Page 81 of One Little Lie
“Ash has been so worried.” Colton holds her by the upper arms but leans back to get a better look at her. “He wants you to come home with us. I honestly don’t know what he wants, but he isn’t the same, Pacen. Whatever’s going on, we need you to come talk to him so we can get him back.” His words are gentle, like talking to a wounded animal.
I guess he isn’t as oblivious as he leads everyone to believe.
“I’m sorry.” She takes a step back. “He needs this.”
Hatty and I have crept closer, so when she reaches down into her bag, we all notice the barrel of a gun.
My shocked gasp has her turning to me with a sad smile, and she quickly closes the zipper, effectively shielding us from the weapon she carries.
“Everything isn’t always as it seems, Rylan.” Her voice is wispy, airy in a way I don’t remember. Come to think of it, I don’t really remember her ever saying much.
“Fuck. Pacen, what is going on? Are you in trouble? Are you hiding from your father?” Colton’s words are much calmer than I feel.
“Hiding?”
Her voice reminds me of a ghost from every movie I’ve ever seen, and it sends a chill down my spine.
“I don’t need to hide, Colton. I’m on assignment, and these two nearly blew my cover. Everything Ash needs is on this USB drive—”
“Ah, he was pretty adamant about you coming back with us,” Hatty interrupts.
“I’m sure he was,” she says sadly. “He and I never could agree on my assignment, but I can assure you, I won’t be returning with you.”
“You work for SIA, too,” Colton surmises.
“SIA doesn’t exist anymore, Colton. I know Ash will be unhappy, but tell him to stop searching for me. This is my decision, and I’ve made it. When I disappear this time, I’m gone forever.”
She places the USB into Colton’s palm, then reaches down to grab her bag. The three of us stare at her in shock.Who the fuck is this woman?
“Pacen? Please, is there anything you need? Could you at least talk to Ash on the phone?” Hatty pleads.
“No. Just tell him I never betrayed him. It’s all on the USB, and I promise your father’s secret is safe. I’ve made sure of it.”
Hatty and Colton both go ashen at her words.
“Ash said you haven’t touched your accounts. How are you surviving? Do you need money? Anything?” I ask.
Both men stand guard on either side of me with slack jaws.
“No. Ash knows that money is dirty. I’ll be fine.”
Hatty breaks free from his stupor first. “What about our father? What do you mean, secrets? What are you talking about?”
Pacen’s lips thin to a straight line. It’s the first real emotion I’ve seen from her since this exchange began.
“The secrets Ashton keeps are going to kill him one day. He doesn’t agree with me, but it’s true. And not because someone will find him in a dark alley, but because it’s rotting his soul from the inside out.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” Colton’s voice carries an edge I’ve never heard from him before.
“That’s a question for your brother. Take care of each other. You’re truly the best family I’ve ever met, don’t let secrets ruin that.”
Colton takes a step forward like he’s going to physically restrain her, but she quirks a brow in silent warning, and he holds up his hands.
I stand in shock, flanked by a Westbrook on either side, and watch some version of Pacen Macomb walk straight into the day and disappear.
“What in the mother fucking hell was that?” Colton asks with wide eyes.
Halton paces beside me, so I quietly slip my hand into his, and he halts to stare at our joined hands. A half smile crooks the corner of his mouth, but the worry etched on his face matches Colton’s.
