Chapter 38

 

Ava

 

 

THE RIDE BACK to my motel was chilly, in more ways than one. I was livid about what I’d learned, and for some reason, Jayce seemed to have an attitude as well. It was even more evident when he walked me to my room.

“Well… goodnight,” I said, reaching into my purse for the motel key. I couldn’t wait to be alone so I could process what I’d learned and listen to the recording.

“We need to talk.”

I swallowed. “About what?”

“Things.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather not tonight. I’m really tired.”

“It won’t take long.”

Sighing, I gave in and opened the door. We both walked in and I switched on the lights.

“Sorry, my maid took the day off,” I said dryly, realizing that I’d forgotten to make the bed and my clothes were still strewn everywhere. I started picking them up.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, grabbing my wrist. “Ava.”

My heart stopped.

How in the hell?

Trying to remain calm, I forced a smile to my face. “Excuse me?”

“Let me try again—Ava Rhodes. Does that name ring a bell?”

I thought about denying who I was, but knew he wasn’t stupid. I also knew that even if he had figured out my name, it didn’t mean he knew anything else. Especially that I was related to Andrew.

“Yes. That’s my real name. How did you find out?”

“It doesn’t matter. Why did you lie to me?” he asked angrily.

“I don’t know. I guess I panicked,” I said, my mind whirling with excuses to give him.

He frowned. “Why? Did you think I was some kind of a threat to you?”

“No. Not you. Look, I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to leave my past behind,” I replied hoping he’d believe me. “I… I had some problems come up and decided to drop everything and just… leave.”

“Leave where? Florida?”

I laughed harshly. “Wow, you really did your homework. Yes, Florida.”

“What kind of problems?”

I rubbed my temple. “Personal things. I’d prefer not to get into them with you.”

His face turned red with anger. “You’d prefer…” Jayce ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “You’ve been lying to me about who you really are, while I’ve been honest with you about everything. I trusted you. The least you can do is tell me what the fuck is going on.”

“There’s nothing to really tell. I had some problems with this guy and didn’t want him to find me,” I said, spinning another story.

“What guy?”

“An actor,” I said, picturing how Hunter Calloway had pissed me off in Vegas. “This guy tried raping me and I—”

“He what?” snarled Jayce. “Who? Did you call the police?”

“No, because he didn’t get away with it. I stopped him before anything happened.”

“Who is the asshole?”

Jayce looked like a raging bull, ready to kill someone. I would have been flattered and amused if I wasn’t so furious about what I’d learned from Len.

“His name was Hunter. Anyway, I needed to get away for a while and that’s why I came out here. To clear my head and figure out what I wanted to do. I’m sorry I lied. I shouldn’t have.”

His eyes searched mine. “What else is there?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit. Tell me who you really are. I deserve to know.”

“I already told you about the real me,” I said, wishing he’d leave. “I just gave you the wrong name and occupation. Everything else we discussed is true.”

“The stories about your foster parents?”

“Real. You can’t make that shit up,” I said quietly.

He sighed.

“Can we talk more about this tomorrow?” I asked. “I’m exhausted, Jayce.”

He just stared at me.

“Listen, I promise you I didn’t lie about my childhood. It was a nightmare from hell and… I don’t just tell everyone about my past. I told you, though.”

He sighed.

“Can we talk more about this tomorrow? Please?.”

He nodded reluctantly.

“Look, I’m sorry I lied. I wasn’t expecting us to start dating and I didn’t know how to tell you the truth without looking like a nutcase,” I said. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

Jayce sighed.

“Let’s have dinner tomorrow night.”

“How about breakfast?” he asked.

“Don’t you have to go out of town?”

“No. Not anymore.”

I was planning on going to the cops in the morning. At least I had Len on tape confirming that Tarot had killed my brother. Hopefully, he’d be behind bars before the sun went down.

“I’m getting my hair and nails done tomorrow,” I lied.

He looked at my nails, which were nothing special. “Okay. Dinner works. Unless you’re planning on skipping town, Ava?”

I smiled. “No. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I have to admit, I prefer your real name.”

I smiled.

Jayce walked over to me. He slid his hands around my waist, drew me closer, and started kissing me.

Furious, I had to keep from shoving him away.

This man, who was as handsome as sin, with his boyish smile and passionate kisses, was disarming me by the second. I was more pissed off at myself than anyone for enjoying his touch. He was an amazing artist and probably a very talented lover. More than anything, however, he was an accomplice to murder. My brother’s. For that… I would never forgive the jerk. But, I would make sure that along with Tarot, Jayce would also pay.