Page 22 of Keep Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 2)
I let out a small giggle and look down. River scoffs, “What is so damn funny, Sloane?”
“Nothing,” I chirp as I squeak, Blaine behind me now as I become captive between the two of them.
“I think she was laughing at us,” Blaine offers.
“Sounds worthy of a punishment.” River smiles and my panties literally fucking melt.
Before I can respond, my phone rings and I freeze. Who the hell could be calling me? No really, I don’t have many numbers nor do I have an active social media account under my name. Well, not that I updated. I still kept signed onto them offline so I could keep tabs on shit going on back home while hiding from Pierce. I walk over to my phone and immediately my heart stops.
A Facebook message from someone on my old cheer team not only confuses me but has my heart pounding.I’m so sorry about your loss, Sloane. I know you and Pierce broke up but that still has to be very hard to go through. Let me know if you need anything—
From there the cascade of messages begins to pour in and I just stand transfixed as the two men behind me tense with each message. Some are very comforting or attempting to be … others are just plain cruel. His cousin, a woman that I was not only not a fan of but had avoided when we were together, messaged:He did this because of you. I hope you’re happy.
There are others telling me togo fuck myselfand thatI should be ashamed that I abandoned him when he was hurting so much.I don’t realize I’m having a bit of a panic attack until Blaine is clasping my face and speaking to me in low, comforting tones. River is showing Royce and Kaden the messages.
“Can you call and check to verify?” Royce asks him.
Tears begin to well in my eyes. If he’s dead … I mean really dead. Then I have no reason to be scared anymore. I don’t have to constantly watch over my shoulder. I should feel awful for thinking like this, but all I feel is overwhelming relief honestly.
“Suicide.” Kaden’s voice only registers with that word. Then it doesn’t matter. He’s dead. He killed himself. I frown, feeling like that’s out of character for him … but no, nothing is really out of character for someone that crazy. I feel a sob break from my throat as I relax into Blaine, no one questions my tears of relief. They understand more than anyone. I inhale feeling everything in me relax and a tension I didn’t even realize I’d been carrying disappears. I don’t care about the messages. I don’t care about any of it.
“They found his car but nobody was in it. Apparently the car fell off a cliff into the ocean, so they might never find a body. But there was blood that matches his DNA in his house and his garage where he left a suicide note. They are pretty damn sure he’s dead.”
My eyes flutter shut in relief and I zone out, no longer caring about what is going on around me. I have no idea how long I lie like that with my head on Blaine’s chest, but eventually I think I’ve fallen asleep.
* * *
“Sloane, honey, we pushed back brunch by an hour but we need to go, do you want me to tell them you aren’t feeling well?” Kaden’s voice is soft in my ear. I blink my eyes open and inhale feeling a peaceful smile slip onto my face. It wasn’t a dream.He is dead. Pierce is fucking dead. Thank Christ.
“No I’m good.” I yawn and get up, going to brush my hair. Kaden watches me with caution but I simply offer him a long hug and then reapply some lip gloss. As we walk downstairs, a purse over my shoulder, all of my other boys look up.
“You good, Honey Bunny?” Blaine asks softly.
I inhale and smile. “Yeah actually I am.”
Despite them all offering me cautious looks, we make our way toward the elevator and once inside I slip my hand into Royce’s larger one. I know I have to let go soon but the affectionate look he offers me tells me that he appreciates it. The air is humid outside with the scent of the ocean, the sun making me slip on my sunglasses as we make our way to an outdoor patio lounge where we easily find both Alicia and Van Der Beck.
“Finally,” Alicia complains, her perfume extra suffocating today and surprise, surprise … Chanel No 5. I wince as she offers me a tight hug and I immediately sit between River and Blaine, letting Royce sit closer to Alicia and Kaden on the other side of River. You know, in case he has to act as a bodyguard … for River. I’m worried Alicia might attack him honestly.
“What can we get you to start?” a waiter asks, appearing out of nowhere and making me jump slightly. I blush as Van Der Beck offers me a knowing look and an odd smile, like a secret smile … But I’m not sure what that’s about exactly. I order a mimosa and try to focus on anything but the conversation Alicia is having about her rehearsal dinner.
“We are just thrilled the yacht arrived in time, mind you it’s not nearly as nice as Casper’s one in the States but it is the perfect size for our rehearsal dinner.” Honestly, I couldn’t even start to comprehend the concept of comparing yacht sizes. I mean, wasn’t it impressive enough that you had one to begin with? This… this was going to be a long trip.
I search my bag for my phone and realize that I turned it off after all those messages. I can still feel Van Der Beck’s eyes on me so I excuse myself to the washroom, needing to escape Alicia’s questions about what I’m going to wear, telling me about the bridesmaid dress I apparently have waiting for me, and the odd intense staring. Maybe I have something on my face?
After washing my hands, I apply lip gloss and roll my shoulders back. I’ll be fine. Just fine. I walk out and walk nearly right into Van Der Beck. I grunt as he steadies me with his large hands not liking at all that the hallway we’re in is not only dark but tiny. I try to move away but he chuckles softly.
“Sloane.” He ‘tsk-es.’ “No need to freak out, sweetheart. I just wanted to have a bit of a chat.”
“About what?” I swallow nervously.
His smile becomes vicious. “I know.”
Ah fuck.
I arch a brow. “Know about what?”
Please don’t say ‘your plan.’
