I smile, sitting down next to her and extending my arms. We both warm our palms on the fire before I reach over to the poker in a metal box on the mantel, and stoke the fire. Lily Anna watches the flames burning as we sit there in companionable silence. But for the first time, I'm sure about something - whatever Lily Anna and I had is over. My love for her has faded over the years. I've become jaded by her personality, fooled by her lies one too many times to keep indulging her vindictive personality.
"Lily Anna." My voice fades as I say her name, and she turns her head to look at me. "I've been thinking about leaving."
She cocks her head to the side, a sweet smile lighting up her face. "Oh. Where are we going?"
The way she phrases her question doesn't escape me, and I force myself not to wince as I answer, "I'm leaving this town. Eden Falls is toxic. I want to get the hell out of here."
Her eyes widen. "But where could we possibly go?"
I need to tell her the truth, and I know it's going to hurt.
I reach over for her hands, gathering them in mine. "Lily Anna, I... I'm not leaving with you."
Shock registers in her eyes first, then betrayal. She snatches her hands away from mine, but merely nods in response. "What's going to happen to me, then?"
"Well, you're old enough to do whatever you want," I tell her gently. "Your father-er, Emilian Oakes, he... he can't hurt you, even with his influence. Nobody would let him hurt you anymore, not now that you're of legal age, and everyone knows you're not..."
"Not what?"
"Nothing," I mutter. "Point is, you'd be free. Free to go wherever you wanted."
"But what if I want to come with you?"
I try to take her hands again, but I don't want to upset her, so I run my fingers through my hair again. "Thing is, Lily Anna, I'm not leaving by myself."
Once again, there's shock, then betrayal, then pure resentment. But she doesn't say anything, only nods and looks away. We stare silently at the fire for the next few minutes, me choosing the words that will hurt her the least when I tell her she's on her own from here on out.
"Dex?"
I look up at her, hoping she won't cry or get upset. "Yes?"
"Can you get me a drink?" Her voice is wobbly. "I don't feel so good."
"Alright," I mutter, getting up to grab some water when it hits me - this could be Lily Anna's clever plan to run away from me. To betray me and go straight to the cops. After all, I've been keeping her prisoner for a long time. This could easily play to her advantage - and my downfall.
I turn to face her again, gently asking, "Lily Anna, you don't want to hurt me, do you?"
"No." Her eyes burn with passion as she locks them with mine. "I'd never hurt you, Dexter. I love you."
Her words sting and cut deep, but I somehow manage a nod nonetheless. I set off in the direction of the kitchen, feeling tense as I pour a glass of water for her. Maybe I shouldn't trust her. Maybe this was all she wanted - an opportunity to run away, to stab me where it hurts.
I rush back so fast half of the water in the glass I got sloshes over the rim.
But once I arrive back in the living room, I notice Lily Anna hasn't moved from her spot, and guilt makes nervous beads of sweat break out on my skin.
"Here you go." I offer her the glass, surprised by her steady composure as she takes it from me. "Do you feel better?"
"I will soon." She takes long, deep sips of the liquid, making me feel ashamed of myself as I watch her drink.
I've imprisoned the girl.
I've kept her captive for years under the pretense of protecting her from her father, but the truth is, I was trying to keep her from harming herself. But in doing that, I might've only made things worse, and now guilt flows through me freely, reminding me with each second that passes that I'm at fault for what's happened to her.
"We should go back to your room," I suggest gently.
She surprises me with a calm nod, handing me the glass. I look deep into her wide, innocent eyes and hate myself for the monster I've become.
I put the glass down and tell her to go upstairs. Her eyes light up at this, the sign of trust obvious, and I even turn my back on her to pretend like I really do trust her. Soon enough, her footsteps echo in the stairway and I know she's gone back to her room.
I need to figure out the situation with Lily Anna. I can't keep her captive forever. Especially now that Anders is gone.
Minutes later, I go up the stairs myself. I hesitate with my palm resting on the door. I want to open it. I want to talk to Lily Anna, tell her everything's going to be okay. Tell her I'm not the bastard she must see me as now.
