by Tara Brown
Sage shook her head. “Sierra, Finn is the best. Vince is sort of the worst. No offense, Linds, but he isn’t the best.”
“I know that.” More tears filled Lindsey’s eyes and flooded down her cheeks. “But I think people are who they’re meant to be when they’re with the person they are meant to be with. He’s not the worst with me. He’s not the best either.” She laughed at herself and my heart broke. “But he’s his best with me. He would have been asshole Vincent with you, like he was with Sage. Or the way Jake is with Lain. He’s not a complete jerk. He’s actually really sweet.” She laughed harder.
Lainey scowled. “What they’re trying to say, and failing at, is that you are like Vincent and Jake. You’re one of the guys, not the girls.”
“You practically have a dick.” Sage laughed.
Lainey shuddered. “And you are your best with Finn. You are different with him. You aren’t trying to screw every guy in the room just to prove you can. You haven’t done drugs in I don't know how long. You don't drink to the point of passing out or throwing up. Which is kinda huge for you. You’re being thoughtful and different.”
Linds stepped closer as a knot built in my throat. “You aren’t analyzing everyone else’s happiness and trying to copy them. You’re just you with him. Just the you we know.”
“And love.” Sage started to cry.
And I lost it there.
Tears flooded my face as I hugged myself and nodded. “I know. But he’s one of them.”
“He’s not.” Lindsey dropped to her knees and pulled me to her. “He’s really not. I think he just didn't know how to tell you everything because he was scared.”
“I can’t trust that. I trusted him—the first person I have ever really trusted—and he broke my heart.” I shook my head and wiped my tears away with my hands, but basically just spread bubbles everywhere. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because we want you to be happy. And you aren’t. You were different with him. You weren’t trying to impress anyone by putting up walls and making mean jokes. You were just you. Like when we were younger.”
“Before Sophia left,” Lainey added softly, wiping away her own tears.
I cried harder. I didn't know how to explain how I was feeling, but I was closer than I had ever been to being able to.
We hugged and cried, soapy and awkward. But I didn't care. I needed a hug and possibly the mean pep talk that had hurt my feelings in more ways than one.
Chapter Twenty-Two
You’re Next
Dinner hadn’t been great but Rita’s house was actually stunning. I’d expected a run-down Miss Havisham sort of mansion, not this one. It was pristine and done in a style that made me think of an old Southern brothel. But not in a bad way.
Everything was mahogany and heavy carpet with a very English flare. It had the air of Windsor Castle, minus the hordes of servants. Rita had almost none. The house seemed empty.
When we finished the meal, Rita led us into an office and nodded. “We all know this is something we’re going to have to do with each of our parents if everyone wants to trust each other. I don't know how my mom and dad fit into this puzzle, but I know I’m here for a reason. I don't want to believe that my father would have anything to do with this, but I know he does. So let’s do it before the maid catches us.” She closed the door to the office and flicked on the Tiffany lamp at the corner of the huge mahogany desk.
My stomach tightened but it was Linds who spoke, “You’re going to let us snoop?”
She nodded, folding her arms. Her gray eyes were steely and cold. “Yeah. I have looked a thousand times but maybe I’m missing something. And maybe I just don't want to see it. But you will.”
Sage waved a hand dismissively. “Let Linds do it. She’s the one to snoop. The rest of us don't hold a candle to her.”
Lindsey’s plump lips lifted into a grin. “Give me fifteen minutes alone.”
Rita paused. I could see her pride fighting her on this, but she shrugged and conceded, “Okay.”
I admired her for that. I didn't want my parents to be guilty of anything either. But I had watched my dad lie. I knew where they all stood in my book, guilty until proven innocent.
The four of us left Linds in there and went back to the parlor. A painting of Rita and her mother hung above the large stone fireplace. It was so lifelike I would swear their cold gray eyes moved, just like in a horror movie.
“Who’s the artist?”
“My dad, actually. He has always been an amazing painter. It’s why he’s not in any of the portraits. His self-portrait was terrible.” She laughed and sat in the oversized leather armchair.
“Where did your dad go to college?” Lainey asked.
“Princeton.”
“Same as my dad.” She cocked an eyebrow. “What year did he graduate?”
“I don't know.” Rita peered up at the walls for something that might clue her in. “He’s forty-seven. He and Mom met when he was twenty-nine. They were married a year later. They had me when he was thirty-one. She was only twenty-five though. She tells everyone she was nineteen, but she was twenty-five.” She laughed again.
“And he has an MBA?” Lainey was starting to sound like Linds.
“He has a master’s in finance.”
“So he would have been in school for five years?”
“I guess.”
“Then he graduated twenty-four years ago.” Lainey made a face.
“1992.” I tilted my head and offered a smug grin.
“Same year as Mr. Banks.” Lainey folded her arms triumphantly. “But my dad and Lindsey’s and yours were 1994.” She gave me a smug look back.
“You can’t be cocky about remembering Mr. Banks’ grad year for God’s sake. You have a super power.”
Sage nodded. “True story.”
“Whatever. So all our dads were at Princeton together?” Lainey wrinkled her lips. “Jake’s dad went there too. And of course so did the ever mysterious Hendricks.”
