Chapter 2

Jenica

I have no idea what's happening on the episode of Days of Our Lives that's playing. I'm too anxious to worry about whatever havoc Stefano DiMera is yet again wreaking on the people of Salem. I'd much rather be watching MTV, but since the living room VCR is where Ellery records her soaps so Cruz can record Sportscenter in their room, my choices are limited. Who knows, maybe the Devil will show up and shake things up a little.

It's fitting, really. My life feels as if it's about to become a soap opera thanks to the conversation I overheard this morning between my brother and his best friend. Dead body found on the beach, with a bullet in the cavity? It's classic daytime TV. Maybe even the Devil's handiwork. One thing's for sure—it's an eerie coincidence that hits too close to home.

I didn't know the whole story. I only overhead bits and pieces in passing. But what I did hear had freaked me out enough to send me racing back to Nana's once my shift was over, finish packing my bags, and fly up here a day early.

It was Royce. It had to be. The similarity was too great. And if it was him, the past wasn't going to just smack me in the face, but my brother as well. Travis gave me that gun. It was his name on the license. If CCPD ran a ballistics report and the bullet in the body matched those he bought with the gun, he would be arrested for a crime I committed, and the idea made me sick to my stomach.

Among the four of us siblings, Travis and I are the closest in age, which meant we spent a lot of time together growing up. He was the one I went to when shit got complicated, and I was the one he talked to when life got him down. He'd even given me money to add to my college stash when he could spare it. He was good and kind and deserved to have a future.

That's why, if the body does turn out to be Royce, I'll confess. There is no way I could let my brother take the fall for something I did. His generous heart did not belong behind bars. My reckless one did.

I'm jiggling my leg nervously as the big-haired power couple on the TV discusses some secret spy group operation, when I hear a car pull into the drive. Reaching for the remote, I turn off the TV and push up from the couch, shifting my attention to the door. I don't know who it is, but I'm really hoping it's the one I called.

Ever since that night on the beach, when Jake pried the gun out of my hands and promised to keep me safe, he's been the only one that can stop me from spiraling when the memory of that night comes back to haunt me. I trusted him in a way I never expected and had grown used to his calming presence in my life.

When the door pushes open and I see it's Jake, my relief is palpable. After closing the door, he steps into the hall and looks down at my suitcase, then up and over into the living room where he finds me standing by the couch.

"What's wrong?" He eats up the space between us, crossing the room in a couple of powerful strides.

I try to work up how to tell him, but I'm at a loss for words. I can't believe this is happening. The dead can't talk. Isn't that what Cruz said that night?

"Sparky?" He grabs my forearms. "Talk to me. What happened?"

He's in his baseball uniform and his hair is matted, and good God, he's fine. I may have fought it once, but I didn't now. Being the kind of friends we were, came with benefits that had this good-looking hunk of a guy tending to my needs whenever I wanted. It was a perk I enjoyed. Who wouldn't? He was more than game, and I had needs. It was a win-win.

He looks at me and I know he needs an answer, but where did I start—why I called him and not Ellery?

I could have called her. She was my best friend and I trusted her implicitly. But the fear that I was feeling was one only Jake would understand. He too had a sibling that meant the world to him, and he would understand the anxiety I was feeling, in a way that Cruz and Ellery wouldn't.

I was spiraling at the thought of the past coming back to haunt not just us, but my brother, and I needed Jake to stop me from spiraling. He didn't get worked up over anything. His even-keel nature was a contrast to my fiery one, and ever since shit went down last summer, I found myself needing his calm in a way I never expected.

"They found a body," I say finally. "On the beach back home."

His hold on my arms eases, as his eyes search mine. "Who found a body?"

I take a deep breath and tell him everything. When I'm done, he lets go of my arms and brings a hand to his chin, drawing in his own thoughtful breath.

"A body with a bullet in the chest?" I say, voice lifting an octave. "This could be bad."

"It's probably a fisherman," he says in that breezy, yet assured way of his that can make everything, even a dead body, seem like no big deal. "There is no way it could be him, Sparky. It's been seven months."

Jake's an optimist. He always sees the glass as half-full. But not me. I'm used to the world dealing me a shit hand. That's why I can't shake this feeling that it is about to deal me another, and that body back in Cherry Cove is Royce Richardson.

"I don't know," I shake my head, finding it hard to match his optimism.

"Now you listen to me." He wraps a strong arm around my waist and pulls me toward him. "He's gone, Sparky. He can't hurt you. Royce Richardson is dead and he's not coming back."

His massive frame engulfs mine, snuffing out the fear, and stirring heat in its place. "Where are they?" I whisper, lips tingling.

Ellery would love nothing more than to catch Jake and I get together. She's not been shy about the fact she thinks he and I would be great together. But no matter what she wants, Jake and I both know what we are and what we're not, and we're fine with it.

