Death by Invitation Read online

  DEATH BY INVITATION

  (book #15 in the CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES)

  Jaden Skye

  About Jaden Skye

  Jaden Skye is author of the #1 Bestselling CARIBBEAN MURDER series, which includes 15 books (and counting). The first book in the series, DEATH BY HONEYMOON, a #1 Bestseller, is now available as a FREE download on Amazon! Jaden Skye also writes as Julian Starr, and is author of INVITATION TO DIE (THE KILLING GAME—BOOK 1), now available!

  Jaden has always been fascinated with mystery, wrongful death, lies, deception and the power of the truth to prevail. Her romantic suspense/mystery novels feature strong female protagonists who must overcome insurmountable obstacles, and through them, she seeks to get to the very heart of the nature of justice and love.

  Please visit www.jadenskye.com to find links to stay in touch with Jaden via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, her blog, and a whole bunch of other places. Jaden loves to hear from you, so don't be shy and check back often!

  Books by Jaden Skye

  THE CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES

  DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)

  DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2)

  DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3)

  DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4)

  DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5)

  DEATH BY JEALOUSY (Book #6)

  DEATH BY PROPOSAL (Book #7)

  DEATH BY OBSESSION (Book #8)

  DEATH BY DEVOTION (Book #9)

  DEATH BY BETRAYAL (Book #10)

  DEATH BY REQUEST (Book #11)

  DEATH BY ENGAGEMENT (Book #12)

  DEATH BY SEDUCTION (Book #13)

  DEATH BY TEMPTATION (Book #14)

  DEATH BY INVITATION (BOOK #15)

  THE TOM’S RIVER SAGA

  A PERFECT STRANGER (Book #1)

  Writing as Julian Starr

  THE KILLING GAME

  INVITATION TO DIE (Book #1)

  Tap here to download Jaden Skye books on Amazon now!

  Copyright © 2016 by Jaden Skye

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental

  Jacket image Copyright Dudarev Mikhail, used under license from Shutterstock.com..

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Prologue

  Cindy and Mattheus stood on top of a rocky cliff in Anguilla, looking down at the turbulent surf crash onto the shore. The beautiful spring afternoon was coming to an end as hazy clouds drifted in and the sweet smell of clover in the air was especially delicious. It had been one of those rare periods for them when time and space had opened up. Cindy and Mattheus had been able to be alone together without the constant demands of the world. They’d been able to give each other the uninterrupted attention both of them needed so badly. It had been wonderful.

  Today, most of their time had been spent hiking along mountain trails, allowing the vast beauty of the island to enter every pore. Mattheus had enjoyed every moment, able to be his wonderful, charming, boyish self. Cindy was reminded of everything good about their relationship and how deep their love truly was.

  “Let’s climb to the top of the cliff,” Mattheus had suggested after they’d taken a quick lunch break. “The view from there is breathtaking.”

  The climb was quick and easy and when they reached the top they stood close together, the soft breeze blowing on their faces. Suddenly Mattheus looked at Cindy strangely.

  “Cindy,” he uttered, his voice wobbling.

  Cindy became frightened. “Is something wrong?”

  “Something is right,” Mattheus continued, flushing, as he dropped to one knee.

  Cindy began to tremble. She’d dreamt about Mattheus proposing to her, tossed it over in her mind, wondered if it would ever come to pass. To see Mattheus on his knee now, looking up at her with longing, was overwhelming.

  “Mattheus,” she started to say as he pulled a small box from his pocket, opened it, and reached up toward her.

  “Cindy, I love you,” Mattheus started in a halting, craggy tone.

  Cindy trembled more intensely. My God, it’s happening, she thought.

  “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Cindy,” Mattheus continued, as if a dam had broken loose and the words could flow more easily. “I want us to build a family, help the world, be together forever.”

  “Forever?” Cindy whispered so silently, she herself could not hear. What was forever? Since Clint had died she’d been on her own. True, it had been difficult, but also good in many ways. She couldn’t help but think of how Clint had been killed on their honeymoon. Once Cindy married Mattheus, her relationship with Clint would be completely over. It felt like a final goodbye.

  “I want to vow my devotion to you, Cindy.” Mattheus’s voice rose louder.

  Cindy and Mattheus had come close to a commitment before. They’d even moved in together but it hadn’t worked out. Neither of them had been ready at that time.

  “I want to give you everything you want in life.” Mattheus’s voice was now strong and heartfelt.

  The breeze blew harder on them. Cindy hadn’t expected a proposal at this time. In fact, she hadn’t thought about their future recently, just enjoyed their time for what it was.

  There was no question that they loved one another. They worked together beautifully as detectives, but Cindy never knew what the future held. Whenever they had time to explore their relationship, an urgent case had always intervened. This past month though, unexpectedly, they’d had uninterrupted time together. It came all by itself, unplanned.