But I do no such thing.
Instead, I turn the key in the lock, making sure she can't run, and walk away from her. Yet another problem behind closed doors. And as long as they remain locked, I can pretend things are going to work out just fine.
Chapter Ten
Pandora
"Pandora. Pandora. Pandora."
I groan, tossing and turning in bed. "Leave me alone."
"No. Wake up."
I force my eyes open, rubbing the sleep out of them. My room is enveloped in darkness save for the bedside lamp on my nightstand. Brazen is sitting next to me on the bed, his face ashen.
I sit up instantly. "Is Minnie alright?"
"We just got back from the hospital," he mutters. "The bastard wouldn't even pay for private care."
I know right away he means our father, and I shake my head. The last time I saw him, he was a bloody mess on the floor. Kelley told me a private doctor came to the house to take care of his injuries, but he didn't give a damn about Minnie's. Brazen was the one who took her to the ER, where she got a cast on her left arm.
"Is she okay?" I ask.
"She's gonna be wearing that cast for a month." Brazen's hand forms a fist on his lap. Our eyes meet, and for once in our lives, I feel like we're sharing a moment. The one thing we have in common is hating our father. At least now we have something that bonds us together. "I wanted to thank you for what you did today, Pandora."
"I didn't do anything," I mutter.
"You stopped him before he took it further."
"He broke her arm, Brazen!" I hiss, unable to help myself. I'm still simmering with rage, both because of what our father did, and what Dex threw in my face.
"But you stopped him from doing more than that," he says calmly. "Fuck knows what would've happened if you hadn't walked in when you did. Minnie could be dead right now."
I find myself nodding, silently agreeing with his words. Father is capable of a lot worse than he did to Minnie. Dexter's bloody back speaks volumes. "I just wish I could do more."
"Well, at least we're working together now. We can help Minnie. Help her get the hell away.”
"Brazen, do you..." My eyes meet his. I'm uncertain whether I should ask, but I desperately want to know, and the words slip from my lips before I can stop myself. "You love her, don't you?"
His lips form a thin line. He doesn't answer my question, but his silence tells me everything I need to know.
I reach for his hand, but he pulls away, as if he can't bear the thought of being touched by me. Then, as if he's regretting pulling back, he offers me a sad smile. "I know you have her best interest at heart, Pandora. You're not as bad as everyone thinks."
"I don't think you are either." I mimic his bitter smile. "But it's easier like this, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Pretending you're cold," I mutter, toying with the bedding. "Pretending nothing can hurt you, and you don't care about anything. At least that way Father can't hurt you."
He stares into my eyes, and when I think he's going to tell me off, he gives the slightest of nods.
"Does he know about you and Minnie?" I can't help but ask.
"I don't think so," Brazen mutters. "So you’d better keep your mouth shut. And there is no me and Minnie, anyway. Nothing's ever happened between us."
"But you love her," I r
emind him.
"She doesn't need to know that."
"But Brazen, I think she-"
"Stop." He raises a hand in warning, stopping me in my tracks. I shut up on command, sighing. I wish I could tell him that Minnie has feelings for him too, but I suppose it's not my place. It's her story to tell. "I just came to thank you, and offer you... something in exchange for keeping Minnie safe when I'm not around."
"Oh?" I sit up in bed, only then realizing I'm wearing nothing but a silk chemise. I pull the duvet higher, feeling self-conscious without makeup and my hair done. Goddamn, what has Eden Falls done to me? Months ago I wouldn't give a damn about my appearance. "What did you want to offer me?"
"First promise me you'll keep her safe," he mutters. "I need to know there's someone else looking out for her when I... can't be here."
"Where are you going?" His hands tighten into fists and I find myself regretting asking the question. "Okay, I promise, Brazen."
"Good."
"Now what do I get?"
"I can help you at school," he murmurs. "Keep you safe. Make sure people aren't picking on you."
"You'd do that for me?" I stare at him skeptically.
