Return To Sender (The Hart Brothers Book 2) Read online

  “Oh God, please don’t tell me this is a sex trafficking situation. I was starting to wonder when—”

  I cut her off. “No, Lucy. At least I don’t think it has anything to do with that. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if there was something a bit sinister going on.”

  “What do you mean?” Lucy’s breath was coming faster now and I could tell she was walking quickly. I had a feeling that she was hurrying to get home so that she could scream at me.

  “So last night after we’d, uhm, done the deed ...”

  “Don’t be a prude now, Savannah.” Lucy laughed. “It’s fine to say ‘after you had sex.’”

  “Yeah, well, after, I went to have a shower and I needed a towel, and so I was going back to the room, but I opened the door and he was on the phone.”

  “Oh God, please do not tell me he was married,” Lucy growled. “These men suck, why can’t they just be faithful?’

  “It wasn’t his wife. I don’t think he has a wife.” But even as I said the words it struck me that perhaps I was wrong. Maybe he was married, and that was why he’d said I would ruin his life. But no, he hadn’t said his life, singular. He’d said “our lives will be ruined,” as in his and Henry’s. What would Henry care if his married brother had an affair? That wouldn’t affect his life in any way.

  “Savannah, are you sure?”

  “I’m pretty sure he’s not married. Hold on, let me think about his exact words, and you can tell me what you think.”

  “Okay, hold on a few minutes. I just got back home. Going to take the elevator up to the apartment, give Jolene some water, and then I’ll be ready.”

  “Okay.” I nodded absentmindedly as I walked out of my room and down the hallway. The house was quiet, almost ominously so, without Wade in it. I held the phone to my ear and thought for a few seconds before heading to the library. It was the only space that really felt like mine on this estate. Even more than my bedroom. Maybe because I spent so much time there.

  Sounding a little breathless, Lucy came back on the line. “Okay, I’m back. Now tell me everything.”

  “Well, I’ve essentially told you everything, but these were his words as best as I can remember them, ‘I never should have hired her, she can ruin everything.’ That’s what he said.”

  “Is that all he said?”

  “No, he said, ‘I’ve fucked up, Henry. I can never let her know the truth. This whole thing was a mistake. A huge mistake. I never should have created that ad. She can destroy everything. Absolutely everything. I never should have let Savannah Carter into our lives. If she learns the truth, our lives will be ruined.’” I paused and bit down on my lower lip. “Can’t remember if I told you before, but Henry is his little brother.”

  “Yeah, you mentioned him.” Lucy’s voice was low. “What can you destroy?”

  “I don’t know!”

  “And you’re alone? He left you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m coming up.”

  “What?”

  “I’m catching the train, and I’m coming up with Jolene.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Savannah, my best friend took a job on a country estate with some hot weirdo. He has proceeded to take her virginity, disappear, and now he’s telling his brother that she could ruin everything. There is no way in hell I’m leaving you there alone, and I know I can’t convince you to come home right now.”

  “You don’t know that.” Though of course she did. If I’d had any intention of going home, I would have called her from the train. Instead, I was sitting at a chair in the library, wondering what I’d find if I continued searching through the rest of the books.

  “Savannah Carter, I have lived with you long enough to know how your mind works. Will you be able to collect me from the train station or do I need to hire a car?”

  “I can pick you up. Are you sure you can come? What about work?”

  “You’re more important. Plus I’m sure Jolene would love to see you.”

  “I miss my little baby. I hope she hasn’t been too bad.”

  “If by bad, you mean she peed on my towel and ate half of my burger last night, then no, of course not.” Lucy’s voice was dry. “You know that dog, Savannah. I’m not going to list the reasons why Jolene is on my shit list right now.”

  “Oh no, I’m so sorry, Lucy. But I’m excited to see you and Jolene. I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you as well. I’m excited for us to get to the bottom of this mystery, and I want to meet all these hot guys you keep talking about.”

