Always Us (The Jade Series #8) (24 page)

“No, the funeral is Thursday. We’re going to a private ceremony at the house on Friday. My grandmother called it a gathering, but I think it’s more like a private memorial service.”

“You talked to your grandmother?”

“She called me and asked me to go.”

“Is she okay?”

I shrug. “You can never tell with her. She hides her emotions. But she seemed okay.”

“Did she say I could come? Because I don’t want to cause any arguing or—”

“Jade, you’re my wife. You’re going. And yes, she said you’re invited.”

It’s not really true, but whatever. She didn’t say no.

“Who else will be there?”

“Friends of the family. Grace and William are coming. And Victoria. Have you heard anything from Grace?”

“She left me a voicemail but I haven’t called her back. She said she called you but didn’t leave a message because she wants to give you her condolences directly. You know how she is. She’s all about proper etiquette. She said she sent you a card.”

Our lunch arrives and as I’m eating, I notice Jade hasn’t touched her food.

“Jade, are you gonna eat?”

She glances at her plate. “Yeah. I was spacing out for a minute.”

I place my hand over hers. “You’re nervous aren’t you?”

“A little. Your grandmother doesn’t like me. And I know she didn’t invite me. She doesn’t want me there.”

“She doesn’t have to like you. But at least she accepts you and that’s good enough.”

“How long are we staying?”

“We can fly home Friday night.”

“I think we should stay for the weekend.”

“Jade, you don’t have to do that for me. We’ll just leave after it’s over.”

“No, I think you should spend time with your dad. And I’d like to spend some time with Lilly. Unless Katherine won’t let me.”

“My dad will take care of Katherine. If you’re willing to stay the weekend, that’s what we’ll do. I know Lilly would like that. She’s not doing so well right now. But what about finals? Don’t you need to study this weekend?”

“I don’t have to. I’ve been studying for weeks. What about you?”

“I can study on the plane.”

“Do you want me to get the tickets?”

“No, I’ll get them.” I lean over and kiss her cheek. “Thank you. I know you don’t want to do this.”

“I’ll do whatever you need me to do.” She hugs my side.
 

Damn, I love her. She’s completely selfless. If I were her, there’s no freaking way I’d go to that memorial service. But she’s not thinking about herself. She’s doing what’s best for Lilly and she wants to be there for my dad.

After lunch, I buy our plane tickets, then go to my afternoon class. I can’t concentrate. My mind keeps wandering to my future with Jade, because I finally feel like we have a future. With my grandfather gone, I feel like we’re finally safe. Maybe it’s too soon to believe that, but I need to. These past few weeks I’ve been so damn stressed and I can’t take it anymore. I just need to get through this week and then I can relax. The memorial service will be closure. The final end to this nightmare I’ve been living. My final goodbye to my grandfather.

JADE

Garret just told me we’re going to see his family on Friday and I’m already getting nervous. I’m sure Garret was just being nice when he said his grandmother invited me. She wasn’t exactly friendly the last time I saw her, so I’m guessing she doesn’t want me at the memorial service.

What if people from the organization are there? I don’t want to be anywhere near those people. I wish we could skip the memorial on Friday and just go to Garret’s house for the weekend and spend time with Lilly and Pearce. But Garret promised his grandmother we’d go. At least Grace will be there. And William. I feel a little better knowing that.

I’m dreading seeing Katherine. She always makes me uncomfortable, but now that I know she killed Holton I’ll be even more nervous around her. I can’t believe she just gets away with murder. Well, I guess she’ll be punished, but not by the actual justice system. She won’t have to spend her life in prison, like any other murderer would.

Then again, Katherine wasn’t alone in killing Holton. Pearce and William also played a role and they aren’t being punished either. Not that I’d want them to be. Holton deserved to die. I know I shouldn’t say that and I never would out loud, but I still think it.

This is so crazy. The three people who killed Holton will be at his memorial service. And nobody knows that except Garret and me.

I’m still at the coffee shop, but Garret left for class. I call Grace because she left a message and I haven’t had a chance to return her call until now.

“Hi, Grace.”

“Jade, how is Garret doing?”

