Page 110 of Cruel Possession
“We’re going to get rid of this. And then we’re going to try to enjoy our engagement party. We deserve it. We all deserve to have a good afternoon together because it’s probably going to be the last one we have for a long time.” I close up the box and motion to one of the men standing guard at the edge of the yard.
The guard meets me halfway between the back patio and the edge of the yard, taking the box. “What do you want me to do with this?”
“Put it on ice. I might need it.”
Zoe will kill me if she finds out I’m not getting rid of the head right away, but I might be able to spin this in my favor. I just have to think about how.
When I get back over to the others, they’re gathering around the table, and Sean is pulling the burgers off the grill.
I sit down between Zoe and Jade.
Jade sips her drink and leans back in her chair while Ellie starts shoving salad onto everyone’s plates.
I tilt my head back and enjoy the sun beating down. I’m going to spend the rest of the evening locked in my office and planning how to end this shit, so I may as well enjoy this while I can.
Ellie clears her throat, getting my attention. “So, the wedding is supposed to be next month. Have the two of you finally picked the venue?”
I grab a burger from the stack in the center of the table, opening it up and putting on some relish and chopped lettuce. “Bought a large estate down in Mexico for the wedding. Figured it would be the easiest way to get everyone down there, and we could use another vacation home.”
Zoe scoffs. “The last thing we need is another vacation house, but it did make sense for the wedding. The estate is right on the beach. I fully plan on spending the morning before the wedding in the water.”
I smile and take her hand, lifting it up and turning it over to kiss her wrist. “You’re going to look like a little lobster on our wedding photos.”
“It’ll be the best you’ve ever seen me look.” Her playful tone matches mine, a promise of what’s to come later shining in her eyes.
Skyla takes a big bite out of her burger before setting it to the side. “You should come and spend some time with me in Vermont.”
Zoe swallows hard. “No offense, but until I can trust that you’re not going to add me to your kill list, I’m not going anywhere near you alone.”
The corner of Skyla’s mouth twitches, her eyes shining with a dangerous sort of amusement. “That’s probably smart. I still haven’t decided if I’m going to let you live or not.”
Jade snorts and picks up a roll, tossing it at Skyla. “At least let her live until the wedding is over. She deserves to have a good wedding day.”
Skyla shrugs and settles back in her chair, exchanging a look with Joshua. “Fine, but I don’t want to be a bridesmaid.”
Ellie scoffs and leans forward, giving Zoe a big smile. “I want to be a bridesmaid. And if you want me to replace Gia as the maid of honor, I would be happy to do that too.”
Gia fakes a gasp, her hand flying to her heart. “And here I was thinking you liked me more than that.”
Jade sniffles beside me, her eyes wide and rimmed with red. She looks at the others, but she doesn’t join in on the conversation, instead getting up and heading toward the house.
Royce makes a move to follow her, but I shake my head and get up, jogging behind her and following her into the house.
Jade wipes her eyes as she leans against the kitchen counter, looking startled, cheeks splotchy. “You didn’t have to follow me in here. I just needed a moment on my own.”
“Why are you crying?”
“I’m not crying.” She laughs as a couple more tears roll down her cheeks. “Okay, maybe I am crying, but it’s just because there’s a lot going on in my life and in yours, and I’m just so happy for you.”
I pull her into a tight hug the way I used to when she was little before letting her go. “What’s going on in your life?”
“I just haven’t found anywhere I could live yet, and it’s making me feel like a bit of a failure. I mean, I’m an adult, I should be able to find a rental, but I went to a listing today to see a penthouse that might be good, and there was some creepy guy there who said he’d be living with me.”
“Not going to happen.” I stiffen before bending a little, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Whatever is going on in your life, you can tell me.”
“I just did.”
My arms cross over my chest, and I arch a brow. “Jade, it seems like something more than that is going on. Besides, some wise woman once told me information is power.”
