Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

“And you handled it, because that’s who you are. Nox, I love you for that. Imagine not being able to handle it. Not because you don’t want to. Not because you’re not smart enough or brave enough or even mentally strong enough, but because you’re physically outmatched. Imagine knowing that if you’re caught leaving the manor, the consequences will be more dire than anything you’ve ever known or experienced, and you’ve already lived in hell.”

My gaze darted between Charli and Chelsea. Though they were both sitting tall, the ambient light shining through the windows showed Chelsea’s cheeks glistening with visible tears. I may be a monster, but her silent crying didn’t bother me as much as Charli’s words.

They were those of an advocate. She’d make one hell of an attorney one day.

My teeth clenched as the realization struck: Charli wasn’t only talking about Chelsea. She was talking about herself as well.

She’d been terrified too.

“What about you? The necklace was for your protection—”

“I was safer than Chelsea. That’s all I’ll say right now. She needed the reassurance that you would be there for her.” Charli intertwined our fingers. “I knew you would be for me. I needed to know you would be for her.”

I fucking needed to know what that animal did, not only to Chelsea, but also to my Charli. Jail was too good for him.

Before I could ask, Chelsea spoke. “Alex, where was he? I thought he’d be there. Was he in the limousine?”

Charli turned her way. “Oh, you don’t know.”

Chelsea sucked in a breath. “Know what?”

“The police. They arrested him.”

Chelsea’s eyes widened with panic. “What? Why? I-I didn’t…”

“I don’t know,” Charli replied. “They never said what the charge was.”

My phone buzzed with an incoming call.

“Yes,” I answered after reading Deloris’s name.

“I’m sending you all a link.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m at the airport where Clayton is bringing you. The plane is ready. Watch the news clip and call me back.”

I hung up the phone as Clayton handed his phone to Charli and we all opened the link.

I pushed the small triangle. We all did.

It was a local news broadcast.

BREAKING NEWS read the crawl at the bottom of the screen. The video behind the words was an aerial view of Montague Manor. The place was fucking huge. Even on the small screen the guests were visible on the back patio. Those on the lawn were obscured by fog. The blue lights of the police cars flashed as the camera from one of the drones zoomed in on the top of Spencer’s head as he was led away from the front door.

BODY FOUND. CARMICHAEL HEIR ARRESTED.

Chelsea and Charli gasped. “Body?” they both questioned.

“Fuck!” I whispered.

I turned up the volume.

“…received a tip from a concerned employee. The Savannah medical examiner is examining the body. No identification has been made; however, unnamed sources within the police department have confirmed that the arrest could be in connection with the disappearance earlier this year of Melissa Summers, Edward Spencer’s one-time girlfriend.”

I turned from the screen to Charli. One of her hands held Clayton’s phone, while the other held tightly to her best friend.

“Nox, call Deloris back. When did they find it? Where did they find it?”

“I was there,” Chelsea said. “I was at Carmichael Hall.”

I then remembered the telephone call Deloris had recorded and spoke to Charli. “He wanted you there today—this morning, didn’t he?” I asked.

Charli’s gaze narrowed. “How do you know that?”

“It doesn’t matter. But he did, right?”

She nodded. “He did, but I stayed with my mother.” Her back straightened. “Where is she?” Then she sucked in a deep breath and turned back to Chelsea. “Oh God, he said he’d make you…” Her voice trailed away.

Chelsea shook her head. “But he didn’t. I was all over Savannah doing things for the party. Things Jane asked me to do. Then I went back to Montague.”

I swiped my phone. Deloris answered on the first ring, and I put it on speaker.

“You’re on speaker. Tell us what you know.”

“Nox, my mother?” Charli whispered.

Deloris’s voice filled the SUV. “There are members of the Savannah-Chatham police here. They want to question Miss Moore and Mrs. Spencer.”

“What?” Charli said. “Bryce’s mother isn’t with us.”

“You,” Deloris said. “They’re waiting.”

I hung up the call as the name Mrs. Spencer rang in my ears.

“Sir?” Clayton asked. “We can drive to another airport?”

“How do they know Chelsea is with us?” Charli asked.

I reached for Charli’s hand. “I don’t know. Maybe it was an assumption.”

“Different airport?” he asked again.

I shook my head. “No. You heard what we said. We have nothing to hide.”

I didn’t want to mention my concern, but I needed to. “What if the body has been there for a while? What if it didn’t happen recently? Chelsea, how long have you been there, a couple of months?”

Chelsea’s head moved back and forth. “I have, but the police have been there multiple times. Wouldn’t they have found it before now? Is it her?”

“My mom?” Charli said again.

“She’s safe, ma’am,” Clayton said.

“Thank God.”

“Mr. Demetri took her back to New York. It’s been a few hours now.”

“Alton must not know.” And then she looked up at me. Her brow furrowed. “Mr. Demetri? Your dad has my mom?”