The Secret Diamond Sisters (31 page)

She figured she should get to the point. “Now that Courtney’s made it clear she’s not interested in you, without my telling her we hooked up and advising her away from you, I’ve won our bet.”

“Right. The bet.” Oliver leaned back in his chair and looked at her in challenge. “What do you want me to do? Have sex with you again?”

She rolled her eyes. Was he really that arrogant? “If we have sex again, it won’t be because I won a bet,” she said. Oliver made a face that implied that would never happen again, but Peyton ignored him. “Not like you’ll have a chance with me again, since I know about the disgusting bet you made about me and my sisters. Luck isn’t on your side this week, is it? Anyway,” she continued, not giving him time to respond, “I’m not sure what I want you to do yet. But eventually I’ll think of something, and when I do, I’ll tell you.”

“You do that.” His phone buzzed again, and he texted someone back. “I gotta go,” he said, barely looking at her as he shoved his cell into his pocket. “Have fun tonight.”

He headed out of the bar, leaving Peyton alone. Restless, she got up and searched for the nearest restroom. The drinks were catching up with her. But she must have made a wrong turn, because she found herself in an unfamiliar hall lined with doors for hotel personnel only. She was about to turn around when she heard yelling coming from a slightly propped-open door—the voice sounded like Adrian’s. She shouldn’t eavesdrop, but unable to resist, she tiptoed closer to listen, hugging the wall so she wouldn’t get caught.

“Why didn’t you announce the deal, Logan?” The voice was unmistakably Adrian’s, and he sounded pissed. “You know how important it is we get started in Macau as soon as we can.”

“After what I’ve witnessed this week, I’m not sure there’s going to be a deal,” a low male voice that must be Logan Prescott replied.

“And why’s that?” Adrian’s ability to stay calm in any situation baffled Peyton.

“I have my reasons,” he said. “Four of them, specifically.”

“Oh?” Adrian asked. “Would you care to explain?”

“Of course,” he said. “Savannah is the least concerning of them all, but there’s been talk about her promiscuity since she got here. I don’t see it as much as I do with the eldest, though—Peyton.”

Peyton gasped and scooted closer to the door.

“You let her run around town dressed like a prostitute instead of the daughter of one of the biggest hotel owners in this city,” Logan said. “Not only is she embarrassing herself, but everyone associated with her.”

“I think you’re being too harsh on them,” Adrian interrupted. “They’re teenagers. Don’t you remember what it was like for you when you were their age?”

“They’re not just any teenagers,” he said. “They’re teenagers in the public eye, and with their privilege comes a responsibility to behave in certain ways. Now, let’s move on to Courtney. I thought she was the best of the bunch—classy, composed—but she squashed that when she made out with her future stepbrother in the middle of the dance floor for everyone to see. Can you imagine what the press will think when they hear about that? It’ll be all over the place in no time.”

“I did forbid my girls from getting involved with Brett, and I’ll talk to Courtney about how it’s unwise to do so, but you have to remember that they’re not genetically related,” Adrian said. “The press will have a field day with it, sure, but it’s not incest we’re talking about. It will blow over. But still, I don’t see how any of this could take precedence over our securing the biggest partnership Macau has seen yet. Are you forgetting how well both of us can do if it all goes to plan?”

“My decision became final when your future stepson
punched my son in the eye.
” The harshness in Logan’s tone raised goose bumps across Peyton’s arms. “That is physical assault, Adrian, and I won’t stand for it. There are many others in this city who want to break into Macau, and while your name is one of the best-known, it won’t be difficult for me to find another partner.”

Peyton felt like a hole had formed in her chest. Not wanting to get caught listening, she ran back down the hall and eventually found the restroom. By dressing the way she did, she’d hoped to prove to Adrian that he didn’t get to tell her what to do after being uninvolved in her life until now. She’d never intended to ruin an important business deal. She ran the water in the sink and splashed some onto her forehead. This had gotten way out of control.

