Page 96 of Deadly Secrets

Chapter 36. THE CABIN

(Noah)

“What’s going on in that head of yours, princess?”

Sienna had been very quiet for the past two days. She thought no one had noticed, but every time she slipped into the hospital bathroom, I could hear her sobs from the other side of the door. It was really frustrating to see her hurting like this and not be able to do anything about it.

“I was thinking about this song. He’s right, you know…Lewis Capaldi. I kinda wish I’d said something different on the day they headed to Cabo.”

I hadn’t realized that “Before You Go” by Lewis Capaldi was playing on the radio. Zayn moved between the car seats until he was able to reach for the radio and change stations.

“Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. Do you want me to turn the radio off?” I asked.

Sienna sat in the passenger’s seat, and her gaze was fixed upon the dense rows of trees lining the winding road ahead. We were heading to my parents’ cabin in the Santa Cruz mountains, where we would spend the rest of the week until our classes resumed. Ander’s dad thought it was a great idea to get her out of the house and get some fresh air.

Zayn and Ander were sitting in the back of the car with Maggie in the middle. She fell asleep the instant she stepped into the rented car at the airport. Her caveman-like snores filled the car for most of the trip, so I put the radio on because they were driving me crazy. How could someone who looked like a Barbie snore like a freight train?

Maggie and William were now excluded as suspects. The FBI discovered that one of the bartenders working behind the bar wasn’t part of the company Claudia had hired. According to Agent Miller, he’d used a fake ID to gain access to the premises, making him the prime suspect. However, the challenge was that everyone wore masks, and the video quality was poor, complicating the investigation.

“No, it’s fine. I wasn’t listening to the radio until that song came up.”

“What would you have said?” I asked.

“You know, I’ve been thinking about that for months now, and every time I end up at the same point—I was a total jerk. They didn’t deserve all that hate I dished out, but I guess my judgment was pretty messed up thanks to all that built-up resentment.” She turned to me, tears welling up in her eyes. “I would’ve told them that I loved them.”

As we approached our destination, the car’s tires crunched over the gravel road, the rhythmic hum of the engine echoing through the serene forest. The towering trees created a lush green canopy overhead, casting shadows on the narrow path ahead.

Twenty minutes later, after exiting the highway, we finally arrived at the secluded cabin. It was my mom’s favorite place when she wanted to get away from the chaotic life in Washington. It stood nestled among the trees, its wooden facade blending with the natural surroundings.

As I switched off the engine, the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze welcomed us. The fragrance of pine needles permeated the air.

“How frequently do you come to this place? It’s beautiful,” Sienna said as she exited the car and scanned the entire property.

“Unfortunately, not as often as I’d like. My mom adores this place, but her busy schedule doesn’t allow us to visit as much as I’d want to. Anyway, let’s have the guys handle the luggage while I give you a tour,” I offered, reaching out my hand, and Sienna took it without a moment’s hesitation. I pulled the keys out of my front pocket and opened the main door.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I disconnected the alarm and placed my keys, wallet, and mobile phone on the kitchen counter.

Sienna’s eyes widened the moment she stepped in and slowly pivoted to take in the spacious open entrance.

“Oh, wow. It’s huge!”

“That’s what she said.”

Sienna snickered and gently slapped my arm, but I was glad I could bring a smile to her face despite everything she’d gone through.

“This is the living room and the open-plan kitchen. We don’t keep any food in the house in case any animals break in, but later, I’ll go with Ander or Zayn to the closest town to get some groceries and drinks.”

Sienna walked around the room, taking in all the small details, from the plush sofas to the stone fireplace. A grand wooden table separated the living room from the kitchen, and nature-inspired artwork adorned the walls. The warm, earthy tones of the kitchen’s wooden cabinetry and the gleaming granite countertops added a touch of modernity while maintaining the cabin’s rustic character.

“There is a small bathroom over there,” I said, pointing my finger to the end of the hallway. “And this is my mother’s office.” I swung the door open and welcomed Sienna inside. What I liked the most about this room were the massive bookshelves that stretched up to the ceiling. Reading had become a passion of mine, especially since I borrowed one of my mom’s books last year—Den of Vipers. It was a bit surprising to think my mother enjoyed that genre, but those books were surprisingly enlightening and educational.

“What’s in there?” she said, signaling with her head to the massive armory cabinet.

“My father likes to hunt. That cabinet is where he keeps his rifles and a couple of revolvers.”

“Do you hunt too?” she curiously asked.

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