  “I wouldn’t say hot guys plural.” I laughed. “I mean Wade is hot and Henry is also hot, and Gordon is really good looking too, but I mean—”

  “You mean what?” She laughed. “You can’t have all three of them. What about me?”

  “Do you really want a Hart brother? After what I’ve just told you?”

  “Most probably not, but it could make my life really exciting.” She giggled. “I want some excitement and hot sex as well.”

  “True, the sex was hot.”

  “Oh, I just can’t believe it. Savannah Carter, you’re a woman.”

  “What was I before? A dog?” I paused. “Don’t answer that.” I laughed. “I know what Wade’s answer would be to that.”

  “I hope I get to meet him.” Lucy sounded thoughtful. “Also, when I come, we’re going to play detective. I think we need to figure out just what Wade was talking about before you become anymore invested in him.”

  I sighed. “I’m already invested, Lucy. I’m scared I’m going to get my heart broken.”

  “That’s why it’s much better for me to be there than not.” She paused then and I knew that she was thinking very carefully about what to say next. I leaned back in the chair, waiting. As I did, I noticed a piece of paper on the ground and got up to pick it up. I opened it and read quickly, my cheeks flushing as I did so.

  “Oh my God, listen to this Lucy.”

  “What?”

  “I just found another note from Wade.”

  “Another note?”

  “Yup, it was on the floor in the library. It says, ‘If you’re thinking about snooping, don’t even bother. Just look after the house while I’m gone and write your poetry. If you’re bored, why don’t you learn a dance to surprise me with when I get back home.’” I gasped. “What a cheek!”

  “He really is a condescending asshole, isn’t he?” Lucy said. “And he sounds scared. What doesn’t he want you to find out?”

  “I don’t know.” And then, because it had been on my mind a lot in the last couple of days, I said, “I wonder if it has to do with his last assistant.”

  “What about her?”

  “He just doesn’t really seem to say much about her. I wonder if something happened.”

  “Like what?”

  “Oh, I don’t know ...” My voice trailed off, for while I didn’t know, I had plenty of thoughts. “What if he killed her?”

  “Savannah, no! What are you talking about?” Lucy’s voice was shrill. “You’re not seriously entertaining that thought, are you?”

  “No … I mean, I don’t think so.” I chewed on my lower lip. “But you can never tell who might be a killer. Aren’t we always surprised when we watch those Aurora Teagarden movies on Hallmark?”

  “Savannah, that’s a TV show. Those are actors. It’s not real.”

  “Well, I know that. I’m just saying. Sometimes the bad guys surprise you.”

  “You’re making me even more nervous for you now. Let me pack some stuff and see about the train. In the meantime, can you call that friend of yours and see if he can hang out? I’m not sure I want you to be there by yourself right now.”

  “Okay.” I nodded. “I can call Gordon. Actually, I’m pretty sure he’d love to see the Hart house. He seems to be slightly obsessed with it.”

  “What do you mean by obsessed?” Lucy sounded tense. “Is everyone you know straight out of a Lifetime movie?”

  �
��Oh, I guess the Hart family is just well known in Herne Hill Village and everyone seems to want to be in the know. Gordon just told me he’d always wanted to see the estate. I guess all of us commoners want to see how the other half live.”

  “Yeah, I guess.” Lucy didn’t sound convinced. “Well, I’m going to go now, but you call me if anything comes up okay? I’ll let you know what time I’m going to be arriving at the train station.”

  “Sounds good, Lucy. I can’t wait to see you and Jolene.”

  “We can’t wait to see you as well.” And with that, she was gone.

  I walked over to the window to look outside. The day had turned gloomy and foreboding and the dark sky made me shudder. I stared at the vast forest in front of me and wondered what animals lived in its midst. It suddenly struck me that I was alone in a private house in the middle of nowhere. I touched the windowpane and I wondered what I looked like from outside the house. If someone was looking up and saw me, a lone figure, with a pale face and worried expression, they might think I was a ghost.

