Barefoot in Pearls (Barefoot Bay Brides Book 3) (33 page)

Luke had done the same, separate from her for most of the day, though they’d never left the property. It had all been exhausting and stressful, leaving Ari too wiped to even consider why Luke wouldn’t want her to ride with him after they were finally given permission to leave the crime scene.

She knew why, though. And simply couldn’t think about it right then.

“Where are we going?” Ari asked as she let Gussie lead her to the car.

“Lacey’s house.”

Ari palmed her forehead, squeezing her temples to ward off the throbbing headache that had started sometime after they found the corpse but right before the Collier County Sheriff’s Department arrived in full force. Had there ever been a murder on Mimosa Key before? Ari didn’t know, but they sure sent out every deputy they had, plus forensics specialists, investigators, photographers. Luke had patiently talked to everyone.

But he’d never talked to her. That’s why Ari had called Gussie. She had to have someone to talk to.

“Why are we going to Lacey’s house?” she asked, slipping into the passenger seat of Tom’s SUV, which Gussie had borrowed to come up here.

“Well, we can’t go home, at least not to your apartment, because it’s still a crime scene.”

Of course, they’d made the association between the robbery and this murder. They’d even sent a sheriff’s deputy to the bank to retrieve the necklace from her safe-deposit box. “But why Lacey’s house? Can’t we go to Tom’s? I need to veg and not talk to any people right now.”

“Because when there’s a crisis at Barefoot Bay, that’s where we go.”

“There’s a crisis?”

Gussie shot her a look, a little sympathy in her eyes, but plenty of
get real
, too. “A dead body is a crisis. My brother’s involvement, and yours, is a crisis.”

“You mean our involvement with each other? That’s over.” Even as she said the words, she knew they were true. It shredded her heart, but couldn’t be denied.

“I meant your involvement with the property and the robbery at your apartment.” She turned the wheel and rolled over the dirt road. “What the hell do you mean it’s over?”

“Gussie, he thinks I called the Army Corps of Engineers and filed a violation of NAGPRA.”

“Well, you told him you didn’t, right?”

“But I did call, but only to leave a message and dig around for information. I didn’t officially report anything. If that’s all it takes for Luke to write me off, then, sorry, we won’t last.”

Gussie waved her hand at the soft break in Ari’s voice. “You’ll tell him, and then he’ll know. That’s a misunderstanding, is all.”

Ari turned to look at the scrub-lined road, gauging the time to be very late afternoon, based on the light.

“He couldn’t talk to you,” Gussie said, her voice rising in defense. “You’re both suspects.”

“That’s ridiculous.” But she knew it was true. She didn’t even own a gun, but Luke did.

And Jim Purty, Luke’s predecessor on the job, had been shot in the chest.

“I know that, you know that, and, hell, I think the sheriff guys knew that, too. But they had to follow protocol and keep you separate.”

“He never even looked at me.” She cleared her throat, because her voice cracked again and she so didn’t want to cry over this. She blinked back a tear, knowing it was too late. “We slept together last night.”

Gussie didn’t say anything, but reached over and put her hand on Ari’s arm. “It’s going to be okay, sweetie. I’d bet on it. I got a Curly Wurly bar I’d wager.”

Ari couldn’t even smile, and the foliage grew blurrier.

“So you actually think my brother would have sex with you and then dump you the next day because he mistakenly believes you called the authorities to stop his work?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Like hell it doesn’t!” Gussie shot back. “You can’t give up that easily, Arielle Chandler. If he’s worth loving, then he’s worth explaining it to.”

“I can explain it, and he might believe me,” she said. “But the damage is done. He assumed the worst. I saw it on his face. He’s not The One.”

“Oh, screw that ‘he’s The One shit.’” Gussie repositioned herself in the driver’s seat as emotion got hold of her. “You either connect with him or you don’t. You had amazing sex or you didn’t. You have a chance at a future or you don’t. Yes or no?”

