Chapter 36
AMELIA
“Mmm, taste this.” I pop a piece of whatever Julie made for breakfast into Blade’s mouth. It’s some kind of crepe-French toast hybrid and it’s delicious.
He chews, nodding. “Mm, that is good.” He steals a piece from my plate, one that I’d already cut up.
“So, how did it go?” I ask, addressing the elephant in the room. Last night, he told me he was making a trip to his dad’s house, and later texted that his mom showed up unexpectedly. He got back too late to talk, only now wandering into the kitchen after oversleeping last night.
He’s mentioned bits and pieces about his parents before, but nothing substantial. He always keeps that part of his life locked away, and tenses whenever it’s brought up.
His expression remains carefully neutral as he looks at me. He’s mastered masking his emotions, but sometimes I can still sense them anyway. “It went okay.”
“What did she want?”
He reaches out to tuck a stray hair behind my ear, clearing his throat. “Just, uh, Jacob is my… brother.”
My mouth drops open. “What? H… how? Wait, Jackie is your mom?”
He visibly stiffens at the name, a fleeting shadow of discomfort crossing his face before he quickly recovers. Snagging another piece of food from my plate, he presses a kiss to my forehead. “I don’t really wanna talk about it right now. Finish enjoying your breakfast, angel.” And with that, he exits the room.
I’m surprised he even ate the first bite, let alone went back for more. Blade’s very particular about food, usually eating the same thing every single day. I could never.
I finish my breakfast, my mind racing with the bombshell thrown at me about Jacob. I try to push the distracting thoughts aside, refocusing on my excitement of having some much-needed time off class to work in my fashion studio. It’s become my sanctuary where I can immerse myself in my designs.
And boy, do I need that.
I have to finish the concepts for the Maison de Lumière fashion show. I’ll revamp two of my old designs and create two new ones.
My heart races thinking about the show. In a few weeks, my designs will be on that runway, and that thought has me jittery with excitement and nerves. I can already feel the adrenaline rush every time I imagine it, but I know if I don’t calm down, I won’t be able to focus. To make this work, my best work, I need to steady my hands, quiet my mind, and channel all this buzzing energy into something beautiful.
My studio is nestled away from the main rooms of the house, so I pass by a couple of hallways before I hear faint voices through one of the doors and freeze in my tracks.
It’s Blade and Asher.
“Yeah, he’s my brother.”
I scoff. So he doesn’t feel like talking about it with me, but he’s fine and dandy to talk about it with Asher.
“Well, was my brother. Since I killed him.”
I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth to stifle the sound. Moving cautiously, I tiptoe to the side of the door, positioning myself where they can’t see or hear me. My heart pounds furiously as I strain to listen.
Asher speaks next. “I don’t see how you guys can just go around willy-nilly killing. I mean, what if the police catch on?”
“The police in this town? We don’t have to worry about them. They’re paid off.” How often does he do this sort of thing? “But in Colorado, I set his cabin on fire to burn any evidence.” Oh my freaking God. “I also killed two other people there, so all three of their bodies are ashes now. I just can’t believe he was my fucking brother. And that woman sprung it on me like that. Didn’t even bother asking how I was first.” He sighs. “I’ve got a lot of pent-up anger now. Mr. Adams is in the basement, and I’m gonna go take it out on him in a few before I off him.”
“Jesus, Blade,” Asher mutters. “Seems like you need to start seeing your psychiatrist again. Killing your own brother? That’s a lot for anyone to take in.”
“Eh, doesn’t affect me.”
“You say that. And you keep saying things don’t affect you. But you’re not made of steel.”
“Might as well be.”
Asher sighs. “So, what’s the deal with her mother? I had to lie to Frankie, told her they were on a trip in Colorado to keep her from worrying.”
“I knew she was alive, but I didn’t know she was working with Jacob. No clue where she is now. I haven’t seen her around the house.”
My knees weaken, almost giving out, and I sink to the floor. He knew. All this time. All the stories I told him about my mother, all the times I’ve brought her up, and he knew she was alive the whole time. Betrayal washes over me, rocking my world to its core.
“When are you gonna tell her all this?” Asher asks.
