Gwen stirred in her sleep. Mia’s fingers trembled, nearly dropping the phone on the hardwood floor. She managed to hold her breath as her daughter let out a low hum. Once her breathing resumed at a steady pace, Mia returned the phone to the nightstand, and crept out of the room.

  She was beginning to think her own daughter was more of a stranger than the old friend she’d recently bedded.

  Matt appeared on Mia’s doorstep that afternoon, pounding on the door and roaring, “Open the goddamn door, Mia!” If she’d had close neighbors like most of the other lots on the lake, someone would’ve called the sheriff.

  She opened the front door just enough to slip outside with him. She hadn’t let him step foot in the cottage since she’d moved in, not wanting to tarnish her new home with bad memories his presence would bring. “Calm down, Matt.”

  “Where the hell was she?” he demanded, vibrating with rage. He wore an aqua blue polo bearing the resort’s logo with perfectly pressed shorts. His green eyes shone feral with anger.

  Folding her arms over her stomach, Mia frowned. It would’ve been a convenient time for Ben to check on her like he’d promised after she’d told him that Gwen had finally returned. She was tired of dealing with her ex’s explosive personality, and worried that one day he’d lose his cool.

  “It wasn’t necessary for you to drive all this way. I have it under control.”

  “I want to talk to her! She needs to understand she can’t skip out on work and not expect there to be consequences! I need her this weekend!”

  “Keep your voice down,” Mia warned, glancing over her shoulder.

  “Not until I find out what’s going on!”

  Mia’s patience snapped. She once again imagined the satisfaction that would come with squeezing her hands around his neck…holding on until he sucked in his very last breath…watching the last spark of life drain from his contemptuous eyes.

  “Mia, goddamn it—”

  “She had a miscarriage!” she blurted. “That’s why she hasn’t been coming to work!”

  His feral eyes became still. “She what?”

  “I had a miscarriage,” Gwen repeated behind Mia in a brazen voice.

  Mia’s heart plummeted. She didn’t want to resort to telling the bastard the truth, but it was ten times worse knowing Gwen had witnessed her mother treating the situation with anything other than the delicacy it deserved.

  Matt’s face reddened to a disturbingly dark pigmentation, as if he was on the verge of a heart attack. He lunged at his daughter. “You haven’t been showing up for work all because you were out whor—”

  “Think very carefully about what you say next,” Mia snarled, shoving him back a step. “This is your teenage daughter you’re talking to.”

  Veins jutted from his neck when he addressed her. “This is all your fault, you crazy bitch!”

  Gwen barged her way in between them and slapped her father’s cheek. The loud sound was nearly as jarring as Matt’s surprised gasp. “You asshole! Don’t you dare call her that!” Her nostrils flared. “This isn’t her fault, it’s yours! You broke this family! You taught me sex doesn’t mean anything! You threw everything away because you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants!”

  Mouth agape, Matt tripped as he retreated a few steps.

  When Mia addressed him, she kept her voice smooth and steady. “I think you better leave before this gets any uglier.”

  “Oh, and Daddy?” Gwen piped in. “One more thing. Don’t expect me back at the resort tonight or any other night, because I quit. I can make twice as much bartending at Key Largo. Their customers tip better because the place isn’t run by a womanizing prick.”

  Matt wagged his finger at Mia. “My lawyer will be contacting yours. You can kiss custody of her goodbye.”

  “You can’t make me stay with you,” Gwen barked in a dry laugh. “I will live wherever the hell I want, and I promise I don’t want to be anywhere near you.”

  With the sound of an approaching vehicle, Mia glanced up to watch Ben’s rental roll into the driveway. A palpable sense of dread came over her as he killed the engine and climbed out. He was brutally handsome in a navy blue suit and coordinating tie that drew out the alluring specs of gold in his blue eyes. She was equally embarrassed over the situation as she was grateful for his timing.

  In the next set of ragged heartbeats, he was standing beside his old friend, eyeing Mia with concern. The way he puffed his chest out, Mia suspected he still felt threatened after everything they’d been through. “Matt,” he said, extending his hand, eyes hard. “It’s been a long time.”