She left the restroom in time to see Adrian and Logan walking back to the casino, neither of them looking happy.

“Adrian?” she called out when she saw him. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

“Sure,” he said, although he did glance at his watch, the ever-present reminder that he had somewhere important to be.

“I know you’re busy, so this will be quick,” Peyton promised.

Logan continued to the casino, leaving Peyton alone for the first time with her father. She wrapped her arms around herself, unsure how to start. “So, I didn’t mean to, but I accidentally heard some of what you and Logan were talking about a few minutes ago,” she started. “I was looking for the restroom and took a wrong turn.” She didn’t want him to think she’d been purposefully eavesdropping.

Adrian frowned and scratched the back of his neck. “What did you hear?”

“I heard what Logan said, about me and my sisters.” She looked at the ground and shifted uncomfortably, her chest tightening at what she had to say next. “And I just wanted to say...well, I’m sorry. I mean, I still don’t understand why you haven’t been involved in our lives until now—it pisses me off and I’m not okay with it—but I didn’t mean for it to get that out of control. I’ll talk to Courtney and Savannah, if you want.”

Then Adrian did something unexpected—he stepped forward and hugged her. It was an awkward hug, and it only lasted for a second, but it was the most contact he’d had with any of them since they’d arrived.

He stepped back and straightened his tie. Peyton had no idea what to say.

“My guests are probably wondering where I am,” Adrian said. “Are you ready to go back?”

“I’m actually going to stay here for a few more minutes, to think some things through,” Peyton said. “I’ll see you later.”

He said goodbye and strolled back into the casino. Peyton stared after him, astonished. She wouldn’t go so far as to say they were starting to have a father-daughter relationship, or that she
wanted
a father-daughter relationship with him, but it was certainly the closest they’d come to one yet.

She needed to talk to someone, but Savannah was busy talking to Nick, and Courtney had enough going on with Brett. She scanned the hall for Jackson, who must have been hiding himself well. But she knew how to force alone time with him, so she headed to the private elevators that went to the top floors. She pressed the button and waited.

“Leaving already?” Jackson asked from behind her.

“These shoes are killing my feet.” Peyton said the first idea that came to her about why she would need to go to her room. It wasn’t a lie—the strappy stilettos Savannah had convinced her to wear were giving her blisters. She’d only given in because the pool party earlier was outside and it was too hot for closed-toe shoes, but she missed her comfortable black boots. “I need a different pair.”

“Good,” he said. “Your father would be unhappy if you left the party this early.”

“What are you, my babysitter?”

Jackson followed her into the elevator. “Just trying to be helpful.”

Peyton narrowed her eyes and pressed the button for her floor. “I can do what I want. If I wanted to leave now, I would do it, whether Adrian would be unhappy about it or not.”

“I’ve gotten that impression about you,” Jackson said with a hint of a smile, and it took her breath away. She leaned against the wall of the elevator, trying to breathe steadily so she wouldn’t feel so light-headed. She felt like a little girl with a crush. What was Jackson doing to her?

The doors to the elevator closed, the two of them the only ones inside. Peyton focused her eyes on Jackson, making them as smoldering as she could. “You were right about Oliver, you know. I should have listened to you at Luxe. I would have had much more fun with you than with him.”

Without giving him a chance to reply, she stepped forward and pressed her lips to his. For a second he responded to her kiss, but he pushed her away so quickly that it could have been in her imagination. She looked up at him in question, and he backed away, his hazel eyes hard.

“You can never do that again,” he said, his voice haunted, as if kissing her disgusted him.

“Because you work for Adrian?” That had to be the reason. Otherwise he had a problem with
her,
and that hurt too much to consider.

“That, and because you’re a minor. I know I’m only five years older than you, but people change a lot in those five years. They grow up, and realize who they are and who they’re meant to be. You’re just a kid, Peyton. Do you know how much trouble I could get in if anyone saw what just happened?”