  I knew I was being dramatic, but the moment seemed to call for some drama. I suddenly recalled a poem that I’d read in college, and I recited it as I gazed out of the window.

  “O Rose thou art sick.

  The invisible worm,

  That flies in the night

  In the howling storm:

  Has found out thy bed

  Of crimson joy:

  And his dark secret love

  Does thy life destroy.”

  “And his dark secret love, does thy life destroy,” I repeated as I stepped back from the window. I shivered as the last words left my lips. “Oh, William Blake, what were you thinking when you wrote ‘The Sick Rose’?” I whispered to myself.

  To think that just last night, Wade Hart had been inside of me. I had given him what he wanted, eagerly and so wantonly. Even the memory left me longing for more. I had given my body to a man whose life I could destroy… and I had absolutely no idea how.

  Chapter 3

  “Hey, Savannah, how are you?” Gordon answered the phone in his usual cheerful tone.

  I smiled. At least he was someone that I could trust and not worry about. “Hey, I’m good. What are you doing? Did you want to come over for lunch?”

  “Oh, I’d love to. Will I get to meet the elusive Wade as well?”

  “No, he’s out of town right now.”

  “He is?” He sounded surprised. “Where did he go?”

  “He’s my boss. He doesn’t tell me all of his whereabouts.” I knew I sounded snooty, but I was feeling a bit defensive. Where the hell was Wade? And why hadn’t he told me?

  “Yeah, he’s a secretive guy. Maybe he’s gone to visit one of his many women.” Gordon laughed.

  Jealousy surged through me. “What do you mean, one of his many women? I thought he was single!”

  Was that where he’d gone then? To be with his other woman? If that were the case, I’d show him when he got back that he’d messed with the wrong woman. Though I wasn’t sure what I’d do. I had a feeling if I cut up his clothes or started a fire, I’d be in jail faster than I could say, “You’re a cheater, Wade Hart.” And honestly, I couldn’t even really call him a cheater. How could it be cheating if we weren’t even really in a relationship?

  “I’m joking,” Gordon said quickly. “I’d love to come over, but why don’t you let me take you for lunch? I don’t want you to have to cook for me.”

  “Oh, it wouldn’t be a big deal. I don’t mind.”

  “No, but I would feel bad. Meet me at the cafe in town at noon and then we can go back to the house.”

  “Sounds good.” I was happy at the idea of leaving the house. Maybe some fresh air would help to clear my head. “I’ll get some work done and then meet up with you later, okay?”

  “Okay. Bye, Savannah. I look forward to seeing you later.”

  There was something in his tone that made me pause as I put the phone down. I didn’t think I was particularly psychic or attuned to vibes, but something felt wrong. I couldn’t put my finger on it. I didn’t know if it was related to Gordon or my overall situation with Wade, but something felt off.

  “Who are you, Sabrina the Teenage Witch?” I shook my head at my thoughts. I decided to go back to Wade’s room to see if I could find any clues as to what was going on. I wasn’t going to snoop—well, that was a lie. I was going to snoop, but I was entitled to snoop. If there was ever a time a woman was entitled to snoop, this was it. I just had to find out what was going on.

  The first thing I noticed in his room was the big bed with the messy sheets. I supposed I should wash them or something. Or at least make the bed.

  “Yeah, right.” I giggled. “That’s not my concern right now.” I walked over to the bed and then lifted up the pillows. I wasn’t sure what I expected to find underneath them, but there was nothing there. Then I looked at the side tables, opening the drawers and rifling through the contents quickly. I felt slightly guilty, but it wasn’t like I was trying to steal trade secrets or something. To be fair, Wade’s drawers were quite boring. And then I got to the bottom drawer and my jaw fell open.

  “Wow, what do we have here?” I pulled out a pair of handcuffs and a steel object that reminded me of a pinwheel. I ran my fingers across the sharp edges and pricked myself. “Ouch!”

