Rose
Hours after my discussion with Caden I’m still fuming. He was just so smug. So rude. Completely lacking any sort of understanding of my feelings, acting like a typical asshole guy.
And I didn’t really think he was that way. Yes, those first few encounters with him he’d been a complete ass, driving me insane but in a frenzied, angry, almost sexual way. Yes, definitely in a sexual way because though he made me angry, he also made me yearn.
Earlier today, though? He’d been almost condescending. Awful.
Worse? He never said a word when I mentioned I wanted to hang out with him once I quit Fleur. Acted like I’d never even said it. All of a sudden he was all smiles and kisses on the cheek as he said he needed to go. Who does that?
Whatever. Men. At the moment, they suck. I’m also blaming my irate, irrational anger on PMS. That has to be a contributing factor.
“You look ready to tear someone apart,” Violet says as she enters her office. I’m sitting across from her desk, trying to read over a report on my iPad but failing epically.
We’ve been sharing her office since I’ve been in London. Today she had a marketing meeting to attend, and I’m tempted to ask if Hugh was in the meeting with her—why I don’t know—but she would jump on my question and tell me I needed to go on a date with him or something equally insane.
Though maybe I should consider going out with Hugh because clearly, Caden is leaving. And Caden is an asshole.
He is not an asshole. You’re just hurt because he didn’t acknowledge your girly feelings. Get over it.
I don’t want to get over it. The anger is fueling me and I like it. It makes me feel strong.
“I’m grumpy,” I warn my sister. She settles behind her desk, her expression impassive, and when her gaze meets mine I know there’s something on her mind.
“Maybe that’s the mood you need to be in when I tell you what I’ve just discovered.” Violet rests her hands on top of her desk, clasping them together.
I decide to beat her to the punch with shocking news. “I have something to tell you too.”
Her eyes narrow. “What is it?”
“Did you know Mom was having an affair with someone else? And that when he broke it off with her, she fell into a downward spiral and became so depressed she finally killed herself?” I throw it out there, in all its brutal, harsh glory, and Violet blinks at me a few times, her cheeks going pale.
“How … how did you discover this?” she asks, her voice small.
“I have her diary. The last one she wrote in. Everything’s there, in her own writing.” I feel bad, telling her like this, but I had to get it off my chest. It’s been driving me crazy, holding in this secret.
“I already knew.” She nods when I gape at her. “Father told me a while ago. He asked that I never mention anything to you, so I respected his wishes.”
“What?” Why am I the last to know everything? Unless … “Does Lily know?”
“Yes.”
Holy crap. I just … I don’t understand why I’m always kept in the dark. I can’t believe I let this eat me up inside when everyone already knew. God, I hate secrets. “So you knew she was having an affair. And Daddy knew, too.”
Violet nods again. “I guess the marriage wasn’t good for a long time. Ever since … after you were born, it went downhill fast.” She acts like it’s no big deal, but her words are like a fierce blow to my stomach.
“Downhill fast?” Great. So it was my fault? I can’t take this. May as well urge her on to blurt out her bad news. “What were you going to tell me?”
“It can wait.” The smile she gives me is false. Bright and cheery, though her eyes are dim and dark. “Let’s talk about it another time.”
Meaning she doesn’t want to make this conversation worse. Everything within me goes still. Now I must know. “What is it?” I ask cautiously. It must be something else about Daddy. Or Pilar. Or maybe Daddy and Pilar. God, if they ran off and eloped I’m going to lose it. Completely lose it …
Violet interrupts my thoughts, her voice soft but the words deadly.
“Your boyfriend is a thief.”
I stare at her for a moment, my brain trying to process what she just said. Caden and thief. The words together make no sense. None. I’m caught so off guard, I start to laugh, because I don’t know how else to react.
“This isn’t a laughing matter, Rose,” Violet says sternly, but her matronly tone only makes me laugh more. She’s glaring at me, her mouth working, her jaw clenching. “I’m serious!”
Okay. I need to straighten up before she smacks me. “Oh, come on. You can’t be for real, Violet. A thief? Really? Where did you hear that?”
She sniffs. “I did a little investigating. So did Ryder. Talked with people who know Caden, or know of Caden. We share a lot of the same social circle. Or at least we used to, when we were younger. Turns out rumors have floated around him and his family for years.”