“He’s okay. He got back yesterday and finally got some sleep. This morning his grandmother called and asked us to come out there on Friday for a memorial they’re doing at the house. She said you’ll be there.”

“Yes. I’m staying with William so we’ll be arriving together. Meredith is out of the country and won’t be able to attend. Victoria will be there, but not the girls.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re coming. It’ll be good to see you again.”

“Jade, remember that we have to pretend we’re not related. People there don’t know you’re a Sinclair.”

“Yeah, that’s right.” I know that, and yet it hadn’t occurred to me until now.

“Be especially careful around Victoria. She’ll be keeping an eye on you and she’ll probably ask you and Garret some questions.”

“Why is she so interested in us?”

“She knows Pearce has been checking in on me after Arlin died and she knows I attended your wedding. She’s been asking me why I’m spending so much time with the Kensingtons. I explained that we’ve been friends with them for years, and she knows that, but that didn’t seem to appease her. She’s a very nosy, gossipy woman, much like Katherine.”

I smile. I like that Grace hates Katherine almost as much as I do.

“I’m sure she won’t be friendly to you,” Grace continues. “Victoria always wanted Garret to be with Sadie, so she’s not happy he ended up with you. She’s not at all fond of Evan, although she approves of his relationship with Sadie, knowing what’s in store for him. She just wishes it had been Garret instead.”

“Why doesn’t she like Evan?’

“He drinks heavily, uses drugs, has multiple girls on the side.” Grace sighs. “And yet Sadie still chooses to be with him. It’s sad that she feels she needs to do this, but it’s her life. Jade, I didn’t realize it was so late. I have an appointment I need to leave for. Could we talk tomorrow?”

I smile. “I call you every day, Grace.”

“Yes, I know, honey. It’s very sweet of you. We’ll talk soon.”

As I’m hanging up, Harper calls.

“Hi, Harper.”

“Hey, I heard about Holton. How’s Garret?”

“He’s okay.”

I’m not going to tell her Garret was just out there with him. That would just lead to questions.

“When are you leaving for the funeral?”

“We’re not going. Garret doesn’t want to.”

“He
has
to go. It’s his grandfather.”

“I know, but they didn’t get along.”

“Yeah, but—”

“Harper, he’s not going. I can’t change his mind and I don’t want to. This is his decision to make. But we’re still going out there. There’s a private memorial at Garret’s house on Friday so we’re going to that instead of the funeral. It’s just for family and close friends.”

“My parents are going to the funeral. They’re flying out Wednesday.”

I sigh inside my head. Of course they’re going, because they’re part of the inner circle now. Part of the organization. Or if they’re not
yet
, they will be soon.

“So are you just going for the memorial?” she asks. “Or are you staying a few days?”

“We’re staying for the weekend.”

“Do you think we could get together? Just for an hour or so?”

“Yeah. Of course. If I’m out there, you know I have to see you.”

Harper and I make plans to meet for coffee on Saturday. I’d love to spend more time with her, but I need to be with Garret and his family.

The next few days we return to our normal routine. Garret doesn’t mention his grandfather so I don’t either. Pearce calls on Wednesday just to confirm what time we’ll be there on Friday, but other than that, we don’t hear from him. Garret’s been calling Lilly every day to check on her. She’s still sad, and with so much to be done for the funeral, I’m sure Pearce hasn’t had much time to spend with her. She’s probably all alone in her room.

Now it’s Thursday and Garret and I are having breakfast at the coffee shop before class. I just checked my phone and noticed it’s eleven-thirty on the East Coast, which means the funeral for Holton is about to begin. Garret hasn’t said anything about it, but it was all over the financial news channels this morning.

“Garret, it’s almost time for the funeral.”

“I know.” He reaches in his pocket and takes out his phone, swiping through the screen. “Shit, there must be 500 people there.”

He shows me a photo from a news website. It’s taken from outside of a large church and shows a long line of people filing in. I don’t know who all those people are. I can’t imagine Holton having that many friends, unless they’re evil like him.

Garret puts his phone away, then gives me a kiss. “I need to get to class.”

“Yeah, I’ll see you later.”

He grabs his backpack and takes off. I hope he’s okay. Even if he’s not sad about Holton’s death, I feel like he’s still on edge from all the stuff that went on the past few weeks. He’s still not sleeping well or eating much. I’m hoping he’ll feel better after the memorial, when all of this is finally over.

