Dark Shadows (Gia Santella Crime Thrillers Book 11) Read online

  I noticed something odd. Even though Owen and Amanda were making out, Amanda was sitting closer to Lucas than Hannah was—much closer than the packed booth required. It was fishy. If I had to guess, I’d have said their thighs were pressed up against one another’s. And maybe his one hand under the table was doing something they didn’t want the others to know about. It was something about how stiffly they both were avoiding looking at one another.

  There was a pause in the music. Hannah smiled at me. “Thanks for the drinks.”

  I lifted my own glass and held it up. “My pleasure.”

  “Yeah, thanks,” Conner said. I met his eyes for an extra-long time and gave him a slow smile, raising my glass to his. He got the hint and smiled back.

  Then Amanda drew away from Owen’s mouth and turned to Lucas. He immediately ignored Hannah, who had been asking him a question, and turned to Amanda. I glanced at Hannah. She was looking down at her phone. I couldn’t tell if she had noticed or was upset.

  “Can I have a cigarette, bunny?” Amanda said to Lucas.

  He reached for the pack on the table, well within her reach, and took out a cigarette, lit it, and then handed it to her. She inhaled prettily and looked over at me smugly.

  It was so fucking obvious to everyone. I snuck another glance at Hannah. Now, she was looking morosely down into her drink. Amanda was fucking two of the guys at the table, and one of them was her friend’s boyfriend. I felt so bad for Hannah but reminded myself it was none of my business. I wasn’t here to get caught up in the drama among a group of friends.

  “Want to dance?” I said, looking at Conner.

  He didn’t answer; he just stood and grabbed my hand, leading me to the dance floor. I was glad the it was crowded because it gave me a chance to throw my arms above my head and press myself against his body. He ran his hands down my sides, and I closed my eyes, swaying to the music and allowing myself to feel my body and escape my thoughts for once.

  When the song ended, though, I was ready to sit down. I’d been drinking too much.

  I needed water.

  Conner was sweet and held my hand as we walked back to the table.

  I saw Amanda’s eyes flicker to our intertwined hands as we returned and could tell she was not happy. She was obviously used to being the girl who held all the boy’s attention within her orbit.

  Oh, well.

  We slid into the booth, this time with Conner next to me. Hannah and Lucas must’ve been on the dance floor because they came back to the booth right after us.

  Hannah slid in next to Conner, but Lucas sat across from her, next to Amanda.

  Hannah looked down at her phone again.

  But Amanda was ignoring Lucas. She kept staring at me and Conner.

  He had his head turned toward me and was playing with my hair. Pretty soon I’d tuned out everyone and everything else except him. He was telling me a story about how they’d all met in college several years ago—except for Sabine and Clint—who they’d met recently. I was caught up in his voice and touch…

  But then Amanda made her move.

  “Hey, bunny,” she said to Conner. “Will you walk out to the car with me? I’m cold and want my sweater.”

  It took me a few moments to realize she was talking to Conner. But she reached over and touched his sleeve.

  It took him a few moments to realize she was talking to him, as well. He blinked and slowly turned his head toward her.

  “I will,” Lucas said suddenly.

  Hannah looked up at him in surprise.

  “Um, I mean, I’m closer to the edge,” Lucas said. “It’s easier for us to get out of the booth, right?”

  It was true. Amanda and Lucas were sitting at the edges of the booth.

  Without answering, Amanda slid out.

  I watched Hannah’s face sink as they walked away.

  They didn’t return for a very long time.

  When they did, Amanda’s lipstick was gone. Her skirt was twisted, and her hair was mussed.

  Even without Lucas looking like the cat that had eaten the canary, it didn’t take a fucking detective to figure out what they’d been doing.

  And still, Hannah gave him a bright smile when he slid into the booth next to her.

  I hated it. I wanted to kill both of them: Amanda and Lucas.

  Conner and I exchanged a look. He knew I knew.

  Suddenly, Owen, who seemed to be the only one oblivious to what had just occurred, swore loudly. He was staring at his phone.

  “Motherfucker. I can’t believe this. This is total bullshit. They fucked up our reservation.”

  They all started talking at once. The music started up again so I only caught tidbits of the conversation, but it soon became apparent that they had just got to town that afternoon and were killing time until their rental house was ready. Owen had just found out that the reservation had been fucked up. There was no reservation. There was no rental. There was no place for them to stay.

  The tension at the table was sky high.

  “I think we need another round,” I said to the waiter. “And a few pitchers of water.”

  After downing some water, I sat there nursing another tequila as they all bowed over their phones, searching for a place to stay locally.

  After about forty-five minutes, Amanda threw her phone down on the table and said, “We’re fucked.”

  Conner nodded. “There’s not another available hotel room, VRBO, or flop house within two hours of here.”

  Hannah sank back into the booth.

  To my surprise, Amanda reached over and hugged her. “I’m sorry honey. I know it was your dream to be here, but I don’t think it’s going to work out.”

  I lifted an eyebrow. Conner saw. “Hannah is a film student,” he explained. “She worked two jobs all last year to afford this trip after winning two tickets to the festival. The rest of us are all just along for the ride. But for her, this is it—the dream-come-true thing.”