But I won't deny being with him doesn't feel good. He's got a wicked sense of humor, was always up for a good time, and could tell a dirty joke in a way that would make any girl blush. Not to mention, he's as good with his hands as he is with his mouth and knowing he is willing to scratch that proverbial itch for me without wanting anything in return, makes my body warm with need.

He looks down at me, flashing me that sexy smile of his. "We have time. When I left the ballfield they were on the mound. Actually, Ellery was on Cruz, and they were on the mound, but you get the picture."

From what Ellery tells me, Cruz has a sexual appetite that matches her own and the two can't keep their hands off one another. Something tells me they went at it right after Jake left.

Watching his eyes drift down to my mouth, it's clear what he wants, and honestly, I could use a little making out right now. But if I let his mouth go anywhere near mine, Ellery will get her wish. He will pull me into a kiss that will drown out the sounds of the world around us, including that of a door opening, and she'll catch us red-handed.

I place both hands on his chest and feel his pulse racing under my touch. "I need to call my brother. I left in a kind of hurry this morning and don't want him to worry."

He wraps his other arm around my waist and tugs me closer. "You can use the phone in my room," he says huskily, leaning in to nuzzle my neck. "Fuck, you smell good, Sparky."

The feel of his breath on my skin sends a shiver down my spine, but when his lips kiss the pulse point in my neck, I drop my head back, relishing his touch for a moment.

"I'll take it in the kitchen," I swallow as the tension in my body eases for the first time since arriving.

"Kitchen, shower," he moans. "Shit, I'd take it anywhere."

I let out a playful laugh. Jake's got his own libido that comes with a reputation I'm well aware of. He's apparently a legend at Highland and has the ladies eating out of the palm of his hand. I can understand why. His personality matches his passion. He is all about my satisfaction when we're together, so I can only imagine how he is with other girls.

"Maybe you should take a shower," I step back. The air between us is charged and I am dangerously close to saying fuck it and crossing that line we both agreed to.

"Am I tempting you?" He grins, pushing the skin at the corner of his eyes together, creating soft folds.

"You can't tempt the Devil," I smile, and turn for the kitchen. I get no more than one step before he's reaching for my hand and spinning me around.

Stepping into me, he cups my neck with one hand, while curling his arm back around my waist, pulling me snug against him. "You are not the Devil," he says huskily. "You are perfect."

His mouth slants over mine and he kisses me urgently. It pulls the air from my chest, lungs, even the floor out from under me. "Jake," I murmur against his lips.

"Yes?" he whispers back.

"We can't. What if they see?"

"Let them." His fingers grip my side, kneading the skin under my shirt. "Maybe we could give them a run for their money."

His tongue strokes my own and I can't fight the moan that curls up my throat and into his mouth. Shit, he can kiss. I feel it in my fingers, toes, and between my legs.

"Later," I whisper as I find the willpower to pull back.

Looking at me with hooded eyes, my clit pulses in anticipation of that very promise, as I turn and head for the kitchen.

After grabbing the cordless from the cradle on the counter, I dial my parent's house. Travis picks up after the second ring. "Hey," I smile when I hear his voice, feeling lighter than I have in hours.

"Jen?" he replies over the static on the line.

I'll never understand how it is that we can nuke food but they still can't manage to make it so we get a clear signal on a cordless. I mean, it's 1992, for crying out loud.

"Yeah, it's me," I speak up so he can hear me.

"Where are you?"

"Up north with Ellery."

"Oh," he drawls. "That's why the connection is so bad."

"Yeah," I nod and look down. "Someday they'll make a static free cordless."

He laughs. "That's why you left the store in such a hurry earlier."

"Yeah," I chew on the inside of my cheek. "I mixed up my flight. Thought it was tomorrow, then remembered it was today."

I hated lying to my brother but I didn't want to tell him that I changed my flight. He knows my trips to Highland are planned down to the penny, and if he knew I'd paid a fee to change my ticket, he'd want to help, and I didn't want that. He already helped me more than he should.

Unfortunately, this is one time where I could really use his generosity because I'd have to make up for it somehow, and my only option was to not come up next month, which sucked. I loved it here. The house Ellery bought has become like a second home. But I don't have an endless bank account and need to be smart with my money.

"Well," he exhales, and the static dies a bit, "that can happen when you're doing too much. Speaking of, have you thought anymore about what I said?"

I nod and look down. "Yeah."

"And?"

"And the answer is no."

Move back home so I can save money. That was his suggestion a couple of days ago when I told him I was tight on money.

"You know I can't do that," I stop him from saying what I know he's about to. "DCC is closer to Nana's house than ours."

"But living in Davenport is costing you extra money that you don't have," he counters.

