Chapter Eight

Nick.

"Any luck?"

I yawned looking at Miley whose eyes were focused on the brightly lit screen of her dead best friend's Iphone. She gave a small shake of her head while her eyes continued to be locked on the screen. I watched for a moment, her fingers tapping away, her entire attention focused on the numbers and letters. I leaned over Miles watching as she tried to crack the code we all needed so desperately to know,

0435, wrong passcode

0436, wrong passcode

0437, wrong passcode

0438, wrong passcode

0439, Iphone is disabled try again in give minutes

I watched as Miley's lips clenched but she didn't move her eyes off the screen. I leaned forward pressing my hands onto her shoulder leaning my lips towards her ear, "How about you come upstairs and we get you into bed? You can keep going in a few hours?" I whispered quietly,

"I have to keep going, I have to crack the passcode."

I sighed looking at the clock, "Miley it's six am, you haven't slept all-"

"I'm fine Nick,"

"Miley please-"

"I said I'm fine."

"Okay," I whispered knowing I wouldn't win.

I kissed the side of her head carefully as she instantly turned and looked up at me. Her eyes stared into mine for a moment and then looked away,

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked carefully,

"No," She responded, "I like when you do that,"

"Do what?"

"Kiss my head, I missed it."

I slowly kissed her head again as I saw the smile come to her face. I edged down kissing her cheek as she turned her head staring at me our lips inches away. Miley leaned forward staring straight into my eyes as our noses brushed, only for her to suddenly move away looking back to the phone.

"Why did you do that?" I asked disappointed, "Why did you turn away?"

"Because…someone is watching us."

Miley motioned behind us as I turned around to see our daughter standing there holding a teddy bear her face red but a small giddy smile across her face. I smiled and motioned for her to come over as she quickly ran to me as I scooped her up and she let out a laugh. I kissed the side up her head putting Devonne on my hip,

"Your mommy," I stated slowly as Devonne watched, "Is being naughty, she needs to go to bed. Can you tell her to go to sleep for daddy?"

Miley turned around and looked up as Devonne started signing to her,

"What is she saying?"

I watched as Miley's face turned to one of surprise, "She just said exactly what you did, she told me to go to bed and that I was being naughty." Miley whispered as she reached out grabbing Devonne's leg shaking it playfully, "When did you get so good a reading lips missy?"

Devonne laughed motioning to Miley who smiled back, "You learnt at school, well we're going to have to put you back into school soon. Then you can make news friends and maybe we should enroll daddy too." She announced slowly as Devonne instantly started to laugh and I frowned insulted, "In all seriousness though, you probably should attend,"

"What?" I hissed,

"Adult classes, for sign…"

"The school will have them?"

Miley nodded, "They will, maybe you should ask your family too? That way you'll be able to all speak to Devonne," She announced and looked back to the phone as I sighed watching Miley contain a yawn,

"That's sounds like a good idea, but you sleeping sounds like an even better one."

"I'm fine Nick," She announced her eyes glued to the phone,

"How about we get breakfast Devonne?"

I carried Devonne into the kitchen, placing her on the bench as I began to scour the cupboards trying to find a suitable breakfast. I'd only just found the cereal when I heard the front door fly open as I frowned,

"NICK, MILEY, YOU UP?"

"Joe," A voice spat, "They might be sleeping,"

"Well now they're up,"

I frowned walking into the hallway staring at Selena scolding my older brother who held a plastic bag which he was shuffling through. Selena's eyes found mine as she smiled,

"Nick you're up, hey Devonne."

"And what are you doing here…together?" I asked confused,

Devonne who had clearly followed me instantly reached out for Joe who smiled taking her from the ground as she put her arms around his neck. "We didn't come together actually, I came over to see how you were doing, I was in the area you know, and I met Joe out the front by chance actually." Selena stated seriously as I looked at my her,

"You were in the area at six am?"

"I'm going to work."

"Selena you don't work." I stated in response,

She instantly closed her mouth realizing she'd just dug a hole for herself.

"And why are you here?" I looked at Joe holding my daughter.

He held up the plastic bag smiling, "Breakfast,"

"You're both over at six because-"

"We love you." Joe announced, "And I still personally feel bad about leaving you and-"

"Yeah that's a load of bull shit."

I frowned between them giving a sigh, "What happened?"

