by Amy Brent
The memory of those final moments ran through my head as I slipped off my mask. The thing had been like a second skin, and I’d almost forgotten about it, but then it dawned on me. Aiden hadn’t even seen the real me. He’d seen the masked girl at his party and thought he could play with her. That’s all he’d done too, play. But I wasn’t a toy, and whatever his game was, it was over now. Never again.
I wiped my eyes and then went to straighten my rings when I noticed the one was missing again. I’d seen it on my hand when I’d been upstairs with Aiden. He’d held my hand, and I’d been conscious of it. Now it was somewhere between the stairs and the room where the two awful sisters were. I’d never see it again. I’d call the house and ask the staff if they found it, but more than likely someone else would spot it and realize it was gold and sell it.
I opened my bag and made sure all of my mother’s pieces were accounted for, and I’d have to double-check the rest when I got back to my room.
I was sure that Nola would respect the girl’s wishes and let me go and even throw me out of the house, but that was okay. I’d tell her everything that happened and keep my head up. I wasn’t going to ever be able to trust those girls again as long as I lived, so there could never be any kind of working relationship. They’d gotten their way and gotten rid of me. Just like they’d planned when they’d left for the party without me.
Aiden was probably in on it all along too, and as my heart ached, I told myself, it could have been worse, I could have easily fallen in love with him, but thankfully I hadn’t. My heart was tender, bruised from his game, but a little crush was nothing to get over compared to love.
I could have loved him in time, too, and felt that at least the twins had given me that small mercy. Even if they’d never intended it. The cruelest game would have been to let it draw out.
As I pulled up at the Blue Mansion, I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes. I didn’t want Nola or Mattie to see me looking defeated. I’d been nothing more than another conquest to Aiden Prince, but I’d make sure and stay strong and not break down. If I’d learned anything from my mother, it was strength.
Chapter 14
Aiden
I finally broke away from my mother’s scolding but not in time to catch Ella. Zep stepped up and reached down to pick something up at my feet, and it was Ella’s ring. Or at least part of it. “She dropped this. You might want to hold on to it.”
“What happened? My mom stopped me about the liquor and scolded me for being upstairs. What did those bitches say to her?”
“They told her you were going to be in their foursome with us.” He looked as if all the wind had been knocked out of him.
“Did you explain that I wasn’t?”
“I didn’t know what to say! I didn’t want to piss off the twins.”
“You let them fill her head with that bullshit?” He should have told her it wasn’t true, but I understood him being put on the spot like that, but I hated that Ella must think the worst of me.
“Man, no telling what she thinks. Those twins are brutal and especially to someone like Ella who’s good and beautiful.” About that time the twins stepped around the corner to where Zep and I stood talking away from the crowd.
“What did you say to my guest?” My lips pulled back in a scowl as I leaned over Sadie and Halle.
Halle sneered. “Please, you don’t even know her, or you’d know she’s our maid.” I turned to see my mother standing behind us in the doorway. She folded her arms and turned around as if she had nothing to say to me, then she stormed off.
“She’s your maid?”
“Yes, since her mother died, she’s been living with my family and working as our personal assistant. But don’t worry we fired her.” I’d remember her saying she was an assistant. The girls weren’t lying.
“Look, let’s just forget all about her and go upstairs. I’m sure we can work it all out.” Sadie was trying to remain calm, but I wasn’t having it.
“You’re out of your minds. Especially you, Sadie, if you think for one minute I’d be with the likes of you.”
“But you said—
“I lied. I wanted you out of my hair, and the only way to speak reason to you is to promise you sex. I was never going to go through with it.”
Sadie and Halle clasped their chests in unison, and then Sadie scowled. “How could you lie about that?”
“The same way you can treat Ella like shit I suppose, because I don’t like you. Though I think your issue with Ella is more because you’re jealous of her. She is more beautiful and talented than either of you will ever be. I suggest if you want to stay, you’ll cling to Zep because otherwise, you can get the fuck out of my house.”
I turned and walked away, sick to death of their bullshit. How Zep could put his dick into either of them was beyond me, though his appetites were much different from mine.
I had to go back though. I needed information, and they were going to give it to me. I spun back on them, getting in Sadie’s face. “Tell me her number.”
“You can kiss my ass, Aiden. I’m not giving you her number so you can go live happily ever after with that pain in my ass. You want her, good luck finding her, because after tonight, she’s going to be a homeless skank.” She grabbed her sister’s hand, and the two took off upstairs. I could only imagine they’d still end up in Zep’s bed.
I hurried away and ran to the front door, taking a quick look outside. I had no idea what kind of car she came in and no idea if she’d had enough time to leave, but she was nowhere in sight.
I hurried back in, and Zep stopped me at the bottom of the stairs. “I’m sorry, man. I should have stepped in, but I didn’t know it would be this bad.”