The next day we leave for Connecticut early in the morning and arrive there late afternoon. A car service picks us up at the airport. Eleanor hired them. Maybe she thought we wouldn’t show up if we weren’t driven there.
 

When we get to the house, luxury vehicles are lined up out front. All black. The black car thing freaks me out. It seems ominous, like the owners are all members of the organization.

Eleanor told Garret she invited friends of the family but she didn’t say who. I’m guessing at least some of them are members. I don’t know if I trust Eleanor. She doesn’t seem to be like Holton, but they were married for more than 50 years so they couldn’t be that different, could they?

The front door is unlocked so Garret and I let ourselves in. A woman in a maid’s uniform walks up to me, waiting for my coat. I give it to her and Garret hands her his and she walks away.
 

The caterers are running around with trays topped with glasses and tiny plates. As we walk farther into the house, I see that they’re setting up drink and appetizer stations, like it’s some kind of party. I guess you have to serve
something,
but it seems weird to stand around eating fancy appetizers after someone died.

I have almost no experience with funerals or memorials. My mom was cremated and her funeral was nothing more than Frank, Ryan, and me standing in a church while a minister said a few words. Nobody else came because my mom had no friends and no other family. It was depressing. I didn’t even want to go but Frank made me.
 

Garret and I make our way to the living room. There’s an easel with a large framed photo of Holton on it. I shudder as I see his stern face looking back at me. He’s not smiling in the photo. Not even a tiny bit. I don’t think I ever saw him smile. Next to the easel are two huge floral arrangements coming out of a tall stand.

“Garret.” I hear Pearce and look over and see him giving Garret a hug. “Thank you for coming.”

“Jade.” He gives me a tight hug, almost like Garret’s hugs have been the past couple weeks.

“Hi.” I don’t know what to say. I’m so bad with death and grief and all that type of stuff. So I just say the words that I seem to be saying a lot lately. “I’m really sorry.”

He nods as he steps back. He’s wearing a black suit with a white shirt and silvery-blue tie. He looks handsome as he always does, but his face looks like he hasn’t slept for days.
 

“How are you doing, Dad?” Garret asks.

“It’s been a rough week, but things are starting to settle down. After tonight, we’ll finally get some time together as a family. It’s good to have you two home.”

Katherine walks by and completely ignores us. I tense up seeing her, knowing she wanted me dead. I’m sure she’s disappointed I’m alive. That’s probably why she’s ignoring me. She’s choosing to pretend I’m dead.
 

 
I haven’t seen Katherine since last spring. Her hair looks even blonder than I remember. She’s wearing a long-sleeve black dress that has a thin belt around the middle. I think she might’ve had something done to her lips. They look fuller, like maybe she had those injections that plump them up. She used to have really thin lips.

“Why don’t you two go upstairs and get settled?” Pearce says. “People will start arriving in a half hour or so.”

“Can we see Lilly?” I ask him.

“Yes, of course. She’s in her room. My mother is up there with her. She’s staying here at the house for a few days.”

“Come on.” Garret takes my hand and we go up the stairs.

The maid already took our luggage up to his room. I always forget that Garret’s family has all this hired help. People are always doing stuff for you.

Garret stops at Lilly’s room but I pull on him to continue down the hall. “Let’s just see her later.”

“Don’t you want to say hi?”

“Your grandmother’s with her. We should leave them alone.”

He turns me toward him, his hands on my upper arms, his eyes on mine. “Jade. She’s not like him. I swear.”

I notice I’m shaking a little, probably from seeing Katherine and that photo of Holton. I’m feeling anxious and nervous and a little sick to my stomach. And now that I know Eleanor is staying here, I’m even more nervous.

Garret hugs me and says quietly, “She’s not going to hurt you. She had nothing to do with it.”

He lets me go and knocks on Lilly’s door. It opens and I smile when I see Lilly standing there. She’s in a black dress and little black shoes, her long blond hair held back with a headband that matches her dress. The headband reminds me of Harper. It wouldn’t surprise me if that’s why she’s wearing it. Lilly loves Harper and is probably trying to dress like her now.