“What sort of rumors?” I sound snippy but I don’t care. I already warned her I was grumpy.
“Did you know his father committed suicide?” Violet asks abruptly.
I blink, startled at the harshness in her tone. “Yes. He told me about his dad.” I send her a look. “I would think you’d be a little more sympathetic considering our mother did the same thing.”
She ignores my remark. “His father was an investment banker and stole from his clients. They were going to bring criminal charges against him. A few civil suits had already been filed when he took his own life.”
“I already know this. He told me everything.” I turn off my iPad and leave it on the edge of her desk, frustrated.
“Did he tell you that he and his mother were left with nothing after his father’s death? Not even the life insurance would pay out, because they don’t on suicides.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” I lean forward in my chair, imploring her with a look. “Are you purposely trying to rile me up? Disappointed that you haven’t shocked me yet with all of Caden’s so-called secrets?”
Violet doesn’t even acknowledge my remark. “We went to the same private school, Caden and I. We were in the same grade. I knew he was familiar—I just couldn’t place him, not that I really knew him. Lily remembered him, though.”
“Lily?” Say what? “What does she have to do with any of this?”
“She had an interesting story to tell me. Remember when she said she lost Mom’s diamond earrings? Father gave them to her for her sixteenth birthday and then they went missing. She said she lost them at some party and they got into a huge fight over it?”
I have no idea what Lily and her earrings have to do with Caden. “Sure,” I say weakly. I remember an argument. Missing earrings. But that was typical Lily. She was so careless. She still is.
“She didn’t lose them. They were stolen. She just didn’t know how to tell Father, so she lied and said she lost them.” Violet pauses and I swear she’s enjoying this roundabout storytelling method of hers. “She said Caden Kingsley stole those earrings. Mom’s earrings.”
Frowning, I slowly shake my head. “And you believe her?” This makes absolutely no sense. “This is crazy. She doesn’t know Caden.”
“Yes. She does. She remembers him from high school because he had a crush on her and she knew it. But he was younger and she wasn’t interested in anyone who couldn’t get her booze or drugs back then.” Violet rolls her eyes and I want to slap her, I swear to God. “They were at a party together years ago and she said they … hooked up. She was drunk or whatever and passed out. When she woke up, the earrings were gone.”
I go cold inside. Like iceberg-freezing temperatures blowing through me, making me shiver. “They hooked up? What exactly does that mean?”
Violet shrugs. “You know Lily. The term could mean anything. Plus, she said she passed out, so she’s not exactly sure what happened between her and Caden. She does know they kissed, though. She remembers that at least.” She makes a little face, the one that says, and you’re having sex with a guy who possibly had sex with our big sister.
I know she’s thinking that because I’m thinking that.
Maybe he only kissed her. Funny, though, how Caden never mentioned it to me. Not that I’d expect him to say, “Yo, I kissed your sister once,” but he’s never said anything about knowing Lily. I would think that should come up in one of our passing conversations.
“She has no proof he stole those earrings, right? She was drunk or high and passed out. It could’ve been anyone who took them from her.” Why would he do such a thing? And even if he did, one time doesn’t make him a thief.
Or maybe he was a teenage thief. He probably grew out of it. It might’ve been some sort of reaction to his father dying. Kids do crazy things when they lose their parents; they react in all sorts of nonsensical ways. Violet sort of lost it when we were teens. Well, she had reason to lose it with that jerk she trusted who attacked her, but still.
“It’s not just what he did to Lily, Rose. It’s what he’s been doing for years. He travels all over the place and steals from the wealthy. Usually jewelry.”
I’m incredulous. Even if it were true, how in the world could she know this? “You’re making this up.”
“Ryder’s asked around. You know his past is … shady.” She makes a face, but I know how she really feels. Pretending she’s disgusted by his rough past to me when secretly it’s a huge turn-on for her. Ryder has an edge of danger that still clings to him, even when he’s conducting meetings and representing Fleur in public appearances. The man is magnetic and people can look past the edge. Or cling to it. Whichever they prefer. “He has connections. People who’ve given him information about Caden.”
“I don’t believe it.”
Violet raises a brow. “You should. Ryder wouldn’t come to me with this information if he hadn’t confirmed it. He cares for you and doesn’t want to see you get hurt.”
“So what you’re saying is Caden could hurt me.”
