Deception (Dirty Secrets #2) Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Wednesday, August 27

  Thursday, August 28

  Friday, August 29

  Author's Note

  Other Books by Mercy

  Acknowledgments

  Find Me Online

  Mercy Amare

  Deception

  Dirty Secrets, Episode 2

  Copyright © 2014 by Mercy Amare

  Cover designed by P.S. Cover Design

  Edited by Laura Heritage

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, store in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any forms or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without express permission of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  If you are reading this book and you have not purchased or won it in an author/ published contest, this book has been pirated. Please delete and support the author by purchasing the ebook from one of its many distributors.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  This book is dedicated to YOU. (Yes, you).

  Seriously, thank you for being awesome.

  I love you.

  Wednesday, August 27

  Twin code.

  My hands are shaking as I make my way home from the library.

  Daisy’s disappearance isn’t just her spending the night at some random guy’s house. She’s really missing. Somebody took her. Or killed her. My stomach contracts at the thought, and I pull my car over to the side of the road. I heave and I lose everything in my stomach. I clutch it with shaky hands and try to calm myself down.

  What should I do? If I tell the police, something bad could happen to Daisy and Cassidy… But what if I don’t tell the police and something bad still happens? It’s an impossible situation.

  I get back in my car and head toward my house.

  My head is pounding, and I feel confused. How can I choose? Both choices suck.

  When I pull up to my house, my phone vibrates with a text. I turn my car off and pull my phone out of my pocket.

  Cassidy Armstrong: Remember, you promised.

  I stare at the text until my screen goes black.

  Stupid, stupid promise. I shouldn’t have promised anything. How can I not tell the police this? This is so wrong.

  Me: You have until Saturday afternoon. Then we do it my way and tell the police.

  Cassidy Armstrong: Thank you, Mads.

  Part of me is mad at her for putting me in this position, but the other part of me understands why she did it. She can’t handle this on her own. It’s not fair for her to have to. I still don’t like it.

  I get out of the car. When I do, I see Jace walking toward me.

  “Where have you been?” he asks.

  “I, ugh…” There is a sharp pain in my stomach, and my vision clouds.

  Wait, what did he ask?

  “Are you feeling okay?”

  I nod, then shake my head. I bend over and start dry heaving on the grass. I feel Jace’s hands in my hair, and he holds it back for me. When I’m done, I look up at him, feeling mortified.

  “I’m sorry,” I tell him.

  He puts his arm around my waist and I lean over on him. He helps me walk toward the house. When we get to the stairs, he picks me up and carries me to my room. I’ve imagined this happening quite a few times, but the scenario was always different.

  Jace lays me down on my bed and sits down beside me.

  “How are you feeling?” he asks, feeling my forehead.

  “I’m fine,” I answer, scooting backward on my bed. I sit up and lean against the headboard.

  “You don’t seem fine,” he says.

  “I am. I probably just ate something bad.”

  He seems to accept my answer, and he walks around my room. “It looks a lot different than last time I was in here.”

  “You haven’t been in my room since we were ten.”

  “It’s very orange,” he says, then smiles. “I guess I should have known it would be.”

  “It’s my favorite color.”

  “I know.” He comes over to the bed and sits beside me. “I’ve known you for thirteen years. I pretty much know everything about you. There are no secrets.”

  That’s not true. There is stuff that Jace doesn’t know about me. Things I’ve done… secrets I know… stuff I would never want him to find out. Ever. Starting with the secret that Cassidy just told me and the fact that I’m the kind of person who would keep that big of a secret.

  “I like that I know everything about you,” he says, winking at me. “Someday, when we get married, I will already know everything there is to know.”

  My heart races at his words, but I force my face not to react. “Madeline Hope William. I like it. But you know, when we’re married you will be forced to have sex with me.”

  “There will be no force involved.” He turns to me and grins big. “Unless you’re kinky and like being tied up. I had a feeling that you were a deviant.”

  I smack Jace’s arm playfully. “Well, I don’t know if I am or not.”

  “I’m happy to offer up my services,” he says, then frowns. “So, you were going to tell me who you wrote the song about.”

  “I already told you, I’m not going to tell you. You have to guess.”

  “Luke Brentwood?”

  I shake my head and wrinkle my nose. “Gross, no. I am so not interested in Daisy’s sloppy seconds.”

  “That narrows down at least eighty percent of the guys at our school,” Jace says. “I’m not even kidding, every guy on the football team besides Trey, Solomon, and me has hooked up with her. And I know you don’t have a crush on Solomon.”

  Jace is right. Solomon is a linebacker. He weighs about 350 pounds and only showers once a month. He definitely does not hold my affections.

  “Well, it’s definitely not Solomon or my brother.”

