CASH’s PLUS ONE
CASH’s PLUS ONE
Carl laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that sent chills down my spine. “Of course not. I’m having a party.”
“For what?” I demanded, sinking back onto the couch, my legs were suddenly weak.
“I’m having a celebration, Isabel.”
“You said that already. What is it about?”
“I’m celebrating life. I’ve lived a very happy and fulfilling life, and I ended up as a wonderful father with wonderful kids who love themselves…”
Was he actually serious?
His voice dripped with sarcasm, or was it delusion? I could hear the smirk in it.
“…I’m ending up with a good reputation in my career, and to top it all, I have the most beautiful and dedicated woman by my side as my wife.”
“We’re not actually married, Carl.” The reminder felt futile.
“Not yet. But we will be. Try and hurry up with the case; I’d like to have you back by my side soon again.”
“Carl, are you really sure it’s okay to take a break in the case…” I started, already looking for a way out of going back to him.
But his voice bulldozed over me, his voice rose as if he was addressing an audience.
“And you all are invited.” He spoke loudly, ignoring my words entirely. “Most especially Virginia.”
The name hit me like a slap. “Why Virginia?”
Carl was plotting. I could feel it.
Virginia who was always lingering on the edges of the Graves family like a hungry snake. All because of Cash.
“She’s very close to us now. Given her history with my son, I believe she will soon be family. I think it’s time to start accepting and welcoming her into the Graves family.”
I was stunned into silence.
Virginia? As family?
“By the way, assist me in informing Cash that Virginia is his date.”
And with that, Carl ended the call.
The line went dead, leaving me staring at the phone in disbelief. I slammed it down on the coffee table.
“Angsty boy, really?” Cash’s voice came from behind me, laced with dry humor.
He stepped fully into the light, his tousled hair and rumpled sleep shirt making him look sexy, more… mouth watering.
I sighed in exasperation, rubbing my temples. “You know I had to say that to get him off my neck.” My voice softened as I turned to face him, my anger slowly fadedinto a warm emotion.
Cash didn’t seem eager to dive into the earlier argument’s details.
He crossed the room and sat down beside me on the couch. Cash crossed his legs, leaning back trying to appear casual, but his jaw was tight, and his puffy eyes were shadowed.
“She did this,” he said quietly, his gaze fixed on the TV screen where the news had moved on to weather updates.
“She didn’t kill him, Cash. I can assure you that.” I reached out and placed a hand on his arm.
He turned to me, his blue eyes— so unlike Carl’s—searching mine for answers. “Why are you so eager to prove the Man-Eater didn’t kill Paxton?”
“First of all, it’s too messy. This isn’t her style of killing, and you know it. I’m not going to give credit to her and try to sweep the case under the carpet or deflect it when Paxton’s killer should be behind bars right now.” My words came out fiercer than intended, fueled by the injustice playing right in front of me.
He uncrossed his legs, leaned forward, and placed his elbows on knees. “Isabel…” Cash started, his voice trailed off as if he was weighing his next words carefully.
But I cut him off.
“You and I both know why Paxton died. And we know who killed him. I know you’re finding it hard to accept, but anyone can be a murderer, even your family. How long are we going to let these evil men get away with what they’ve done?!” I ground out and stared at him intently.
The weight of it all was pressing down on Cash—the lies, the cover-ups, the Graves family’s dark underbelly. It was all too much for him.
Cash was dumbfounded to even say anything. So I sighed deeply and looked away, breaking the intensity of the situation.
“Paxton will be sent home to the last family he has,” I informed him, my voice steadying as I forced myself to remain calm.
“I thought he didn’t have any family,” Cash replied, frowning, his fingers drumming lightly on his thigh—a nervous habit I’d noticed he had.
“He has a grand-aunt in Baltimore.” I told him, keeping my tone even.
The revelation felt like a small victory in this chaos.
Paxton would be laid to rest, in a proper manner. Not in an unmarked grave in the town’s cemetery.
“Okay, I’d like to know when the funeral is. Maybe I can attend and pay my last respects before…” Cash couldn’t finish his words, a flicker of grief crossed his face. He shifted on the couch “… Cage treated him so horribly wrong, I want to see him one last time…”
“That’s impossible, Cash,” I cut him off gently, hating to dash that hope.
“Why?” He straightened, his posture rigid now, eyes narrowing.
“We’re going home.” I dropped the bomb, watching as Cash froze, his expression shifting from confusion to dawning realization.
The glint of hope in his eyes was very obvious—we both wanted to get out of this godforsaken place, away from the shadows of Oregon’s dark and buried secrets.
“The case is over?” He leaned in closer, his voice laced with optimism, and hands clasped together like he was praying so hard.
“No. Carl’s having a thanksgiving party.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue.
“Oh, fuck me!” He groaned in frustration, throwing his head back against the couch, his hands raking through his hair in utter frustration. The veins in his neck stood out, pulsing with barely contained anger.
“And Virginia is your date,” I added softly, bracing for the explosion.
Cash’s face instantly turned red, flushing from neck to forehead, his expression twisting as if he’d been slapped so hard.
With the way his eyes were bulging, and his jaw clenched so tight, it looked like he was about to have high blood pressure.
“What? Hell fucking no! Fuck no!” He shot up from the couch, pacing the room with agitated strides, his fists balled at his sides. “I’m not going, we have to fight this… fight him, Isabel.”
My shoulders dropped, and I sighed, feeling the exhaustion seep deep into my bones. “You can’t do anything about it, sweetie. We’re his puppets, and he pulls the strings. Carl is the puppeteer.”