She couldn’t believe that was how he thought of her. Sure, she was five years younger than him, but she wasn’t an average seventeen-year-old. She’d been through too much with her mother to be as childlike as Jackson believed. “You don’t have to worry about that, because no one saw,” she said.

He looked baffled by her comment. “This is a casino in Las Vegas.” He pointed at a small black dome in the top corner of the elevator. “There are cameras
everywhere.
They’re always watching you, always recording you.”

“That’s what those black things are?” Peyton looked at it and tilted her head.

“Yes.” Jackson didn’t find her ignorance funny. “What did you think they were?”

“I don’t know,” Peyton said. “I never thought about it.”

“Well, now you know,” he said. “Let’s just hope that no one who knows either of us ever sees the footage of what just happened here tonight.”

The elevator doors opened, and they headed down the hall. “Go change your shoes,” Jackson said when they arrived at the door to her condo. “I’m suddenly not feeling well. I’ll get the night guard to cover the rest of my shift. Don’t go back downstairs until he’s here.”

Peyton didn’t see Jackson again for the rest of the night. But despite everything he’d told her, she didn’t regret what she’d done. He’d kissed her back, even if it was only for a fraction of a second.

She didn’t plan on forgetting that.

chapter 28:

Madison’s phone chimed from her nightstand, and she picked it up to see who had texted her. She hoped it wasn’t Larissa or Damien. She wasn’t in the mood for either of them bugging her about her “headache” and asking her to come back to the party. After seeing Brett kiss Courtney, she’d wanted to change into her pajamas and watch
Moulin Rouge,
her favorite movie to put on when she was upset. So she did just that. She was at the part where Satine and Christian were standing on top of the elephant singing about how much they loved each other. She didn’t want Larissa or Damien’s nagging to ruin the perfection of the scene.

Madison wished her life was as simple as a musical. Not like
Moulin Rouge,
since Satine died at the end, but something happier—maybe a Disney classic like
Aladdin
or
The Little Mermaid.
Where the girl gets the guy and they live happily ever after.

But Madison wouldn’t mope for long. When the movie ended she would take a sleeping pill, wake up in the morning and snap back into reality, all wishes of fairy-tale life aside. Because Madison knew that in order to get what she wanted, she had to
make
it happen. She had to forget about Brett Carmel. There were other guys out there, and so many of them wanted a chance with her.

The challenge was finding the one she was interested in back.

Realizing she had gotten lost in thought, she checked her cell phone. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was Oliver who had texted her. He wanted to know where she was.

Went back up to my room,
she texted him back.
Tonight sucked and I didn’t feel like staying any longer.

There was no point lying to Oliver and saying she had a headache. He knew that’s what she did whenever she felt like leaving somewhere she didn’t want to be anymore.

Her phone chimed again.

I agree with you there. Can I come up?

Madison paused. She wanted time to herself. Then again, this was Oliver, her best friend. She didn’t have to pretend around him.

Only if you’re in the mood to watch Moulin Rouge.

He replied a second later.
It’s better than dealing with Peyton Diamond. The girl won’t leave me alone.

Madison laughed. There always was a girl who wouldn’t leave Oliver alone. He brought it upon himself by leading them on and ditching them, but who was she to judge? As long as he didn’t treat
her
like crap—which he never had—Madison didn’t mind. He had more respect for her than that.

However, she was glad he’d ditched Peyton Diamond. She’d also done a fantastic job getting Damien away from Savannah. The problem now was that Nick seemed to be interested in Savannah, and he deserved better than that.

They wouldn’t last long. If they did...Madison would find a way to intervene.

The “Elephant Love Medley” scene ended, and the doorbell rang. Madison’s parents were still at the party, so she got out of bed to answer it, examining her reflection in the mirror. The black yoga pants from Victoria’s Secret and matching tank weren’t the sexiest pajamas on the planet, but Madison made them look good.

Not like she was trying to impress Oliver.

