“The word is you were high on drugs and became unhinged. And they banned you from the house.”
Arya on drugs? Doubtful. We’ve been at the same parties. Booze, yes. To excess? Occasionally. But she’s never gotten violent while trashed. Usually, what she does is get sentimental about her girl squad and hugs them a lot. As for drugs, no. Not that I’ve ever seen.
I turn from the coffeemaker to look at her.
“Strange, though, that Wilson didn’t press charges,” Shane says. “Or demand a financial settlement. His family is litigious.”
“Hmm.” Her tone is as cool as the bag of coffee.
“He’s had two surgeries on that hand,” Shane adds. “I think initially he said it got crushed in their gate.”
Arya tilts her head. “Drugs are not my thing. Had a bad experience with them once as a teenager. So, if I broke someone’s hand, you can bet that hand was doing something itreallyshouldn’t have.”
“Will you tell us what happened?” Shane asks. “And who was there?”
“No. Why should I?” Her voice is clipped, and her posture remains stiff as a board.
“I’m looking into who sent the mail bomb,” Shane says.
“There was someone outside in the lot right below those windows in a white mask.” She jabs her finger in the direction of the windows. “His mask was just like the one a guy was wearing near the crime scene where Declan’s uncle was found dead. Are you saying you think that’s a coincidence? That not only is Casanova stalking me, but the Lambda Deltas are also trying to kill me?”
“I’m not saying anything yet. Right now, I’m asking questions.” Shane’s gaze is just as sharp as Arya’s.
I move to stand between them and hold out a hand to signal Shane that he needs to step back. He doesn’t hesitate. The gap between us widens.
My stance is not a reflection on Shane’s approach. I know he’s not pursuing this to hurt Arya. But after the past couple of days, Arya needs proof that I’ll shield her from anyone. No exceptions.
Speaking softly, I say, “Will you tell me?”
Arya’s white-knuckled grip on the edge of the counter doesn’t escape my attention. “I’d rather not.” Her voice is soft as she glances over at him.
To Shane, I say, “Take a walk.”
Shane nods, sets the whiskey bottle on the counter, and leaves the kitchen area. When he’s gone and the coffee is brewing, I move to stand in front of her, close enough that her calves touch my thighs.
While I’m looking at her, I set my hands on top of hers. “Why not tell me?”
“Plenty of reasons. First, because I wasn’t alone. And second, because you already know more than you should about my life.”
“False.”
Her dark eyes scrutinize me. They’re too beautiful and too shrewd.
I rest my palms on the counter on either side of her. “If talking will be traumatic, that’s all you need to say. I won’t ask again. You can tell me when you’re ready.”
“It’s not that.” She exhales. “How trustworthy are your friends?” Her gaze shifts toward the living room.
“I can speak for Shane. He can keep a secret.”
Arya rubs her forehead. “From what I’ve seen of Avery, she can, too.” Her eyes look into mine. “You can’t write about it, Erik.”
“All right.”
“Never.”
“You have my word.”
“The brothers at Lambda Delta were having a party. Brayden told me to invite a friend of mine, so I did. He didn’t warn me there would be threesomes and partner-swapping. I’d made the mistake of telling him that one day I might decide to try that. I never meant I’d do it with any of his fucking frat brothers. That was never on the table.” She scowls and shakes her head.