"I will," he nods. "As long as you keep an eye out on Minnie."
"I'll do more than that. Look." I get out of bed, and he looks away, clearing his throat when he sees what I'm wearing. I dig under the bed and pull out a Zanotti shoe box, revealing some money I've stashed away in there. "I haven't been able to get much more, but I try to put some away every time I can. I want to help Minnie leave town."
Brazen looks more emotional than I've ever seen him as he says, "That's very kind of you, Lily Anna."
"Pandora," I correct him icily.
"Right." He chuckles. "Sorry... sometimes, you're a lot like her, you know."
I don't know whether I should be flattered or offended, so I distract myself by putting the box away again.
"So I can count on your help at school?" I ask once I'm back on my bed. "You won't let me down, will you?"
Brazen shakes his head. "As long as you keep an eye on Minnie, I'll keep an eye on you."
"Good. Now if that's it, you really should go." I stretch, yawning loudly. "It's the middle of the night and I desperately need to get some rest."
"One last thing." He picks himself up from the bed and watches me with a worried expression. "Be careful around Father. He's pissed after tonight and he's looking to take it out on someone."
"I think you're the one who should be scared," I mutter. After all, my brother is the one who took Father's toy away from him, and I know Father won't react to that lightly.
Brazen scoffs, saying, "I'm his Firstborn now, and I've already proven to him I can stand up for myself and those I..."
"Love?" I tease, but his hurt expression tells me it's too soon for me to push him that way, and I quickly shut up.
"I think he's planning something," my brother goes on. "Something that could potentially be disastrous. Just be ready, okay?"
"I'll keep an eye out." I tuck myself under the duvet. "Thanks, Brazen."
It's the first time I've felt a connection with my brother, and we share a look of understanding before he leaves the room. His words keep playing in my mind as I slowly drift into a dreamless sleep.
***
It's the weekend, but I still have to get up early for the family breakfast. I'm not certain whether Father will be there, but judging by the fact that a tight-lipped Belle woke me up hours after Brazen left, I'm assuming he has something to tell us.
I get ready, dressing up in a simple navy shift dress and pairing it with some nude ballet flats. I scrutinize my appearance in the mirror, wondering whether Father or anyone else will be able to tell what I'd been up to the previous night. I feel like Dexter still has his claws on me, as if I'm bearing his invisible brand that marks me as his property now, and forever.
I curl my hair into pretty ringlets and apply some light makeup before heading downstairs. Tatianna and my stepmother are already sitting at the table with ashen faces, but neither Brazen nor Father are anywhere to be seen.
I slide into my seat and ladle food on my plate while Bryony stares at me with a horrified expression.
"You're having that much?" she asks, obviously scandalized. "It's all going to go right to your ass, girl."
"Great," I mutter in response. "Will make it comfier to sit down."
She shakes her head and continues picking at her grapefruit slices, while Tianna exchanges a smile with me. I wish the girl would be more open to building a friendship. I'm eager to get to know her better, but so far, she's been a closed book.
A moment later, Brazen enters the room. His face is stormy and he doesn't say anything as he sits down next to us at the table, glaring at each one of us for a few seconds. He fills up his plate and we eat in silence, but it's anything but companionable. I feel beads of sweat erupt on my forehead. I'm nervous as fuck. Father won't be in a good mood today, and I'd bet anything he'll pick me as his victim yet again. I'm the easiest target, after all.
The tension in the room is palpable until we all finally hear footsteps in the hallway. We exchange glances. Bryony pushes her plate away and we all stand up, anticipating Father's entrance. I keep my eyes trained on my plate, not wanting to look at him, but when the footsteps draw nearer, I hear Tianna's shocked gasp next to me. I grab her hand and squeeze, hard, and she squeezes back. It's a small sign of camaraderie in this fucked up house.
"Sit down." Father's words come out muffled, as if he's got something in his mouth. I keep my eyes trained on my half-empty plate and plop down back on the chair. My heart is racing a million miles a minute, and I can barely breathe. I know whatever is coming won't be good for me. "Pandora."