  “I seriously have no idea.”

  “Did you ask Trey?”

  Jace raises an eyebrow at me. “Are you kidding? Trey won’t tell me. It’s like some kind of twin code thing. It’s more serious than even bro code.”

  “Bro code?” I laugh. “Well, you are just going to have to figure it out on your own.”

  “Somebody that goes to our school and hasn’t slept with Daisy.” He taps his chin with his finger. “I will figure it out.”

  I doubt it. Because I don’t think I could be more obvious.

  “It’s hard, because the only guys you hang out with are Landry, Mason, Robbie and Luke. And all four of them have slept with Daisy, so I can mark them off the list,” he says. “You know, maybe this guy would know you liked him if you talked to him.”

  I grin at his persistence. “I do talk to him. Everyday.”

  “Is he in our English class?”

  I nod. “He is.”

  Jace smiles. “I will figure it out. Tomorrow.”

  “Good luck with that.”

  My bedroom door cracks open, and Trey sticks his head in. He smiles when he sees Jace sitting on my bed with me.

  “I was wondering where the two of you were,” Trey says, then looks at Jace. “You flirting with my sister, man?”

  “You know it,” Jace says. “And she’s rejecting me, like she always does.”

  Trey snorts. “Dude, I highly doubt she would reject you.” />
  I narrow my eyes and glare at Trey.

  “She’s in love with somebody else,” Jace says.

  Trey leans against the wall inside my door and the corner of his mouth turns up into a smirk. “Oh, is she?”

  “Yeah, but she won’t tell me who. Do you know who?”

  Trey nods. “She’s my sister. Of course I know.”

  “Who?” Jace asks. “All I know is he’s in our English class and he hasn’t slept with Daisy.”

  “That pretty much narrows it down to like one guy,” Trey says.

  I cough. “You know, I am so over having this conversation.”

  “Fine. We will stop torturing you,” Trey says. “Since you weren’t here, I made dinner.”

  “You cooked?” I ask, not able to believe my ears.

  “I made sandwiches. And chips.”

  I laugh. “That’s not considered cooking.”

  “Whatever. It’s all on the table if you want to come down,” he says.

  “I think I will skip dinner tonight,” I tell him. “My stomach isn’t feeling so great.”

  “Okay,” Trey says. “I’ll come check on your before bed.”

  “Thanks.”

  Trey and Jace vacate my room, and I roll onto my side. I’m grateful for the distraction, but now that they’re gone I can only think of one thing — Daisy. I hope she’s okay, because as much as I don’t like that girl, I don’t want her to die.

  8pm

  Dang lamb curry.

  I need the guidance of somebody smarter. Somebody who has the wisdom of a lifetime.

  I need to talk to my grandma.

  I open my laptop and go to Facebook. She’s online, so I message her.

  Me: How do you know what the right thing to do is?

  Margret Grey: Well, you don’t always. Sometimes in life, you’ve just got to go with your gut and hope for the best. Sometimes it works out great (like marrying your grandpa). Sometimes it doesn’t (like the decision to eat lamb curry last night… I’m still suffering from that one).

  Me: Ew, Grandma. I so didn’t need to know that.

  Me: What if the choice could mean life or death?

  Margret Grey: You’re not pregnant, are you? Because I can’t answer for you — life or death. That’s your decision. But if your mom kicks you out, you can come here. I’ll help you raise the baby.

  Me: I’m definitely NOT pregnant. You have to have sex for that to happen, and I still have my V-Card.

  Margret Grey: Is that neighbor boy still clueless?

  Me: Jace. And yeah, he is. But that’s not what this is about. I need some serious advice here.

  Margret Grey: I say go for it. You’re a good girl. Every good girl needs to do something bad at least once in her life.

  Me: Even if it means somebody else could suffer because of it?

  Margret Grey: Sounds to me like you’ve already made your decision. You just want me to confirm your decision. Go with your gut.

  Me: Thanks.

  Margret Grey: Anytime. Now, I got to get off here… Dang lamb curry…

  “Ew,” I say, then shut my laptop.

  Okay, it’s settled.

  I will give Cassidy until Saturday afternoon. Then I am going to go to the cops.

  I just hope it’s the right decision.

  Thursday, August 28

  English

  Kiss him.

  “Hey, Mads,” Jace says, taking a seat beside me.

  “You’re in class early.” He usually comes in right on time or a little late.

  “Well, you told me you talk to this guy every day, and he’s in this class. I don’t want to miss any interaction between you and this mystery guy.”

  I roll my eyes. “Why do you have to figure it out anyway? It’s really not that big of a deal.”

  “It is to me,” he says. “You’re one of my best friends. I have to look out for you… make sure this guy is a good one.”