“No, what I’m saying is Caden is a known criminal and it’s only a matter of time before he gets caught and is thrown in jail.” She looks at me. Really looks at me, as if she can see to the very depths of my soul, which she probably can because no one knows me like Violet. She’s seen it all—the good, the bad, and the really ugly. “If you care for him—and I think you do—then yes, he’ll hurt you, Rose. He’ll break your heart even if he doesn’t mean to, because the things that he’s doing will put you at risk. He steals from the rich.”
“And gives to the poor? Is he a regular Robin Hood?”
“Not even close. Well, he gives to the poor only because he is the poor. He has nothing.”
“If he’s stealing expensive jewelry and using the money to live on, he has to have something,” I point out.
“Maybe he uses the money to finance his lifestyle. You have to admit, he certainly knows how to look rich. And act rich.”
He doesn’t really dress expensively. His shoes are average; he doesn’t own an expensive watch or … anything, really. Yes, he came to the UK on a jet, but his friend is the owner of said jet, not Caden. “He’s not overly excessive.”
“Right. Because he’s using you right now.” The look on Violet’s face is nothing short of smug. I sorta want to smack it right off of her. “Who’s paying for the hotel bill, hmm? Who’s paid for meals and entertainment? You?”
There hasn’t been much entertainment beyond the naked variety and that’s free. When we’ve gone out for meals, usually Caden has paid. But we haven’t gone out much. The hotel is my expense—well, Daddy’s. He told me to put it on the company credit card, so I did. We’ve ordered plenty of room service and the bill is probably the furthest thing from cheap. I gave myself a month to stay there and my time is almost up. I either need to go back home or stay with Violet and Ryder.
I really had no plan beyond getting back to the States and trying to continue seeing Caden. I haven’t been thinking about the future. It’s been freeing to let go and just live in the here and now. But maybe I should have questioned him more. Then I’d know what was really going on in Caden’s life rather than have Violet so gleefully tell me all the dirty details.
Everything he’s told me is a lie.
But has he really told me anything? No, not beyond the story of his father’s death. I really know nothing else about the man. I know he has a way with words. I know I tremble every time he touches me. I know I love the way he says my name every time he first enters me.
“I’m just … worried about you, Rose,” Violet says, her voice soft, her gaze full of concern. I know she means well, but it doesn’t stop me from being angry at her for butting in where she’s not wanted. “I don’t want you to get hurt. I want you to be aware of what you’re dealing with. Who you’re dealing with.”
“I know who I’m dealing with,” I say, fighting the unease that wants to sink its sharp grip in me. “He won’t hurt me. This isn’t some grand love affair. It’s a little fun while I’m in London, nothing else.”
The look Violet shoots me is full of skepticism. I hate that look. She knows I’m lying. I know I’m lying, too.
I just don’t want to admit it.
“Have you spoken to Whitney lately?” My rapid change of subject makes Violet blink.
“We went to lunch yesterday,” Violet says. I can tell she didn’t want to admit that. Her friendship with Whitney almost feels like a betrayal. I know it’s stupid, but I can’t help it.
“Maybe she could shed some light on Caden.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea, you talking to Whitney about Caden? Considering their shared history …” Her voice drifts off.
Yeah. I’m more determined than ever to talk to Whitney about Caden. “Could you give me her number?”
“You’ll only stir up trouble,” Violet says, her voice firm in that I’m your substitute mother and what I say goes way of hers. “You should keep her out of this, Rose. You’ll only get mad if you talk to her. She might tell you things you don’t want to hear.”
“That’s for me to decide. Besides.” I shrug, trying for nonchalance. Hoping I don’t fail. “I’m not getting her involved in anything. I just want to talk to her.”
Liar.
“Uh-huh.” Violet grabs her iPhone and starts texting.
“What are you doing?”
“Texting Whitney.” She shoots me a look. “Telling her not to talk to you.”
“God, you’re a witch.” I won’t call her the B-word. That would start a fight of epic proportions. I did it once when I was sixteen and I still regret it.
“I’m doing this for your own good.”
“You’re telling her to avoid me. How is that for my own good?”
“I’m trying to protect you.” Violet sets her phone down on the desk. It dings and she glances at the message. “Great. Now she’s curious.”
“Of course she’s curious. If you told me I shouldn’t talk to someone, I’d want to talk to them even more.”
