Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
ELLA
My eyes fluttered open to a bright light that warmed my face. For a moment, I wondered if this was Heaven. Had that asshole gotten the best of me, and if so, would I see my mother here?
I dreamed of the day we would meet again. Some days, I wished more than anything those men had killed me, too, so we could be together. But when I opened my eyes, sunlight crept into the room through the half-open curtains.
I sat up with a pounding headache, my skull on fire, and a gross taste in my mouth. The room spun around me several times before I finally found my center. Why did I feel like I had the worst hangover of my life?
A knock on the door snapped me back to reality, my heart thumping faster in my chest. I tossed the covers aside, but the door flew open before I could answer.
My father stood in the entryway, dressed in black and adjusting his cufflinks. His eyes flicked around the room in disgust as he surveyed the walls filled with my art. He never understood my passion and thought drawing was a waste of time. Women like me would end up as Mafia brides, anyway. So, he didn’t see the point in me learning any skills or trying to better myself.
“About time,” Dad said as he entered the room, hands shoved into his pockets. “You’ve been asleep for two days.”
“Really?” I hopped off the bed and yawned. “Doesn’t feel like it.”
If he hadn’t told me, I would have guessed I was passed out for a few hours.
“What day is it?” I reached for my cell phone out of habit, but it wasn’t on my nightstand.
“Looking for this?” Dad held up my cell phone and shook his head. “While you were sleeping, Aiden and Alex wouldn’t stop calling and texting. You lied to me about that girl. She’s a Wellington. And so is the boy you’ve been sneaking around with.”
Shit .
I was supposed to sleep at Aiden’s house after the Beacon Bay Benefactors Ball on Saturday night. Alex was going to cover for me. They must have thought I was the biggest bitch. And now… I couldn’t even call them.
My dad cocked his arm back like he was throwing a football, and the phone sailed across the room. It hit the wall behind my headboard with a thump. I rushed over to pick it up, seeing the screen cracked and busted in several places.
“No,” he said as I held it in my hand. “That doesn’t belong to you.”
I curled my fist around the broken device, a scowl in place. “It’s mine.”
“Not anymore.” He peeled the phone from my fingers and chucked it into the trashcan under my desk. “You won’t need to call anyone where you’re going.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, shoving my hands onto my hips. “What are you talking about?”
My dad scared the hell out of me when his top lip quivered. He looked like a pit bull ready to attack and would bite me if provoked.
“You’re not safe in Beacon Bay anymore. The man who almost killed you was an associate of Declan O’Shea.” He set his intense gaze on me, and my skin nearly turned to dust from the heat of his anger. “You stupid, stupid girl. The Wellingtons are allies of the O’Sheas. I warned you not to trust anyone outside of our inner circles. You lied and said Alex’s last name was Fox.”
“It was Fox,” I shot back. “A few months ago. Her grandfather adopted Aiden and her when they moved to Devil’s Creek.”
“She’s a Wellington now, and that’s the only thing that matters.” He slapped his hand on my back and shoved me toward the walk-in closet. “Pack a suitcase and be ready within the hour.”
“What?” I stammered, chills spreading down my spine. “Where am I going?”
“To live with your aunt Cara in Dublin,” he said with a wicked smirk.
“No way! I’m not moving to Ireland. I only have a few months left until I graduate.”
He stepped forward and slipped his hand beneath my chin, fixing his soulless eyes on me. “You won’t make it until graduation if you stay here. This is not open for discussion.” His grip on me tightened, digging into my jaw. “The arrangements are made. Your aunt is expecting you.”
“No… But…” My eyes flooded with tears, and I didn’t bother to blink them away as they spilled down my cheeks. “Please, Dad. Don’t do this to me. I promise I’ll never talk to Aiden and Alex.”
He paused as if considering my proposal and lowered his hand, allowing me to move my jaw again. “Your mother is dead. And if that piece of shit had gotten his hands on you…” Dad scrubbed a hand across the five o’clock shadow on his face and sighed. “We’re done discussing this matter. Get your things together and do it quickly. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” I choked out, biting back another wave of tears.
After he left the room, I darted over to the desk. On my hands and knees, I sorted through the trash and found the phone. A web of broken glass spread across the screen. The metal exterior was dented and had a bunch of scrapes.
I pushed the Power button, but nothing happened. Not even the red low battery message flashed. So I connected it to the charger, still no power, and headed into the closet to gather whatever I could fit into a suitcase. After adding clothing, painting supplies, my favorite mangas, and a few graphic novels, I tried the phone again.
It still wouldn’t turn on.
I didn’t know Aiden’s number to tell him about the move. My stomach twisted into knots when I thought about him. He would never understand… or would he? Aiden wasn’t like the other Founders. He grew up in a shitty environment, abused and neglected, left to fend for himself.
There was no escaping my father. He would get his way no matter what. I’d never get to say goodbye to Aiden… or tell him I was falling in love with him.