Chapter 31 Hawk Eye
As soon as Elena barged into the car and screamed. “Go! Just go!"
Mandy didn't hesitate, she slammed her foot down on the ignition and sped off like a crazy fellow.
They drove through the streets speedily without slowing down, only when they were three blocks away did Mandy glance over at her friend.
Her jaw dropped. "Elena? Oh my goodness, what happened? You look like you’ve been through a war zone!"
Elena couldn't speak, she just sat there, her hands shaking in her lap, staring straight ahead at the blurred tail lights of the cars in front of them.
"Did he hurt you?" Mandy’s voice rose, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. "If that prick laid a hand on you, I swear to everything up there, Elena, I am turning this car around right now. I have an iron wrench in the trunk and I am not afraid to use it on his pretty little face!"
"No, Mandy, don't," Elena finally managed to croak. "Just… drive."
Mandy wasn't satisfied with that response and she stayed right there on the road, watching her friend even as many cars honked for her to get out of the way. She ignored them completely.
"He took your jewelry!" Mandy shouted, noticing Elena’s bare ears and wrists. "The necklace I put on you, the camera, he found it, didn't he? That's what happened?”
"He found it," Elena whispered. "He said the cash was fake. He knew everything, Mandy. He knew it was a setup."
"He knew the cash was just fake props?" Mandy blinked, her anger momentarily replaced by confusion. "Wait, why would he check that of all things? No one just randomly checks if money is real. Especially not a pig like him."
"I... I thought he would be dumb and desperate to get the money," Elena said, her brow furrowing. "I didn't count on him being so detailed. Plus, it looked real."
Mandy cursed under her breath. "I admit that this is getting a little out of hand. I planned all this and it's a mess. This is way more serious than a petty blackmailing ex, Elena. You have to tell Julian, I swear, this is beyond us."
"No!" Elena snapped quickly. "I can't tell him. You don't understand, Mandy. Julian already looks at me like I’m some kind of problem to be solved. He’s cold and he barely speaks to me unless it's some stupid thing about my safety or the company. And he doesn't touch me. Since the wedding night, it’s like there’s an invisible wall between us. If I tell him I’ve been being blackmailed with a sex tape and that I lost thousands of dollars in jewelry to Francis, he’ll never look at me again."
Mandy slowed down as they turned onto a quieter street. "Wait, what do you mean he doesn't touch you? Elena, you've been married for weeks. He’s a red-blooded man and you’re... well, look at you! You’re gorgeous."
Elena turned her head to the window, watching the city lights pass by. She felt odd even talking about it. "I don't know why, Mandy. Even I can't make any sense of it. He’s attentive, he knows everything I need before I ask for it, he protects me and all that, but he won't come near me. It’s like he’s afraid of me. Or disgusted by me. I’m not ready to talk about it, Mandy. I just can't."
Mandy sighed heavily. "Okay. Okay, honey. I’m sorry. I shouldn't have pushed the camera idea. I thought we were being clever."
"It’s not your fault," Elena said, though in her heart, she wasn't sure whose fault it was anymore. "We need to get back. I told Julian we were at an engagement party. If I’m late, he’ll start asking questions I can't answer."
"What about Clinton?" Mandy asked. "He’s still at the spa getting a seaweed wrap."
"Text your assistant," Elena instructed. "Tell her to tell Clinton that we decided to head home early because I had a headache and that he should take the rest of the evening off and bring the car back in the morning. He’s nice enough that he won't question a night off."
Mandy nodded, tapping out a quick message at a red light. "Done. I'm taking you straight to the mansion. You go inside, take a hot bath, and try to breathe. We’ll figure out everything tomorrow."
The drive to the Thorne estate felt like a trip to the gallows.
As the iron gates swung open, Elena felt a sense of impending doom.
She had to verify with her prints and the second and third gate opened until Mandy was right at her door.
Mandy pulled up to the front steps. "You sure you're okay?"
"I have to be," Elena said, forcing a small, brittle smile. "Thank you, Mandy. For everything."
"Call me if you need anything. Any time. I mean it."
Elena nodded. Mandy and her were never that close before she traveled. But now, here she was, helping her like they were best friends.
“I'm glad I met you again, Mandy," she said and pulled her into a hug.
"Oh, it's nothing. Girls should always stick together," she winked.
Elena stepped out of the car, smoothed down her black dress, and watched as Mandy drove away.
She stood on the gravel for a moment, taking a deep breath of the cold night air, trying to find the cold mask she wore so well.
She climbed the stairs, her heels clicking softly as she reached for the heavy front door, but before her hand could touch the handle, it swung open.
And standing in the center of the doorway was Julian.
He wasn't wearing his suit jacket anymore. His white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, and his sleeves were rolled up, revealing the hard sculpted muscles of his forearms.
But it was his face that stopped her heart.
His blue eyes were almost glowing with rage.
She swallowed nervously and looked away.
“You came back," he said coldly.
"Julian," she started, her voice small. "I... the party ended early. I had Mandy drive me—"
"Don't," he interrupted softly as he stepped forward, out onto the porch, forcing her to take a step back.
He didn't look at her face. His gaze dropped to her bare neck, then to her empty ears, and finally to her naked hands.
It didn't even take him a minute to find her missing jewelry.
"Where are the diamonds I gave you, Elena?" he asked. His voice was terrifyingly quiet. "Where is the gold?"
Elena swallowed hard, her mind racing for a lie, but her brain was frozen. "I lost them. It was crowded at the party and—"
"I have a feeling there was no party," Julian said as he took another step towards her.
He reached out, and for a terrifying second, Elena thought he might strike her. Instead, he grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up into those mad, beautiful eyes.
"Where are you coming from, Elena?" he demanded, his thumb pressing firmly against her cheek "And why do you smell like another man’s cologne?"