  Hannah gave an unconvincing smile and sat up straighter, shaking her head.

  “It’s okay.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m still having a really good time with all of you.”

  I don’t know if anyone else caught it, but her eyes darted to Lucas.

  He didn’t even really look at her.

  My heart broke.

  Don’t do it, Gia. It’s a bad idea. Keep your trap shut.

  And still I said it, “Hey, I have this big villa up in the hills all to myself this week and, frankly, it’s a little fucking lonely and creepy up there by myself. You are all welcome to crash there.”

  Hannah actually gasped. Amanda’s eyes grew wide and then narrowed.

  The guys all whooped. Owen guy threw his fist in the air and said, “Hells to the yes.”

  Amanda crossed her arms, pouting. I saw Owen lean down and whisper something to her. Her face reddened, and she said something angrily. Even with a free place to stay, she wanted nothing to do with me. Oh, well.

  Conner squeezed my thigh, and I reached down and moved his hand even higher.

  Hannah shook her head and blinked at me. “Are you sure?”

  I nodded. “Yeah.” I said and shrugged. Was I? Fuck if I knew. But it was a done deal.

  I ordered another round and then paid the bill.

  While we waited, I asked Hannah about film school.

  She was so excited to be in Southern France. Not just in Cannes for the festival, but near the settings where some of her favorite movies had been filmed. Just up the coast was where A Deadly Union had been filmed, she said.

  “Have you seen it?”

  I shook my head.

  “It’s called Noces Rouge in French or Crimson Wedding,” she said. “It is set in the most amazing limestone cliffs. The highest sea cliffs in Europe. I’m going to see them for sure.”

  She went on about the movie, giving me an in-depth synopsis. I loved her enthusiasm and listened avidly. When she was done, she took a deep breath and then looked at me as if she was emb
arrassed.

  “Did I bore you?”

  “Not at all,” I said. “I loved hearing you talk about it. So cool.”

  She smiled.

  “I’ll watch it for sure.”

  A few minute later, after downing my tequila, I stood.

  “I’m beat. You guys are welcome to stay longer, though. I can give you the address and my phone number. That way you can show up whenever you want, and I’ll let you in.”

  Conner immediately stood. “I’m coming with you.”

  Of course you are.

  To my surprise, they all scrambled to their feet and said they were ready to go as well. They trailed after me out of the club.

  Outside, at the valet, Conner stayed by my side and then hopped into my Jeep. I didn’t mind. I saw Amanda scowl.

  I waited on the side of the road for the rest of them to pile into their white Chevy Tahoe. Conner’s mouth was hot on my throat, lifting my hair up, and making me sigh.

  “You can’t do that while I’m driving, or I’ll drive right off a cliff,” I said.

  He laughed and sat back, but his fingers traced electric patterns along my thigh the entire drive back to the villa, sending shock waves through me. Somehow, despite this, I managed to stay on the road and keep sight of the oversized vehicle in my rearview mirror as the road climbed the hills leading to the villa.

  7

  Once we pulled into the wide driveway, I parked and jumped out of the Jeep. Without waiting for Conner to catch up to me on the front porch, I tapped the code into the pad that unlocked the door and disarmed the alarm system.

  I didn’t think it was a good idea to give them the alarm code.

  Conner shouldered a backpack and stood waiting with me as the others made their way up the stairs, carting suitcases and duffel bags.

  “Holy shit,” one of the guys said.

  The dark-haired emo couple brought up the rear.

  Once they were all in the foyer, I pointed toward the staircase.

  “I’m in the room at the end of the hall on the upper right, but feel free to make yourself at home in any other bedroom. I think there are six or so, not sure. I’m going out to the pool for a while before bed. The refrigerator is stocked, and there’s a full bar, too. Help yourself. Consider yourselves my guests and make yourselves at home.”

  I saw them exchange wide-eyed glances. It made me happy. Especially when I’d heard that Hannah had saved all year for this trip.

  They hesitated for a second and then made for the stairs. Conner paused. Then he dropped his backpack at the foot of the stairs and walked toward me.

  I liked that he wasn’t making any assumptions. I also liked how bold he was.

  Shy or uncertain guys weren’t going to do it for me. Not now. Not at this point in my life. I wanted take-charge men. I didn’t have time or patience for anything else.

  He took my face in his hands and kissed me hard, pushing me up against the wall until his entire body was pressed up against mine. After a while, I realized we were going to have to take it somewhere else or cool off. I wasn’t ready to turn in for the night yet, so I placed both my palms on his chest and gently pushed him away.

  “Easy, sailor. We’ve got all night.”

  He pulled back and stared down at my mouth, breathing heavily and shaking his head.

  “Where have you been all my life?”

  I laughed. “You were doing so well up until then. Save the lines for the girls who need to hear them.”

  We headed into the kitchen then, and I made us Mojitos and headed to the pool.

  After a while, the others came outside with the drinks they’d made. I sat at the far end of the pool where there were two lounge chairs. The others gathered at the opposite end, sitting at the edge of the deep end with their feet in the water.

  Amanda leaned over and said something to the others, and they all looked over at me and Conner, who was sitting on the lounge chair beside mine.