“I want her, Zep. I fucking care about her, and I can’t stand to think she’s lost her fucking job and has nowhere to go now because of me. I feel like shit. I’ve got to go after her, if not right now, soon. Tonight.”
“You realize who she is, right?” Zep looked at me like he couldn’t believe I’d want someone like Ella. I wasn’t sure he knew who she was.
“She’s Layla Ford’s daughter.” I watched as my words registered and I could tell by his shock he’d had no idea.
“What? No fucking way.” He scratched his head. “I just meant that she’s that chick from the club— the train wreck who spilled her drink all over you.” My jaw dropped as I remembered the plain girl. She wasn’t anything like that now, but I had to wonder if it were the magic of the gala that had made her so much more appealing or the fact that she was having a bad night the first time at the club. I could believe the latter only because I had a feeling the twins had been messing with her that night as well. They were a real force to be reckoned with.
“Well, she might have been a fucking mess that night, but she’s amazing, and I still want her. More than anyone I’ve ever wanted, Zep.”
“And you’re sure she’s Layla Ford’s daughter and not just saying that.” He met my eyes and shook his head like I had to be careful.
I gave him a sideward glance. “Who’d lie about something like that? Besides, she’s still grieving. It’s obvious.”
“Someone wanting your attention, your money, I don’t know, man. I just want you to be careful. Maybe it’s someone who knows you’re in mourning too still. Someone using that to play on your heartstrings.” Zep had always looked out for me, and I could imagine that with the way the twins had been so quick to chastise Ella for being with me that he’d wonder. No wonder what they’d made him think.
“She said something else, man. Something that hasn’t sat right with me all along. She said that the lady she was living with was helping her out with her finances. Now that I know who she’s living with, I can’t help but worry. Nola Blue is known to be ruthless in getting whatever she can for her daughters.”
“You think Nola is skimming from this chick? Why would she have to? I think you’re reaching, man. I understand not liking the twins, and even I know they can be two little bitter b
rats, but this is a big accusation, Aiden. One I’d step into carefully or not at all. You don’t want to fuck with Nola Blue. Your mother would shit.”
I nodded, but only to let him think I agreed. From what she told me she should have a small fortune, one that even cancer and mounting hospital bills would be hard pressed to find the bottom of, unless someone was skimming or flat stealing from her. Not only would I find Ella, but I’d try to do whatever I could to help her.
I took the ring and slipped it into my pocket and then I asked Zep to cover for me.
“You’re going after her, aren’t you?” He met my eyes and shook his head.
“Yes, now cover for me. Like I would do for you. I won’t get into it with Nola Blue, but I’m going to find Ella. I don’t care what’s going on with her. I want her, and you know how I get when I set my sights on someone I want.”
“Fine, but if your mother gives me shit, you owe me one.”
“No, we’ll call it even for not speaking up to help me when you had the chance.” I gave him a warm smile and a pat on the back.
“Fine.” He seemed to deflate as his shoulders slumped and I shook his hand before I headed out.
“Wish me luck.”
“Luck.”
I took off into the garage and wondered if the valet had taken my advice and not blocked me in. I’d always hated that, and they knew better, but the party was also a lot bigger than expected.
I knew right where the twins lived and hoped I could get to Ella before the twins called home, but I had a feeling that by the time I’d get there, Nola Blue would already know what was happening.
I seemed to remember something about Nola and Layla Ford being best friends, but I wasn’t sure about that. Sometimes the tabloids made up fake relationships and even feuds, and it was hard to tell which was which.
I opened the garage to find a couple of paparazzi waiting for someone to leave. I didn’t bother ducking the camera flash and tried my best not to run over one of the idiots who made a bad habit of standing in front of cars.
Finally, I was on my way, and I knew that if all else failed at least, I could return her ring and wish her well.
But I really hoped that I’d find her missing me as much as I missed her. It was a feeling like I’d known her my whole life and would never see her again.
Chapter 15
Ella
I hurried into the house and ran into Millie who was standing around waiting like the driver had called her. He probably had, and I wiped my eyes determined to be strong.
Millie’s voice was full of concern. “What happened?” She put her hands on my arms, and I took a deep breath, snubbing from the tears I’d shed in the car.
“The twins fired me. Aiden Prince chose to dance with me and not them, and they had told me he was off limits. Supposedly, Sadie liked him. But he hadn’t told me anything like that. We were having a lovely time, and he even kissed me. We talked about my mother and her jewelry, and then I went down to find the twins with it on.” I felt like I was rambling but I opened my purse to let her see what they’d done. Her eyes widened as she saw the jewels. “I made them give all of this back to me and threatened to involve the police. They fired me.” I knew I was repeating myself and I tried to catch my breath as I took a seat on the bench in the foyer.
“You’ll be fine. I wouldn’t worry about them.”
“I lost my ring, too.” I held out my hand and showed her the place where and should be. “There’s a part of it missing.”
“Yes, I remember when your father gave them to—
Millie stopped and pulled her lips in tight as if she'd said something she shouldn’t have. “My father?” I gave her a sideward glance.
