Chapter Twenty-Two
Cherished
“Drink.”
Chase presses a short tumbler of amber liquid into my hand, then settles in on the sectional across from me. The loft is dark — only firelight from soft flames in the gas mantle illuminates the space. Dark shadows dance on Chase’s chiseled features, lending him a haunted look. Not that he needs it — he looks haunted enough, after the events of tonight.
Fingers curling around the glass, I lift it to my lips and take a hesitant sip. The warm burn of scotch slides down my throat and spreads through my empty stomach, soothing me instantly.
“None for you?” I ask, staring across the fire at him.
He shakes his head. “I don’t drink very often.”
I nod, remembering his story about Vanessa.
The drinking was just for fun, at first, but then… it spiraled into something more. Something darker.
I glance down at the glass in my hands. “Does it bother you if I do?”
“No.”
I take another sip, feeling less shaky than I have in hours as the alcohol spreads through my system.
“Gemma.”
I look up when he says my name.
“We’re going to take care of this.” His words are a promise. “Knox is dealing with the police, and he’s the best in the business. Whoever did this, he’ll find out.”
“I don’t think we need to look very far,” I mutter darkly.
Silence descends and, after a moment, Chase clears his throat roughly. “Do you know who did this?”
I drop my eyes from his, not liking the scary-intense look in them. “I don’tknowanything other than the fact that suddenly, my quiet little life has imploded and I’ve got enemies coming out of the woodwork.” I take another sip of scotch. “Between your crazy cousin and your crazy ex…”
“This isn’t Brett’s style.” His words are definite — he’s speaking from experience. “And, sunshine, if anyone’s crazy ex is responsible for this… it’s not mine. The lock wasn’t broken. Someone had a key.”
“Um…” I wince, staring at my hands. “There’s a teensy, tiny chance I forgot to take the key out from under my mat.”
“Dammit, Gemma,” Chase growls. “I told you to take care of that days ago.”
“Well, I forgot!” My voice is defensive. “Things have been a little crazy this week, if you haven’t noticed!”
Likely hearing the hysteria creeping back into my voice, he gives me a pass and doesn’t push further. “Nothing was taken. Your laptop was sitting right there on the floor, smashed to bits. That, coupled with the spray paint and the sheer destruction…” His voice gets softer. “This was personal.”
“You don’t have to tiptoe around the truth.” I rub my forehead and sigh tiredly. “We both know it was Ralph.”
His jaw clenches but he doesn’t look surprised. “You’re positive?”
I nod. “We kind of… got into it last night, when I was leaving for my Mom’s.”
A weighty pause. “Got into it?”
I swallow nervously and rush to get the words out. “He thinks I ruined his life. So, he kind of… threatened me.”
Another long, stony silence.
“Ralph’s always had a flare for the dramatic,” I whisper quickly. “He said I had topayfor making him an internet meme. And, frankly, I don’t know how he can possibly blameme. I mean, it’s not likeIcontrol the internet. Tumblr has a life of its own! All it takes it one weird facial expression caught on camera and BOOM! Instant meme. Just ask that girl on the Olympic Figure Skating team—”