Shameless (Made For Them #3)

5. A Rock And A Hard Place

Lula

I ’m not surprised that Tiffany lied to give Howard and Evan an alibi.

“Just in case you’re thinking about going to the sheriff with this tidbit of information,” Tiffany threatens. “Let me remind you who made sure you were given probation after rehab and who made it possible for you to come to California. One word to the wrong person from any of you, and I’ll make sure those favorable terms are revoked faster than you can light your next joint. Am I clear?”

The one thing I learned growing up with Tiffany is that her threats are never idle. “Crystal.” I bite out.

For some reason, I feel sad for Tiffany. She might have come a long way from her childhood in a run down trailer park and have all the designer clothes and the fancy stuff her greedy heart desires, but is she truly happy?

Growing up I always thought that Arianna was the only person my mother truly loved. Other than herself of course. Since Arianna and Dad got together, I think Tiffany hasn’t just felt betrayed but also lost. Arianna was someone Tiffany looked up to and confided in. Now all she has is a husband who doesn’t love her and Evan as a stepson.

I know she made her own bed, but it must be awful not to have anyone you truly love and trust.

“Lula, Stefan ,” Dad opens the glass paned door that connects the living room to the balcony. “The police is done interviewing everyone and the sheriff would like to talk to all of us.”

I don’t miss the disapproval in his eyes when he looks at Stefan. It almost beats the way he glares at Tiffany.

The living room is full again, everyone who was at the hunt is present, except Rikki.

That includes Howard and Evan, who are sitting on one of the couches with glasses of scotch in their hands.

Evan’s dark eyes land on me and I can barely stifle a shiver when the corners of his lips lift in an arrogant grin.

When Paris and London wave at me from the opposite direction, I have no hesitation to join them.

I know Evan can’t do anything to me in a room full of people, but my reaction to him is almost visceral. His soulless dark gaze makes my stomach lurch and my skin break out in goosebumps almost like when I see a big spider.

“Lula,” Paris wraps her arms around me. “Are you ok?”

Her eyes are puffy and red even under her flawless makeup and London looks just as anxious and shaken.

“No, I’m not ok.” I murmur. “I just want to go home.”

It’s true.

The last twenty-four hours have put me through the wringer; the unwanted reunion with Evan and my mother is just the tip of the iceberg. Last night I almost died trying to drop off Mason’s bag and I don’t even want to think about the kind of hell I’ll have to pay when he finds out that I lost his goods. There are three dead bodies and I’m quite confident that whoever shot Maura, Eddie and Trevor is in this room right now.

The only good thing that came out of this weekend was clearing the air with Jules. Even that however makes me anxious. I’m in love with him but that doesn’t change the fact that I love Stefan with equal intensity and my feelings for Crew are growing with every passing day.

My life has become a crazy roller coaster and I have no idea how to get off this scary ride without puking my guts out at the end.

The sheriff who interviewed me enters the room with Mr. Andrews by his side.

My heart breaks at the sight of Dad’s best friend. I only met him briefly yesterday when we arrived, and this morning when he climbed out of his Jeep at the stables.

The eccentric billionaire looks like he’s aged two decades in the span of a few hours.

“I think we’re all here,” the sheriff clears his throat to get everyone’s attention. “First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation so far. And of course Mr. Andrews for putting all his resources at our disposal while we carried out this first round of interviews.”

The atmosphere in the room is thick with tension. It might be the elegant house we’re in, the way everyone seems to have changed into their Sunday best, but this reminds me of the revelation scene in a whodunnit movie.

My feeling is reinforced by the sheriff’s next words. “I want to be clear that I’m one hundred percent certain that the person or persons who perpetrated the horrific crime this morning at the stables are in this room right now.”

There’s a murmur around the room as everyone looks at the person next to them.

“As you can all imagine at this stage we are unable to make an arrest as we’re awaiting the forensic report on what was a very chaotic crime scene.”

Another murmur spreads around the room and I wonder if everyone else who was at the scene today has all that blood, those faceless bodies burned inside their eyelids like I do.

“Everyone here has an alibi of some sort,” the sheriff continues. “Let me be clear that your alibis only go as far as preventing us to arrest someone today. The reason is that with the exception of Mr. Larson, Sheriff Pullin and Mr. Andrews, who were filming the hunt and have a time stamped video that puts them away from the crime scene, everyone else’s alibis aren’t exculpatory by themselves.”

“What does that mean?” Tory, Eddie’s team engineer asks. “I was at the hunt but I never even saw the stables you just mentioned. And two of my teammates can confirm I was with them.” She points at Chanelle, Eddie’s blonde social media manager and girlfriend and one of the team mechanics.

