by Rose Wulf
Her heart went out to Angela. It was all too easy for Arianna to put herself in those shoes. Her own smile was a little teary when she said, “Trust me, Angela, I know what you mean. I lost my older brother when I was your age. It’s the worst pain I’ve ever known.” She reached out and pulled one of Angela’s hands into hers, holding tightly as she added, “But that’s why I want to have this conversation. I know how hard it is to lose your older brother. And as hard as this will be for you to hear, please, listen to what I’m about to say. Listen, and really think about it.”
Angela blinked at her, clearly a little thrown off by something Arianna had just said. She nodded slowly and made no move to interrupt.
“You’re frustrated because your family’s being hyper-protective of you, cutting in to your life and making it nearly impossible to just live normal, right?” Arianna asked, hoping to show Angela that she’d been listening before she jumped into her speech. Angela nodded again and she continued. “Ignore the hypocrisy for a minute. You need to ask yourself, Angela—if Dean doesn’t come home from work tonight, will you be angrier with him for taking too much of a risk? Or with yourself, for knowing the last words you said to him were in anger?”
Angela sucked in a breath, her expression contorting in horror, and pulled her hand away as she reared back as if she’d been struck. Her jaw tightened and Arianna watched as a myriad of emotions rolled through her eyes. Seconds ticked by. Angela’s lip quivered faintly and she squeezed her eyes shut. “I don’t—I can’t—!” She cut herself off, took several rapid breaths, and opened her eyes again as she whispered, “It’s so hard. I don’t know how I can keep living like this, but I couldn’t … I couldn’t live with myself if that happened… What am I supposed to do? Just forget that he thinks I’m made out of porcelain?”
Arianna shook her head. “No, of course not,” she said. “But I guarantee you Dean’s temper won’t flare if you keep the conversation calm. Like this one. He wants to fix things between you. It’s tearing him up that you’re fighting. He’s afraid he’s losing you. And right now, with this threat hanging over everyone’s heads, this is when your family needs to be as unified as possible.” Wow, listen to me preaching about family unity. And she’s complaining about Dean’s hypocrisy.
Angela swallowed again, sniffled, and quietly asked, “How do I explain it so that he understands?”
Leaning back, Arianna paused to think up a good response before finally suggesting, “Leave out terms like ‘made of porcelain,’ ‘hypocrite,’ and ‘overbearing.’ Those kinds of things sound like accusations whether you want them to or not. Just tell him you’re worried about him, and how the family will fare through all of this. Maybe point out, carefully, that you aren’t happy being stuck on the sidelines any more than he would be.”
“I’ve already been saying those things, though,” Angela interrupted, frustration edging into her voice.
Smiling with sympathetic frustration, Arianna reiterated, “It’s all about the wording and the tone of the conversation. I won’t tell you it’ll be easy. You’re both so upset about this that it’ll be easier to fall back into shouting. But shouting won’t solve anything.”
“Even if he understands why I’m upset,” Angela began on a sigh, “nothing will really change. I feel like I’ve been arguing this point with everyone for months. They keep saying ‘I get it, Angie,’ and then they turn around and do it again.”
Arianna inclined her head. “That’s not hard to imagine. It’s instinct to protect the people you love, you know. I’m sure you’re sick of hearing it, but the Matthewses probably are most eager to hurt you.”
“They haven’t tried very hard,” Angela grumbled.
Shrugging, Arianna offered, “I wouldn’t waste too much energy trying to predict or understand them. They’re psychotic.” She paused, focusing again, and added, “The truth is, you could be right. Dean’s understanding might not change anything. But wouldn’t it still be better to be on good terms?”
Silence stretched again as Angela studied her, as if looking for something in her eyes. Her own expression was oddly blank, like she wasn’t sure how to react or what to think just yet. Seconds passed before her brows furrowed faintly, and seconds more went by before she finally sighed. Her shoulders slumped in defeat and she said, “I guess that’s the truth of it, isn’t it? There’s no good option here, it’s just the lesser of two evils.”