“I don’t know,” she said glumly. “And I should. Listen, take me back to the villa where we stayed last night. I don’t feel like going to Lacey’s house.”

“Luke will be there. You could talk to him.”

“Please, Gussie. It’s been a helluva day. I want to go take a shower and go to sleep. Luke can stay with you at Tom’s house.” She turned and seared her friend with a look. “Please make him stay with you at Tom’s house. I need to be alone.”

Gussie let out a frustrated breath, quiet until they reached the resort. “Running away from him isn’t going to solve anything,” she finally said. “I know that from experience.”

“Tom came back to find you.”

“Not until he killed his own demons, and let me tell you, those weeks that I waited were sheer hell.” Her touch was gentler now. “Don’t put up a wall, Ari, and get all caught up in whether or not the universe decided he’s the one for you. Go talk to him and decide for yourself.”

Ari didn’t answer, biting her lip. “I’m sorry, Gussie, but if this was real, he wouldn’t doubt me.”

“The guy had your name on a report. He made a fair assumption, but you can set him straight.”

“I shouldn’t have to set him straight. Not if we’re the real thing.”

“You’re being stupid and stubborn,” Gussie said.

“I’m being cautious and self-protective.” She grabbed the door handle and pushed. “I just need to think this through.”

“Okay. You know where I’ll be.”

Ari blew a half-hearted kiss and slipped out of the car, practically running down the shadowy path to Acacia. Thankfully, she and Luke had each taken a key, so she could get into the villa, shower, change, and cry.

As she stood at the door, key poised, she closed her eyes against the tears that had decided they couldn’t wait for a shower. God, how she wanted him to be here, waiting, open arms, open mind, open heart.

She unlocked the door and stepped into the dark villa. Tapping the light switch, she looked around the small living area, which was completely empty. Walking in, she headed into the hall and looked at the bedroom, all evidence of their lovemaking cleaned up by the efficient housekeeping staff. The bathroom was empty, the patio dark, the Jacuzzi quiet.

She listened for a sound—a message from the universe. But all she could hear were the wise, wise words of her dearest friend.

You’re being stupid and stubborn.

Damn it, Gussie was right. What was she going to do here all alone except feel sorry for herself and miss Luke with every bone in her body? They needed to talk. Even if he didn’t want to, she had to have a chance to tell him she’d never filed a report. How did the Army Corps of Engineers even know what land she’d been talking about, anyway? They needed to talk.

He needed to believe her.

She grabbed the key and her bag and ran back down the path to the employee parking lot to get in her own car, the decision so right she almost laughed out loud.

She stopped at the four-way light, peering into the brightly lit Super Min. She could see Ashley talking to a customer, obviously roped into working again, and missing the gathering at her mother’s house. It certainly wasn’t a party under the circumstances, but Ari still felt she should take something to Lacey’s house. Especially to say thank-you for offering the villa as a safe place to stay.

She made a quick turn into the lot, parked next to the only other car in front, and hopped out to reach the door just as a customer inside came out.

“Oh, excuse…” Ari’s voice faded as she did a double take, recognizing the woman from GeoTech, her name not instantly coming to mind.

The lady had her head down and brushed by, not looking at Ari. As fast as they bumped into each other, the other woman was gone.

“Oh my God, Ari!” Ashley called from behind the counter when Ari walked in. “That’s so weird. That lady was looking for you.”

“What?” She turned to see the woman getting into her car, and now she was staring straight at Ari. “She was looking for me?”

Ashley frowned and leaned all the way over the counter, trying to catch the woman’s attention by waving. “Yeah, she was asking me if I knew you.”

Ari turned again, but the headlights came on, blinding her until the car whipped out of the spot. “Why would she ask you?”

“Because the Super Min is generally the center of all information on Mimosa Key.”

Ari stood frozen in the doorway, part of her wanting to run out and stop…
Michelle
. The name popped into her head, but something kept her rooted to the spot, staring at the car as it pulled away.