I’ve heard enough. Overwhelmed by a surge of anger, I burst into the room with a forceful swing of the door. My emotions are boiling over and I can hardly contain them. “He doesn’t have to tell me. I already heard it.”
Blade immediately shoots to his feet, shock evident on his face. “Amelia…” he breathes out.
“Uhh...” Asher clears his throat. “I’m gonna leave you guys to it.” He quickly excuses himself, shutting the door behind him as I cross my arms over my chest.
“Don’t Amelia me,” I sneer. He reaches out to grab my arm, but I dodge him. “Let me get this straight. You’re a cold-blooded murderer. An arsonist. You lied straight to my face when I asked if you killed Jacob. You have Mr. Adams tied up in the basement, even though you promised you wouldn’t hurt him for me. And worst of all… you knew my mother was alive.” My voice cracks, tears welling up. “Did I get everything? Or are you hiding more?”
“I’m not hiding anything else. And the last one was only to keep your mother safe from your dad. I’m sorry for that. But, the first ones were because they both hurt you. I will destroy anything and anyone who hurts you, and I’m not apologizing for that.”
“This is too much . All at once. I-I can’t be with you anymore. I need some space to think about all this.” I shake my head. The crushing reality that I don’t truly know the man I’ve come to grow feelings for sets in. Because he put up a perfectly planned facade.
Blade tenses, his voice softening. “No, don’t say that. Angel, please.”
“No! Don’t call me that! If I was your angel, you wouldn’t have lied to me. The crazy thing is, I would’ve accepted you. All of you. If you would’ve just been honest .”
“Do you want me to get on my hands and knees and beg?” His face twists in pain, but I can’t let it sway me. That stupidly beautiful face. Why do the devils always look like angels? That’s how they get you, they disguise themself. But once they have you, once you’re completely under their spell, that’s when the wings shed off to reveal their true horns.
“No. I want you to let me go.”
His face hardens in an instant. He moves to grab my arm, and I try to dodge him again, but he’s too fast. “You’re not fucking going anywhere.”
“Let me go! I’m done. I’m leaving.”
“The only way you’re leaving me is through death, and even then, I’ll make a deal with the fucking devil so you serve me in hell.” His voice is rough, unrecognizable. Like his inner demon is taking over.
Shivers run down my spine at his words. I try to yank my hand free, but his grip only tightens. He crashes me into the wall, his hand shifting to my neck.
He leans in close, whispering low in my ear through gritted teeth. “You’re not fucking leaving me. No matter how much you try, I’ll always drag you back. Kicking. Screaming. I don’t want to have to hurt you, but you’re going to make me. Don’t make me have to hurt you.”
His grip tightens around my throat, making it hard to breathe. I want to kick and scream, to fight back, but I know it’s useless while he’s like this. The thought of the knife he gave me crosses my mind, but I could never do that to him. Even if we are in this predicament. “Okay, okay.” I gasp. “I understand, I won’t leave.” He doesn’t let go right away, his eyes drilling into mine. “I need to go to my studio to work on my designs, please,” I whisper, my voice hoarse. “So I can feel better.”
Finally, he releases me, and I stumble out of the room, my heart pounding like a hammer against steel, each beat harder than the last.
As soon as I hit the hallway, I bolt. I don’t think I’ve ever run so fast in my life. Twisting through the corridors, my feet barely touch the ground until I make it to the front door. Grabbing my keys from the tray by the entryway, I haul it outside to my car. Well, his car. Because I’m sure I won’t be able to keep it once he realizes I’m gone. Even though it is in my name now.
I jump in the driver’s seat, my hands shaking as I fumble with the keys, trying to get them into the ignition.
While I’m driving back to my dorm, I hesitate. I can’t go there. He’d be banging down the door within the next twenty minutes. Going to my dad’s is out of the question, too. Even though I absolutely do not want to listen to Blade right now, I never found out what was so unsafe about going there. And I’m not in the mood for any surprises right now.
My thoughts are a whirlwind of hurt and confusion, and as I drive, I try to make sense of it all. The tears I had been holding back finally spill over, and I sob, pounding my fist against the steering wheel. My heart shattering into a million little different pieces.
I pull out my phone and dial Frankie. The second she answers, I blurt out, “Frankie, can I go to your dorm room, please?”