Snake Eyes (The Masks Series Book 3) (16 page)

I slumped onto the perfectly made bed, wanting to dissolve into a puddle of tears, but I couldn’t. My eyes burned and my head screamed, but all I was capable of was a slow blink.

“From now on, I want you to wear a permanent wire. We’re getting to crunch time, and I need to know exactly what you’re up to. Go with Rhodes; he’ll take you next door and make sure you’re all suited up. The tech guys will show you how everything works.” She gave me a tight smile. “Hey, look on the bright side: at least you won’t have to call me every night now.”

My body was too numb to form any kind of defense. Rhodes gently put his hand under my arm and helped me stand, leading me from the room and into what would be the beginning of an even bigger nightmare.

Eric

Pulling out the loaf of bread, I sat it next to the peanut butter and gazed out through the kitchen window. It was now dark out and I still hadn’t heard back from Caity. After the awesome weekend we’d had together, I’d thought...

I sighed.

Okay, so the weekend hadn’t been spectacular. Yes, it’d had its beautiful moments, but it’d also been filled with imperfections, like my little poker spat over my dad and then our final conversation on the drive home.

Caity knew what I was saying. Quella was a drain and she couldn’t deny that, but she refused to back down. She was so incredibly stubborn sometimes! I frowned, untwisting the tie on the bread and pulling out two thick slices of wholemeal. Not the world’s most nutritious dinner, but I couldn’t be bothered to cook.

It was Tuesday night. Technically, I should be at a little Mexican restaurant ordering two of my favorite tacos, but what was the point of going if Caity wasn’t even going to be there? And why the hell had she not returned my text OR answered my call? I knew her phone was on because it rang what felt like a hundred times before going to her voice mail.

Unscrewing the peanut butter jar, I threw the lid on the counter and watched it skid to the edge then drop to the floor.

I hadn’t bothered leaving a message. She’d see the caller ID, she’d read my text.

What is going on with you? Why are you not replying to me? It’s Taco Tuesday and you weren’t there when I came to pick you up! Since when have you ever ditched a date? Talk to me! This is driving me insane!!

Slapping a knife full of peanut butter onto my bread, I slathered it around then slammed the other piece on top, leaving finger indentations behind.

“Dude, what did that sandwich ever do to you?” Mr. Smiley ambled into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

“Shut up, man,” I mumbled at Dale, collecting the lid and screwing it back on.

“You okay?” Dale pulled out the milk and poured himself a glass, his permanent smile dulled just a little.

“Yeah.” I scrubbed my hand over my face then shook my head. “It’s Caity.”

“Is she okay?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, snatching a plate out of the cupboard and throwing my sandwich onto it. “She won’t call me back, she won’t text me, and when I swung past her dorm this evening, she wasn’t there. I was going to sit in the car and wait for her, but then felt like a total stalker so decided to come home.”

“Yeah, I thought it was weird you were here. Taco Tuesday, right?”

I nodded, slumping into my chair and biting off a hunk of bread. It tasted like ash, but I chewed it anyway.

Dale poured me a glass of milk and set it down by my plate.

“Got anything stronger?” My eyebrow arched.

He chuckled. “Come on, man. It’s not that bad, is it?”

I leaned forward in my chair, pushing my plate aside. “It’s weird. This is so un-Caity. I mean, yes, she forgets to charge her phone and she turns it off every now and then, but she never ignores me. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Dale licked the residue milk from his top lip. “Do you think it has anything to do with her new roommate?”

I threw my head back with a groan. “Probably. She’s bending over backwards for this girl, and I don’t think Quella even notices or appreciates it. I hate that she’s putting her before us.”

“You know what Caity’s like, though. She’ll do anything for anyone.”

“I know.” I sighed. “But she’s always been really good at putting us first. I didn’t think she’d ever do anything to compromise our relationship.”

Dale chuckled. “She doesn’t call you for two days and the relationship is compromised? Dude, that’s some pressure.”

“I’m not that pathetic!” I rubbed my eyebrow and ran a hand through my hair. “I’m just used to talking to her most days... and she’s been different lately. Like she’s trying to be happy around me or...I don’t know.”

“Do you think she’s hiding something from you?”

My heart jerked in an unsteady rhythm. “She always promised me she wouldn’t.”

“Well, then you gotta give her the benefit of the doubt. Something else must be going on.”

“I can’t lose her, Dale.”

He placed his empty glass on the table. “Sometimes you can’t control those kinds of things.”

I gave him a sharp look. “Don’t you think I know that?”