Sheriff Douglas nods. “Exactly. You’re each other’s alibi and you’re close friends or co-workers. Everyone else’s alibis were provided by close friends, family members or people who had a close working relationship with each other. That’s true for everyone who was on the twin island at the time of the murder including some of Mr. Andrews’s staff. I’m sure you all understand how those alibis only help to a certain extent.”

Howard’s voice raises louder than everyone else’s. I’ve always called it his ‘judge voice.’

“So what does it mean in the immediate for all of us? We all have busy lives, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has important business and responsibilities demanding my attention. And unless you intend to charge someone, you can’t keep us here indefinitely. I have a senatorial campaign I interrupted to come to this weekend shindig.”

I suppress a disgusted shiver. I’ve hated his haughty, entitled tone from the first moment Tiffany introduced me to my stepfather. Even when he isn’t clearly trying to intimidate law enforcement, Howard Johnston doesn’t speak, he lectures. He might be rich and buy Tiffany all she wants, but I couldn’t stomach his arrogance twenty-four-seven.

“Judge Johnston is correct,” the sheriff says, his tone deferential. “You’re all allowed to leave?—”

His voice is covered by everyone’s reaction; most people in the room are expressing relief at the news.

“ However ,” the sheriff raises his voice to be heard over the loud chattering. “There are some stipulations. Everyone in this room has provided us with their address and I strongly encourage you all not to leave your town or the state in the near future. Most of the people in this room are from Berry Point or Star Cove and Sheriff Pullin has agreed to help with the investigation there.”

The relief of a few moments ago turns into frustration and in some cases, outrage.

Again, the louder voice belongs to Tiffany’s husband. “That’s unacceptable. Some of us aren’t based in California. My senatorial campaign is in New York. The police certainly can’t expect me to stay behind?”

Again, the sheriff’s tone is almost subservient when he reassures Howard. “No, of course not sir. We’re well aware that you aren’t a flight risk and it’ll be easy to keep track of your whereabouts should we need to ask you any further questions.”

Howard looks put out rather than appeased; it’s as if just the idea of the police needing to talk to him again about the murders was ludicrous.

“Great,” he says, rising from his seat. “In that case, if someone could gather my bags, I’m going to call my helicopter pilot to come and pick me up.”

Tiffany perks up at the news. “Wonderful. This island is starting to make me feel claustrophobic.”

Something passes in Howard’s eyes as he whispers in Tiffany’s ears.

The way my mother stiffens promises nothing but trouble. “Darling.” She objects. “That doesn’t make any sense. You can’t continue your campaign without me, you need me. Besides, where are we supposed to stay? We can’t abuse George’s hospitality any longer?—”

I know it’s bad news when my stepfather’s eyes land on me and his mouth twists in a cruel smile. “We have family in Star Cove, don’t we? My campaign is well underway and I’m not going to need you by my side until the final stretch. You hate all the rallies and speeches anyway and you’re more useful to me in Star Cove.”

Tiffany voices the same question that’s on the tip of my tongue. “How would I be useful in Star Cove?”

Howard looks at me again. “As you know, despite your daughter being under her father’s direct supervision, I’m ultimately still responsible for her conduct as long as she’s on probation.”

My hackles rise at my stepfather’s words. Please don’t ask Tiffany to stay in Star Cove.

Of course the universe has a habit of giving me just the opposite of what I ask.

“You know I sent Lula away because I was worried her presence would hurt my campaign. I need boots on the ground—your boots—to keep an eye on her and do damage control in case she’s involved in what happened here today.”

Charming.

If it was up to Howard and Tiffany, they would have told the sheriff not to bother with the investigation. They’ve already decided I did it.

My chagrin turns into horror at Howard’s next words. “I already have my publicist and legal team working on damage control. Thankfully Lula’s record is sealed. But we need to keep all our bases covered and there’s no one I trust as much as you, Tiffany. Stay in Star Cove for a few weeks to make sure that nothing gets in the way of my election. A change of scenery will be good for Evan too. Losing his future fiancée must be a shock and I’d rather he deal with it away from his frat brothers and from my campaign. So it’s your job to make sure he finds healthy coping mechanisms.”

No, no, no, no.

That’s like putting a hungry tiger on a leash and giving the leash to a toddler expecting them to be able to control the predator.

In this scenario, Evan is the tiger, Tiffany the toddler and I’m the prey, just in case anyone was wondering.

Things get worse when Tiffany whines. “But where are we supposed to stay in Star Cove? When I used to spend the summer there, I stayed with Arianna and that’s clearly no longer an option. You know all the decent hotels will be fully booked by now and I’m not staying anywhere that isn’t the Grand Hotel or the Country Club.”

