Chapter 64
Chapter 64:
The ocean breeze swept through the open windows of the Compton estate — a sprawling mansion of gray shingles and white trim, sitting on the dunes like a fortress. The driveway was already full of cars.
June stepped out of the SUV wearing oversized sunglasses and a linen scarf. She wanted to be invisible.
Cole came around to grab her bag. “I got it p>
“I have hands,” June muttered, pulling her suitcase away.
𝘙𝗲𝖼о𝗆𝗺en𝘥 𝘵𝘰 уo𝘶𝗿 𝘧𝗿іendѕ
They walked into the foyer. Loud laughter echoed from the living room.
June stopped dead.
Lounging on the white sofas were Julian Thorne and Crawford Love. And perched on the armrest beside Julian, holding a martini, was Alycia Beasley.
Alycia waved. “Hi, June! We came to cheer Grandma up p>
June turned to Cole slowly, her eyes glacial. “You invited them p>
Cole looked genuinely panicked. “I invited the guys. For support. I swear to God I didn’t know she was coming with them.” He spun on his friends. “What the hell is she doing here? You know my grandmother can’t stand her p>
“I couldn’t leave her behind!” Julian shouted — already drunk. “She was moping. Said you two had a fight p>
Mrs. Lynch hurried into the room, looking flustered. “Mr. Cole, Ms. June — we have a problem p>
“What now?” June asked, pressing her fingers to her temples.
“The guest wing.” Mrs. Lynch wrung her hands. “A pipe burst this morning. The plumbers are working on it, but all the guest rooms are flooded p>
June stared at her. “All of them p>
“Yes, ma’am. And with Mr. Crawford and Mr. Thorne taking the pool house rooms…” Mrs. Lynch looked down. “There is only the Master Suite available p>
June looked at Cole. “This is too convenient p>
“I didn’t do this,” Cole whispered, though his ears turned red. “I swear p>
“Grandma is resting upstairs,” Mrs. Lynch added gently. “She shouldn’t be disturbed p>
June glanced at the staircase, then at Alycia, who was smirking over the rim of her martini glass.
If she left, Alycia won. If she made a scene, Grandma suffered.
“Fine,” June said through her teeth. “But she leaves — first thing in the morning. I don’t care if she has to swim back to the city.” She turned to Cole. “And I get the bed. You sleep on the floor p>
“Deal,” Cole said quickly.
June snatched her bag and marched upstairs, shutting the door to the Master Suite with a firm click.
The room smelled of sea salt and memory. It was the same bed where—
She shook her head. No.
Downstairs, Alycia watched June disappear up the staircase. Her eyes narrowed.
She reached into her purse and drew out a small vial, then leaned toward Julian.
“Tonight,” Alycia whispered, “we make sure she humiliates herself so badly that Grandma kicks her out for good p>
Julian frowned. “Alycia, don’t do anything stupid p>
“It’s just a little laxative,” Alycia lied, her fingers closing around the vial of strong hallucinogens she had bought from a shady dealer. “Just for fun p>
She tilted her gaze toward the ceiling.
“Welcome to the party, June p>
The brass door handle of the Master Suite turned slowly.