I wince at the sound of my name. Here we go. He's going to hurt me now and make some lame excuse about me needing discipline.
"Yes, Father?"
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you, girl."
I swallow thickly, closing my eyes for a second to gather my composure. Then, I slowly lift my head, my gaze meeting Father's.
What I see renders me speechless. Father's face is a mess. He's got stitches in his eyebrow and another few on his lip. His mouth is horrible swollen, his cheekbone seems broken, and his right eye has swollen shut. He’s a mess, and looking at him makes me feel physically ill. I look away, unable to handle the weight of his stare.
"I said, fucking look at me."
He seems adamant, and I know I'm in trouble whether I obey or not, so I force myself to stare right into his eyes, what's visible of them, anyway.
"I'm sorry, Father."
"You see what your brother did to me?" He laughs, but it turns into a wheeze halfway through. He coughs and sputters, but I force myself to keep my eyes trained on him like he wanted. "Takes a strong man to take down someone like me."
I'm desperate to tell him that can't be true. Without his army of help, Emilian Oakes is fucking nothing. But I'm wise enough to keep my mouth shut and wait for the punishment I know will be coming, regardless of what I do.
"How are you feeling, Daddy?" Tianna pipes up next to me, her voice small and fragile. Father ignores her completely, his attention still on me.
"Since you've fucked away your prospect in this town," Father drawls. "I've decided I might as well treat you as the whore you so desperately want to be."
I furrow my brows, muttering, "What's that supposed to mean?"
He smirks. It looks painful, and I hope every move he makes hurts, and reminds him of what a piece of shit he is deep down. My skin prickles, anticipating Father's answer. I know he's going to hurt me now. I know he's going to take his anger on Brazen out on me. And even though I'd never admit it out loud, I'm fucking terrified.
"It means," Father goes on with a beatific smile. "I'm going to offer your hand in marriage to the highest bidder."
"What?" I jump up from my seat, overwhelmed by emotion. "You can't do that without my consent."
"Oh, I can do plenty of things without your consent." He grimaces, his face managing to look triumphant despite the state he's in. "This being only one of them. Of course, I don't assume you'll be listening to me for much longer. Your husband will take care of that all by himself, won't he?"
"What about school?" I spit out. "I still have a year and a half to go, and I wanted to go to college after."
"Nonsense." He waves his hand dismissively. "Oakes girls don't need an education. All you need to do is give me and your husband heir after heir after heir."
"You're sick," I hiss. "You're using me for your own gain yet again. When does this all stop? When are you going to realize what a tyrant you are, you sick bastard?"
"Brazen," Father speaks up through gritted teeth. "Hit her."
A tense silence lays upon the table. I stare at my brother, waiting for him to get up and do Father's dirty work yet again. But he doesn't. He stays glued to the chair, fighting a silent battle with Father as they stare one another down.
"No," Brazen says.
"Excuse me?" Father looks furious, and Brazen smirks, getting up and throwing his napkin engraved with the Oakes' family crest on the dining table. "You do as you're told, Brazen. Or else."
"Or else what?" My brother laughs freely. "You don't tell me what to do anymore. Hit her yourself, you old fuck. Maybe she'll have the mercy not to hit you the fuck back."
With those words, he strides out of the room. I feel proud of him for standing up to Father, but I'm still terrified. Father's words are ringing in my head. The auction. A new husband. A new life. A chance to get away from this hell - or a chance to be stuck in a fate even worse than this one.
"Who gets to win, then?" I ask Father icily.
"The highest bidder, of course." He smiles. It looks painful, and I hope it fucking is. "You know, there are men in Eden Falls who'll pay good money for an obedient fuckslut like you."
My stomach falls and I cringe. "You're sick."
"Maybe so," he says, toasting me with a flute of orange juice. "But I'm the only one in charge of your fate, daughter dearest... And I fully intend to make it as miserable as possible."
A Hurt So Sweet: Complete Dark Bully Romance Series Box Set: Elite of Eden Falls Prep Page 40