Lost In Lies (19 page)

              “Sure.”

              “What if Peter’s wrong?”

              “What do you mean?”

              “I mean, what if—just stay with me on this—what if the perfume bottle in the display isn’t actually the one we need? What if all the bells and whistles, the impossible security systems, are just a distraction? What if the bottle isn’t protected at all and is hidden in plain sight?”

              Justin thinks for a moment before nodding slowly, “Hiding in plain sight? That would be, well, genius.”

              “And that would make sense why the display seemed to stay out for a ridiculously short amount of time the other day. Plus, the image on my birthday card and the one in the case have slightly different markings, but if you only get a glimpse, it looks like a perfect—”

              “Match. Someone made a forgery already,” he taps his foot.

              “I think we’re wasting time trying to break in and steal that,” I begin, adding the details to Nick’s hair, placing a fedora on his head like Justin’s. “But I know Peter’s not going to believe that.”

              “If you’re going to draw him, could you at least make him look cartoony?”

              I toss him a sarcastic look, “Really?”

              “His nose is way bigger than that.”

              “It is not.”

              “And his eyes are a little lopsided, don't forget to add that.”

              Relieved by his playfully cute jealousy, I shake my head, “Justin...”

              “I’m just saying,” he shrugs, hopeful. “So we need Peter to believe you.”

              “That sentence is much easier said than done.”

              “We’re gonna con him,” Justin says simply. “We set it up to look like I’m going to steal it, tip the Dark Watchers off first, so when they try to steal it, we tell Peter it turns out that it was the wrong one. He’ll want to know where the real one is, however. Do you have any idea where it is?”

              Confidently, I answer, “No.”

              “Well, before I can do my part, I need you to find that bottle,” he demands.

              “How?”

              “Go over there tonight,” he lets out an uneasy exhale. “Slip a little sleeping drug in his drink. Once he passes out, find that bottle. Once you do, we can con Peter and Alex.”

              Staring at the portrait I created, I respond, “Do you really think I’m right?”

              He nods, “Would I tell you to go over to the guy’s house who happens to want you as much as I do if I didn’t?”

              Slowly, I drag my eyes up to his, “No, no you wouldn’t.”

Chapter 8

              After managing to pull my act together on the beach, I head back with Justin to the hotel, where we immediately put our con into motion. Do I think it’s right to con the people who are supposed to trust you? Of course not. Do I think it’s going to be our best shot at getting what we need in the long run? Most definitely.

              I hop into the shower and enjoy the only peace I can get living under constant surveillance. While it was easy at first, knowing that my every move is being watched and judged by everyone, it feels insanely freeing to have even 20 minutes of unsupervised bliss. Instead of a shower being just that, it’s like the only truly private experience I can get in this lifestyle. The water washes over me, energizing me in an unfamiliar way. After an adequate amount of time has passed, I get out of the shower, wrap my towel around me, and rush out down the stairs into the living room, where almost everyone is gathered.

              “Why don’t we slip something into Nick’s drink? Once he’s out, I can let Justin in, and he can get a real look at the perfume up close and the entire situation. I mean, we will still have to beat the Dark Watchers to the punch, but at least this way, we’ve finally got the upper hand,” I hold onto my towel with one hand.

              Aiden, Eiden, and Peter tilt their heads at my soaking wet body as if they haven’t heard a single word I said. The three of them gawk as Justin merely adjusts his loose tie around his neck.

              “Are you naked under that?” Aiden quickly questions, his eyes unable to rise from my legs.

              “Really?” My hand waves to break his focus on the oh-so-inappropriate (and highly uncomfortable) point.

              “Valid question,” Eiden backs up his brother.

              “Appealing question,” Peter corrects him, leaning backward in his chair in an attempt to see down my towel.

              Shaking his head between chuckles, Justin smiles, “That’s a great idea.”

              “Thank you,” I pretend to look relieved at him.

              “Now could you please change before they riot,” he pats his tie.

              “Sure,” I bob my wet head around. “Sorry, I just had to put that out there so you guys could work it out before I place a call to Nick.”

              “Don’t be sorry,” Aiden smiles, trying to pry his attention off of me.

              “Never be sorry,” Eiden elbows his brother playfully.

              Sliding a lollipop into his mouth, Peter mumbles, “Unless you’re sorry you’re still wearing that.”

              The three of them chuckle as Justin rolls his eyes, “A little respect, please.”

              “Sorry,” the twins mumble in unison, lowering their heads.