  Matt’s lips curled downward with the gesture. He regarded Ben’s hand as if it were diseased. “This is rich,” he snarled. “Don’t tell me you’re stupid enough to be sleeping with this—”

  “Shut your mouth.” Gwen shot her father a dark, menacing look. “I think you’ve said more than enough for one day.”

  “Sounds like it’s time for you to leave,” Ben told him with an air of authority, reminding Mia of the night he’d fended off the guy at Liz’s benefit all those years ago. Except as a federal agent, the silent threat was more palpable. “Don’t make this any harder than it has to be.”

  Matt’s bitter glare skipped between Mia and Ben. “This isn’t over,” he promised before he retreated back to his pickup truck.

  Mia’s heart thudded as his tires squealed with his departure. He was unquestionably diabolical. Would he take his anger out on Ben? With a poor attempt at a smile, she regarded her daughter. “Are you alright?”

  “That was loads of fun,” Gwen said dryly. Her gaze raked over Ben, lit with a spark of curiosity. “Who’re you?”

  “Ben Pitt. I’m an old friend of your mom’s.”

  Gwen dipped her chin in greeting. “Cool.” She eyed her mom. “I’m going back to bed now.” She promptly slipped back through the front door.

  Once they were alone, Mia grasped Ben’s thick arm. She was torn between dragging him close and pushing him away. “You shouldn’t have threatened Matt like that. It’ll just make things worse.”

  “It seemed obvious you both wanted him to leave. Was I wrong?”

  She looked away, all too aware she was evading the confusing pull of passion she felt whenever looking into his eyes. It was a self-preservation tactic Liz had chided her over for decades. It was also one of the reasons Mia no longer had any friends.

  Way to avoid any real feelings you might have about the guy, Mia.

  “You’re trembling,” Ben said to her. Eyes warm with sympathy, he set his hand on her shoulder. It was a simple touch that set her body on fire, reminding her of the intimacy they’d shared. “Between not knowing your daughter’s whereabouts and learning about Nicole, I’m sure it was a long night. You look…exhausted. I can stay while you sleep, make sure Matt doesn’t come back.”

  “If that’s your idea of flattery, it’s no wonder you’re single.” Sliding out from beneath his hand, a fission of anger gripped Mia’s spine. She didn’t need a man looking out for her. Especially one she couldn’t count on to stick around. “I promise you, I’m perfectly fine. My son will be home soon, and—”

  Ben’s eyebrows darted upward. “Hold on, Mia—”

  She cut him off with a steely look. “Thanks for coming to visit, Special Agent. Don’t bother stopping by again unless you call first.”

  He shuffled back with his hands held out at his sides. “I’m still only a phone call away. Let me know if you need someone to talk to.” He climbed into the SUV and backed down the driveway, eyes locked with Mia’s until he hit the road.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  It wasn’t until nightfall came that Mia realized Gwen had snuck out of the house again at some point. She’d decided it was time to confront her daughter about the strange texts. But Gwen’s room was empty, and her car was gone. Pulling up the recently installed app on her phone, Mia sat at the kitchen island and tracked Gwen’s location. She took her time driving through town at first, weaving through back streets the way local kids did when there wasn’t anything else to do. Then she stopped on Keeley Island.

  Across from the Tribeau house.

  Mia stared unblinking at her phone’s screen, certain the app had to be wrong. Maybe Gwen had only driven by their house, and her phone had temporarily dropped the signal. Mia continued to stare at her location, waiting for it to change. Minutes passed. Gwen didn’t move. What reason could she possibly have to be there?

  With unsteady hands, she poured herself a shot of cinnamon whiskey. She had to know what Gwen was doing at Nicole’s house. Had she made amends with Madolyn? Was she worried Mia would feel betrayed if she discovered they’d become friends?

  Greasy discontent slithered through Mia’s insides. The deep shadows surrounding her house were alive, crackling with electricity. She could feel the deep inhale and exhale of an unseen source.

