Free Unspoken 3 by A Lexy Beck Page A

might as well be me.” In a flash, Cain jerked her phone from her hand as Ashley tried to pull it way.
    Cain hit redial.
    “Hey, Ash…” Dylan’s voice carried from the other end of the line.
    Cain stood and stared at Ashley, not saying a word. I could tell Cain wanted to say something, but didn’t. He hung up the phone and handed it back to Ashley.
    “Why don’t you explain this to me, Ashley? What the hell is going on here?” Cain was livid; I had never seen him angry before, not like this.
    “Alright! It was Dylan. I wanted to know…I had to ask him if what he said to her was true, you know, about Rachel.”
    “I don’t believe you. From the way he answered, it sounds like you two are pretty cozy.”
    “No, Cain! I swear to you. It’s the truth. I called him. I didn’t think he’d answer but he did and so I just asked him. He swears that he didn’t do anything to harm Rachel. He said everyone is just blaming him for everything.” Ashley was slow to make eye contact, and when she did, she played with her hair, blocking her eyes and occasionally covering her mouth.
    “Ashley, I—”
    I cut Cain off. “Cain…it’s alright. I’m sure Ashley just wanted to hear the truth for herself.” Cain stared at me like I was crazy. “Ashley, given everything that’s going on with Dylan, I think it’s best you not have contact with him.”
    “Jennifer, it’s not your place to tell me what to do or who to talk to.” Ashley transformed from her meek, liar’s stance to a pitbull in seconds. “The last person I need to hear anything from is some floozy.” Ashley turned her attention to Cain. “I can’t believe, after everything that’s happened in the last two days, you wouldn’t turn to family—to me—but her instead.” Ashley pushed past Cain and left us in the quiet of the dark room.
    Cain and I looked at each other. “You believe her, Jennifer? Even after that show?”
    “Not a chance. But if you confront her now, or if she feels like she’s being cornered, you won’t find Dylan.” 
    “So are you suggesting that we should play along?”
    “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting. You’ll have to trust me on this one.”
    “Ok. But you’ll let Reese and everyone else know what’s going on? That Ashley is talking with Dylan?”
    “Of course.” I quickly kissed Cain, assuring him of my answer.
    Cain put his arm around my shoulder and together we walked to the elevator. “I trust you.”
    That was all I needed to hear.

Chapter Fourteen
    I followed Cain back to his house after we stopped to pick up some Mediterranean food. It had been some time since we had really been alone together. Too much time; I had missed being with him. Now that we had professed our love for each other, things felt a little different. Definitely more real, and we needed some time to celebrate the small victory.
    “One step ahead.” I said and smiled. I knew the board keeping Cain on was a big deal for him and Vawter, but there was still so much hanging out there.
    “I know, but so many steps ahead of us. So many unanswered questions. I’m not off the hook, Jennifer. The police are still investigating me. Even with the evidence we turned over to them.” Cain’s voice wavered. There was still a lot at risk—for him and the company.
    “We can only focus on what we know, Cain. Right now, that’s that Dylan has his hands on this, and there’s no doubt he’s behind everything else. He has his sights set on taking you down. Period.”
    “Well, let’s just hope the police find him before it’s too late. Before he can do any more damage. Before I somehow end up back in jail.”
    The look of distaste on his face indicated how disgusting it had been, but I didn’t question him. I picked through my Greek salad, feeling worthless and helpless. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you when you were downtown. It wasn’t my decision.”
    “I know that.” He picked at his food too. “I didn’t want you to