“Kind of like how I’m telling you to stay away from Caden and you want to go run to him now?” Violet asks pointedly. “Because I know you. He’s like forbidden fruit. All you want is another taste.”
“You did the same exact thing with Ryder.”
Her expression flickers. She can’t deny it because I’m speaking the truth. “A different situation,” she says hurriedly.
“How? You’re being a total hypocrite right now. I didn’t think you had it in you.”
Her phone dings again and she glances at it. “Oh my God,” she whispers.
“What?”
Violet snatches up her phone as if she doesn’t want me to see it. Leaping out of my chair, I round the desk, trying to make a grab for her phone, and she clutches it close to her chest. “You do not want to see this,” she says, her voice low and full of warning.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I reach for it again. “I do.”
“No. You don’t.”
“Hand it over, Violet.” I hold out my hand, palm up, and she looks at it before she lifts her gaze to mine.
“No.”
I drop my hand and roll my eyes. “You’re being ridiculous. Just show it to me!”
Slowly she holds her phone out toward me and I squint, trying to see what it is.
A photo. Of the perfect blond-bobbed Whitney, her lips covered in gloss and puckered against a man’s cheek.
But not just any man’s cheek. My man’s.
Caden.
I snatch the phone out of Violet’s hand and she yells at me but I ignore her. The message below the photo says: Don’t tell your sister I’m sitting on his lap.
I text Whitney a reply, pretending I’m Violet, trying my best to quell the rage rising within me.
What are you doing with him?
“You’re not texting her, are you?” Violet sounds horrified.
Good.
I’m at a little get-together. You and Ryder should swing by. It’s a crazy one though. I must warn you.
“She’s at a party,” I say, my voice hoarse. My heart is cracking in two. Caden mentioned he was going to his friend’s house, but he didn’t say anything about a party.
“With Caden?”
I nod, unable to speak. I’m afraid I’ll start yelling or worse, crying. He’s with Whitney. At a party. And she’s taking pictures of the two of them together, and …
God, what are they doing together?
My imagination kicks into overdrive and I send that bitch Whitney another text.
Where are you at exactly? Maybe we will stop by.
I wait, my patience, my control, my emotions … all of it fraying at the seams. I feel like I’m about to break apart into a trillion tiny pieces. No way could Caden be cheating on me with Whitney. No. Way. He wouldn’t do that. We’ve become too close; we’ve shared too much.
Well. We haven’t shared much beyond our bodies. I can’t even begin to deal with or process what Violet just told me, either.
I just want Caden. Is that too much to ask?
Apparently it is.
The phone dings and I check it.
Belgrave Square. Want me to text you the address?
The most hoity-toity neighborhood in all of London. Of course. Maybe Caden’s not there to screw around with Whitney. Perhaps he’s there to steal from his friend, or anyone else who happens to be there and dripping with fine jewels.
Oh, God. This is all just too much. I think I’m going to be sick.
Ignoring the nausea that threatens, I reply to Whitney, refraining from calling her every whorish name I can think of. Talk about a dead giveaway that she’s not texting with Violet.
Send it to me. We’ll come by later.
“Give me my phone back,” Violet demands, holding out her hand.
I send her a withering stare. “No.” Tapping my foot, I’m instantly relieved when Whitney responds quickly with the address. I copy the text and send it to my number before I hand the phone back to Violet. “Fine. Here.”
She reads back over the texts I sent, my conversation with Whitney, then glances up at me. “What are you doing, Rose?”
“I’m going to that party,” I say determinedly, grabbing my purse and slinging it over my shoulder. “I have to know what’s going on.”
“This isn’t the way to go about it.”
I start for the door. “Isn’t this what you wanted? Me breaking up with Caden?”
“You’re going to break up with him?” she asks.
The hope in her voice is clear. And that kills me. I’ve always wanted her approval for everything I’ve ever done. Violet’s opinion has always mattered.
But I’m not going to end a relationship with a guy I care about because she thinks he’s bad for me. Maybe he’s not. Maybe he could change for me.
Classic, stupid way to think, Rose.
“No. Maybe. I don’t know yet,” I admit, reaching out to grasp the door handle. My hand is shaking, I’m so upset, and I grip the handle tight, trying to control my nerves. “I’m sure I’ll tell you all about it. Eventually.” Maybe.
Maybe not.
Without another word I open the door and exit her office, making my escape.
Headed straight into the unknown.