"Do you want me to leave?" She looks hurt as she puts her dress on, standing before me with her back to me as she motions for me to do her zipper. I pull the zip up, not allowing myself to touch her skin, and she faces me again, her face falling when I won't meet her eyes. "Dex, why won't you look at me?"
"You got what you wanted, didn't you?" My voice is cold and unforgiving. Whatever sweetness we just shared is gone, replaced by her betrayal which I still haven't forgotten. "Don't pretend like you came here for anything other than to get fucked."
"But Dex, I-"
"I don't care." I shut her up with my finger pressed against her lips. "And it doesn't matter. It's time for you to go now, Pandora. I have shit to take care of."
Her stormy eyes betray her, letting me know just how badly she wants to stay. But I pay it no mind, ignoring her as I stride toward the front door. My toy follows sheepishly in my footsteps, and pauses on the doorstep.
"You're really going to make me leave right now?"
She's pouting, and it's kind of cute. I smirk and tuck a strand of chocolate brown hair behind her ear.
"You got what you wanted," I repeat. "And I'll see you soon, anyway. Now go home before your father blows a coronary when he finds you left."
"About that..." She chews on her bottom lip. "I meant to tell you before."
I knit my brows together in worry. Something tells me I won't like what's coming. "Tell me what?"
"My father, he..." She swallows, and her eyes aren't meeting mine. "He attacked Minnie..."
"He did what?"
"I... I think he broke her arm," she stutters. "But I got in soon after that because I heard screaming, and Brazen-"
"Fuck, Pandora!" My fist slams into the door. I've bruised and bloodied my knuckles but I don't give a shit. "And you're still living in that house with him? Where the fuck was Belle when this happened?"
She shrugs helplessly. "I don't think she cares."
"He's going to kill that girl," I say matter-of-factly.
"I know," she whispers. "I'm trying to stop him, but I think everyone's too scared. But I have a plan to help Minnie."
"Help her?" I laugh bitterly. "Like you helped her today? He broke her arm, Pandora. And you came running here, neglecting to tell me about that and riding my dick for hours before you brought it up. You're as bad as he is."
She pales visibly, then a look of pure rage crosses her face and she jams a finger into my chest. "Take that back, Dexter."
"No, I mean it." I force her hands away and whistle to Kelley who just pulled up in our driveway. "You're going home, Pandora. And don't come back for my pity, because you don't fucking deserve it."
"As if you didn't want to fuck me," she snarls, staring me down with contempt. "I'll never come back here."
"Sure you won't," I smirk.
"You don't believe me?"
"Here's the thing... You know where I am," I tell her with a cool smile. "And I know what you are."
She narrows her eyes at me, muttering, "Why don't you just-"
"Save it." I kiss her lips, soft and sweet, leaving her wanting more as I pull away and she attempts to hide the desire plainly visible in her hungry eyes. "I'll be waiting for you, Pandora. We both know you're coming back."
With that, I close the front door, leaving her stranded on my doorstep.
Once I unlock the door to Lily Anna's room, I fully expect her to launch herself at me, demanding answers and coming for my blood. But she's sitting in the corner of the room instead, her back upright and a calm smile playing on her face. She rises when I enter, coming toward me with long, deliberate and confident steps.
"Hello," I speak up formally. "I'm sorry I haven't checked in on you in a few hours."
She examines my face with interest. I'm glad I don't wear my heart on my sleeve, otherwise she'd be able to tell instantly what I spent my day doing. Even though I took a long shower, regretting every second I spent under the hot spray off the water, I still smell Pandora's scent on me. I can't get enough of it. I hated washing it off. I want to envelop myself in her like her scent is expensive cologne.
She doesn't ask me where I was, just comes up to me, wrinkling her nose. Then, her eyes meet mine, searching my gaze for answers. I force myself not to look away, staring right back at her and daring her to call me out on the truth. But Lily Anna doesn't. Instead, she offers a sugary sweet smile as she draws out, "That's alright."
I'm surprised by how lucid she seems. For the first time in months, I feel like I'm seeing a glimpse of the old Lily Anna, the girl I loved so years ago, before it all went to shit.
Something takes over me then, and I surprise myself by saying, "Do you want to come to the living room for a while?"
Her eyes light up at the opportunity. I'm risking everything by bringing her out of her room, but the desire to give her more is too strong to stop myself. Finally, she nods tentatively, and I unlock the door again, motioning for her to walk in front of me.
She takes painfully slow steps down the hallway, and I follow behind closely, making sure she's safe and not trying to get away from me. She behaves like a good girl and gives me no reason to worry, making my heart swell with guilt.
I shouldn't have done this to her.
Every day I keep her locked up is another notch on my death sentence.
No wonder Anders couldn't stay and help me take care of the girl. The whole situation is too messed up for words.
We walk into the living room. I've cleared away all the traces of my day with Pandora, but the fire is still burning in the hearth, and Lily Anna sits in front of the fireplace now, admiring the sparks flying and hitting the glass panel before the logs.
"So beautiful," she mutters. "I like it."
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."<
br />
"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.
10
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 remind 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."
A Hurt So Sweet Volume Three: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Elite of Eden Falls Prep Book 3) Page 8