Both of them shrugged confused, "Okay seriously what happened? You're both here earlier then both of your capability to get up and look over eager to make me happy. What happened?" Both their smiles fell as Selena looked over my shoulder trying to see around the corner,

"Where's Miley?" Joe asked,

"She's on…why does it matter?"

"Can she hear us?" Selena asked,

I frowned and motioned for them to follow as I returned to the lounge room. I walked up behind Miley to see the blank Iphone in her hand as I frowned confused and leaned over to see she was fast asleep. Joe frowned giving me a questioning look as I sighed leaning forward taking the phone from her hand and putting it on the table.

"She's been up all night trying to crack the code?" Joe asked realizing,

I nodded pushing a cushion behind her head and throwing a blanket carefully over her body, the sofa wasn't an ideal sleeping location but at least she was resting. I looked back to them and motioned to follow me into the kitchen,

"So what's the problem?" I asked,

Joe put Devonne onto the counter top pulling out a bright sugar coated bun as her eyes widened with excitement reaching out for it, "No," I hissed slapping my brother, "No sugar before noon, she gets hyper,"

Joe rolled his eyes giving it to Devonne, who had it in her mouth instantly,

"Thanks, you're dealing with Miley if Devonne wake's her up."

Joe started unpacking as I waited while Selena smiled at Devonne who was eating the glazed bun like she'd never seen food before. "Okay seriously what is the problem? You can't just turn up here and then start ignoring my questions!"

"The photos came out of Miley visiting her house the other day."

"So?" I asked,

Joe pulled a magazine out of the white bag finally and looked down, "In an exclusive with E! Billy and Tish talk about their fight for custody of grandson Daniel and daughter Miley returning to ex and murderer Nick Jonas." Joe read out as my eyes widened snatching the magazine from his hands,

"It's all over the news, they spilled everything Nick." Selena whispered,

"Everything meaning?"

Selena and Joe both sighed, "Your son's photo…"

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

I looked at the front cover and then skimmed through, sure enough there was a photo of Daniel and Noah together smiling. I sighed knowing this was bad, Miley had protected him from this but they'd just destroyed that.

"It gets worse…"

"How?" I muttered through gritted teeth,

"They blurted your address to the press."

"So the paparazzi are-"

"Everywhere outside." Selena muttered,

"How did they even find out I live here?" I hissed, "How did Billy and Tish know?"

Both of them shrugged as I closed my eyes leaning on the counter, "The article talks about how unstable Miley is, how you've corroded her mind and that they want to save their daughter from you. They are trying to apply for a restraining order against you for Miley." Joe announced,

"What?" I hissed, "They can't do that."

"Yes they can, if Miley is declared clinically insane."

"But they can't diagnose that unless she goes to a doctor-"

"Or her parents pay off a doctor," Joe whispered,

"And what then? I'll be told to stay away from her? Like that will work."

"No you'll be thrown back in jail for one, breaching your probation, and two breaching the restraining order. They've thought it out Nick." Selena stated grabbing one of the buns off the counter as I just stared at the two of them,

"You can't tell Miley,"

"Why do you think I asked you if she was within hearing range?"

"It'll destroy her," Selena whispered,

"So what now?" I asked huffing,

"Nothing, we wait and see what happens."

"Did the paparazzi see both of you?"

Selena nodded as Joe smiled, "Our alliance stands with you now, might as well let the world know which side we stand on. I expect the rest of the family will venture over during the day too."

I nodded gravely pressing two fingers against my forehead,

"Nothing is simple is it?"

"Not anymore,"

Miley.

I blinked confused as I moved my hand up rubbing my eyes. I looked at the little hand against my cheek realizing it was the reason I was now awake. Devonne smiled at me sugar around her lips as I frowned sitting up, what had happened? I looked at the blanket covering my body and the phone now located on the table. Great I must have fallen asleep,

I pulled Devonne up to my chest smiling,

"Uncle is here…"

"Uncle?" I asked her confused as she nodded,

I frowned realizing voices were coming from the kitchen, I looked at Devonne confused shrugging as she smiled, "Daddy thinks grandma and grandpa will come over!" She smiled excited as I nodded.