“Creepy.” I didn't know what to say about that.
Sage nodded. “My dad did too but then he died. And Tom went there.”
Rita swallowed hard. “So they’re all graduates of the same college. Do you think they were frat brothers, and they did something to someone and it ended badly and now they’re getting payback for it?”
“This isn’t a movie. What could a group of guys all from rich families have done in college to justify revenge over twenty years later?” Sage shook her head. “No. This has something to do with Lucinda Wentworth. We need to stay focused on the last thirteen years.”
“But the college is how our dads are connected. That's something we should keep in the backs of our minds. Especially when snooping.” Rita turned her head to the doorway as Linds came sauntering through. She had that look on her face, the satisfied one where you knew she had found something good.
“Our dads all went to the same college.” Linds leaned on the sofa.
“We know that.”
Her face fell. “Well, why didn't you tell me that?”
“We just figured it out now.”
“Close enough grad years that they for sure all knew each other. And we think they were from the same fraternities.”
“Princeton doesn't have fraternities.” Lainey wriggled her lips again. “They have eating clubs.”
“What?”
“Yeah. It’s something they’ve been doing forever. They don't have frats, no Greek life. But they still have the eating clubs, which are just as selective. The only clubs I know of are Ivy, Tiger Inn, Cap and Gown, and University Cottage. They’re the main ones for being the most exclusive.”
Linds scowled. “How do you even have room up there for your homework?” She tapped Lain on the head.
Lain shrugged. “My dad was a Tiger Inn member. I bet all our dads were. They played football. That’s the club where the football guys are.”
“My dad never played football.” Rita shook her head. “He was sch
olastic, not athletic.”
“Either way, they all went to Princeton. They’re all from wealthy elitist families. They’re all in Crimson Cove.” Linds folded her arms across her chest.
“And all their daughters are being stalked,” Lainey added.
“Or killed,” Sage spoke softly.
“Quite the predicament.” I sighed. We were turning up stones and finding new monsters underneath, but not solving any of the problems we already had. I couldn’t talk about it anymore. We were going in circles and I was getting dizzy. “Let’s go out and dance and drink and pretend that none of this is happening.”
Rita pointed at me. “She’s right. Let’s just go be sixteen. We aren’t going to solve this right now. It’s ten at night and we can either go to bed or have fun. I vote fun.”
She was growing on me.
Sage shrugged. “I’m down.”
Lainey and Lindsey looked pained but they both nodded.
I hopped up. “Let’s not do the whole ‘where should we go’ thing where we debate for an hour and then we’re all too tired. Let’s just get ready and go.” I hurried to the sleepover room where we would be sleeping to get my makeup fixed.
“Lucky we went shopping. I didn’t have anything to wear.” Sage walked into my room, brushing her fingers through her wavy blonde hair. She was so beautiful. Bright eyes and perfect skin. Her smile could light up several rooms. And she knew it. She peacocked more than anyone I knew, especially since Rachel died. She was doing it now, fluffing her hair and primping, knowing I was watching. “What are you going to wear?”
“It’s freezing out. I’m wearing the Balmain jeans I got today. They’re the biker skinnies. I have some riding boots to go with them and a white tank top for under my coat.” I cocked an eyebrow at her shocked face. “What about you?”
“You totally got a bar outfit. I got a couple of skirts and some shoes, but I had the driver take them to our house. I bought an adorable little dress for tonight from Oscar de la Renta and some cute boots. But I think my legs are going to be too cold.”
“We’ll run.” I grinned and pulled off my shirt, dragging on the tank top.
Her eyes followed me in the mirror, watching me change.
I peacocked back but I didn’t know why.
I wasn’t like Sage in that. I didn’t need people to think I was beautiful. I knew I was. We all were. But it didn’t make me like myself any more. I needed someone to love me for me, not the beauty. Or the sex. Or the low self-esteem I had for no reason at all.
My heart whispered someone like Finn, but I refused to listen.
We left the house late but we didn’t need to be early. We didn’t need to be on a list or wait in the line. We would be photographed and Instagrammed and tagged on Facebook and Twitter. The club would be grateful for us coming there, proving it was the place people like us hung out.
We walked through the busy streets to the club. The five of us were followed by the entourage of guards dressed in suits. I sensed I was safe, as silly as it was.
My boots and boyfriend jeans made me comfortable but also ready to run or fight. It was a necessary feeling. The other girls were in heels. Except Lainey who’d also had to run for her life once. She knew how important it was to be prepared.
“So can we decide now?”
“The Standard.” Rita gave Sage a nudge. “But will they let Sierra in with those jeans on?” She smirked.
“I’d like to see them keep me out.” I rolled my eyes and peered back at the group of men following us. “We’re going to the Standard.”
“Where?”
“The Top of the Standard. On Washington.”
“I know it.” One of the other faceless men nodded. “It’s the right place. No photos and tight security.” He held a hand out to the car as we approached it. The driver jumped out and got the door for us.
When we sat inside our car I gave Sage a look. “Since when does the bodyguard have a say in where we’re going? Did you see him approve it?”