My worst nightmare becomes reality when Howard looks at Dad. “I’m sure your ex-husband can think of something, it’s the least he can do. After all, you’re both responsible for raising your daughter to the embarrassment she is today.”

Cold dread causes my pulse to skyrocket. I want to say something, beg Dad not to let Evan come to Star Cove. But I can’t speak, I can’t move, I can barely breathe.

Even if I could, what good would that do?

No one believed me when I gathered the courage to speak up about what Evan had tried to do to me. To the point that I had to go to Mason and ask for his protection.

When I arrived in Star Cove, it was obvious that Dad believes Tiffany’s story that I was having sex with Evan. That it was consensual. That I was jealous when he had to go back to school and made up the false story about the assault as a cry for attention.

Dad’s biggest concern was that I stay in my lane, not causing any trouble. That meant staying away from Stefan and Jules. Not once did he ask me if I was ok. He never even questioned Tiffany’s story.

I listen, powerless as Dad turns to Arianna.

“Do we have anything at the club?”

Please say no, please say no.

My stepmother’s smile doesn’t reach her green eyes. “I could maybe find one room. I’m not sure I can find accommodation for two people.”

Hopefully that means that Evan won’t be able to come.

“Well that’s not good enough.” Tiffany says, glaring at her ex-best friend. “You can’t expect me to share a room with Evan. But maybe this is for the best. Evan and I could join Howard and if my husband is worried about Lula, we could take her with us on the campaign trail. Like they say, keep your friends close, and your pain in the ass kids closer. I’m sure the good sheriff understands that Lula would be under strict supervision and not a flight risk.”

Howard looks extremely displeased. “That’s absolutely not ideal but if I’m under duress, I’d rather have Lula where I can control her.”

This is even scarier.

If the prospect of having Evan in my same town makes me feel sick to my stomach, following Howard’s campaign would mean even closer quarters.

I’d rather go to jail.

God knows I have nothing to do with what happened at the stables, but I’d rather confess to three murders I didn’t commit than go back East with Tiffany and her new family.

I lift my gaze to find Stefan’s. Maybe we could run away, like we wanted to do three years ago?

But I know it isn’t possible. If I violate the terms of my probation, we’d have the cops looking for us in no time. I’d rather live on the run than live with Evan, but I can’t do that to Stefan. I love him too much to ruin his life.

Whether I like it or not, my fate is in my mother’s and Howard’s hands.

“Maybe we could find Tiffany a great accommodation at the Club,” Jules intervenes. My stepbrother’s blue eyes are pleading with me to let him speak, to trust him.

I guess at this point I have nothing to lose, but after last night, I trust Jules.

Arianna looks at her eldest son. “Where? We’re booked pretty much solidly through to Labor Day. Like I just said, maybe I can spare one room, if that.”

“If you can find one room for Evan,” Jules says, looking at my mother. “Tiffany can have the manager’s quarters. I can move back in the garage apartment until the final stretch of Mr. Johnston’s campaign.”

Tiffany crosses her arms over her fake boobs. “I’m not staying in staff’s quarters, Jules.”

“The manager’s cottage has been refurbished since the last time you saw it, Tiffany. The plan was to rent it to VIP guests as luxury accommodation whenever the penthouse was booked. Mom let me move in earlier this summer when I needed my space.”

Howard nods, finally satisfied. “Perfect. My helicopter is waiting for me on the roof to take me straight to San Francisco’s airport.” He looks at his wife. “If you want to be a senator’s wife, keep your daughter from embarrassing me any further.”

My mother and her husband whisper something to each other, their voices too low for anyone else to hear them.

Evan sets down his empty glass on the coffee table in front of him but his eyes are fixed on me. This time when he smiles, his grin is wide.

I instinctively seek refuge in Stefan’s arms.

“Lula!” Dad’s tone is sharp. “We’re getting ready to leave. Let’s go.”

I reluctantly pull away from Stefan, dreading the two hour car ride with Dad and Arianna.

“Tom, would you mind if Lula rode with me like she did on the way here? My dog Napoleon is a nervous traveler and Lula seems to be the only one who’s able to keep him calm aside from Rikki.”

Dad’s brow furrows in confusion. “Talking about your dog, where is he? I haven’t seen him in a while.”

“I went to check on him before the sheriff started talking to all of us. The staff was taking care of him in the kitchens. I was about to go get him, so we can leave.”

Dad sighs. “Fine with me. But once you hit Star Cove, come straight home, no detours. Am I clear?”

Crew nods. “You got it. Let’s go, Lula. Stef, do you mind starting to load my Jeep?”

As I follow Crew out of the living room, my skin prickles with awareness. When I turn around, Evan is tracking my movements with that smile still plastered on his face and that dead stare in his eyes.