"Why?" I asked her confused,

She copied my shrug smiling as I kissed her forehead. My eyes however focused on the Iphone as I noticed it was lit up, I sighed looking at Devonne who smiled at me mischievously. I leaned over grabbing the phone tapping her lightly on the head,

"Don't play with the phone Von," I motioned,

She frowned as I looked at the screen confused, why was it on the main menu?

My eyes widened as I turned back to the four year old who stared at me a giddy expression across her face,

"No way," I whispered,

Suddenly the phone started vibrating in my hand as I watched message after message filling the screen. My eyes locked watching texts my best friend would never be able to read, how did this happen? I turned back to Devonne who had no idea why the hell I was surprised as I just gave a small shocked laugh. I shook my head amazed, I'd spent twenty hours on the phone to get a whole lot of nothing only for Devonne to play with it for less than five minutes and get the right pass code.

"You know how much I love you," I announced pulling her to me,

I laughed completely bewildered by how she'd done it, but honestly I didn't care. I hugged her tightly kissing Devonne on the head thankful for her innocent intelligence. My happiness was short lived as the screen went blank and I clicked the button only for it to ask for the pass code again. I sighed looking at Devonne for assistance, yeah I doubted she'd remember what she pressed.

She giggled as I frowned, "Now what numbers did you press Devonne, can you tell mommy?" I asked as she looked at me confused and continued to smile as I sighed again, okay…

I looked at the phone and realized three numbers were perfectly coated in sugar,

I grabbed my daughter's hand staring at the sugar, bingo.

3,4 and 8

So one number was pressed twice? I started pressing the numbers in random orders unsuccessfully as Devonne watched. Finally after the fifth attempt I got it and relief flood over me,

3348

"What would they represent?" I whispered,

I knew Demi, everything had a meaning her pass code would have been something important to her. I smiled kissing Devonne's head again as she moved leaning on my chest while I stared at the phone. I closed my eyes and hesitantly pushed the icon representing the messages. It instantly gave me a list some read, other's not as I noted the most recent…

Two weeks ago?

Surely they'd cancelled her phone? Then again just because that had been cancelled didn't mean her card wouldn't still be active. I knew from experience that the holder of the phone was the only one who could cancel it, clearly no one had bothered to try it. I clicked on the first message confused,

I wish you were here Demi.

It's my birthday today, did you remember?

I framed a photo of us today, it's hanging on my new bedroom wall.

Do you miss me?

Those were only the last four, there were hundreds most likely. I stared at the name and closed eyes. Maddie, Demi's younger sister, I hadn't seen her since…well I hadn't seen her since Demi was alive. I ran my finger over the name letting out a sigh as I returned to the other messages. I hugged Devonne closer happy that I had her at least to comfort me, while Maddie relied on sending texts even though she knew her big sister would never respond.

I looked at the next message and saw Selena's name. It was dated the afternoon before Demi was murdered, just before she came over.

So you're not going to speak to me now? That's real mature Demi.

My eyes widened as I looked at the text quickly scrolling to the next one dated the day before.

Coffee at four?

Had Demi attended the coffee date? More to the point if she had what went down? I looked at the message confused, so Demi and Selena had been in a fight the night she came over to my house? How did I not know this? I looked at the screen realizing I had more reason to doubt the girl Nick trusted. What if she was the one who hurt Demi? What if she did something? My stomach filled with dread at the concept of it.

I flicked back scared clicking on the next message from a number I didn't know.

Demi you bitch answer my calls, I know what you did! For fucks sake Demi I'm going over to your house, you better explain!

My eyes widened as I felt my whole body tense, oh god! I clutched Devonne against me as I pulled out my new phone acting before I could even grasp the concept of what I was doing. I had to call this person.

Demi had a fight with Selena? I could assume that much. But this was an entirely different person who was mad, really mad. But were they insane enough to murder Demi? Did they find she wasn't at her own home and decide to just come to my house? Or did someone tell them? How much planning was even involved!

Then my breathing just stopped…because I could hear a phone ringing.

I stayed silent feeling everything in me just freeze as the ringing stopped.

"Hello?" I heard the voice ask confused,

Joe.

The voice echoed as I looked to Devonne realizing, she'd said uncle was here, and she meant Joe, Joe was in the house, Joe who could have murdered my best friend. I didn't say anything, as there was deadly silence on the other line,

"Hello is anyone-"

I hung up and stood up holding Devonne, realizing…

I couldn't stay here.