“I’m not trying to piss you off or anything, I’m just saying...”

“Well, don’t.” My chair scraped on the floor as I stood tall and took my plate to the trash can, throwing out my uneaten sandwich.

“Eric.”

“What?”

“Maybe it’s a combo effect; you know, pressure from all sides.”

I paused. “What do you mean?”

“Well, she’s trying to help Quella, which she knows you don’t like, but even so, she’s putting on the right face for her and then when she’s around you, trying to keep you happy, and then Nicole’s wedding mania has started and that has a pressure all of its own.” He shook his head with a grin. “Aside from that, exams are looming and then you’ve got Thanksgiving just around the corner and I don’t care how awesome anyone’s family is, that celebration comes with its own special kind of stress.”

Spinning around, I leaned against the counter and folded my arms. “So, what do you think I should do?”

“Well, maybe instead of trying to give her advice, like pulling away from Quella, why don’t you ask her what she needs to get through this?”

I frowned at him.

He raised his hands. “It’s only an idea, man. I’m just trying to help you out.”

“No, it’s good. I like it. Rather than saying ‘you should be doing this’, I can be like ‘what do you need from me’?”

“Yeah.” Dale nodded. “I can’t guarantee it’s going to work or anything, but I do know that I’m the kind of person who responds better to that sort of thing. When I feel like I’m being bossed around, I kind of dig my heels in and do the quiet stubborn thing.”

My lips twitched with a smile. “Stubborn,” I muttered.

“Good luck, man.”

He walked out of the kitchen with an impish grin. Grabbing my phone, I gazed at the screen and sent my girl another text.

Hey, babe. I don’t know what’s going on tonight, but whatever it is, I’m here if you need me. Your Hercules forever xx

Caitlyn

I read Eric’s text and blinked, tears making my vision blurry. This sucked. This
sucked
! Kaplan wanted us broken up by the end of the week, so I could score myself a last-minute invite to Quella’s. So far, my grand plan had been to completely ignore him, do the lame ass ‘don’t call and we’ll just naturally end it’ thing. It was so cowardly, but I didn’t know if I could do it.

How did I get words out of my mouth that I one hundred percent
did not
mean?

How?

How was I supposed to look at Eric’s beautiful face and tell him I didn’t want to be with him anymore?

"Just think what would happen if I mailed him this file and he found out that Antonio Costa was actually Declan Shore, and that he had a son living less than 300 miles away. For a guy like Lucian Marchant, finding and torturing the offspring of a man who humiliated him would be well worth the time and effort."

That’s how.

The idea of Eric being found, stolen, tortured? I doubled over, fighting for air.

I had to do this and just pray that once it was over, he’d hear me out and take me back.

Sniffing at my phone, I quickly texted back.

Sorry. Got delayed. It’s been a shitty night. Can’t talk about it yet. Can you meet me tomorrow after class?

Less than a minute later, I got my reply.

Of course. Whatever you need.

I sent back the details of when and where. It took me way too long to think of a spot. I didn’t want anywhere to be tainted by this horrible thing—not our willow tree, not our Mexican restaurant, definitely not the beach. In the end, I settled for outside Powell Library. It was close to his final class for the day and we could walk and talk. It’d be easier to run away from him in tears, which I could guarantee would happen.

Hating Kaplan with a new kind of passion, I sent my text and threw my phone onto the bed.

“Okay, I’ve just texted Eric. I’m doing it tomorrow night,” I mumbled into the permanent wire attached to my bra.

“Good job,” Rhodes said quietly. “Remember you’re doing this to save his life. Just keep that in your head.”

I let out a heavy sigh as Quella walked in. Straightening up, I pasted on a smile.

She paused, her head tipping to the side as she looked right through it.

“I feel like dancing.”

I glanced at my watch. “It’s nearly nine o’clock. I’m too tired.”

“No, you are sad.” She grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards the door. “I do not know why, but I do know that dancing will make it better.”

I wanted to say no and curl into a ball on my bed.

“Don’t forget your persona, Caitlyn,” Rhodes whispered into my ear. I hated that he was there all the time...and so often right. I had to get this damn thing over with, and dancing with Quella would help.

Forcing another smile, I shrugged. “Okay, you win. Take me dancing.”

She let out a squeal and yanked me towards the door.

*****

I got drunk.

I’d never done that before. Ever.

I usually hated the taste of alcohol. I still do, really, but I threw that stuff down my throat like my life depended on it.

My Martha Woodgrove ID was put to good use, that’s for sure.

