One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

13. Beatrice

13

BEATRICE

I wake up as light streams into the room. It’s morning and I’m lying on the sofa. I frown, wondering what is going on, then the night before comes rushing back to me. Tears pop into my eyes.

"Beatrice?" Evelyn's soft voice washes over me and I turn my head. The moment I catch her eye, my face collapses. I can't breathe, overwhelmed with grief.

Evelyn's arms wrap around me, offering comfort amid my pain. "I'm so sorry, Beatrice," she whispers, holding me close as I let out a heartbreaking sob.

I finally pull away and manage a weak smile, grateful for Evelyn's presence in my time of need. She hands me a tissue and I wipe my eyes, feeling a sense of peace settle over me.

"Come," Evelyn says, leading me upstairs where last night's disaster has been cleaned up. I pause as I'm led past my parents' room until, with a gentle tug, I'm in my bedroom with Evelyn.

"It's my fault," I whisper.

My feet hit the carpet softly, then the tiles of the bathroom floor. My eyes go to my reflection in the mirror above the sink. Bloodshot, swollen eyes stare back at me. My skin is so pale you wouldn't think I'd ever been in the sun.

Evelyn's reflection appears next to mine and I repeat, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have said anything."

Her brows furrow in confusion, but I don't elaborate. I can't say anything. The warning Judge gave me is settling in my head.

“No one can find out what happened here tonight. Do you hear me, Beatrice? If you tell anyone they will have an accident. Do you hear me, girl?!”

"I feel numb," I murmur.

"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry I wasn't here last night. I should have come back to the house with you."

I shake my head quickly. "No way. You might have gotten shot." I swallow hard. "Will you wait in my bedroom while I wash up?"

"Of course I will." Evelyn kisses my cheek and leaves me alone with my thoughts.

My limbs feel heavy as I soak a cloth under the hot faucet. I squeeze out the excess water and place the cloth over my face. I sigh with relief. My breath is calm before I remove the cloth. I repeat the process two more times before heading to my bedroom to get some clothes.

Evelyn sits in the chair by my window, which overlooks the backyard and the river beyond.

I feel chilled, so I choose a pair of navy-blue running pants with a pocket on the right thigh. I pick out the matching T-shirt and underwear before retreating to the bathroom to get dressed. I brush out the braid and use a navy headband to keep my hair out of my face. The last thing I do is rub some moisturizer on my face. The bruise on my cheek is more visible and tender.

I want everyone to see it. I only wish I'd had the courage to broadcast it before I got into Richard's car last night. They won't miss it today. Finished, I go into the bedroom.

Evelyn smiles. "You look better."

"Was everything okay after I left last night? I mean with you and Mr. Gleeson at the marina."

Evelyn takes my hands and squeezes them. "No one saw me. Mr. Gleeson was wonderful. No need to worry."

I nod.

"Be brave, Beatrice," Evelyn whispers. "Just play along and everything will be fine."

My eyes shoot up to meet hers. "You know?" I ask, my voice thick with tears.

"I can guess. You must put on an act. You have to eat something, too." She holds my hand until we reach the entrance to the dining room. With a squeeze, she lets go and I step inside.

I ignore Richard, who is sitting at his usual place at the head of the table. My eyes slide in his direction as soon as I'm seated. His are bloodshot, while mine are from my loss; his from the alcohol he consumed last night. There are also bruises on his face.

It looks like he and David have done a number on each other.

"I have to make funeral arrangements after breakfast. Can I count on you not to talk about last night?"

I narrow my eyes. " Your father told me what would happen if I speak about it, so yes, Richard , I will keep my mouth shut."

His mouth hangs open before he snaps it shut. Anger clenches his fists into a tight ball.

I take a deep breath and add, "If you or Judge lay a hand on me again, I will shout the truth from the rooftops. I will call the FBI. I mean it, Richard!”

At the last word, Evelyn appears with breakfast. She pauses when she hears me call Dad by his first name. It’s all she will hear from now on. It's all he’ll hear too.

Richard absorbs anger in every movement. He is angry. He doesn't know if I'm serious or not. I am. He went too far this time. I won't let him get away with what he's done. I need time to figure out what to do.

Richard couldn't wait to get rid of me after breakfast, so he dropped me off at a friend's house. It's nice and peaceful lying on the chaise lounge chair by the pool. The area is shaded, and a gentle breeze blows through the garden.

If I get along with anyone, it’s Violet. We've known each other for about ten years, ever since her family moved to town. Her father works for mine, but things have never been awkward.

The only thing I have always done with Violet is keep certain things close to my chest. I honestly don't trust her not to repeat what she hears to her dad, who would then tell mine.

It's early: 08:30. I didn't want to be in the house, so I jumped at the offer of a ride here. Violet knows that my mother died overnight. That's all. I mean, there's nothing I can say to her that won't go unpunished.

"Dad heard you fell in the water at the club. Is that true?" Violet asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

I give my dark-haired friend a small smile, relieved to be able to focus on something else. "Yes, I did. Jason hit me because I wouldn't suck him off. I fell in."

She chokes on her spit, her eyes wide with surprise. "Is he big?" Her eyebrows wiggle and she bursts out laughing.

I roll my eyes. "Like I said, I declined. I have no interest in him."

