Had she been lured out her as a joke?
But then she remembered—the key.
Hannah pulled it from her tiny black clutch and nervously slid it into the keyhole. She closed her eyes and offered up a silent prayer before turning it. A faint click echoed around her and the door swung open, ushering her into another world.
So this was a Cohl Ball?
A feeling of Alice discovering Wonderland overtook Hannah. She could immediately see the allure. She felt like she’d been whisked into a secret world that only the rich and beautiful were privy to. Masked figures in exquisite gowns and tuxedos dotted the black and white checkered floors. Their whispers and laughter rose above the scratchy wail of ‘20s Parisian music while they indulged themselves in cocktails, music and the unparalleled pleasures the Cohl Manor offered. The scene was a strange mix of Gatsby and Eyes Wide Shut.
A twinge of panic gripped Hannah as she glanced around for familiar faces.
How would she ever find anyone among the sea of masks?
She was about to start wandering from room to room looking for Harrison when she heard his voice. She looked up and saw him gallantly descending the grand staircase. His charming smile disarmed her. It was dazzlingly white in contrast to his dark mask.
He took Hannah’s hand and bowed, brushing his lips against her knuckles. Blissful excitement raced to her heart.
“You look ravishing,” he murmured spinning her around to take in the full beauty of her shimmering silver sheath gown. It was simple, but its barely-there spaghetti straps and open back made it feel daring.
Hannah giggled, feeling ridiculously girly as she allowed Harrison to pull her into his arms and give her a chaste kiss.
“I’m so glad you came. I was worried that you wouldn’t after last night.”
“Me too,” Hannah admitted. “Turns out my dad thinks I need a distraction.”
Harrison smirked. “I like the way he thinks.” He kissed Hannah again, leaving her breathless. “Well now that you’re here. The party can start.” He took her hand. “Come on,” he urged. “Let’s get you a drink.”
“Oh I promised no drinking tonight.”
Harrison winked. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
He didn’t give Hannah a chance to protest, leading her through rooms of intoxicating grandeur, stopping to make small talk when necessary. They entered a small room that glowed with soft blue light. The music was weaker and masked figures lazed about, draped over low-backed couches and upholstered chairs. Some were indulging in each other, while others just seemed to be staring into space. The scene reminded Hannah of the opium dens she’d read about. And one glance at the bar explained why. It held more than liquor bottles. A gilded sign, donning it the ‘Candy Bar’ gleamed back at Hannah as her eyes raked over martini glasses full of pills and powders of varying colors.
Harrison made his way back from the bar with two glasses in his hands. He handed Hannah the champagne flute, while keeping the rocks glass with swirling amber liquid for himself.
“Oh I really think I better not. I had enough of this last night.”
“Would you like something else?” Harrison asked, a hint of something sinister in his voice.
Hannah was beginning to hate the masks. It made it impossible to read Harrison’s features and that made her edgy. “Maybe a water?”
Harrison glanced back at the bar and frowned. “I didn’t think to stock the bar with water.”
“Oh, that’s fine. I’m not really that thirsty,” Hannah said trying to hand the glass back to Harrison.
“I thought you wanted a fun distraction tonight?” Harrison asked.
“I do.”
He grinned. “Good. Then hang onto the champagne. You might get thirsty,” he said extending his arm to Hannah.
She threaded her arm through his, just wanting to leave the hedonistic room behind.
“Come on,” Harrison said. “I want to give you the tour.”
41
Cody steeled himself as he walked up to the front door of the Cohl manor.
Of course this was where the party was.
The last time Cody had been there was the night Elena died. Tonight’s drive had been a battle of wills for Cody as he barreled down the dark roads that haunted his memories. The only thing that kept him going was Hannah, and his need to protect her from whatever cruel game the Goldens were playing.
He tried his key in the door and breathed a sigh of relief when the lock tumbled granting him entrance. Cody walked into his own personal hell. Memories exploded like flash bulbs in his mind has he desperately fought to breathe through the crushing pain in his chest. He’d had so many good times at this house with Elena, Harrison and the Goldens. But all of that was erased in one night, and an indelible darkness was left on his soul.
A shrill voice broke Cody from his nightmare.
“Well look who it is?”
He looked up to see Savannah sneering at him under her frilly pink mask.
“You must be confused, we scheduled the trash pick up for tomorrow, Cody.”
Cody was wearing a classic tux and plain black mask. He looked identical to every other guy at the party, but he’d been foolish to think he’d slip by unnoticed. Savannah had a sixth sense for sniffing out weaknesses to exploit. She’d locked onto him like a bloodhound.
“Unless you have some dogs to run over I think you should leave,” she hissed.
Cody snapped and grabbed Savannah by the arm eliciting a shriek from her.
“I’d be happy too, but not without Hannah.”
“Didn’t get enough of her last night?”
“What’s your role in this?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Cut the shit, Savannah. I know you’re the one who got Hannah drunk and high and sent her to my house last night. Just what the hell did you think was going to happen?”
“You tell me. You’re the murdering drunk.”
“So that’s your game. You want her out of your way?”
