Page 58 of Cruel Dreams

Everyone but me.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Zane

I’m quiet on the way to the governor’s mansion. Mel keeps flicking glances at me as the city melts into trees and open spaces. She doesn’t have to worry. There’s nothing I want more than to humiliate Ash and his father and expose them as the frauds and murderers they are.

Ash’s betrayal confuses me, and I’m still struggling to accept the loss of my childhood friend. What in the hell did I do that he’d hate me to the point he would murder all the people I love? In some strange way, I understand Clayton. He was trying to cover up illegal activities. He would have gotten away with it, too, if Ash wouldn’t have kidnapped Stella, if she wouldn’t have had the courage and fiery passion to escape.

But Ash, he has no reason to hate me. No reason to do what he did.

Some would say evil people don’t need a reason, but I truly believe that at one point we had been friends. I just don’t know when we stopped. People might call me a sentimental fool, but even after all he’s done, I’ll always think of the little boy I used toplay with, the young men we grew into, and the experiences we shared in college.

Until the story Lucille told me of watching Ash pull a spider’s legs off one by one slams into my head.

Never mind.

Maybe there was never any good in Ashton Black.

“You okay?” Mel asks.

The limo driver turns onto a long driveway of crushed rock and slowly rolls through an enormous wrought iron gate. The trees flanking the drive are starting to change colors as autumn approaches.

“Yeah. Thinking about Ash and why he is the way he is.”

Mel smiles ruefully. “There doesn’t have to be a deep reason. It could be that his parents spanked him one too many times, or maybe his nanny liked to slap him around. Maybe Willow didn’t love him enough, or maybe she loved him too much, or Clayton taught him to value money over human life. Maybe he was born that way. It’s not such a foreign concept.”

I sigh. “Yeah.”

In front of the mansion, the limo eases to a stop, and the driver opens the door for us. Mel slips out first.

The sun is setting, and a cool breeze dissipates some of the lingering heat of the day.

Stone steps lead up to the glass doors positioned between two white columns, and a security guard wearing a tux, earpiece, and sunglasses is checking invitations like we knew he would. Mel pulls my invitation out of a small purse hanging from the crook of her arm.

The security guard’s sunglasses are so dark I can’t see his expression. He pauses, his eyes on the bulge under Mel’s blazer. It’s obvious she’s armed, but he doesn’t stop us. All he does is skim the invitation, hand it back to Mel, and says, “Enjoy your evening.” He turns to the couple waiting behind us, and we’re in.

I blow out a breath of relief. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but that’s one hurdle down.

Mel elbows me. “Relax.”

I nod, but I won’t be able to. There’s too much riding on tonight.

Pretending as if nothing is out of the ordinary, we mingle with the other guests. I see what Stella saw when she first started hanging out with Zarah and me. Jewels, gowns, expensive bags. So much waste trying to outdo each other and pretending to be better than everyone else. Talking tee times and country clubs, mergers and acquisitions. The meaningless words flow over me like a cold shower.

It’s a wonder Stella loves me at all.

My tux is too tight, and I pull at my tie. Despite the open patio doors, the room is stuffy, and I can’t breathe.

“Drink this, andcalm down,” Mel orders, pushing a lowball glass of something into my hand.

I need to get a grip. Now isn’t the time to have an anxiety attack. I look for Stella, Denton, Quinn, and Max, but if they’ve made it onto the property, they haven’t joined the party yet.

Mel tugs on my arm, and we step into Governor Guthrie’s backyard. Spotless white linen covers the tables and they dot the bright green grass. A five-piece band is playing light jazz. White fairy lights are strung in some of the trees closer to the house, but they fight for attention against the remnants of the setting sun.

Ash and Nora are holding court in the yard near a table laden with appetizers, candles, and bottles of champagne.

Servers clear tables of empty plates and refresh drinks.

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