  I put it on the top of the night table and then reached back into the drawer and pulled out some silk scraps and some beads. “Whoa.” I touched them lightly. I knew these were anal beads, not that I’d used them before. And then I saw a butt plug. My eyebrows shot up and I could feel my face reddening. How many women had he used that with? I chewed on my lower lip wondering what it would be like to do that with him. I couldn’t even imagine it. It seemed even more intimate than normal intercourse. But somehow with Wade I could imagine it being pleasurable and hot. That naughty, forbidden sort of pleasure that made you feel that maybe being bad was the best kind of good there could be.

  I put the stuff back in the drawer and moved over to the closets. As I walked, I passed a bookshelf that I’d never really noticed before. It was about five feet tall, made of reclaimed wood with leather straps, and was full of books. I stopped to look at what books Wade read, feeling a surge of surprise when I realized what they were. I’d never thought of Wade as being a big reader. He had never paid much attention to the books in the library, and I’d just assumed that meant he wasn’t really interested, but as I picked up a stack of books from the top shelf, I began to wonder.

  I looked through the books: 1984 by George Orwell, The Lord of The Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, and Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Were these were his favorites?

  The Agatha Christie book seemed a little out of place; I wondered if he was into mysteries in general or just Agatha Christie. I held the books in my hand feeling like I was getting new insight into Wade’s mind when I noticed a small note card on the shelf. I put the books back and grabbed the card.

  It appeared to be a grocery list. There were only five items listed: white bread, butter, American cheese, cheddar cheese, and salt and vinegar potato chips. I frowned as I reread it. I’d never seen this list before and he’d never asked me to get any of these items. Why would he have a list for bread and cheese? I put the notecard back on the shelf and then went to look in his closet and through his pants pockets. I knew I was being invasive, but I wanted more information, and I wanted it now.

  Just who was Wade Hart? And what did his secrets mean for me?

  “I’ve got an evening ticket.” Lucy sounded pleased with herself. “Jolene and I will arrive at nine p.m. I hope that’s okay?”

  “That’s perfect,” I said to the car as I drove. I always felt weird conversing with people using Bluetooth. It made me feel a bit like a crazy person, just talking into the air. “I’m off to meet Gordon for lunch, and then we’re going to go back to Wade’s place.”

  “Oh, to look for clu
es?”

  “No, just to hang out. I’m not sure how much I want to tell him. I like him and he’s always been so friendly to me, but there’s just something about him that puts my back up, you know?”

  “You don’t think he’s a psychopath, do you?”

  “No, Lucy! How many psychopaths do you think there are in Herne Hill Village?”

  “Well, we have three contenders already,” she pointed out. “Wade, Henry, and Gordon.”

  “Henry’s not a psychopath.”

  “Well, you never know. If he’s related to Wade, anything is possible.”

  “He’s really nice and really quite handsome.” I pulled onto the main road. “In fact, I kinda wish he was staying at the house as well.”

  “You dirty dog!”

  “Nothing like that.” I giggled. “I can’t see myself having a threesome.”

  “I wasn’t even thinking of a threesome.”

  “What were you thinking of?”

  “I was thinking you were saying you would have hooked up with him instead of Wade, not that you’d thought about doing both of them at the same time.”

  “I’ve never thought of that!” I laughed. “Just because I’ve lost my virginity doesn’t mean I’m ready to be a freak.”

  “Get your freak on, I say.” Lucy giggled.

  “Isn’t that a Missy Elliott song?”

  “Maybe, and I’m sure she’d approve.”

  “You want me to sleep with two brothers?”

  “Imagine the poetry you could write then!”

  “Lucy, you’re an idiot.”

  “Anything for the art, Savannah, and then I could make a movie and it would become an instant hit and we’d both be rich and famous forever.”

  “Yeah.” I laughed. “I’m sure everyone wants to hear about me banging two hot brothers with some super-secret shady past.”

  “Did you find anything out about that?”

  “No, but I did find something odd ...”

  “What’s that?”

  “I found a shopping list but it contained items Wade has never asked me to get.”