraction the wedding and baby were providing, Lilly chuckled. There was only so much introspection she could take. Maybe she should just come clean with everyone. Then, at least, she wouldn’t have to keep dancing around the truth.
There was a tapping on the apartment door, and it took only a split second before Lilly realized that Jack was probably standing out there. Good grief. They had dinner plans, and here she sat filling her belly with tacos. Before Lilly could move, Mia jumped off her stool and headed for the door. There was a moment of stunned silence when her friend saw who was on the other side.
“Jack!”
“Speak of the devil.” Jordan grinned.
Of course, their plans were now ruined, but Jack took it all in stride. His grin was easy, and his blue eyes twinkled like a mischievous little boy. Her stomach started to flutter, and it wasn’t from the spicy shrimp she’d just eaten.
“I thought I heard a party going on.” Jack stepped inside and kissed Mia on the cheek. “Hiya, sis.”
“Hey yourself. What are you doing here?” Mia wiggled her eyebrows at Lilly.
“Oh, um. Lilly and I had dinner plans. But it looks like Taco Tuesday here, so this could be my lucky day.”
Jordan turned to the dishwasher and took out a plate, handing it off to Jack. “Help yourself. We bought plenty. There are definitely a few carne asada left.” She pushed the containers of guacamole and salsa toward him. “So… dinner plans?”
“Yeah. We hadn’t didn’t have anything firm in mind, but this works if you ladies don’t mind me crashing the party.”
At first, Lilly was irritated. No, not irritated, but anxious. Worried she might be outnumbered, she almost shooed him away, but instead, Jack sat next to her and flashed an easy grin in her direction. To anyone else, he was just being flirty, but his eyes were steady. Strong. He wasn’t going to let the conversation go anywhere she didn’t want it to.
He had her back.
It was the smallest of gestures, and Lilly wasn’t able to express how much it meant to have someone take her side. Moving her leg ever so slightly, she tapped the side of his knee. It wasn’t something anyone else saw, but Jack felt it and he gave her a quick wink before biting into his taco.
