23. Aeris
Aeris
My hands shook as I locked my front door, my adrenaline fading under the realisation that I was still alive. I knew it was always a possibility that Sebastian would decide to just kill me, but the fact I was mostly unharmed meant the plan could still work.
No, it will work.
It had to.
“Interesting night.”
The low, bitter voice came from the darkness of my hallway. I spun around to find Renley standing there, arms crossed, scowling like he wanted to put his fist through the wall.
“How the hell did you get in?” I asked through clenched teeth, too exhausted to hide my irritation. “Selene isn’t expecting me.”
“That was before you let him touch you.” Renley’s hands curled into fists at his sides, and I barely stopped myself from flinching. “She’s waiting for you.”
Panic clawed up my throat, but I swallowed it down and followed him into the living room where Selene sat with a cup of tea, illuminated by the lamp I left on for Mira.
You’re going to run, and you’re not going to look back.
“What happened at Hex?” Selene demanded, her voice cutting like glass and dragging me back from the memory.
“Exactly what you asked.”
“He needs to choose Vivienne, child.”
“You told me not to refuse him,” I managed to say, my voice much calmer than I felt.
“Not when we’re this close to getting inside.
” Selene had given me permission to seduce him—although the thought made me sick to the stomach—but I didn’t want to be forced to use my body to lure Caden deeper into Selene’s plan.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “So? Do you have an in?”
My tongue felt heavy in my mouth. “He took me to his flat.”
“Did you plant the device?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t get time, but I was close.”
“Close isn’t good enough.” Selene’s eyes sharpened, her heels clicking on my floor as she stood. “I told you to get rid of Alexander.”
“I got him arrested.”
“You know that’s not what I asked,” she snapped. “He controls the money. If the money goes, it’ll create a crack in their empire.”
“He’s under investigation—”
“I wanted him dead!” Selene crossed the space until she stood before me. Her makeup was pristine as always, her eyelids always a various shade of purple. “I gave you a target, and I expect you to deliver.”
“Selene …”
She lifted her manicured hand, and Renley handed me a photograph of an image of a woman pushing a pram. It took me a second to realise it was my sister, which meant the baby was my newest nephew.
My entire body locked up. Ice flooded my veins as my chest seized, the ache so sharp it felt like someone had driven a blade between my ribs.
I met Renley’s mismatched eyes and the sick pleasure he got from my reaction.
“Next time, you’ll do exactly as asked,” Selene added quietly. “Won’t you?”
“Please, I’ll get Vivienne another chance.”
“Do it soon, or you know what happens.” She patted my cheek with mock affection as she passed, Renley stopping by my side.
“Maybe I should cut up your face a little,” he whispered, his vile breath slithering across my skin. “Then no one will find you pretty.”
I swallowed the bile surging up my throat, wanting nothing more than to make Renley’s death as painful as possible. “I thought you liked my face the way it is?”
His eyes narrowed on me as he turned away. “You’re pushing it, Aeris. Selene only has so much patience.”
“I’m doing exactly what I’m told.”
The front door clicked closed a second later.
My chest felt tight as I scrambled for my phone, immediately calling my sister. When Brooke didn’t answer, I called Darya.
“Hey Aeris,” she said. “Just the person I wanted to talk—”
“Darya, are you okay? Have you spoke to Brooke? I can’t get hold of her.”
“Woah, slow down. What’s going on?”
“Darya!”
“Jesus, okay. Brooke’s fine,” she said, her voice more hesitant. “She’s probably asleep. Nohr’s still not sleeping through the night, so she’s exhausted.”
I wiped the tears from my cheeks, trying to keep my voice from wavering. “When did you last speak to her?”
“Aeris … is something wrong?”
I closed my eyes, just taking in her voice. “Nothing, I’m just … tired.”
There was a pause. “I was actually planning to call you anyway. You’re coming to Oscar’s birthday next weekend, right?”
I rested my head against the wall. I’d been trying to keep my distance for their safety, but my sisters were insistent, refusing to let me disappear. “I already told Brooke I couldn’t make it—”
“You’re seriously going to miss your nephew’s birthday?” Darya’s voice sharpened. “Aeris, we haven’t seen you in months. Brooke said if you disappoint Oscar she’d give the sperm donor your address.”
My eyes snapped open. “She wouldn’t.”
“She’s not joking. She promised.”
I swallowed the sour taste in my mouth. I couldn’t risk my sisters, but I also couldn’t have him lurking around right now.
“Look,” she said gently. “Has something happened? Do you need—”
“No, I’m fine,” I said quickly, forcing lightness into my tone. “Seriously, I just …”
A firm knock sounded on the front door, and my stomach dropped.
“Darya, I have to go.”
“Only if you promise to come to the party! Otherwise I’ll—”
Another knock. Harder this time, almost impatient.
“I know you’re there, Aeris!” Detective Kane shouted through the wood.
Fuck!
“I’ve really got to go,” I whispered to my sister, moving forward so I could peek through the window. I saw Detective Kane standing on my doorstep, fist raised like he was seconds away from breaking the glass.
“Aeris, who’s th—”
“I’ll be there!” I hung up before she overheard anymore and reached for the door. The moment I cracked it open, Kane shoved it wide to storm inside.
“You didn’t tell me Alexander Ackworth was related to Sebastian Devereux,” he snarled.
Before I could respond, he grabbed me by the shoulders and slammed me hard against the wall. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs, but I managed to bring up my arm to block his next hit. Only for him to grab it.
“Aren’t you supposed to be the detective?” I managed to say, the back of my head aching from the impact. “Besides, I thought you wanted to put all the bad guys away?”
“You have no idea, do you?” Releasing my arm, he dragged a hand down his face. “You’ve just fucked me. Seriously, Aeris. The Beast?”
I pressed myself tighter against the wall. “That’s not my—”
Pain across my cheek—a slap so hard I fell. My hands stung as I caught my fall, my shoulders strained as I looked up through my hair at Kane. He’d begun to pace, his movements frantic.
“You’ve killed me, you bitch!” He took in a great gulp of air, then reached out with his arm to swipe across my side table until everything shattered.
“Alexander’s already out, and the first thing he’ll do is get the Beast to go after me!
” He grabbed my lamp next, throwing it across the room until it crashed against the opposite wall.
I sat back on my heel, wiping the blood from my lip. “Trust me, you’re not that important.”
He went to raise his fist again but thought better of it. Instead, he bent down, closing our distance until his nose almost brushed mine. “This is it, Aeris. We’re done. Contact me again, you pathetic little whore, and I’ll kill you. Understand?”