              “I’m good,” Peter glances over his shoulder at me before looking back at Justin, “What fun is it to be the captain of the ship if I can’t push a few buttons?”

              Feeling a physical implication underneath that, I turn to leave just as Justin says, “You may never touch any of her buttons. Are we clear?”

              I quickly dry off, pin my hair in a messy bun, and toss on a pair of yoga pants with a bright-colored tank top. Once I’m satisfied with the look, I meet the group back in the main room. Confused as to why I haven’t see Belle since earlier, I look around before deciding to ask.

              “Where’s…”

              “Doing her part to keep Dubs occupied,” Peter answers unhappily, the lollipop still rolling around in his mouth.

              “Did you already call Nick?” Aiden questions, looking up from his computer screen.

              “Yeah, told him Belle was ditching me yet again. Didn’t know that was going to be true,” I giggle, my eyes meeting Justin’s, who shows no sign of weakness, a stone-cold con artist. It’s moments like these that make it hard to know the difference between fact and fiction with him.

              Aiden smiles and turns his attention to Justin, who rises to his feet. “Very basic from this point on, Peyton. You’re going to slip this into drink. Once he’s out, you’ll send me a text. I’ll fly down from the rooftop and in through his bedroom window.”

              Eiden holds out a little blue pill that is easy to hide as well as lose. I reach out for the small Zip-loc bag and slide it into my purse.

              “He will pass out moments after, so make sure he’s somewhere safe.”

              “Preferably not over you,” Justin smirks.

              I give him a glare before continuing, “How long are we talking?”

              “He’ll be out for about two hours. It’s a lower dosage,” Eiden informs me, picking his cell phone back up in a frustrated manner.

              “How are you holding up?” Justin glances at him, as the twin runs his fingers through his hair.

              “Been better,” Eiden grumbles. “Trying to move enough…” the pause seems odd to me, so I turn my face from him, “product to make enough funds to get us a damn ship, but it’s hard when we’re not there. I can’t ...” he looks at me, puzzled again, before returning his attention to Justin, “guarantee anything. I’m not sure what we have left. It’s just frustrating.”

              “We’ll be back soon,” Justin reassures him.

              “What are you talking about?” I fold my arms across my chest.

              Justin holds up a finger for me to wait and finishes with Eiden, “Call Bear. Have her move some out of the reserves. She can take them to Lily, but she needs to mention they needed to be stripped and sold immediately. Lily will take her cut and push the rest to Jimmy, who will slip the money into Jake’s account. Should set us up until we get home.”

              “I can do that,” Eiden grins for the first time since Peter’s explosion, who for some reason, dismissed himself from this situation, my guess is to either spy on his girlfriend or hook up with one of the locals. Most likely the locals. “Thanks.”

              “It’s what I’m here for,” Justin tips his hat at him and turns to me, “I’ll explain what else it is we do when we get back home. For now, let’s focus on getting that perfume.”

              “All right,” I nod. “Walk me to the elevator?”

              “Yeah,” he answers.

              Two steps away from Aiden, he yells, “Guys! Guys! Darling’s making a phone call, same number!” We head back to see the map pulled up on the screen with a blinking, red dot. “Once the receiver picks up, I can start breaking down walls.” Aiden starts typing rapidly, his fingers looking like he’s making ghost strikes on the keyboard. To his disappointment, firewall after firewall pops up. As soon as he can break one down, another shows up. Aiden’s fingers move faster, but we’re all disappointed when the call ends. “Damn it!”

              “Sorry, pal,” Justin places a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe we should try another route.”

              Annoyed, he snaps, “You don’t think I haven’t thought about that?”

              “Whoa,” Justin holds up a hand. “I meant to go back through the paperwork and itinerary we got on Darling back when we were trying to steal the Sous Clef. See if you can match any movements with anything here in Landlin. Try to find the connection. Look into even further back when Peyton was younger—maybe before she was born.”

              Aiden nods, and we disappear. Once out of earshot, I look up at Justin, “So find the perfume, then text you?”

              “Right.”

              “Then you’ll send Jake a text to tip off the Dark Watchers that you’re going to try to steal it tonight and that our ship leaves first thing in the morning?”

              “Right.”

              “Then I’ll unlock the window closest to the office, they’ll try to break in, Nick will wake up and hear the commotion, and you all will get spooked and flee the scene. I come home, tell Peter, ‘Oh no, I think that’s a waste of time. I discovered the real bottle last night.’”

              “Please put more act into than that,” Justin chuckles as the elevator opens.

              “I will,” I wink. “See you shortly.”