  She was being watched again.

  The unnerving silence was breached by the buzz of her cell phone. Her bladder throbbed, threatening to give up the fight as she answered.

  “Have you slept at all?” Ben asked in a rush.

  Mia pulled a wobbling hand through her tangled hair. Violent heartbeats shook her entire body. Act normal, Mia. “Ben. I…uh…”

  “Let me in, Mia. I’m on your front step.”

  Goosebumps broke out against her flesh. Someone really was watching her. Waves of fear made it impossible to breathe. “Shouldn’t you be with the task force, tracking down whoever murdered Alyssa and Nicole?”

  “I took a short break. I wanted to check in on you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because there’s a serial killer on the loose, and you’re out here alone. You seemed pretty upset after Matt left.”

  The cold chill of fear spread through her bones. How long had he been waiting outside? Did he see Gwen leave?

  A brisk set of knocks came from her front door. “Open the door, Mia,” he demanded. His tone softened when he added, “Please.”

  The taste of vomit filled Mia’s mouth. Her mind began to race.

  How do you know he’s really an FBI agent, Mia?

  Her eyes danced across the room as she tried to answer. In addition to his badge, she’d heard his conversation with Sheriff Perkins.

  But badges can be replicated. He could’ve asked someone to impersonate the sheriff so you’d trust him.

  She slipped off the island stool, gripping the countertop until her fingertips turned white from the pressure. The brutal truth was that she no longer knew Ben Pitt. He wasn’t the same person she’d nearly bedded at twenty-one. She had essentially invited a stranger into her home to share her bed. He had appeared on her doorstep after Alyssa Scriber was murdered, and aggressively made the first move after she’d invited him over for dinner. Now he was watching, waiting for a chance to get her alone.

  “Actually, I’m not feeling the best,” she told him, her voice tense. “I think I’m going to lay down.”

  The knocking continued with a little more urgency. “Come on. I need to see for myself that you’re alright.”

  Her heart slipped into her throat as she watched the front door’s handle wiggle. “I’ll send you a time-stamped selfie.”

  “Mia, I’m serious. I won’t leave until I know you’re okay. I know what you’ve been through, and I know you’re struggling. I want to help.”

  Still watching the handle jiggle, she shuffled back toward her bedroom. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

  After she ended the call, he began shouting her name from the front step. She closed the door to her bedroom and crawled into bed, holding a pillow over her head to block out the sound of Ben’s deep voice commanding her to open the door.

  The persistent buzz of her phone jarred her from a dead sleep. It was the first time she’d slept for more than a handful of hours all week. Confusion fogged her brain. She didn’t know if it was night or day. Had she actually slept?

  The buzzing stopped. A moment later, it started up again. The caller wasn’t going to give up anytime soon.

  She snagged her phone off the empty pillow at her side. “Hello?”

  “Mom?” Gwen’s voice sounded off the same way it had the night of her miscarriage.

  “What time is it?” Mia asked.

  “Mom, you need to come here. To the resort.”

  Mia bolted upright. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Dad. I…didn’t know who else to call. Auntie Liz lives too far away.”

  Mia wasn’t thrilled to learn she’d been her daughter’s second choice of emergency contacts, but at least she’d made the list. “What about your dad?”

  “I don’t know. There was a fire…he was on the floor in his office…he wasn’t moving. I tried to put the fire out, and called nine-one-one…they’re here working on him. Momma, I really need you right now. I don’t think he’s breathing.”

  A bone-chilling numbness crept over Mia.

  the satisfaction I would feel if I squeezed my hands around his neck

  “I’m on my way,” she managed, hoping Gwen didn’t hear the blend of fear and panic in her voice.

  By the time Mia pulled into the resort parking lot behind several fire trucks, an ambulance, and a fleet of sheriff’s deputies’ cruisers, she didn’t remember the drive over. Heart-stopping flashes of red and blue lights cut through the nighttime sky—or was it early morning—illuminating the lodge like a scene from a horror film. It was a sight eerily similar to the night of Bella’s disappearance. Among the vehicles, she spotted Ben’s rental with Arizona plates.