  “Do you really think that Trey would let this go any further if he wasn’t a good guy?”

  Jace shrugs. “I want to judge for myself.”

  I sigh.

  “Hey, Madi.” I hear a guy behind me. Josh takes a seat in the desk on the other side of me. “How’s it going?”

  “Umm… good,” I answer, wondering why Josh is talking to me. He hardly ever does.

  He leans forward in his seat and angles towards me. “How are you handling the whole… Daisy thing?”

  My chest hurts at the mention of her name. “I’m… okay,” I answer, my throat thick. “I’m really worried about her, but I’m sure it’s all just a big misunderstanding. I keep expecting her to just show back up, you know?”

  “I know what you mean,” he says, standing up. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

  “Thanks.”

  He pats my shoulder, then walks to his desk at the front of the room. I turn back around to Jace and he’s frowning at me.

  “Josh Stirling? Really?” he asks, wrinkling his nose.

  Josh is a nice kid, really. He’s really smart, I don’t think he’s ever made anything below an A in his life, and he’s always been friendly to me. But I’m not attracted to him as anything more than a friend.

  “It’s not Josh. Not that there would be anything wrong with him if it were,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Good,” Jace says. “He’s not your type.”

  “Oh really? And you know what my type is?” I ask because I’ve never had a boyfriend before. Or a crush. Besides on Jace, but he so does not know that, and I’m definitely not going to offer up the information.

  Before Jace gets a chance to answer, the bell rings and Mrs. Duff walks into the classroom. She explains that instead of our normal class, we are going into the gym for an assembly.

  Great.

  More Daisy talk.

  This is absolutely the last thing I want to think about right now.

  We all follow Mrs. Duff into the gym. It’s already almost full. Our class takes a seat in the middle.

  It’s loud inside. Everybody is talking excitedly to each other. I hear a girl behind me.

  “I bet they’re going to announce that they found Daisy’s body. I mean, we all know she’s probably dead…”

  I stop listening. I can’t hear this right now.

  Jace puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer. I lean my head on his shoulder.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he says, then kisses the top of my head. “I’m sure Daisy is fine.”

  But she’s not fine. She’s so not fine. Right now, she’s probably locked up somewhere — scared and confused. I just hope whoever took her isn’t hurting her. I need to believe that she’s okay, because if I don’t, I feel guilty. I should be going to the police with the information I know. I’m such a coward.

  “Are Madeline and Jace dating?” I hear the girl behind me whisper to her friend.

  Her friend isn’t quiet with her response. “It’s about freaking time. The two of them have been flirting since the seventh grade. It’s completely obvious they’re way into each other.”

  “They make such a cute couple,” the girl replies.

  Jace doesn’t move his arm away. I know he heard them; he had to. But I don’t read into it.

  Sometimes, I have no idea if he’s really into me, or if he just acts the way he does because we’ve been friends for so long. He’s never had a girlfriend, so I have no idea how he acts when he’s into somebody. I hope the reason he’s never dated anybody is because of me. More than anything, I want him to like me as much as I like him.

  “If it’s not Josh, then who is it?” Jace asks.

  I don’t say anything; I just shake my head at him.

  “Come on, Madi. You’ve never been into anybody before. I want to know which guy has managed to capture your attention.”

  “Why do you want to know so bad?” I ask.

  “Why do you want to keep it secret so badly?”

  “I told you I would tel
l you if you figured it out.”

  My phone vibrates in my pocket, so I pull it out. It’s a text from a blocked phone number. My heart jumps in fear. I angle my phone away from Jace and sit up.

  Blocked ID: You two look cute together. Want your first clue to getting Daisy back? Kiss him right now.

  I keep my face neutral, but my hand shakes as I slide my phone back into my jean pocket.

  I have to kiss Jace.

  But this makes no sense. Why would the person who took Daisy want me to kiss Jace? How is this in any way beneficial to them? Unless their idea is to humiliate me. In that case, mission accomplished.

  I will do it. For Daisy. I will do the one thing I’ve wanted to do since I was eleven years old, but was always too scared to do.

  I turn to face him. He grins at me.

  “I wrote the song about you, Jace.” I don’t give him time to react to my words. I just lean over and kiss him on the lips… just a peck. Then I get up and run out of the gym.

  I don’t care if I get in trouble for leaving. I can’t just sit in there… not after that. Not after I told him the truth.

  My phone buzzes again.

  Blocked ID: Good job. Your next task will be coming Friday. Keep complying and I might just let your friend live.

  I lean against the wall and feel myself sliding down.

  Oh, God. This is not what I thought was going to happen. What did I do to deserve this? Why is this person targeting me and my friends? What is this person gaining by taking Daisy and having me kiss my long time crush?