Layla’s eyes flashed. “I seem to remember it differently. You spoke the words. I merely implied you were right. As it turns out, we were both wrong.”
When she laughed, Tommy had the unmistakable feeling that everything would be okay. Not just between them, but overall.
He watched as she started to head back inside. “And what happens next?” he called.
She paused and looked over her shoulder. “We put our heads together and work out a plan.”
“And after that?” The question was loaded, but he had no doubt she knew what he meant.
“I guess we just have to wait and see how this particular story ends.”
He waited a bit before he joined her. He was just crossing the room, about to reclaim his seat, when everyone’s phone began to simultaneously chime.
Tommy peered at his screen, then looked at Layla, Aster, and Ryan, wondering if they’d received the same message.
“It’s a breaking news alert.” Layla’s voice was tipped with panic.
“Larsen went to your trailer.” Aster stared at Madison. “He found your watch.”
Madison narrowed her gaze. “But I hid it.”
“Not very well.” Ryan frowned.
“I left it out in plain view,” Aster said. “I was angry, and I wanted you to know we were onto you in case you returned.” Turning to Ryan, Aster said, “Do you think Heather called him?”
“Heather?” Madison became visibly alarmed. “Heather was there? Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”
“I didn’t think it was a big deal.” Aster shrugged. “I mean, you guys were friends, right?”
Ignoring the question, Madison said, “Tell me everything—leave nothing out.”
Aster paused as though carefully choosing her words. “She talked about how much she missed you, then she flirted with Ryan, called me a Thoroughbred Girl—which she meant as an insult—”
“A what?” Layla leaned closer.
Aster groaned. “She’s got some chip on her shoulder from when she grew up on a ranch or something.”
“Heather didn’t grow up on a ranch.” Madison’s face darkened. “She’s from coastal Florida.”
“Well, she told some story about working on a ranch and how she hated the rich girls who boarded their horses there, or something like that.” Aster leaned her head against Ryan’s shoulder.
“Did she mention the name of the ranch?”
Aster looked up at Ryan, and he shook his head. “Not sure it matters,” he said. “If Larsen found the trailer, it’s just a matter of time before he finds this place too. I think we should leave. The sooner the better.”
“But what about her?” Aster stared pointedly at Madison. “She’s my ticket to freedom. We can’t just let her out of our sight.”
“I think she should stay with Tommy,” Layla said, surprising pretty much everyone in the room, but no one more than Tommy.
After the moment they’d shared outside, it was the last thing he expected.
“There’s no other option,” she explained. “I live with my dad and Aster’s at the W, which Ira owns. . . .”
“Actually,” Aster said, “I’ve been staying with Ryan.”
Tommy awkwardly cleared his throat. “Guess that leaves me then.” He looked at Madison, regretting how he’d just made her sound like some sort of disappointing consolation prize. “I have plenty of room, but you’re going to have to continue wearing the disguise.”
Madison hesitated. Then, looking at Layla, she said, “Thanks.”
Layla nodded curtly and headed for the door. Tommy was about to follow when everyone’s phone chimed again.
“What now?” Madison peered over Tommy’s shoulder to read.
Five little liars walking out the door
One ran off and then there were four
Four little liars looking for the key
One got scared and then there were three
Three little liars searching for a clue
One got caught and then there were two
Two little liars fighting for a gun
One shot the other and then there was one
One little liar convinced she finally won
Her fans turned against her and then there were none
“They know I’m alive—that I’m here, with you!” Madison clutched hard at Tommy’s arm. He’d never seen her so spooked. Not knowing what else to do, he slid an arm around her waist and rushed her outside to his car.
TWENTY-SEVENSLEEPING WILD
Trena Moretti blinked her eyes open and listened to the soft muffled snore drifting from the man beside her. His back was turned, offering an impressive view of well-defined shoulders and dark, gleaming skin. Softly, so as not to wake him, she trailed a finger down the length of his spine and sighed. She had no business being there. She’d broken her own rule with barely a thought. Still, there was no denying James was a beautiful sight to behold.
She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, reviewing the night in her head. On the drive home from Ojai, James had sent her a text asking if she wanted to go out for a bite. Originally she’d planned to meet with @LuckyHearts16—the person who’d sent her the video of Madison leaving her earring at the memorial. Not wanting to look overeager, she delayed the meeting and accepted James’s offer instead.
But now, with the morning sun slipping through the crack between the curtains, she was no longer sure she’d made the right choice.
It had started innocently enough, with the two of them sharing a pizza at Pizzeria Mozza, where she’d effectively broken her strict no-carb rule. A couple of glasses of wine later, Trena found herself inviting him back to her place and doing the sort of things that, despite the lingering shadow of regret, still managed to bring a smile to her face.
Quietly, she swung her feet to the floor and was about to stand, when James rolled over, grasped her by the wrist, and pulled her back to him.
“You sure you want to do that?” His dark eyes were heavy with sleep, but something about his tone struck her as vaguely menacing.
“You mean take a shower and get on with my day?” She kept her tone playful and light, but when she tried to pull away again, he held tight.
Was he playing? Or
