“Rachel, you’re everything to me. I love you. I’d never hurt you. I swear.” He dropped to his knees in front of her, groping for her hands.
“Is that why you stole money from her company?” I asked him, then turned to her. “Proof is on his hard drive.”
She stepped back and took a deep breath. “You have one hour to gather your belongings. I’m cutting you off from all financial support and if you try to get anything from me, I’ll turn you in for embezzlement. You should be able to live off the stolen money until you find a job.”
“I already have a job.” His face reddened again, fists balled. “You can’t do this. It wasn’t me.”
She scoffed. “It all makes sense now. No wonder you spent months examining the books and couldn’t figure out where the money went. You were the one who stole it. After tonight, I never want to see you again. If I do, next time I won’t ask Hayden to stop.”
Chapter Twenty-nine
Tessa
David and Jason stood guard while a woman and another guy shoveled dirt at lightning speed several plots away — preparing Rena’s final resting place. David hadn’t even flinched when we’d told him what happened, as though he never doubted our word for a moment.
I tried not to think about the body in the tarp or that it had traveled with me in the trunk the last half hour. Thankfully, Rena would remain here and only Chait and I would be in the car for the trip back.
My mind drifted to Zoe. According to Chait, she should’ve been around there somewhere.
He must have read my mind. “There are some older graves over there and there.” Chait indicated two spots in two different directions, both about twenty yards beyond Rena’s body. “I’ll wait here.”
On my way to the first burial spot, I texted Hayden to confirm that he would pick up Bree in about thirty minutes. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Rena’s new home already half way dug.
I continued on and stopped in front of several headstones that lined a small section near some brush. Without looking, I knew which belonged to Zoe. The space around the left headstone pulled me in. I sensed an odd energy. Not like someone was actually there — by now, I knew the difference. This was a faded version, as though only her memory lingered, a bit of her essence maybe.
“Zoe, it’s Tessa. I’m sorry we didn’t have more time together. But I remember you now. I remember everything about you, every moment we had together. And I miss you… so much.” A tear trickled over my cheek and I turned again to check on Chait and the others. They had finished and looked ready to go. “Goodbye, Zoe,” I whispered, then turned and headed back to the car, my throat aching.
“Are you okay?” Chait asked.
I nodded and got in the car, then took a moment for some slow deep breaths. “It’s funny. Even though Rena’s motives had been vile, she opened my eyes to Zoe. And Rena’s death brought me back to her.”
Chait nodded and briefly touched my hand. “So back at your house, did Rena say anything else?”
“No. Just that she killed Zoe. Jealousy over David.”
His head snapped to me. “First your sister, then you. I can’t figure out how she thought she’d get away with it. How could Rena not expect to answer to the rest of us?”
“I’d arranged to meet with Frank and Lila today. We met at the park and Boris was there. Rena accused me of joining them. That’s what she would’ve told all of you. How I was a traitor.”
“Boris, huh?” He frowned at the road ahead. “Even if you’d requested an audience, normally he would’ve said no. What makes you special?”
“Thanks a lot, Chait.” I tried my best to sound sarcastic.
“No, I already know you’re amazing.” He chuckled. “I think every guy in town agrees. What I mean is that Boris doesn’t meet with recruits. There’s something else about you that prompted the meeting, something we need to find out. Knowledge is power. I want to know what he knows.”
“I wish I knew how to figure that out.”
“We have a library crammed with old books on sorcerers, vampires, werewolves and anything else you can think of. But getting you inside our house without Boris finding out is going to be a challenge. If he thinks you’ve joined us, you’ve got a problem.”
I grinned. “Actually, he and I came to an understanding.”
Chapter Thirty
Hayden
I spied my soon-to-be-ex-step-dad from my spot in the hallway and watched as he threw clothes and books in boxes and suitcases. “Sam, give me your keys.”
His eyes darted to me, looking hunted. Then he turned the keys over with trembling hands.
“Are any of the cars in his name?” I asked my mom.
“Only the Porsche.”
“Should he keep it?”
She shrugged. “Legally, it belongs to him.”
“You’re never coming back here. If you can’t fit all your stuff in that car, you can leave the rest outside the gate and make another trip. Not promising it’ll be there after tomorrow morning though.” I separated the Porsche key from the rest and tossed it to him. “The computer stays.”
I bolted into his office where the computer was exactly the way we left it. After punching in the last letter of his password, I logged in and typed a new password, then closed and locked the door. If he had personal items in that room, I’d have them shipped. For now, it was off limits until I copied the files on his hard drive. Mom would need anything incriminating in case Sam sued for alimony. “Mom, I have to go, but I’m not leaving you alone with him.”
She waved it off. “I’ll be fine. He knows you’ll hurt him if he tries anything.”
“Give me a break, Mom. If I’m not around, how can I stop him?” I’d take her with me, but didn’t want Sam destroying the place while we were gone. I moved to the intercom and called our security guy. “Can you come to the main house, please?”
* * * *
“Midget, are you hungry?”
“Can I have some ice cream?” Bree batted her eyelashes.
I chuckled. “I don’t know. Let’s see what Tessa says when she gets here.”
The door flew open and Tessa came in laughing with Chait. A pang of envy sliced at my gut. It irked me that Chait had her all to himself for over an hour — obviously having the time of his life — while I trudged through the perverted images from Sam’s head.
At least my mom was finally free of the creep. It was worth it.
I met Tessa at the door and gave her a kiss.
“Nice to see you again,” she told my mom, probably wondering why my mom was hanging out at her house.
“We had a little problem with Sam and I didn’t want to leave her there.” I sent her the less disgusting pictures I’d plucked from Sam’s mind.
“Oh.” Tessa’s brows rose. “You guys had a fight?”
“You could say that.” Mom’s gaze fell to the floor.
“I’m sorry. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. It’s the least I can do, since you guys picked up Bree.” She squeezed my hand.
“Actually, we should get back and make sure Sam leaves.” It pained me to leave Tessa alone with Chait again. Worse, I’d have to ask him to stay with her. “Can you stick around a little while longer?”
Chait’s eyes sparkled and the corners of his mouth twitched. “I’d be more than happy to help out.”
Blowing out a breath, I fixed him with a glare. “I’d appreciate that. Remember, one day, I’ll pay you back… for everything.”
Chait nodded and smiled as the double meaning registered.
I wanted to beat the smug look off his face. Another time. “Mom, we should get going.”
“Nice seeing you again.” My mom waved and I escorted her out.
She was pensive on the way home. I couldn’t blame her. She’d just discovered her entire marriage was a lie. When we returned to the house, Sam was gone. Mom tried to act casual, like the Sam situation didn’t affect her. But she stuck close to me as I inspected the windows and doors to make sure they were locked.