“Weird.” Which was exactly how she felt inside. Finally, she stepped all the way into the store. “Did she say why she’s looking for me?”

“No, but—”

“You didn’t tell her about what’s going on in North Barefoot Bay, did you?” It was only a matter of time until the media got this news. In fact, if people were asking about her, then it had probably hit the Internet already. They’d told the deputies about the gold. It had probably leaked already, and the gold-rush craziness was bound to start.

What had Luke said?
Gold makes people lose their shit.

Like shoot a man and bury him on a hillside. Or sow seeds of doubt with your lover.

“I didn’t tell her anything,” Ashley assured her. “I’m not Charity. Anyway, my mom said mum’s the word until we have to deal with the media.” Her pretty features melted a bit. “Are you okay? I heard you found the body.”

“Not exactly, and I’m fine.” She passed the counter and headed toward the wine cooler. “I’m going to your mom’s house now. Do you know what kind of wine she likes?”

“Red. White. Pink.” She grinned. “My mother likes wine.”

“Who doesn’t?” Ari grabbed a chilled bottle of chardonnay and paid for it, still glancing out to the parking lot. “I know her,” Ari said. “Her name’s Michelle, and she works on the mainland. I wonder if she lives here on the island.”

“Doubtful. I know everybody.” She gave Ari change and the wine. “If she comes back, should I tell her where you are?”

Why would Michelle be looking for her? True, they hadn’t returned the core sample they’d borrowed, but was she so efficient at her job that she tracked down clients where they lived and demanded missing bags of seashells? “No, don’t tell her where I live. I’ll call her at work tomorrow.”

“’Kay. See you soon, Ari. I’m done here in an hour, and I’m hoping there’s food at home.”

“I’m sure there will be. See you there.” Holding the wine, she walked out to her car, the real reason Michelle wanted her all too clear. Word must be out about Jim Purty’s death and, no doubt, the possibility that there was gold hidden in Barefoot Bay. That would bring all kinds of weirdos out of the woodwork, and maybe Michelle thought she had a leg up or something since they’d met.

There were so many things she hadn’t considered this afternoon, she thought as she got into the car. So many things to talk to Luke about. For that reason alone, she was—

“I want the gold.”

Ari jumped at the voice, shrieking softly. Then she saw the gun in the rearview mirror, the barrel pointed right at her head.

“And I know you have it.”

* * *

The place was overrun with billionaires. Three, at least, and Cutter Valentine, who was clearly at home with the men who’d hired him to manage their minor league team. Clay Walker seemed comfortable with the rich company, too.

Luke stood on the outskirts of a conversation circle, listening to Cutter relive the day’s events, one eye on the door. His conversation with his sister had been enlightening, and a little frustrating. How could Arielle think he wouldn’t believe her? He hadn’t been allowed to talk to her all day, all personal conversation forbidden while they were being interviewed. Under the circumstances, he could definitely be a suspect in this killing.

But they could talk now, so why hadn’t she come?

And he didn’t care that Gussie told him she was determined to stay in the villa. He knew her; Arielle would get to that empty villa, instantly realize how foolish she was being, and jump into her car and drive here. He knew it in his gut. And if there was anything that woman had taught him, it was to listen to his gut.

“You were military, Luke.” Clay Walker came around the large glass table that filled much of his patio, obviously wanting to bring him into the conversation. “Would you say the wound that killed Purty was from a rifle or close range?”

Luke managed a shrug. “Hard to say, but whoever pulled the trigger had good aim. It was dead center to the heart.”

“I didn’t know you were military, Luke.” Nate Ivory, one of the most visible members of the large, moneyed Ivory clan, turned in his chair, training lion’s-gold eyes on Luke. “What branch?”

He didn’t answer immediately, not relishing the expected response. The barely hidden curled lip or the raised eyebrows of disdain.