“Unfortunately,” Arianna began, “that might be the best way to put it.” She paused, knowing full well Dean would kill her if he ever found out what she was about to say, and added, “If you really want to get a bit of that freedom back, you’ll have to earn it.”
Angela lifted her gaze again, confusion mixing with a flicker of hope.
Arianna held up one index finger pointedly and continued, “But, earn it smart. Don’t go off on your own and hope the end result will get you that leeway. They’re working on a communication/buddy system, right? So that’s what you do. You’re an adult, you don’t need to ask for permission, just be clear ahead of time that you’re taking some initiative. And be sure to keep company with someone everyone trusts. Play by their rules, to the letter, and be patient.”
“I guess … that would be fair,” Angela said slowly. Her lips lifted in a small smile and she added, “Do me a favor and stick around, okay? You’re much easier to talk to than my brother.”
Arianna laughed and refrained from saying anything that might reveal her recently-discovered secret. Instead she merely winked and replied, “I’ll think about it.” The words were barely past her lips when someone knocked on the door again. “I’d bet that’s our pizza,” she added, uncurling and pushing back to her feet.
She was barely past the couch when Angela’s soft voice called out to her. “Ari,” she said, “I’m sorry about your brother.”
Arianna’s next smile was smaller, and easier, when she looked back to the younger woman. “Thank you,” she replied. Angela returned her smile silently, so she turned and resumed her course to the door. Lunch was waiting, and she was starving.
Angela was coming out of Dean’s kitchen with two plates and two sodas in her arms when Arianna returned with the pizza. “Thought I could help,” Angela said lightly. They settled their armloads onto the coffee table, Arianna lifted the cardboard lid on the pizza, and Angela added, “That looks amazing. I had no idea I was so hungry.”
“I know the feeling,” Arianna assured her, reaching for the nearest plate. The plate was barely in her hands when an unfamiliar ringtone filled the air, drawing her attention.
“Oh, sorry,” Angela mumbled, lifting her purse and digging out her phone. She didn’t bother lingering on the Caller ID before putting the device to her ear. “Hey, Hilary,” she greeted.
Arianna had looked back to the pizza, but she hadn’t yet chosen her first slice when the slightly distorted male voice on the other end of Angela’s phone caught her attention. She was more than a little sure Hilary was female. She turned back to Angela and saw the younger woman was frozen on the edge of the couch, her eyes wide and cheeks pale.
“What do you want?” Angela demanded. Her free hand fisted in her lap as the male voice continued, presumably answering her question. The more he talked the more Arianna was sure she knew that voice. It was Eric. Angela choked, the sound mostly horrified, and interrupted, “You can’t expect me to—!” She cut herself off, eyes widening again, and held her breath. Slowly, her eyes drifted shut and her jaw tightened. Inevitable surrender oozed from her posture. “No,” she finally said, her voice strained. “No, don’t. I’ll do it. Where … where do I need to go?”
Arianna’s eyes widened and she returned the plate to the table. That wasn’t the response she’d been expecting.
“Okay,” Angela continued. “Okay, I understand. I’m coming from Dean’s apartment—no, he’s not here—I said okay!” She sucked in a breath and a tear rolled down her cheek. “Fine.” She lowered the phone, her thumb grazing the screen in ord
er disconnect the call. “I … I have to go.”
“What’s going on?” Arianna asked, ignoring Angela’s declaration.
Angela was already standing and depositing her phone in her purse. “I can’t say.”
“We just talked about this, Angela,” Arianna pushed, standing as well. “Talk to me. I know that was Eric. Is your friend okay?”
Another tear escaped and Angela said, “Not if I don’t get going. Please, Ari, don’t try to stop me.”
“I won’t,” Arianna assured her. “But I am going with you.”
Eyes widening, Angela argued, “They said if I tell anyone they’ll kill her!”