  “Will you marry me, Cindy?” Now Mattheus took the plunge.

  Cindy could not say a word.

  A look of fear crossed Mattheus’s face. “Why are you silent? Why aren’t you answering me? I know it hasn’t been perfect between us. It will never be perfect unless we commit to each other and to our love.”

  Cindy was deeply moved. She knew he was right. She also knew that despite their problems, they kept returning to each other, always thrilled to be back. It always felt like coming home. How long could they keep vacillating? The uncerta
inty was wearing on both of them. It was time for her to jump in.

  “Yes, Mattheus, yes, yes!” Cindy suddenly exclaimed, tears trickling down her face. She wanted to make the commitment to making their relationship all it could become.

  Mattheus’s face glowed with happiness as he gave Cindy the beautiful antique wedding ring. Then he got up and stood close by her.

  Cindy gazed at the ring in wonder. “It’s magnificent,” she murmured.

  “It belonged to my mother,” Mattheus breathed. “She loved my father. It meant so much to her, she wore the ring every day. And you mean so much to me, Cindy. I’m proud of us, I’m proud of you.”

  The two of them rushed into one another’s arms passionately then, as the setting sun filled the late afternoon with a beautiful, but dangerously melancholy glow.

  Chapter One

  The flight down to St. Thomas for the wedding was going beautifully, as had all the details of Cindy and Mattheus’s upcoming wedding. It was as if a strong wind were at their backs, opening all doors that had been shut. The hotel Mattheus wanted to get married at, the Palm Cove, even happened to have an opening for them as soon as they’d called. Someone had just cancelled a few hours before. Cindy and Mattheus couldn’t believe it.

  “It’s a sign,” said Mattheus, excited.

  Cindy’d laughed. Mattheus had never been one to look for signs about anything. “A sign of what?” she’d asked.

  “It’s a sign that this is right,” he said. “When the time comes, nothing can stop what has to happen.”

  And now, as they sat beside one another in the plane, the pilot announced that they’d be landing earlier than expected. Everything was happening without a glitch.

  Mattheus was delighted about the early landing. “At least we’ll have a few hours to ourselves at the Cove before the wedding party arrives,” he said. “I can’t wait for you to see the hotel. You’re going to love it.”

  The Palm Cove was the number one hotel for weddings on St. Thomas and Mattheus couldn’t stop talking about it. Even though Cindy had wanted a smaller, quieter wedding, Mattheus had his heart set on a huge celebration. Cindy was amazed that they’d booked the hotel so readily. So were her mother and her brother-in-law, Frank.

  “This is so sudden!” Cindy’s mother was startled when she heard the news. “Why not take more time to think about it, let alone book a hotel?”

  Cindy and Mattheus had taken time. They’d been together for a long while now. Cindy knew who he was; there would be no surprises. And Mattheus knew who Cindy was as well.

  “There have been plenty of difficulties between you and Mattheus,” Cindy’s mother reminded her.

  “There are always difficulties,” Cindy replied. “You work through difficulties and move on.”

  Her mother bristled. “You and Mattheus haven’t worked through anything in the past.”

  Cindy knew her mother was trying to be protective, but her words were hard to listen to. Cindy suddenly missed her sister terribly. Once again she felt the deep loss of Ann’s awful, unexpected passing. Ann would certainly have been happy for Cindy, encouraged her in every way.

  “Is Frank invited?” Cindy’s mother asked then. “Ann would have wanted him to attend your wedding, naturally.”

  “Of course Frank’s invited,” said Cindy.

  “What kind of wedding is this going to be, anyway?” Her mother was relentless, as usual. “Big, small? Will we finally get to meet Mattheus’s family? How about his wayward daughter? Is she coming, too?”

  “Mattheus plans to invite everyone,” Cindy replied. “He wants a big celebration.”

  Her mother paused. “But this is a second marriage for both of you. What do you want, Cindy?”

  Cindy felt deflated. “Does the fact that it’s a second marriage make it any less important?” asked Cindy. “Does it mean we should celebrate less?”

  “It makes it more delicate, for sure,” her mother said. “What are you planning to do, wear a white gown? That would be ridiculous. Are you having bridesmaids walk down the aisle dressed in pink?”

  Initially Cindy hadn’t given much thought to what she’d wear, or who would walk her down the aisle. She’d agreed to a big wedding because she wanted to make Mattheus happy. If it had been up to her, she would have had just a few people, with a simple ceremony on the beach.

  By now Cindy had chosen a flowing ivory silk dress, which went beautifully with her long auburn hair and was perfect for a wedding on the islands. And she’d thought of asking Frank to walk her down the aisle. That made perfect sense, a way of including Ann in the wedding, feeling as though she were there as well.