After waiting to be buzzed in, thinking that I might be stood up, Nick finally lets me in. On the short elevator ride, I do my best to hold my composure together, knowing this is make-or-break-it time.

              Exiting the elevator, I head to Nick’s door, where I hear a voice right on the other side. I prepare to knock but hesitate when I realize it’s Arnett.

              “She says her last name’s Darvin, but she hesitated like she meant to say—” My ear presses against the door in the moment of silence. “I think so. I can’t get a photo of her without being conspicuous.” Who could he be talking to? I couldn’t hear anyone else in the room. Local police? Is it a crime to use a fake name? Well, yeah, I know it is, but I mean, that’s not enough to contact the authorities, is it? Or worse, could he be talking to Nick’s parents? “I could act like that and take one on the sly, but I…” His voice cuts off. “Yes. I’ll try.”

              Hearing a hand hit the doorknob, I pull out my own phone as if I were sending a message when Arnett opens the door and hangs up his phone. Startled, he says, “Peyton! I, um, didn’t know you were there.”

              “Just coming up,” I thumb down to Aiden in my contacts list. “Had to answer a text from a friend first.”

              Suspicious, he tilts his head, “Could you ... hear me out here?”

              “No.”

              “But you didn’t act startled when you saw me.”

              I feel the pressure of his questions tightening around my neck, like a noose determined to kill me, which is when Nick appears from behind him, “That’s because she was most likely wrapped up in thoughts of me.”

              Arnett scrunches his nose and glances over his shoulder, “I’m sure.” Moving out of my way, he turns and says, “Do you kids mind if I get a picture of you two together? Your parents have been asking to see the lovely lady of your choice.”

              Nick presses his lips together, “And since when do they care about who I’m seeing?”

              “Since you’ve spent almost every waking moment with her,” Arnett clears his throat as Nick blushes.

              “Est-cela un problème?”

              “Vous me dites.”

              “Good night, Arnett,” Nick holds onto the door.

              He grunts and shakes his head in return, “Good night, Nicholas.”

              Once he’s out of sight, I plant a small kiss on his cheek and sigh, “Good evening.”

              “It is indeed.”

              “Sorry about just dropping in like this. I was tired of being alone,” I confess, my cell phone still twirling around in my hands as I’m anxious to send a text.

              “I know how you feel. Ever since Dubs met Belle, I haven’t been able to get a hold of him. I got so desperate that I even attempted calling his parents, but there was no answer there either. It’s like he’s a total ghost.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder, “Though with you around, it seems to help ease the pain.”

              “Good to know,” I hum and follow him back to the living room area. “Hey, do you mind if I use your restroom?”

              “Go ahead,” he points, and I escort myself to his bathroom. Pausing, knowing I have to slip something into his drink, which he doesn’t have, I call back, “Do you mind grabbing us something to drink?”

              “Sure,” Nick calls as I slip into his bathroom.

              Once inside, I lock the door and sit on top of the toilet seat, my fingers grazing the keys to type Aiden a message.

              Me: Check Arnett’s phone records and locations over the last few days, please.

              Quickly, I receive a response.

              Aiden: Will do.

              Once confirmed, I turn the faucet on to give the illusion of freshening up and slip my phone in my purse and the Zip-loc in my pocket. Coming out, I see Nick bringing glasses into the living room. I do my best to linger in his bedroom. I know, from experience, that if I were going to be knocked out, I’d rather wake up in my bed.

              “That painting looks familiar,” I sit on the edge of his bed and point to an abstract painting on the wall that I KNOW wasn’t there the last time.

              Nick meets me in his room, puts the glasses down on the nightstand, and nods slowly, “It should. You’re a lover of the art world. This painting’s by Tim Darling.”

              “What?!” My arm gesture spills both glasses onto the floor.

              “Whoa,” he chuckles.

              “Oh my gosh, I didn’t ... I didn’t mean to! It was an accident! I’m so sorry, Nick! I know, I mean, I'm sorry. I…”

              “It’s OK,” Nick assures me, “I’ll grab a towel from my bathroom.”

              “I’ll refill the drinks,” I sigh, grabbing the glasses.

              Maneuvering around the splash, I head straight to the kitchen. My father’s painting? How can that be? I’ve ... I’ve never seen it before! I know all my father’s paintings! I even know his earlier pieces that he sold before I was born like Sierra, Sienna, and even Izzie, which was the first piece he sold for more than $10,000. There’s no way my father painted this and I don’t know it. It’s just impossible, though to be fair to myself, I’ve been dealing with the impossible a lot lately.