Chapter 9
There’s a beeping in the room, some kind of alarm going off. No, that’s not right. The beeping sound is timed. Beep, one second, two seconds, three. Beep, one, two, three. It continues to beep in the background. The air smells sterile with a hint of bleach. The soft fingers caressing the length of my forearm scrape slowly over whatever is sticking to my skin, and there’s a burning pain in my side. I was stabbed last night, in my own home by the same guy who almost kidnapped Rhyann almost a week ago.
“Princess,” I try to say but my throat is dry and the word comes out hoarse.
“It’s okay baby, I’m right here.”
Aubree. My eyes open slowly to blonde curls and a fair face with full makeup. The hospital room is dark, save for the sliver of sunlight peeking through the slit between the curtains behind my fiance.
“Aubree,” I say groggily. “Wha—Where is—”
“Daddy’s at work, your father is dealing with other stuff. I didn’t want you to be alone so I had daddy drop me off here on his way,” she cuts me off before I can ask about Rhyann or Devon. “Here, drink some water.”
Aubree presses a pink plastic cup with a white straw to my lips and I take a sip. After a couple pulls at the straw my tongue feels less like sandpaper and I push the cup away. “What about Rhyann?” I ask her.
I know she doesn’t care for Rhy, she sees her as a threat, some kind of competition maybe. But, Aubree is kind and compassionate. She has to be as concerned as the rest of us are. “Oh, she was out whoring around.” Aubree smirks. “Like I tried telling you guys she would be.”
What the hell? Rhyann wouldn’t be out whoring around, like Aubree claims. She’s never been the type to sleep around. Hell, the twins and I have been trying to lay claim to her since before we hit puberty, and she shut us down every time.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, my voice a little closer to normal.
Aubree smiles, its beauty almost predatory. “Well, her and the scary twin waltzed in here late last night, acting like they owned the place.” A scowl replaces her beautiful smile. “They were both still in their tux and gown and looked like they’d been rolling around in the back of a car for the hours they were missing.”
A pang of betrayal stabs at my heart. I’ve always known that Devon is in love with Rhyann, and the two of them have this weird tension between them. As if they have some unspoken secret they share. But, to fake a disappearance like that just to go fuck around for the night? That’s some of the lowest shit I’ve ever heard of. Especially with me sitting here, in the hospital, stabbed by her would-be kidnapper.
“It’s okay baby, I’m here. Even if your so called friends aren’t,” Aubree croons, standing up and kissing the corner of my mouth. “I plan to stay by your side until after we are married. Daddy even said you can move in with us when you get discharged.”