  “What’s your story?” Conner said. “You’re clearly American. What brought you here? The festival?”

  “Sort of,” I said.

  “Not the festival?”

  I shrugged.

  “I’ve been caring for my ill husband for the past few years, and this is a bit of a getaway for me. I thought I wanted to be alone, but…” I trailed off.

  “Husband?”

  I looked at him and nodded.

  “That’s tough,” he said. I could tell he wanted to ask more. Like if I was still married. He glanced down at my left hand. There was no ring. There never had been.

  Nico and I were not legally married. But he was my husband.

  I didn’t want to share more.

  “I’m sorry. I know being a caretaker is really hard.”

  I looked at him with surprise.

  Instead of answering, I nodded.

  “How long have you been here? At the villa?” he said. I knew he was changing the subject.

  “I made it three days alone,” I said, not meeting his eyes. “I spent years dreaming of time alone. Not having to worry about anyone else. It was all bullshit. It wasn’t what I actually wanted.”

  He pressed his lips together. “That happens to me a lot.”

  I squinted at him. “Oh, yeah?”

  He grinned.

  “What’s the story with Amanda and Lucas and Owen?”

  “Boy, you don’t miss a beat, do you? Owen has been in love with Amanda since first grade.”

  “That sounds like a sweet love story. How long have they been together?”

  “About a month. It wasn’t so sweet at first,” Conner said, running his fingers through his long bangs. “At least not for Owen—he came from a pretty fucked up household. His mom took off when he was a baby. His dad is a raging alcoholic. They never had money. He always had on hand-me-downs and sometimes smelled bad.”

  Conner shot me a glance. “I feel sort of bad even telling you this.”

  “I don’t judge,” I said.

  He pressed his lips together. “I can tell. So Amanda would have nothing to do with him. But she was crazy about Lucas. Their families were friends. Country club members. Had dinners together and so on. But Lucas didn’t want anything to do with her. Until high school. Then they dated briefly. But he broke up with her. I think it’s because she cheated on him or something. I never got the full story. But it was ugly. Meanwhile, Lucas and Owen have always been best friends. Even when they were little. I think it was really hard for Owen to see Lucas with Amanda.”

  “I bet.”

  “That’s when Owen came into his own. By high school, his dad had died and he went to live with an aunt for the summer. By senior year he came back all built from working out and driving a Porsche. He’d apparently inherited some life insurance policy. All the girls at the school wanted to date him. Even Amanda.”

  “Did they date?” I said looking over at the two of them. Amanda and Owen were now in the pool. He had her pressed up against the wall and their faces were close.

  “Nope. She had some other boyfriend at the time. Then we all went off to colleges across the country. Well, a few months ago, we all graduated and were back in L.A. and ended up picking up right where we left off. And that’s when Amanda and Owen started dating. We met Sabine and Clint at a party and found out they were planning to come to Cannes when we were so we made plans to travel together. And here we are.”

  “Hey,” he said in a soft voice. “Enough about us. Sometimes I talk too much. You barely have said anything.”

  “It’s fine,” I said.

  “Well, I’m glad that you are here and can relax and enjoy yourself for once. It sounds like you haven’t done that for a while.”

  For some reason his kind words made me teary. I quickly looked away.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “Did I upset you?”

  I shook my head.

  Then his mouth was on mine. He was a really good kisser. And very sexy. I let myself go for a few minutes and then grew self-cons
cious when it got quiet at the other end of the pool.

  I pulled back and said, “I think I need to go cool off in the pool.”

  He laughed. “Me, too.”

  At one point, we were all in the pool together. Amanda went back inside first, saying she had to call her sister in LA about something. Then Lucas said he was going to go make some drinks for everyone in the kitchen.

  It was none of my business. Hannah wasn’t paying attention. In fact, she was deep in conversation. Her back was turned to the house, and she was smiling and talking animatedly to Owen and Conner. It was good to see.

  I was talking to the emo couple. They were actually really nice. Art students who were leaving in a few days to study at the Sorbonne in Paris. They really had only met the others a few weeks before at a party in LA.

  Amanda and Lucas had been gone about twenty minutes when my phone rang.

  It was sitting on the small table by the lounge chair. I got out of the pool, dripping wet, loped over to the table, and picked it up.

  It was the care home.

  “Hello?” I answered, my heart pounding.

  I saw Conner watching me as I headed toward the house.

  It was about Nico.

  Dripping water on the floor, I stood inside the French doors frozen, listening to the voice on the other end tell me that Nico might have pneumonia.

  I closed my eyes.

  My gut was churning. I was dizzy and grabbed for the marble kitchen counter.

  This was bad. Really bad. But there was little I could do, she said.

  “The doctor will see him in the morning, and I will call you to tell you what he says.”

  As I hung up the phone, I sat there feeling dread claw at my insides. Part of me wanted to pack my bag and fly back to Barcelona, but I knew that was overreacting. I would wait to see what the doctor had to say the next day and then decide if I should return home. I couldn’t do anything back home except sit around, sick with worry. As all these thoughts raced through my head, I heard voices down the hall. It was Amanda and Lucas.