Shots.

Tequila.

Deadly.

Stumbling out of the club, I checked to make sure Quella was following me. She bumped her way around the large man by the door and giggled when he spilled his beer. He gave her an evil glare. My vision blurred as his mask disintegrated, my eyes bulging wide.

He wasn’t really mad with her; he was too busy checking her out.

I sniffed and tottered towards her, yanking her arm and pulling her out of the bar.

“Let’s go,” I croaked.

She giggled again, tumbling into me until we both ended up on the grass, our feet flying into the air before we curled on our sides with more laughter. I had to blink really hard to see Quella clearly. The alcohol was doing something freaky to my sight; I couldn’t figure it out, but masks weren’t falling away tonight...they were evaporating. It was like watching a fire suck them into nothing. The alcohol burned through the layers rapidly. I had no control.

“Awwww.” I brushed Quella’s face. “You miss your mom. I’m sorry.”

My words felt thick and heavy, flowing out of my mouth like viscous glue. I smacked my lips together and winced, my head starting to ache as I looked at Quella’s wide, soulful gaze.

“How do you know about my mother? I never talk about her.” She frowned, propping herself onto one elbow.

“I don’t...” I licked the edge of my mouth. “Your mom...People leave, but they don’t mean to hurt you. Sometimes they do it to protect you.”

“She did not want to protect me,” Quella snapped. “She left because she did not love me enough to stay.”

Quella’s heated anger was harsh and uncompromising. I turned away from it and closed my eyes, my head spinning circles. The sky was seriously falling tonight. I dug the heel of my hand into my eye socket and was struck with an overwhelming urge to cry.

“That’s not always true,” I wailed, my stomach jerking with sobs. “He’s never gonna forgive me,” I hiccupped. “I hate her for making me do this. I hate her.”

“Who do you hate? What are you talking about?”

I never had a chance to answer. A strong hand clamped around my arm and hauled me to my feet.

“That’s enough,” he whispered.

My head flopped against his shoulder and I breathed in his scent. It had become familiar somehow, even though I’d only been close enough to smell him a couple of times.

“Let her go!” Quella stood on wobbly legs and tried to pull me back. “Who are you?”

“Security, miss. It’s time you girls head home.”

“Rhodes,” I mumbled against him.

“Shhhh,” he silenced me quickly, pulling my arm and marching me away from the bar. Quella trotted up behind us.

“Where do you girls live?”

I giggled. “Don’t you already know that?”

“Of course he doesn't,” Quella snapped, the idea of security sobering her up. She crossed her arms and huffed, still a little unsteady on her feet but able to walk unaided.

I glanced at her face as we waited to cross the street. Her nostrils were flaring, the muscles in her face pinched tight.

“Don’t be scared. He’s not going to arrest us.” I patted Rhodes’s chest.

“Would you shut up?” he whispered between clenched teeth. “Just stop talking.”

I sniffed and tried to glare at him, but my head felt too heavy to lift off his shoulder.

By the time we crossed the road, the FBI agent had let go of my arm and actually had his arm around my waist. Quella walked ahead of us, leading the way with her tense, edgy shuffle.

My body groaned and ached as we stumbled along. It felt full of liquid, like whatever I’d been drinking was sloshing around inside me.

I glanced up at Rhodes as he hauled me along.

He looked worried, agitated.

“I know you hate this job,” I mumbled. “You never signed up to be a babysitter.”

“It’s fine. Keep walking.”

I teetered beside him and his arm clenched me tighter. “I know you think I’m an idiot, under-qualified, but you know I didn’t sign up for this either. I—”

“I swear to God, if you don’t shut up, I’m going to knock you out.”

I giggled. “You don’t mean that.”

He glared at me and I swallowed, licking my lower lip slowly.

“Although you are tempted,” I slurred then erupted with giggles again that swiftly turned into sobs.

“Hey,” he said softly, squeezing me against him. “It’s gonna be okay. He’ll forgive you.”

“I’m about to break his heart. You don’t know Eric. He’s been hurt. He puts up this shield to protect himself, but he let it down around me. He trusts me, and I’m going to destroy that.”

Rhodes jerked to a stop, spinning me to face him. His fingers dug into my arms, holding me upright.

“I’ve been watching you for the last seven weeks and I know for a fact that your boyfriend loves you...and if he doesn’t forgive you after this, he’s a fool. Guys don’t give up on girls like you.”

My insides jolted as I took in Rhodes’s unmasked expression. His penetrating gaze drove right into my core, the gentle look in his eyes contradicting his usual, angry fire.