"Miley you're awake"

I spun around pressing Devonne's head into my shoulder to protect her. I stared at Nick who gave me a smile only for it to drop, "Oh god, I told Joe he shouldn't have given her that sugar bun, Miley you just go back to sleep I'll look after-"

My brain ticked over as I tried to decide what I was going to do, how was I going to act? Like I didn't know? That I didn't almost have evidence that suggested that Nick's brother and his best friend hadn't killed Demi? I just stared at him as I made a decision I knew I'd regret but right now I wasn't a good enough actress to pretend I was okay, like I didn't just read what I had. I leaned down collecting the phone as I stood up and started walking,

"Miley?"

I pushed past Nick as I walked into the corridor, "Hey that's where she went I swear that kid of yours is going to be the next Olympic runner, she must have literally run at the speed of light because I didn't see her," Joe's voice announced as I looked up,

Joe stood smiling as I held onto Devonne staring at him. He frowned confused as a hand wrapped around my waist,

"Miley what-"

I jumped away scared staring at Nick my whole body beginning to shake,

What did Demi do?

What did Selena and Joe do to her?

"Miley what happened?" Nick whispered moving his hand out,

"Don't touch me." I hissed panicked,

Nick's eyes widened as I turned around only to see another person,

"Miley is everything okay?" Selena asked her concern evident,

I looked between the three of them as I felt my lip quivering, I couldn't deal with this! I wanted to kill them, both of them. I had no idea what the fuck happened but if they had touched her I would kill them for taking Demi from me. Instead I said nothing and walked past Joe towards the front door, could they really have done this? Could they have murdered her? There was so much doubt in my head but god it looked bad to me, and honestly anyone could commit murder no matter who they were. It was why that I didn't understand.

"Miley!" Nick called out quickly rushing after me as I threw open the front door,

"Miley stop where are you-"

He grabbed my arm as I flew around slapping his hand, "Don't touch me! Stay away!" I repeated looking at Nick's confused expression as he shook his head,

"Miley what's going on, what happened?"

Joe and Selena moved up as I looked at them as I felt a tear fall,

"I need to leave." I whispered simply,

"What?" Joe hissed, "No you can't you only just got back, you can't-"

"Stay the fuck away from me."

Joe's eyes widened as Selena moved over to me, "Miley it's okay, what happened? Did someone do something? We can help you, don't be scared we can-"

"You can leave me alone, all of you, just-"

"Is this about Demi, is it-"

I grabbed my car keys off the table and without another word I rushed down the steps feeling completely panicked. I rushed to the car opening the back door and placing Devonne in it,

"Miley,"

Nick grabbed me pulling my body away from our wide-eyed daughter,

"WHAT HAPPENED?" Nick screamed in my face,

I leaned back closing the door in the process as he stared at me terror in his expression mixed with complete confusion. I just shook my head moving my hand out clutching the driver's door.

"I have to leave,"

"No you don't, the paparazzi are outside god damn it, if you go out there they'll see you Miley!" He pleaded as I shook my head, "They'll see Devonne, do you want that? Do you want her to be taken from us too?"

I hesitated feeling overwhelmed, how did the paparazzi know we lived here?

"I'm not safe here, she's not safe here, and you're not safe here."

I pulled open the door and threw myself in slamming the lock down on the window as Nick banged his fist on the window. I pushed the keys into the ignition looking forward to see Joe and Selena standing their perplexed. The chances of me cracking Demi's code were basically impossible, but Devonne had and how long would it take them to realise that I knew what they said to my best friend just before she was murdered? I reversed while Nick continued to hit the car screaming at me to stop but I couldn't, I had to protect my daughter, I had to protect myself, they wouldn't hurt Nick, but me? I knew something and I didn't know what that would mean to them.

The gate opened as Nick ran down following the car and I sped out seeing the paparazzi. I didn't give them a chance for a glimpse at our daughter though, and instead of waiting for them to move I reversed like a bullet sending them flying onto the grass for cover as I hit the street.

It wasn't until I got onto the freeway I realized I was crying. Not because of Demi, or leaving Nick but because two people I had relative trust for had lied, I knew everything the police did and I knew neither of them had mentioned that they'd had a fight with Demi.

Why did they hide that? Unless they were guilty.