“Hey,” he said when she answered the door. “Your night going as great as mine?”

“Oh, yeah,” Madison said sarcastically, stopping when she saw the bruise around Oliver’s eye. She reached to touch it, but held back, not wanting to hurt him. “What happened? Do you want me to get you an ice pack?”

“You should see the other guy,” Oliver joked. “But sure, an ice pack would be nice.”

She got one from the freezer, handed it to him, and they walked to her room. She wanted to know what happened, but knew he would tell her eventually if she didn’t push him.

“So why’d you bail?” He kicked his shoes off and jumped onto her bed. He looked at the place where the movie had paused—when the camera was panning out on the giant elephant in the middle of the Moulin Rouge—and sank into the mountain of pillows at the head of the bed. “Just missed my favorite part,” he said in mock disappointment.

“I can rewind it for you.” Madison laughed and reached for the remote control.

Oliver cracked a smile, bringing out the dimple on his cheek. “I think I’ll live. But why’d you leave early? I thought big parties like this were your thing.”

“They are,” Madison said, leaning back in the pillows. Should she tell him the
real
reason she’d left early? Keeping it secret was driving her crazy, and she trusted Oliver not to tell anyone. “But I just found out that the guy I like—or thought I liked—is into someone else. It’s stupid, but I didn’t feel like being there anymore.”

“Understandable.” He studied her with more intensity than normal. “If it helps, whoever he is, he’s a total idiot.”

“It’s Brett Carmel,” Madison confessed.

“That loser whose mom is marrying Adrian Diamond?” Oliver looked genuinely shocked.

“They’re engaged?”

“They made the announcement at midnight.”

“Huh,” Madison said. If Courtney and Brett were going to be step-siblings, that could put a damper on their relationship. Maybe it could work in Madison’s favor. “And, yes, that’s Brett.”

“That’s one of the more random things I’ve heard tonight.”

“Not that random,” she defended herself. “I tutored him in bio last year.”

“So he’s a loser
and
stupid,” Oliver joked, although Madison sensed a trace of bitterness in his tone.

“Hey.” She gave his arm a playful punch. “Just because someone needs tutoring doesn’t mean they’re stupid.”

“But it
does
mean you’re smarter than him,” he said. “You can do better.” His lips twisted into a scowl, reminding Madison that he’d been having a bad night, too.

“Why’d you leave?” she asked.

“Because Courtney ditched me for Brett,” Oliver said, confirming her suspicions. “Then Peyton somehow found out about that stupid bet I made with Damien, asked me about it in front of her sisters and Brett, and Brett clocked me in the eye. I was about to take him down, but their bodyguards held both of us back. He would have been toast otherwise.”

“Sure,” Madison said. She didn’t think Oliver had been in a physical fight in his life.

“But you should have seen the look on my dad’s face when he saw Brett and Courtney together,” he continued. “Then I told him about how Brett was the one who punched me, and he held off on the announcement about the Macau hotel. It was priceless. But it messed up my game with Courtney. If Brett wasn’t an issue, I would have easily been able to get with her.”

“I didn’t think you liked Courtney that much.” Madison’s voice was more bitter than she’d intended.

“She’s okay,” Oliver said.

Madison raised an eyebrow. “You can do better than the Diamond girls.”

“I know,” he said. Madison wondered what he meant by that, but he continued before she could ask. “Anyway, are we gonna watch the movie or what?”

She picked up the remote and pressed Play. The movie resumed, and she tried to relax as she watched, but she kept glancing at Oliver. Luckily he didn’t notice. It wasn’t like she was
interested
in him. He was her best friend. Whatever small interest she was feeling for him was a strange reaction to the Brett/Courtney situation.

All she knew for sure was that the Diamond sisters were causing some serious drama, and she had to put an end to it before it got worse. They weren’t anything special.

The solution was simple: Madison would have to put them back on the sidelines, which was exactly where they belonged.