“I’m already here,” Arianna pointed out. “Maybe they should’ve done a better job stalking you first. If you don’t bring me with you, I’m calling Dean.” Yeah, that sounded mature.
Angela squeezed her eyes shut for a long second. “All right. But we’re taking my car, and please don’t get hurt.”
“I won’t if you don’t,” Arianna offered as they turned and started for the door. She didn’t bother going for her purse. Her phone was in her pocket, and her purse staying behind would only help send the silent message something was wrong. Not that the untouched pizza and drinks wouldn’t do that on their own. She was sure it was risky to insert herself in a situation not meant for her, but she wasn’t about to let Angela go alone. Sooner or later, Dean would come home from work and realize something was wrong. Dean, don’t you dare work late.
They talked a little during the drive, mostly about where they were headed. Angela gave Arianna some backstory on their destination, but in the end they were driving into a nightmare. Arianna didn’t need to know the details to know that. She would have felt better, in a perverse way, if the drive took a little longer, though. The house wasn’t even halfway across town. That was just too close for comfort.
But then they were there, and it wasn’t the time for stupid uneasiness. They had bigger problems.
As the automated garage door rolled down behind them Arianna took a deep, stabilizing breath. Every instinct she possessed insisted this was an absolutely terrible idea, but there was no sense in saying it aloud. She knew Angela knew that as well as she did. So she tried to distract herself and looked around the interior of the two-car garage. There was another car, a Bentley, next to them and an average-sized refrigerator in one corner. The shelves were mostly empty and cobwebs covered so much of the walls and ceiling she could only assume Angela was right. The one thing they’d discussed on the drive. The house had been empty now for months.
The house attached to the garage, according to what Angela had told her on the way over, was where Eric and his now-deceased older sister, Emma, had once lived. To the best of Angela’s knowledge, the house had been abandoned after the battle that had eventually cost Emma her life. On the outside Arianna had noticed it seemed like a nice enough house. Some abstract part of her even thought it was something of a shame that it was being neglected now. But, really, that was ridiculous.
The inner door swung open, then, and Eric stepped into view. There were circles under his eyes and his hair was unkempt. Arianna couldn’t help but think she was glad to see he didn’t seem to have slept well. Without exchanging a word Angela and Arianna climbed from the car and walked around to stand parallel with the hood. Angela shrugged out of her purse and dropped it onto the hood, like Eric had instructed her to do ahead of time. Anticipating the same instruction, Arianna pulled her phone from her pocket and tossed it onto the hood as well.
“What the hell is she doing here?” Eric snapped, agitation already darkening his voice. “I thought I made myself clear, Angela.”
“You did,” Angela replied. “But Arianna was right next to me when you called. I didn’t have a choice.”
His eyes narrowed and flicked between them, scanning Arianna up and down. “Empty all of your pockets onto the hood.”
Chicken. But she kept the jibe to herself, shoved her hands into her front pockets, and tugged them inside out. “They’re already empty,” she declared plainly. Unfortunately. She hadn’t yet replaced her stun-gun.
Suspicion still dominated his gaze, but instead of commenting he asked, “And how do I know you didn’t make a call from the road?”
“Check our phone histories,” Arianna suggested.
“We haven’t talked to anyone,” Angela added. “Where’s Hilary? You promised you’d release her if I showed.”
“No,” Eric replied coldly, locking hate-filled eyes on Angela, “I promised I’d release her after you do what I want.” His lips twitched and his gaze snapped back to Arianna as he added, “But, I’m a reasonable guy. I’ll offer a compromise. Hilary can wait in your car—unconscious, of course—if she takes her place.”
“What?” Angela breathed, clearly thrown off by the suggestion.
Arianna was less surprised. It was an offer she couldn’t refuse, either. She would much rather risk her own life than someone else’s. “Deal,” she replied. “Bring Hilary out here and I’ll cooperate.”
Eric glared at her for a second longer before stepping to the side and saying, “Come inside, wait by the stairs and don’t get any smart ideas.”
