Serena said it teasingly, but Annie heard the threat. How could that be? She liked this woman. They were bonding. She was going to be her new best friend here in Kauai. Annie stood rooted to the floor, at a loss for words. She and Brody hadn’t stolen the house from anyone. Sure, she’d felt bad for the couple who’d lost the house, but that’s what happened in real estate, right? And no, they’d never been told the name of the couple whose mortgage had fallen through, leaving the sellers in a panic because they’d already moved down south and bought a new house.
And now Serena sat here, in Annie’s living room in Kauai, telling her she and her ex were that couple who had lost the house?
“Yes,” Serena said softly. “I’m the one you took the house away from. I would have figured something out. I hadn’t told Danny about the trust fund my father had left me, so it wasn’t included in our financial package. Our combined incomes were enough, so I hadn’t thought to mention it. But I didn’t know I was going to get fired right after we offered on the house. I worked the front desk for a doctor and he suddenly let me go. Said I was ‘unreliable.’ What the heck does that mean? I showed up. I did my job. I was good at it.”
Serena paused for breath and Annie caught hers. “I don’t know what to say—” Annie started to say, but Serena held up a hand and cut her off.
“And then our real estate agent called and told me another couple had come in and offered higher. The sellers were so panicked that they took it. I tried to get them to change their mind, told them if they could wait a couple weeks or so, I’d have the money.”
Serena stood and began pacing the length of the Ohana, causing Marley to stand and follow her every move with his eyes. “My father had set up the trust fund so that I got a stipend every year. I wouldn’t get the full amount until I was thirty. I wasn’t thirty yet then, but there was a clause that in case of a dire situation, which would be determined by the trustee of the trust, I could have access to the money. I knew losing my dream house would count as an emergency. All I had to do was convince the trustee and get him to release the money. But that would have taken time. Time I didn’t have because the perfect couple had come in and taken my house away from me.”
Serena stopped in front of Annie so suddenly that Annie pulled back.
“I don’t understand.” Annie barely recognized her own voice. “What are you doing here? You knew who I was the whole time?”
“Yes. I’ve known you for many years. Ever since you stole my house from me.” She let out a peal of laughter. “But no hard feelings! Really, I’m not mad at all.”
Serena gave her a pleasant look, and sweat suddenly broke out along Annie’s hairline. Her heart rate picked up speed as her brain tried to process what was happening. “I don’t understand. What are you doing here?” She shook her head, trying to clear it. Was this a bad dream? Would she wake up soon?
Serena started pacing again and ignored Annie’s question. “I didn’t think I’d like you so much. I was prepared to hate you. But you know what? We really are more similar than I would have thought.” She stopped and turned toward Annie again. “I really like you. I think we’re going to be good friends.”
Serena said this in a friendly tone, but the feverish look in her eyes made Annie’s blood run cold. Oh god. She’d let a crazy woman into her home, gotten close to her, and actually liked her. If Annie were watching this on TV, she would have yelled at oblivious Annie on the screen: Look what you did! You let her into your house! She duped you into thinking she’s your friend, but she’s about to kill you and take over your life! You’re so stupid!
Annie groped around on the couch with her fingers for her phone, never taking her eyes from Serena. She needed to get a hold of Brody, but he hadn’t answered before. Should she try Sam now, in front of Serena? But this was crazy. She liked this woman. She couldn’t be dangerous. But then how the heck had she found Annie? And why was she playing this game, not telling her who she really was until now? Part of her was screaming, You dumbass! You walked into her trap. You’re going to die! Get out of the house! Yet the part who had found such common ground with Serena just couldn’t completely wrap her head around the thought that the woman might not be here for good reasons.
Serena perched on the arm of the couch, seemingly at ease even while Annie felt like she was sprinting for the finish line at the end of a marathon. “I’m so glad we finally meet, Annie.”
The smile she gave Annie was so genuine and friendly that it took Annie off guard, before she remembered that Serena was probably as friendly as a cobra. Her instincts on overdrive, Annie knew she needed to let Brody or Sam know. She picked up her phone and started typing, not looking at the keyboard.
“Who’re you texting?” Why did Serena sound so normal? This wasn’t normal! There was something weird going on, and Annie knew she was missing a part of the puzzle.
“Just Brody. Seeing how he’s doing.” Did he have service? Did she? Was Brody on his way home right now? Maybe he would walk in the door at any moment. She needed him here.
“Are you going to tell him about me?” Serena stood and came by Annie’s side, peering over Annie’s shoulder at her phone.
“I already told him about you.” Annie snatched the phone away, not wanting Serena to see that she’d typed, Psycho alert! Help! Come home now!
“But did you tell him who I really am?” Serena pulled back and smiled again. Annie’s stomach dropped at the mania behind the friendly smile. “Did you tell him how the two of you took my house and life away from me? That was my house.”
Serena’s voice was still mild, but her eyes shone like a fire as it overtook a forest. “You took everything from me.”
29
Goddammit. Why wasn’t anyone answering her? Had they even gotten her message? A sick dread started in her belly as she realized she was on her own. She had to get out of here. She needed to make a run for the main house with Marley.
“Why are you here?” Annie backed away from Serena with Marley at her side. She aimed for the direction of the front door. “Why are you really here?”
“I told you, my car broke down.” Serena swiveled, her eyes following Annie’s progress.
Marley stood in front of Annie, as if providing a shield. “But you didn’t pick this street by accident, did you?”
“No.” Serena shook her head. “I knew you lived here. I wanted to meet you in person finally. And I’m so glad I did.” She offered a tentative smile, and Annie blinked at her in disbelief.
“Why? How?” Annie was having trouble keeping up. She wondered whether Serena had mental issues. Could she have schizophrenia? Bipolar? Annie didn’t know the proper terms or what the symptoms were, but this wasn’t the woman she’d bonded with over the past few hours.
“Don’t be scared, Annie.” Once again, Serena read her mind. “I’m not here to hurt you. I mean, not the way you’re probably imagining right now.” She smiled dead into Annie’s eyes, which only made Annie more apprehensive.