Still Jaded (Jaded #2)

I hurried to my car and then drove towards the hotel.

After I got to my room, I poured myself a drink and studied my two stolen mementos. Bryce and Denton. Why both of them? Did Cadence know them personally? Was she a groupie and nabbed their autograph with the picture? She had pictures of other celebrities on that wall. Why in her closet? Why not out in the open? As I thought about it, I realized that all of the pictures on display around her room were of her friends and family, which was normal, but why hide the photographs of the celebrities?

I had a feeling that I wasn't going to be able to intimidate Cadence into submission. She was cunning, and she had friends, lots of friends. I needed to get at her some other way. When I finished my drink, I fixed another and wondered where to go from here. Did I have a next move? I saw my phone on the counter and cursed. I knew what I needed to do but hesitated.

The phone trembled in my hand as I scrolled through my contacts. I held my breath until I heard Denton answer. "Sheldon?"

"I didn't know if this number still worked." I wasn't as relieved as I sounded. Denton had answers that I needed, but he'd bring his own trouble.

He laughed, "Well, it works. This is the only number Mena remembers so I kept it for her. Everyone else has my other numbers."

"I have a favor to ask." Politeness aside, I needed answers.

Denton chuckled. "Same old Sheldon. What can I do for you?" His voice seemed to sneak over the line and unravel something in me. I could almost feel his caress.

I paused for a second and told myself that I had no other choice. "Can you come here? I have a question to ask you."

"Sure. Where are you?"

"Wilshire Hotel. Room 617."

"Give me an hour. I'm at my house."

"That's fine. I'm not going anywhere." After I ended the call, I stayed on the bed for a minute. The instant I invited him to my room, I regretted it. The problem was that I needed to see him in person to ask about Cadence. I needed to see his face.

Rather than make another drink, I grabbed the bottle and settled back. An hour later, with the bottle half gone, I was on the patio when I heard a knock at the door. I had showered and tried my best to rewrap my dressings, but I hoped I didn't look as hideous as I must have in the hospital. For some reason I cared.

As I opened the door, I had to grin. Denton stood with a pink rose in his hand. Casually dressed in jeans and a white polo, he looked like he'd just showered. He had a small smile on his face, as if he were proud. Everything about him was like a burst of fresh air. That was when I realized that, Denton had become a friend. No idea how, but he had.

He extended the flower. "I figured you'd need something to liven up the room. Hotels get boring after awhile."

As I shut the door behind him, I commented, "Pink is a very 'friendly' color."

"I got the message at the hospital. No touching." He smirked.

"It's more like—I don't need any more drama in my life." Still, I couldn't hide my grin as I found a glass for it.

"Your two 'besties' provide enough." He flashed a smile. "Mena taught me that word. I think it's ridiculous, but it's fun to say."

"More like all their female groupies bring the drama."

I didn't ask about her. This wasn't the time or place.

"I can imagine." His eyes twinkled, and he scratched the back of his neck. "So, lay it on me. What do you need to ask me? What do I need to do for you?"

I threw down the picture of him and Cadence. "How do you know her? Where was this taken? How long ago? Do you still talk to her?"

He picked up the photo to inspect it better and held up a hand. "Hold on, Sheldon. Whoa. I…who is this? I…wait…I do know her. She's a Hempler. She's well connected." His eyes widened. "Sheldon are you going after her? I'd be cautious. Her dad owns the Hempler Diamonds chain."

My eyes closed. Shiiiii….iiiit. I had not considered this complication. "What do you mean 'well connected'? How well connected?"

"I only know her because she came up to me with her two sisters. All of them wanted a picture and then they left. It was a private party for my movie Rough Blue. Her dad's a Hollywood man. He's got his hands in a lot of projects. The brand sponsors a lot of our media events. Her brother, William, was as an extra in a few of my movies. It might've been because of his dad, I'm not sure."

"Do you know her family well?"

He shrugged. "Their mom died when they were little. Her dad never remarried. I think her two older sisters work in the business. That's it. I don't know her personally if that's what you're asking. Why are you interested in her?"

I grimaced. "She's become a thorn in my side. I underestimated her."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. It's my problem, but there's something off with her."

"Is your psycho radar going off?"

"Maybe." I hid a smile.