Angela led the way inside, making a point not to make physical contact with Eric as she passed him. Arianna wasn’t so mindful. She let her shoulder bump rudely into his and cut him a dark look as she followed Angela. She might be willing to cooperate for the sake of another, but that didn’t mean she was going to play nice. From the darkened glare Eric shot back at her, she suspected he recognized the distinction, too. That, or he was still sore about losing their last fight.
The staircase was fairly elaborate, with thick wooden posts and matching railing following the steps as they curved slowly up to the second level. Arianna followed Angela’s lead and claimed a seat on the bottom steps, disregarding the dust she was sitting on. Clearly they either didn’t intend to stay in the house or they didn’t care about living in filth, because the house hadn’t seen a duster in a good while. But her reflection was interrupted by the sound of an emotional female voice from a room just a bit further up the hall. The room Eric had disappeared into.
“Let me go!” the female cried, her voice near pleading and noticeably watery.
“Relax,” Eric returned as he stepped into view again, “you’re almost free. Quit struggling, dammit.”
“This is kidnapping, you know!” the girl, whom Arianna assumed was Hilary, exclaimed desperately as she was dragged into view. She had messy blonde hair, red-rimmed blue eyes and tear stains covering her cheeks. She was dressed in flannel pajama bottoms and a lightweight tank top, all of which fit her perfectly and assured Arianna she’d been grabbed either late the night before or too early that morning. Hilary’s attention snapped over to the pair on the stairs and a sob choked her throat. “Ange, god, no, did they get you, too?”
Angela’s voice was strained and teary as she pushed to her feet and replied, “Don’t worry about me, Hilary. You’re going to be okay, I promise. There’s just something I have to do, and then I’ll take you home.”
“Both of you shut up,” Eric growled. “You two stay there if you don’t want this bitch’s blood on your hands.”
Hilary renewed her struggle when he spoke. “You won’t get away with this!”
Eric paused, parallel now with the stairs, and turned a victorious smirk her way. “I already have, Hil.” To emphasize his point, he shot out his free hand and clamped it over Arianna’s shoulder, above her heart. Before Arianna could react, fire once again shot into her body. Stars exploded behind her eyes and she may or may not have cried out. She wasn’t entirely sure that the voice she heard was hers. She fought as best she could against the pain, and against the darkness encroaching on her vision. But it was a losing battle.
Chapter Eighteen
“You didn’t have to do that!” Angela exclaimed when Eric strode back into the hallway, Hilary supposedly unconscious in the backseat of Angela’s Mercedes. S
he was kneeling awkwardly on the stairs next to Arianna’s unconscious body. There weren’t words to describe how terrible she felt in that moment. Her best friend had been used as blackmail by her lying, cheating, murderous ex-boyfriend, and now her brother’s girlfriend—a woman she was coming to highly respect—had been electrocuted because of her, too. She didn’t know how she’d begin to apologize to either of them. Glaring up at Eric, she snapped, “We were already here, dammit, why did you do that?”
Eric’s gaze sparked with danger as he studied Arianna. “She had it coming. Now, are you going to yell at me or do what you promised?”
All she wanted to do was scream, and maybe hit him, but she knew better. With Arianna and Hilary both unconscious, Angela was at an incredible disadvantage. Especially since all of their phones were out in the garage. Swallowing her anger, Angela lowered Arianna the rest of the way onto the stairs and pushed to her feet. “Do we really have to leave her here?”
“Of course not,” Eric returned with an eye roll. “We’re going to the den. You remember the way, don’t you?”
“I do,” Angela replied, all the while wishing she’d never known the way in the first place.
“Good, you’re leading the way,” Eric declared. He reached out, tugged her forward and into the hall, and then unceremoniously hauled Arianna up from the stairs and partially over his shoulder. He grunted with the effort, clearly not used to carrying limp bodies, and snapped, “Get moving!”