"Just going on a date would be nice." She blows out a breath. "I'm not allowed to date until I'm eighteen. Then I'm sure he'll be chosen for me. My parents have high standards, and it sucks half the time."

"Same here. Be careful, Violet. My parents," I stumble over the word, "set me up with Jason because they wanted me to marry him."

She winces. "That sucks!" Her eyes meet mine and we both laugh.

Guilt cuts into me. I shouldn't laugh when my mother is dead. But the laughter is a welcome relief from the weight of my loss. It's nice to have someone here who's as sheltered as I was. At seventeen, Violet is curious about the world and eager to explore, just like me.

The sudden sound of a machine starting up startles me. I turn to Violet. "I thought we were alone."

Her eyes sparkle with mischief. “A couple of guys from Redd WoodArt are here. They're building a sideboard in the dining room."

My heart leaps in my chest at the brothers being so close. "Do you know which brothers are here?"

Her face fills with excitement. "I don't know. Mother told me not to go near them. However, we should go and see, don't you? I mean, maybe they need a drink of sweet tea or something." Jumping up from the chaise, she grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet.

I follow her into the house and into the dining room. She leans against the doorjamb and sighs. I look inside and find the backs of two men facing us, stretching up with a piece of wood between them. The way the jeans hug their bodies gives me butterflies. They have work boots on their feet. My eyes travel upward as I lean against the opposite doorjamb. Galen wears a bottle green T-shirt, while his twin, Ridge, wears a white one. I can tell them apart because Ridge has a tattoo of coordinates on his neck. Their muscles bulge as they lift the piece of wood higher to fit it into the frame they have already attached to the wall. They're beautiful. The men that is.

Then they turn and see us drooling. But the view is much better. Galen grins when his eyes catch mine, but I notice he's more interested in Violet. Ridge frowns and moves toward me. Tears come to my eyes as I tilt my head so I can see his face. I hadn't really looked at the man last night. He'd kept his distance. He wasn't now.

"Babe?" he whispers, taking my face in his hands. "What's going on?"

Galen comes closer, looking between Violet and me. Violet says, “Her mom was killed last night."

The brothers start, then curse. Ridge dips his forehead into mine, searching my teary eyes. He curses again and pulls me to him. He's warm, gentle, and safe. I wrap my arms around his waist and let my tears fall. I thought I was okay until I saw the Redd brothers. I cling to Ridge. Soon I feel a hand on my back and then Galen plants a kiss on the side of my head. "I'm so sorry, Bea."

Ridge tightens his arms as if he doesn't want Galen to have me. I sniffle against Ridge's strong chest and gently pull away. He refuses to let me go and wraps his arms around my midsection. His chest is now pressed against my back. Galen hands me a tissue, which I use to clean up. I don't miss the frown he gives his brother.

"I'm sorry," I say, embarrassed.

"I take it you know each other?" Violet asks.

Galen focuses on my friend. "We're friends with Bea. Things could get complicated if her family finds out, though."

Violet snorts. "Trust me. I have no intention of telling anyone. My parents would have a cow."

Finding it strange to be held against Ridge, I turn in his arms and meet his gaze. "Thanks for the shoulder to cry on."

"Anytime, babe." He cups the back of my head with a big hand and plants a kiss on my forehead.

My knees are weak as he walks away. "There's a car outside."

Violet squeals. "Mom!" She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the room. We just make it to the chaise lounges when her mom shows up.

"Hello girls. I brought you some food.” She says to me, "Your father called and asked if you could stay here until tonight. I told him it wouldn't be any trouble, so I hope that's okay with you?"

"That's very kind. Thank you." I'm happy to stay anywhere but my house.

"Before I go into town to see your grandmother, remember Violet, no talking to the Redd brothers."

I hide a giggle behind my hand as Violet blushes and replies. "I said I wouldn't. Beatrice and I will go in the house when we're hungry. We'll be fine, Mom."

Her mother smiles before heading away. "I can't breathe without permission," Violet mutters.

I wait for Mrs. Beau to drive off and ask, "Is Galen sweet on you?"

She rolls her eyes. "Galen teases me, but the man is not sweet on me." With a sigh, she adds, "I can't say the same about Ridge and you.”

"There is no Ridge and me. He knew something was wrong. I mean, I burst into tears. He couldn't miss it." I roll onto my side and face Violet. "Can I trust you?"

She frowns and opens her mouth to speak, but snaps it shut. Moments later, she says, "I understand why you ask, and I promise not to breathe a word of what you tell me to anyone. I learned my lesson the first and only time I repeated anything you said.” She holds out her hand.

I take it and clasp our hands. "It was Nico Redd who saved me from drowning last night."

Her eyes widen in surprise. I smile, knowing she hadn't expected that. "He swam me to their boat, and they took me to their house. I met Maggie Redd. You can't tell anyone. The sheriff and Richard think Mr. Gleeson found me after some tourists pulled me out of the water."

"My lips are sealed." She shakes her head. "How did you get so close to Ridge?"

"I don't know. I didn't have much of a conversation with him last night." I rub my brows. "I wish I had stayed in the Hollows, because when I got home bad stuff happened.”

"I'm really sorry, Beatrice. You can stay here as long as you want."

"I might take you up on that offer." I stare out over the pool and add, "I don't want to be at my house anymore."