I sigh and nod again, hating that he's right. When grandma suggested I stay with her in Davenport while taking classes at DCC, I jumped at the chance. Being closer to campus would mean less money spent on gas. But after living with her for a few weeks, I quickly learned she needs things that her monthly stipend from grandpa's retirement doesn't cover. Since I hate to see her go without, it's me who ends up buying it for her, which sometimes leaves me a little short.

It was bad enough I had to live paycheck to paycheck, but it didn't seem right that she had to. The least I could do was buy her a box of hair color or milk when she needed it. Especially since I wasn't paying rent or any of the utilities.

"She needs things, Trav. What kind of granddaughter would I be if I let her eat dry cereal?"

"One that could buy her a whole cow when she gets her degree which you could do faster if you worked less and focused on your studies."

"Yeah, well, things happen and I have to work." I hated the twist of fate that changed my plans for college, but I'd gotten over the disappointment. My life was what it was.

Maybe I should get a second job. Something I could fit in between classes. Saving more would be a step in the right direction. Man, I couldn't wait for the day when I didn't have to worry about robbing Peter to pay Paul. I'm tired of busting my ass, and I'm only nineteen.

"You're smart, Jen," Travis continues. "You should be at a real college, working toward your future so you can design those buildings you dream about."

I lean over and peek through the kitchen's pass through. Jake is staring out the front window with his back to me, the very epitome of a skyscraper like those I hoped to one day design. Even from here his frame is imposing; muscles in his broad back, straining against his jersey.

I swallow down the heat in my cheeks and turn back around. "I'll get there."

He starts to respond then stops mid-sentence. "Shit, I forgot to tell you."

"Tell me what?" I grip the counter with my free hand. "Did the store get an extra shipment of Cool Ranch?" Man, I loved those. Dorito's broke the mold when they came out with that flavor.

"No," he says excitedly. "Check this out. They found a body on the beach."

The moment he says it, my heart thumps once, hard against my ribs. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," he shoots back, static on the line spiking. "And there's more."

He fills me in on the details I already know thanks to my eavesdropping on his chat with Caleb. But then he tells me something I didn't know and a chill shoots down my spine.

"What do you mean Richardson is coming to Cherry Cove?" I grip the phone tight.

"Caleb's mom overheard the Chief talking. Said he should think twice about the idea, considering how many people want a piece of him for what his son did."

Another chill shoots through me, sending goosebumps down my arms. Chrissy, Mary, Carlie, Laura, and Meg. Girls I'd known all my life that were believed to have gone missing but turned out to be the target of Royce Richardson's maniacal mind.

"But why?" I swallow, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat. "Richardson is a wanted man. He wouldn't risk his freedom."

"He would if he thought the body may be his son."

As soon as he says it, I nearly drop the phone. "Is that what he thinks?" I ask, digging my nails into the receiver's hard shell.

"Sounds like it. From what Caleb said, Richardson wants to give CCPD a DNA sample so they can run tests."

I suck in my breath and hold it, my earlier panic rushing back tenfold, filling the blood in my veins with dread.

"Jen," Travis' voice comes through the line. "You alright?"

I nod but my words don't follow. There's not a kiss or joke that can fight the dread creeping back into my bones.

"Jen?" he asks again, this time the concern in his voice clear.

"I'm fine," I manage when I can find my own. I need to get off the phone. I need to tell Jake before Ellery and Cruz get home. "Hey Trav, I have to go. Call you later?"

"Sure," he says, then adds in his big brother way, "Be safe up there. Don't get into any trouble."

"Will do," I reply tightly, then add a quick I love you, and hang up.

I return the receiver to the cradle and make my way into the living room. Heading me, Jake turns from the window, flashing me his bright, optimistic smile. "Everything good?"

"No." I look at him, body cold. "Richardson is on his way to Cherry Cove."

"What?" His brows push up and eyes widen. "But why? He's a wanted man."

"Apparently he thinks the body may be Royce. He's coming into town to give CCPD a DNA sample so they can run tests."

Jake's sunny smile fades and he makes his way over to me. "It's going to be okay," he says with confidence.

"What if it's not?" My voice shakes. "What if it's him?"

"It's not." He places both hands on my arms and squeezes. "And if by some freak chance it is, I've got you. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, or your brother."

He leans in, mouth hovering above mine, and just as he's about to seal the promise with his lips, the front door bursts open. We step apart quickly, opening up the space between us, as Cruz and Ellery tumble through the door. They're kissing and pawing at one another like dogs in heat, and when they don't see my suitcase in the doorway and trip over it, both fall to the floor.

"What the hell," Cruz laughs while looking around, trying to figure out what happened.

Jake and I make our way over and when he clears his throat, both Cruz and Ellery whip their heads up. Finding Jake and I staring down at them, Ellery screams.

"Omigod!" She pushes up quickly and throws her arms around me. "I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow."