“Guess our dads mean business.” She shrugged.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Neon Demon
The doorman gave me the up-down for half a second before smiling. “We’re honored to have you, ladies.”
I strolled past, headed for the elevator. “Told you.” I waggled my eyebrows at Rita.
“I saw them turn away one of those Disney TV stars once for wearing jeans. You look like you belong in a biker bar.”
“Maybe I do.”
“Hands down, that’s where she belongs.” Linds pinched my arm lightly as we got into the psychedelic elevator. The Standard wasn’t my favorite club but it was a good one for safety. So much so that the guards only sent one guy upstairs with us. It was the place celebrities and sports stars partied in New York so the security was already tight.
We sat at a table they had just plucked a reserved sign from.
“People are staring at us,” Lainey groaned. She and Lindsey had always been the least photographed in our group. But dating Jake and Vincent had changed that. Suddenly, both of them were being watched, especially Linds. Vincent Banks was the most eligible bachelor on the East Coast, and he wasn’t even old enough to marry yet.
His name hurt my heart as I thought about the mean thing I’d said to Linds. I hated that I had taken my pain out on her and she’d let me. I didn’t know which bothered me more.
She glanced my way, checking on me. I nodded my head at the bathroom and got up. “Be back in a minute.”
“I’ll come.” She jumped up and followed me through the crowd.
When we got to the bathroom I ignored the attendant and turned. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Linds shook her head, but I didn’t let her get away with forgiving me. I pulled her into my arms and hugged as hard as I could.
“But I am.” My eyes threatened tears. “I didn’t mean a single thing I said.”
“I know. You said it to be a bitch.”
I closed my eyes and leaned into her, really swallowing her with my long arms.
“He’s not a bad guy.” She shook her head and pulled back, struggling to get away.
“We hardly know him. He might be the worst guy.”
“Who, Vincent?” She scowled.
“No, Finn.”
“Finn is the nicest. He’s the best. Trust me. He’s been sleeping outside your room every night, like outside in the yard in the cold. He’s constantly watching you and following you. He’s terrified something’s going to happen to you. The guy is a wreck.” She sighed. “What I meant was, Vincent isn’t the nicest guy. He’s not. I know that. I know how he treated you and other girls.” She wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t even had sex with him yet because of it.”
“What?” My jaw dropped. I wanted it all to be shock but it was mostly awe. She’d gotten him to love her and she hadn’t given it up. Vincent friggin’ Banks was in love without even sampling the merchandise? “No way.”
“Way. He’s not even pressuring me.” Her eyes lit up when she mentioned him. “That’s what I was trying to say before. He’s different with me, because of me. He and I match in the opposites attracting way. He’s more like you. Together you’d be a hot mess. With me, he’s soft and not the player.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“I know you are.” She laughed and wiped her eyes. “I’m happy for me too. And I’m happy for you. You and Finn are going to figure this out. But trust me, he’s not bad. I don’t think he could be if he tried.”
I let her have the last word. I didn’t try to fight by bringing up the fact he was a criminal for a living. She wasn’t going to let it die so I did.
She wiped her eyes and took a warm towel from the attendant. “Thanks.” She gave me a look in the mirror. “Just listen to him. Just once, listen to his side of the story and then decide.” She winked and left the ladies’ room. It was a weird moment for me. She was acting cocky about something.
The attendant grinned and nodd
ed as I shook my head and left after my friend.
I didn’t go to the table with her. I walked to the bar and sat. The gilded ceiling with the starburst chandelier lit the entire room up but the club always seemed at odds with itself. While the elevator always reminded me of the sixties, the interior, or the bar, was more like The Great Gatsby. And then the deck with its view of the entire city was modern. It had an opulent feel no matter what part you were in though.
“Can I buy you a drink?” A man who looked to be in his late twenties slid up next to me. I parted my lips to tell him to go away, but he smirked and lifted a hand at the bartender. “Two French twenty-ones please.”
“What?” He caught me off guard.
“French twenty-one. Haven’t you had it?”
“No.” I narrowed my gaze. “Is that even a drink or is it code for roofie her drink please?”
“It’s a drink.” He laughed and handed the drink to me as it showed up, almost like magic. It was pink with lemon rind art swirling over the side of the flute. Small bubbles rose to the top. He lifted his as I took mine from his hands. “To new friendships.” He clinked his glass against mine.
“I never said we could be friends.” I smirked back and sipped. It was heaven in a glass. Raspberry and lemon and bubbles all mixing together to make a heavenly beverage. I didn’t want to like the drink from the strange man, but I did.
“Good?”
“Girlie.” I smiled wide, taking another sip. “It’s crisp and refreshing and something I would drink in the summer. Not really a winter drink. And I feel like if I were a man, hoping to portray myself as a manly man, I might not drink something that came with bracelets on the side.” I fingered the lemon rind.
“You’re funnier in person.” He winked a dazzling amber eye at me.
“You know me?” My tone lost its humor as a chill tiptoed up my spine.
“Of course. Everyone knows Sierra Casey. Daughter of the Crimson Cove Caseys. Your mother’s a Getty, isn’t she?”