I sucked in a quick mouthful of air, unable to hide the fact I was seeing everything.

He quickly swallowed, his face blanching as he spun me back around and marched me forward. The revelation did wonders in sobering me up. I was still inebriated, but seeing Rhodes’s tender side was like having a cold bucket of water thrown over me.

We didn’t say anything more as he walked me back to my dorm.

I tripped on the pathway to the front door and would have face-planted on the concrete if Rhodes hadn’t caught me. Swooping me into his arms, he muttered something to Quella and she led him up to our room. Halfway up the stairs, Quella swayed, covered her mouth and then made a lurching run for the bathroom.

With a sigh, Rhodes shifted me in his arms and walked to our door, plonking me on my feet.

“You have a key?”

“Um...” I frowned, patting my pocket, then giving him a little smile before fumbling the key free.

He rolled his eyes and let me lean against him while he unlocked the door.

We tripped into the room together and he caught me, half-throwing me onto my bed.

My sigh was wistful and luxurious as my head sank into the soft pillow.

When I opened my eyes Rhodes was standing over me, pulling his suit jacket straight.

“Thanks for bringing me home, security.”

He cleared his throat. “Don’t get drunk again. It doesn’t suit you.”

My eyes welled with tears.

“Hey.” He gave me a gentle smile. “It'll be okay. You can do this. Just rip off the Band-Aid and end it. It’ll be easier that way.”

I sniffed and gave him a shaky nod.

“I’m here if you need me,” he muttered before turning for the door and disappearing.

I pressed my fingers into my temples and bit my lip against the tears that threatened to overtake me again.

Kicking off my shoes, I heard them plop onto the floor then tucked my knees up against my chest. Something was digging into my butt. I pulled it out of my pocket and slid my thumb over the phone screen. Eric’s text stared back at me.

My eyes filled with tears again and I decided the Band-Aid had to come off right now. Pressing the little phone symbol on my screen, I held it to my ear and waited five rings.

“Caity? Are you okay?” Eric sounded groggy. I had no idea what time it was.

“I need a break,” I slurred.

“Excuse me?”

“From us.” My voice sounded wooden. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying to me right now.” There was a pause. “Caity, it’s two o’clock in the morning. Where the hell are you?”

“In bed.” My voice pitched.

“Are you—Are you drunk?”

“Eric, I can only tell you this once, okay? We’re over...for now. I need some time to think and be away from you.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“I’m tired, so I’m gonna go to sleep now.”

“No. I’m coming over. We have to talk about this.”

“No, Eric. There’s nothing else to say. You have to respect my wishes and give me some space.”

“But—” He huffed. “Caity, where is this coming from?”

I licked my lips, suddenly regretting the fact I was attempting this call while drunk. “I’m just...I’m...I need...” I cleared my throat. “I’m starting to feel a little claustrophobic.”

“You’re lying,” he whispered.

Tears stung my eyes, my face bunching into a painful frown. “Look, I know this is hard for you to hear and it’s hard for me to say. I love you.” I sucked in a breath, sobs making my belly quake. “I really love you.”

“Calm down,” Rhodes voice was back in my other ear. “Just stop for a minute and catch your breath.”

I sucked in a mouthful of air.

“And for the record, you’re an idiot to do this drunk.” His low voice and dry tone almost made me giggle.

Rhodes was funny.

My head lolled to the side and I grinned.

“Caity, are you still there?” Eric’s voice was rough and unsteady in contrast to the FBI agent listening in on this call.

“End this and hang up. Now,” Rhodes commanded.

“I gotta go, Eric.” I sniffed.

“No, wait. You can’t leave me like this.”

“I gotta sleep,” I whispered. “We can talk about it in the morning.”

“Wait, Cait—”

“Goodbye, Eric.” I hung up before he could say more. Clutching the phone to my chest, I curled into a small ball and let the sobs break free. They punched out of my mouth, broken and pitiful, my body heaving until exhaustion took over.

I heard Quella come in, mumbling some sort of thank you to security, but my puffy eyes were closed by then and I couldn’t drag them back open.

Mercifully, sleep took me and I drowned in an oblivion of strange dreams, until I was jerked awake with a nightmare in the morning.

Squinting at the clock on my phone, I winced, my head feeling like it was made of bricks and being held together with sludge. It was nearly seven and I had a class in an hour, but that wasn’t what made me jerk off the bed. What made my body move like lightening was the text message from Eric flashing on my phone screen.