"I know." I pat her back and look down at Cruz. "Hey, All American."

He pushes up from the floor, looking from me to Jake, with a curious grin.

"Guys," Jake reaches behind his head and scratches it. "We need to talk."

Ellery pulls back and flicks her eyes to him. "Unless it's a confession that you two are together, I don't want to hear it."

"No," I shake my head. "That's not—"

"But you two do like each other, right?" She looks from Jake to me. "I mean, it's us. Just admit it already."

Jake flicks his eyes to Cruz, who raises both hands in silent protest as I try to figure out how to respond.

Seeing the apprehension in my eyes, she grabs my hand. "If it's not that, then what is it?"

"Fuck, Elle." I blow out a tense breath, looking from her to Jake then back again. "I don't know how to say this."

"What is it?" She tightens her grip. "You're scaring me."

I shift nervously, my heart starting to race. "It's CCPD."

"What about them?" Cruz asks curiously.

"They found a body last night.

"They what!" His eyes scream open.

"They don't know who it is," I add quickly. "It's badly decomposed. But they're running tests."

The four of us look at one another, and I know what each is thinking. "It can't be him," Cruz shakes his head. "It's been too long. There wouldn't even be a body."

He's right. And when Jake said the same thing earlier, I knew he had a point. Seven months would be a long time for a body to still be intact. But the chances of one with a bullet in the chest is a coincidence I can't ignore.

"They found a bullet," I add. "From what my brother said, CCPD wants to run tests on it, but I think it's Royce. Given how long they think the body was in the water and the bullet…"

"Shit." Ellery makes her way over to the couch and sinks down onto the cushion. Cruz follows and sits down next to her.

"That's not all." I chew on my thumbnail, looking at Jake nervously. "Richardson is on his way to Cherry Cove as we speak."

"He came out of hiding?" She looks up at me, eyes narrow. "How do you know?"

"Caleb's mom works at CCPD." I make my way over and stand next to where she's sitting. "She told him and he told Travis. I was at the store when he called to tell my brother. That's why I came a day early. As soon as I heard I went home, changed my flight and came straight here."

Ellery grabs my hand and holds it tight. "Well, if it is Royce and they trace it back to us, we say it was self-defense," she says confidently. "He tried to—"

"The gun was registered to my brother," I cut her off. "If the bullet matches, Royce's father could go after him for first degree murder. He could seek the death penalty, Elle. My brother could die for what I did."

"Well that's not going to happen," she straightens. "Because it's not him. There's no way it can be."

"And if it is? What are we going to do?"

Ellie looks at Cruz with fierce determination. "What we should have done all along. We let the past take care of the present."

"Meaning?" he asks.

"We tell the world who I am and what Royce tried to do to me. No jury—"

"Hell no," he cuts her off, shooting the idea down cold. "No way."

Cruz would do anything for Ellery, except go along with any idea that would put her in harm's way. And what she's just proposed would do just that.

"He's right." I look at Cruz, nodding in fierce agreement. "You can't tell the world what happened that night or who you are. It will put your safety at risk, not to mention cast suspicion our way around Royce's disappearance."

"How?" She looks from me to Cruz. "Petrov already claimed credit."

"No," Cruz says a second time. "We aren't telling the world what that fucker tried to do to you, Ellie."

Telling the world she is the Davenport heir wouldn't just put her on the radar of every news outlet across the country, it would put a target on her back to anyone who saw her as either a threat or an opportunity. But it wasn't just that he worried about. Dredging up the truth of what happened that night would open wounds I knew were still healing. Ellie has her own nightmares from what Cal and Royce tried to do to her.

"Didn't you say you would stand beside me if and when the time came?" She looks at Cruz, her expression serious.

"Yes," he replies slowly. "If it didn't include you going to war with the father of the son of a bitch who tried to kill you."

She lifts her chin in defiance, jaw tight. "I'm not scared of Langston Richardson."

He sighs, pinching the skin at the bridge of his nose. "Baby…"

"Cruz is right," I nod. "He's bad news."

"Bad news or not," she straightens, "the truth is the truth. Royce was going to kill me. He had a gun pointed at my head and had you not shot him, he would have. It was self-defense, plain and simple."

Cruz flicks his eyes from Ellery to Jake, his concern over what Ellery is planning to do, clear.

"Look," Jake says casually. "We don't have to figure this out right now."

Cruz looks at him in gratitude. Jake always has a cool head and his best friend needs that right now. We all do.

"We need to shower and I'm sure everyone is hungry," Jake continues. "Why don't we get cleaned up and grab some takeout. We can eat and talk over dinner. Okay?"

We all agree to table this for now and I grab my suitcase and follow Ellery up the stairs to the guest room so I can unpack and we can catch up. But I don't have to look over my shoulder to know Jake is watching me. I can feel his eyes on my back. His eyes and his concern.