“Fuck yeah,” Tommy grunted, followed by a whoop that made Aster flush in embarrassment.
The pounding continued. And though her heart broke for Layla, Aster shot her a look that warned her not to do anything rash. Then, slipping her cell from her pocket, she prompted the camera app and rushed forward toward the open door, ready to capture a scene that would make Aster’s striptease video seem positively PG in comparison.
She watched through the screen as Madison whirled on her and cried, “What the hell?” Turning on Tommy, she said, “Did you call them?”
Tommy stood before them, shirtless, sweaty, and seemingly caught in the act of something Aster couldn’t make sense of. His gaze bounced between Aster and Ryan. By the time it landed on Layla, his face had drained of all color.
Aster took note of the paddle Tommy gripped, along with the padded walls, rubber floors, and strange array of equipment, unable to comprehend whatever sort of messed-up role-playing fantasy they were engaged in. Clearly it was some kind of fetish room, though it wasn’t like it mattered. Not when Madison Brooks was living, breathing, and standing right there before them.
After weeks of heartache, Aster’s life had changed in an instant. The burden of proof had been lifted. She no longer had a reason to fear her own future.
Fueled by a summer’s worth of pent-up rage, Aster advanced on Madison, ready to make her suffer for all the pain she’d inflicted. Her fingers catching at Madison’s skinny arm, she started to drag her closer when Tommy intervened in an effort to protect Madison. It was a move that was not lost on Aster, nor on Layla, for that matter.
“It’s not what you think!” he cried, but it was too late for that.
“What the hell, Tommy?” she spat, refusing to let go of Madison’s arm until Ryan gently pried her fingers from Madison’s flesh.
“Pretty sure we need her alive,” Ryan said, drawing Aster close to his side.
Tommy raised his hands in surrender. Realizing he was still holding the paddle, he dropped it to the ground and tried again. “It’s not what you think.” His gaze darted wildly. “Just—just give us a chance to explain.”
“Us?” Aster fought to free herself from Ryan’s hold. Sure they needed Madison alive, but Tommy, not so much. “So you’re admitting to being an us?”
“Not what I meant, just—please. Can everyone just relax?” Tommy was pleading. He looked horrified, terrified. Well, too bad.
“Sure,” Aster said, voice edged with sarcasm. “As soon as I send this video to Detective Larsen so he can drop all the charges against me and clear my name of a crime I didn’t commit, I’ll be happy to relax and watch as you two”—she wagged a finger between them—“are exposed for the frauds that you are. Seems like a fair trade to me.” Aster scrolled through her contacts, leaving no doubt she was willing to make good on her word.
“Don’t.” Madison spoke for the first time since they’d burst into the room. Reading Aster’s scathing look, she added, “Please. Don’t.”
Aster held Madison’s gaze and lifted the phone to her ear.
“They can’t know I’m alive. No one can.”
“No one but Tommy?” Layla spoke up. Aster was surprised she’d managed to remain quiet so long.
“Layla—” Tommy started, but Aster stopped him before he could start.
“You sort out your love life on your own time.” Aster glared. “I have better things to do at the moment.”
“Do it,” Ryan said, egging her on. “Post it to Instagram too. The sooner the world knows, the better.” He gave her an encouraging look.
In her cheap clothes and heavy-handed makeup, Madison appeared small and frail, battered and beaten—the exact opposite of her usual highly curated look. But Aster was too jacked up to focus on Madison’s drastic appearance or how she might’ve gotten that way. Her fingers were shaking so badly she found it difficult to press the right prompts on the keypad.
“Listen,” Madison pleaded. “I get why you’re angry. But if you can just spare me five minutes, I can explain. After all, what’s five more minutes after everything you’ve already been through?”
For the first time since she’d been caught, Madison sounded appropriately desperate. It had sure taken long enough.
“I know you don’t like me,” she continued. “And I know you blame me for every bad thing that’s happened to you. But you’ve got it all wrong. Calling Larsen will just put me in more danger than I’m already in.”
“And I’m supposed to care because . . . ?” Aster smirked.
Madison paused. “Because I guarantee it will put you in more danger too.”
Aster rolled her eyes. “Sounds like a line from one of your movies. You’re going to have to do a lot better than that if you want me to believe you.” She arced an arm wide. “I couldn’t care less about whatever you do in your kink room. Though I’m sure the tabloids will love the footage I send them.”
Madison squinted in confusion.
“Is this how Madison got to you?” Aster regarded Tommy closely. “Is this how she seduced you and persuaded you to keep all her secrets?” Aster was furious, but fought to keep her anger subdued. “I can’t believe you sat right alongside us, pretending to be one of us, when you were in on it all along.”
Tommy shook his head and mumbled something about how Aster had it all wrong. But Aster wasn’t interested in Tommy’s excuses. Not when the truth was unfolding right in front of her.
“We just came from your trailer.” With Tommy sufficiently shamed, Aster switched her focus to Madison.
“Breaking and entering. Twice in one day.” Madison folded her arms across her chest.
Aster seized the chance to gloat. “Broke inside your LA house too, just so you know.”
Madison’s face was impassive, her look cool. And that was when Aster realized she’d given her exactly what