  Mattheus reached over toward Cindy in the airplane now. “You’ve been so quiet. What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  Cindy didn’t want to tell Mattheus she’d been thinking about her mother. They didn’t like each other, and thankfully, wouldn’t have to spend much time together. There would be plenty of other people around to distract them.

  “I’m just thinking about the wedding party and rehearsal dinner,” Cindy said.

  Mattheus grinned. “It’s going to be delicious. We’re having roast duck, baby carrots, slivered potatoes, and my favorite, strawberry pie.”

  Cindy couldn’t get over how involved Mattheus was, hadn’t seen this side of him before. Of course she knew that his first marriage had been painful, right from the very first day. Then, later on his wife went missing. Mattheus had lived in a no man’s zone until, years later, she turned up dead. This wedding now had to be a brand new start for him.

  “I love you, Cindy,” Mattheus murmured, as he had many times during the flight.

  “I love you, too, Mattheus,” Cindy replied.

  “I wish the wedding party was coming a day later and we had more time together alone,” he went on. “Everything’s happening so fast.”

  The wedding itself was in three days and the wedding party was flying down later that afternoon. There were plans for photos, the rehearsal dinner, and just time to be together.

  The wedding itself was going to be a big bash and was news on the island. Lots of guests were expected, including Mattheus’s colleagues from all over the Caribbean. Detectives, police, and locals were coming, and other friends and family would be joining as well.

  Cindy had some old friends coming down from the States. But with both her sister, Ann, and her father gone, her only family coming was her mother, Frank, and her mother’s brothers, Uncle Charles and Uncle Ben. A couple of Cindy’s cousins had declined the invitation, but sent lovely gifts. She had never been close to them anyway, and had barely seen them these past years. Ann had been the one who’d kept up with everybody. If Ann were alive, Cindy’s cousins probably would have been here as well.

  Before Mattheus could say another word, the pilot’s voice came over the loudspeaker.

  “Okay, folks, get ready for landing. Buckle your seat belts. We will be landing in beautiful St. Thomas early in just a few minutes.”

  *

  Cindy and Mattheus stepped off the plane, picked up their luggage, and exited the airport with ease. They took the first taxi that was waiting, leaned back in their seats, and looked out of the windows as the cab rolled away.

  It was a beautiful drive through winding roads, up along the mountains to their hotel. As they got closer, it was easy to see the hotel sprawled out in the distance, nestled on the hillside.

  “You won’t be disappointed, I promise you,” said Mattheus.

  Cindy didn’t know how to explain to him that it was being with him that mattered, not the hotel, the party, or the guests.

  “Look, there it is.” Mattheus became excited as the cab drew closer.

  Cindy was impressed; the Palm Cove Hotel was exquisite in so many ways. Set in the midst of a tropical landscape, it felt as though they were entering another world. Overlooking the bay, the hotel was surrounded by palm trees and a secluded beach, feeling almost like a quaint village.

  “Like it?”
Mattheus asked as their taxi wound around the winding road to the main entrance.

  “Magnificent,” breathed Cindy.

  “The perfect place to take our vows,” Mattheus whispered, “the perfect way to start a new life.”

  How did Mattheus think their life would be new after they married? Cindy wondered, hoping she wouldn’t let him down.

  As soon as the cab stopped at the front entrance, they were greeted by valets who took their bags. Cindy and Mattheus got out and followed them into the sumptuous lobby, where the manager welcomed them with a huge bunch of roses.

  “For the bride and groom,” he said grandly, handing Cindy the bouquet.

  Cindy was touched.

  “The wedding suite is ready for you.” The manager smiled languorously.

  Cindy shivered lightly, remembering the honeymoon suite she and Clint had shared in Barbados. They’d only been in it for a short time before he’d been killed.

  “A special table has also been reserved for you and your party in the dining room,” the manager went on. “Please do not be concerned. The hotel is a bit full for these next few days, but we’ve taken all your needs and the needs of your guests into careful consideration.”

  Cindy could see that Mattheus was pleased to hear this.

  “Is the hotel more crowded than usual?” Cindy asked lightly, looking around at the many guests milling around in the lobby. Most had drinks in their hands and were young, noisy, and colorfully dressed.

  “A bit more crowded.” The manager smiled playfully. “We have a bachelorette party going on right now as well. Quite a boisterous bunch they are, too.”

  Mattheus grinned. Cindy wasn’t thrilled about it. She knew that things could get pretty wild at bachelorette parties and spill out all over the place.

  “You’ll see the girls from the party all over the hotel.” The manager laughed lightly. “They’ve pulled out all the stops, are having a terrific time.”