“Jesus,” she mumbled and then she met my eyes with a soft look of regret. “I suppose I’ve been waiting for the day I’d let that slip.”
“Let what slip, Millie? Did you know my father?” She gave me a knowing look, and I started to shake. “Tell me who he is!”
“I remember the day your mother decided to make that piece. She’d taken all three rings that your father had given her and made them into one. She’d known it was finally over and thought the piece would be symbolic.” She stared off at the front door as if she didn't see it, and instead her head was full of memories.
“Who is he?” Something in the way she was acting, my suspicions started growing.
“My son met your mother a long time before she introduced him to Nola. They were sweethearts, and he even proposed to her a few times. But then Nola asserted herself in the middle and before I knew anything about it, she, Nola, and Scott had themselves a love triangle. It nearly killed their friendship, but your mother tried to step out of the way. But she was too late. And by late, I mean she was pregnant with you. Well, Scott was going through a rough time with his demons, his addictions, and she didn’t know if he could be a good father. You came, time passed, and by the time he cleaned up enough to be worthy of being your father, Nola was pregnant with the twins. He cleaned up and was in love with your mother, but by that time he wouldn’t leave Nola. Not with two little girls, not when your mother was already making money and making a name for herself. He loved her too much to bring her down.
“So, she let it go, let Nola have him even though they were in love and Scott didn’t even fight for her?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, but even more than that what it all meant.
“Don’t be angry with your father, Ella. He’s loved you since the day you were born, and he’s looked after you. That’s why he wanted to take you in, and of course, Nola agreed. She doesn’t know you’re his, Ella. She and your mother were friends. Best friends, and even though your mother and her had your disagreements, she’d do anything for you.
“She doesn’t know?”
“No, it’s the reason Scott and I have kept this all a secret. She’d try to ruin us, Ella. You mustn’t tell her.” I stared at Millie and realized something that hadn’t dawned on me before.
“Millie, you’re my—
“I’m your grandmother, yes.” She nodded her head and pulled me into her arms so tight I felt like I’d break. “I’m so sorry, Ella. So, so sorry.” Millie wept and I held her for a moment thinking of my eyes and how much like Scott’s they were, how familiar he’d always been and how he always had looked at me with fondness and told me how much I reminded him of my mother. He’d loved her.
“Nola is going to be mad. She’s going to want to kick me out when the twins come home.” I pulled away from Millie and was suddenly dizzy. “The twins. They’re my half-sisters. I’d never noticed any resemblance with the two girls and myself, but then they’d been perfect little carbon copies of their mother, and I’d looked like mine, save for the eyes, which were so clearly Scott Blue’s.
“I’m sure it’s all quite a shock, but I want you to know something. This is my house. Mine and my son’s. I put the secure loan on it long before he and Nola ever became a thing, so you may stay here as long as you like.”
“Will he ever tell Nola?” I thought it only fair to let her know about me, and then she could make her own decision about what to do. “I mean, I was here first, my mother had him first, right?”
“He was with Nola when you were conceived if that’s what you’re asking. It’s a strange relationship, designed to give Nola her way. I’ve promised Scott I’d never tell, so if you want her to know, you should talk to him.
“This is all a bit too much.”
“I know, and I’ve wanted to tell you a million times. I’ve always known I’d slip up one day. I am getting older and am not as sharp minded as I used to be, and well, quite honestly, I’m glad it happened. You don’t know how long I’ve wanted you to know.” I wanted to be angry, but it had been a long night, and I loved Millie so much, I could never hate her.
My mother hadn’t ever told me either, and though I felt a touch of bitterness from the situation, I just wanted to let it process—let the whole night process, but then as I headed upstai
rs, I heard a car out front. I gave her one last hug and turned to go upstairs.
“I need to be alone.”
I walked upstairs to my room and then stepped out on the small balcony to peer up to the stars. It seemed like only minutes ago I was with Aiden on his own, looking up at the stars and hoping he’d kiss me again, and now I’m back home, sister to the two twin brats, with my father downstairs somewhere playing his guitar.
I leaned my head on my arm, resting an elbow on the railing when I saw car lights approaching. I wondered if it were the twins returning home in the limo, but it wasn’t. I didn’t recognize the car, but then it stopped, and Aiden got out.
I leaned over the railing. “What are you doing here?” I snapped.
“Please come down, Ella. I need to talk to you!”
“Go away, Aiden. I’ve nothing else to say to you!”
“There’s been a misunderstanding. Would you let me come in and explain?” He peered up at me and I glared down with my arms crossed in front of me like my guts were going to fall out if I didn’t hold myself together. “Please, Ella. I have your ring.”
Knowing he had my ring, I wanted to run down, but instead, I took my time responding. “Fine, but only to get my ring. I have nothing to say to you. It’s been a really shitty night!” I couldn’t even tell him why.