  A uniformed deputy, a wrestler she'd graduated with, stepped in her way. He was still squat and muscular, though she noted he was more pudgy around the middle. “I’m sorry, Mia,” he said. “We can’t let anyone inside.”

  “My children are in there,” she snarled, attempting to step around him.

  Over the deputy’s shoulder, her gaze connected with a set of captivating blue eyes. “I’ve got this, Deputy,” Ben told him in a commanding tone, sliding in between them. His fingers gently pressed against Mia’s lower back, steering her away. “You can’t be here right now, Mia.”

  “I’m not going anywhere!” She planted her sandaled feet on the sidewalk. “Where’s my daughter? My son? What happened to Matt?”

  Grimacing, Ben swiped his thick hands over his handsome face. “Your son? Mia, he’s—”

  “Coming through,” a deep voice boomed.

  They turned to watch as the sea of emergency workers parted.

  Through the cleared path, a set of paramedics guided a stretcher with an occupied body bag on top.

  the satisfaction I would feel if I squeezed my hands around his neck

  “Is that him?” Mia demanded, gripping Ben’s arm. “Is that Matt?”

  Ben’s hard features remained stoic. “Let’s go. You shouldn’t have to see this.”

  Nicole was dead

  Matt was dead

  The world titled.

  Her stomach surged.

  Matt was dead

  Everything became shrouded in a blanket of fog.

  if I squeezed my hands around his neck

  She blindly reached out in search of something solid.

  Mia, what have you done?

  A set of hands gripped her shoulders.

  “Mia?” Ben’s baritone cut through the hazy fog. “Can you hear me? Stay with me.”

  “They’re dead,” she muttered, sinking her weight into the set of hands. “They’re dead,” she repeated.

  “I need a paramedic over here!” Ben roared.

  From somewhere nearby, Gavin called for her. It sounded as if he was underwater. Or maybe Mia was the one underwater.

  “Let me go,” she pleaded, trying to break free of Ben’s grip. “I have to go to my son!”

  Jaw clenched, Sheriff Perkins stepped in beside them. He wasn’t as tall as Ben, but he was thicker, and his presence was more authoritative. “Mia, I need you to come down to the station with me for questioning.”

  With a wild shake of his head, Ben stepped in his way. “It’ll have to wait, Sheriff. She’s not doing well at the moment. The father of her children just died, and…I think she might need to see a doctor.”

  “I’m afraid it can’t wait,” the sheriff barked. “I have reason to believe she was involved in both the murder of Nicole Tribeau and her ex-husband.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Ragged breaths seized Mia’s body. She heard Ben convince the sheriff he’d ride with her in the ambulance. She was aware of hands lifting her onto a stretcher. She was aware of doors closing behind her, and the rumble of a diesel engine. She felt someone secure a cuff around her arm, heard a woman’s voice rattling off stats.

  Pain radiated through her belly. She began to violently shake.

  if I squeezed my hands around his neck

  She was covered with a blanket, and offered soft words of reassurance from Ben as he held her hand. “Just relax, Mia. Gwen’s with her friend, Heidi, and Liz is on her way. Don’t say anything to anyone about Matt or Nicole until we find you an attorney. Do you understand?”

  She frantically tried to piece together the events of the past week.

  Her fight with Nicole.

  Gwen’s unusual behaviors and endless secrets.

  The argument she’d had with Matt.

  There were blank spots in her memory, times when she wasn’t sure if she’d been asleep or awake. How much of what she remembered had been a dream?

  The realization that she could be a killer hit her with the impact of a semi truck.

  You could’ve done it, Mia. You don’t remember anything after Matt left. Did you sleep? Or did you go to inflict pain on Matt for hurting your daughter? What about Nicole? Did you watch someone fighting with her, or was that something you made up because it was easier to believe a lie than to admit the truth? And why can’t you remember what happened to your sister?