“You said it, not me,” Savannah hissed.
“Do you really think you’re never going to get caught? One time you’re going to go too far and someone’s going to OD.”
“I can only hope,” Savannah grinned.
Cody’s grip tightened and her smile dissolved.
“Oh calm down. It was just a little harmless candy. If you ask me I did her a favor. She’s way too uptight.”
Cody took a steadying breath, telling himself to walk away because Savannah was wearing his already thin nerves to nothing and all he wanted to do was knock her pearly veneers down her throat. “Just tell me where she is.”
Savannah shrugged. “Haven’t seen her, sorry.” She slipped around Cody and slithered away to rejoin the party.
Cody ripped off his mask in frustration. There was no sense hiding now. If Savannah knew he was here, soon everyone would. Maybe that was good. Maybe it would flush Harrison out quicker and he could find Hannah and get the hell out.
42
Hannah found herself in the eight-bay carriage house that had been converted into a garage to house the Cohl’s precious collection of luxury cars. She rather enjoyed the manor tour so far, marveling at the amazing artwork and décor. Her favorite area had been the back garden, where she’d strategically dumped her champagne without Harrison noticing.
She found herself grateful to be away from the suffocating atmosphere of the party. It was funny how badly she’d wanted to attend and pretend she was part of the in-crowd. But now that she was here . . . she just wanted to leave. It was clear this lifestyle wasn’t for her. Harrison was handsome and flattering. He said all the right things and knew exactly how to make her swoon with subtle touches and kisses. But something was missing.
Her inner goddess berated her. Who wouldn’t want a guy like Harrison?
Hannah fully admitted she’d begun to fall for him when they’d been on their whirlwind yachting date. It was easy to get carried awa
y imagining an adventurous life sailing to exotic places. But something in the back of her practical mind warned her that none of it was true. And it wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted more.
Who has more than Harrison Cohl? her inner goddess chided.
But that wasn’t the kind of more she meant.
More connection.
More depth.
More reciprocation.
Hannah realized that she’d been blinded by Harrison’s flashiness. And when all of his extravagance was stripped away, there was nothing left.
She found herself thinking of all the discussions she’d had with Cody over the past few weeks. How he’d asked her a million questions about herself. Many were embarrassing, but he’d genuinely wanted to know about her. Harrison rarely asked Hannah any questions, except if she wanted more champagne. He’d spent the entire night boasting about himself.
“This one’s my favorite,” Harrison announced, bringing Hannah back to the present.
They stood in front of an old-fashioned car. Its dove gray, high-gloss finish polished to a sheen that displayed Hannah’s reflection back to her with near perfection.
“1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Kellner Cariolet.”
Hannah smiled, though the words meant nothing to her.
“Father says it’s mine when I graduate.”
“It’s lovely.”
“Not as lovely as you,” Harrison purred, untying the ribbon on Hannah’s mask.
He pulled it from her face and leaned in to kiss her but Hannah turned her cheek. The evening had suddenly lost its sparkle after her sullen realization that Harrison was not the guy for her.
Unphased by her dismissive move, Harrison kissed Hannah’s neck, sending her senses into a tizzy that warred with her mind. He pulled off his own mask and clicked open the car door. “Wanna go for a test drive?”
“Um, actually I think I’m going to head home.”
“You just got here. The fun hasn’t even started yet.”
There was a dangerous current to the way Harrison was looking at her now.
“I told my dad I wouldn’t be out late, so—”
“Come on, go for a ride with me, Hannah. We can pretend it’s graduation night. I want to make sure we have enough room to celebrate properly.”
Hannah’s stomach dropped at his less than subtle innuendo.
“I really need to be going.”
Harrison’s hand firmly encircled Hannah’s waist locking her in place. “Do you want me to beg? I’ve been told I can be very convincing.”
“Harrison . . .”
“Get in the car, Hannah.”
“Please—”
The rest of Hannah’s words were swallowed by roughness of Harrison’s mouth on hers as he shoved her into the car. His powerful body pinned her to the leather while his hands harshly roamed her body, yanking her thin straps down.
“Stop!” Hannah cried out over and over but Harrison only laughed.
“Oh you’re going to be fun.”
43
Cody’s heart was pounding by the time he spilled out the backdoor of the Cohl manor. He’d gotten sick of waiting around and took matters into his own hands. He turned the house upside down looking for Hannah. All the while ignoring the whispers and stares he encountered in every room.
There was no sign of her.
He drank in the cool night air, scanning his surroundings.
Where the hell were they?
Cody’s eyes rested on the carriage house. He and Harrison used to sneak in there when they were younger to smoke weed. He remembered getting caught by the housekeeper. She threw a fit—the carriage house was off limits.
It was the perfect place to hide.
Cody’s nerves sizzled as he moved toward the carriage house with purpose. He could see the light filter through the windowpanes in the door.
Someone was in there.
Something in his gut told him to run. He was breathless when he reached the door but it was locked. He jiggled the handle hard calling Hannah’s name. It didn’t budge. He even rammed his shoulder into it with no results.
He ran around front to the keypad and prayed the code was still the same.
As he rounded the front of the carriage house his knees went weak. It happened right here. This was where he and Elena had their final fight. He pictured her beautiful face, tortured with hurt as she slung accusations at him. Her voice echoed in his mind. ‘Nothing will ever be the same.’
She was right. Nothing was the same after that night.
Cody doubled over, cutting his hands as he caught himself in the gravel of the driveway. He heaved up his dinner and let the tears come, wondering how the hell he’d ended up back here after all this time.
44
“You’re just like her you know,” Harrison goaded, stroking Hannah’s hair as she flailed beneath him. “Not the hair of course, but the eyes and feistiness. Cody certainly has a type.”
Hannah’s heart iced over. “Oh my god.” She stopped fighting and stared up at Harrison. “It was you. You’re the one Elena was cheating on Cody with.”
“Ever the little genius, aren’t you, Hannah.”
“You disgusting pig! Did you force her too?”
Harrison grinned. “Come now, you know you want me.”
“Is that what you told Elena?”
Anger dissolved Harrison’s smug exterior. He glared at Hannah, gripping her wrists tighter. “I didn’t have to. The little slut begged for it. She was frustrated and needy, so disappointed that her sweet boyfriend wanted to wait. I gave her what she wanted.” He laughed. “Right in this very car, actually.”
“Get off of me!” Hannah screamed trying uselessly to fight Harrison’s solid body off of her.
“I did learn my lesson about protection though,” he said holding up a condom.
“Cody will kill you when he finds out.”
“I doubt that. Especially once I show him our little flick.” Harrison gestured over his shoulder to a blinking red light mounted on the seatback. “Did you know I’m studying film at Harvard next year? It’s incredible what you can do with editing programs these days.”
“You’ll never get away with this,” she sobbed as his hands slithered under her dress.
“Sure I will, Hannah. I always do.”
Hannah closed her eyes and screamed as loud as she could, but she knew it was useless. Harrison would win. He always did.
45
A scream ripped Cody from his darkness. It was Hannah. He knew it surer than he knew his own name. He scrambled to his feet, screaming her name.
“Hannah!”
Cody found the keypad and punched in the code with shaking fingers—Harrison’s birthday. He’d always been his parents’ favorite.
Relief flooded him when the door softly groaned open.
“Hannah!”
Her voice rang out clear as day. “Cody! Help!”
He ran toward her voice through the maze of cars. Rage nearly blinded him when he spotted her—Harrison pinning her in the back of his Royce.
One minute Harrison’s weight was crushing Hannah and the next he was gone. He disappeared as if sucked through the fuselage of an unpressurized aircraft. Cody’s furious voice filled the air as he slammed Harrison onto the hood of the car.
“You piece of shit,” Cody screamed as he pummeled Harrison’s face. “I’ll kill you if you hurt her. Do you hear me? I’ll kill you.” Cody rained down punch after punch into Harrison’s face until blood was pouring from his nose and mouth. “Don’t you ever touch her again!” Cody growled, slamming Harrison into the hood of the priceless car with disgust.
His initial fury drained, Cody turned his attention to Hannah. “Are you okay?” he asked softly. But Hannah didn’t get to reply.
Harrison dove onto Cody. “She wanted it,” he screamed as he swung at Cody. “All your girls want me!”
“Shut up!” Cody scathed landing a sickening punch to Harrison’s face.
Harr
ison spit blood and smiled before slamming his head into Cody’s face.
The battle had begun.
Hannah righted her dress and tried to crawl from the car but was knocked back in by the war that was raging in the garage. She had a front row seat as Harrison and Cody wrestled each other to the ground, punching and kicking.
This fight had been brewing for ages and all Hannah could do was sit by and watch, trying to not become a casualty.
“I love how easy your girls are,” Harrison jeered unable to resist taking verbal jabs at Cody as well as physical. “They’re all backseat sluts. Hannah couldn’t resist anymore than Elena could.”
Cody’s face turned white and Harrison took advantage of his shock, throwing Cody off of him and getting to his feet.
Harrison circled Cody with predatorily focus.
Get up! Hannah willed as she watched the scene unfold. Get up!
But Cody didn’t get up. He stayed on his knees, blood dripping from his face. He looked up at Harrison with more hurt than Hannah had ever seen.
“I always knew it was you.” Cody’s stunned voice was barely above a whisper.
“The truth hurts doesn’t it?” Harrison mocked.
“Why?” Cody yelled finding his voice again and climbing to his feet.
“Who cares? Just admit that you’ve lost and get the fuck out of my life!”
“What the hell did I ever do to you, Harrison?”
“You were born.” Harrison screamed, the vein in his neck looking like it was going to burst. “You are what’s wrong with me! Your existence is a constant reminder of my ruined family and I won’t stop until I’ve destroyed you, the way your mother destroyed us.”
“What are you talking about?”
Harrison cocked his head, puzzled. Then he unleashed hysterical laughter. “You really don’t know, do you?”
The Practice Boyfriend (The Boyfriend Series Book 1) Page 14
