Chapter 48
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Vesper
To say she was relieved couldn’t even cover it.
Vesper was beyond indebted to Mazz at this point—she’d never be able to pay her back.
The spare room, the one Mazz hadn’t even charged them for, was fully furnished, cleaned, and ready to go when they entered.
Vesper set their stuff down on the dresser.
She’d probably have to keep Bel away from the girls, even though nothing had happened when Bellamy snuck off.
Who knew what the girls would say to Bellamy, let alone what Bel might do to them.
She hoped it wouldn’t be too hard to keep them separate.
Especially if Wisp had moved in, like Mazz warned.
Fuck, that would be a nightmare. Vesper still didn’t even know why Bel had never mentioned she had a sister…
Vesper dug through her bag, looking for more comfortable—and clean—clothes.
She needed a shower and—if she were lucky—to get some actual sleep before Bellamy started shit.
It was coming. Bel had been too quiet, simmering.
It wasn’t just Bellamy who’d been lying to protect Vesper for years. Maybe that meant they were even now…
Honestly, Vesper was just surprised Bel had held out for so long. Which meant it was entirely expected when Bellamy opened her mouth before Vesper had a chance to retreat to the bathroom.
“So,” Bellamy started, plopping down on the bed behind Vesper. “Guess you can’t be mad with me anymore for keeping my secrets. You had a pretty massive one of your own.”
“Yeah, well, my secret wasn’t trying to get us killed.” Vesper rolled her eyes. Sure, logically she knew that some part of Bellamy’s statement was right. And yeah, technically Cedar was after them because of Vesper, but she didn’t want to think that this whole thing was her fault.
It’d been a long day, they had a lot to unpack, and Vesper had been blaming Bel for six years. It was a hard habit to knock.
“Your secret likes you,” Bellamy said accusatorially.
Vesper side-eyed her, like she had any control over that. “She’s a good kid.”
“Well, as she keeps reminding you, she’s not a kid.”
Vesper sighed, finally finding the pair of shorts she wanted. She turned to face Bellamy fully. “Just say what you mean, Bel.”
“Been down here to see her a lot.” Bellamy shrugged, picking at her pants. “Stashed her with the whores. Might give someone the wrong impression.”
Vesper shook her head. Seriously? Bellamy didn’t believe her about that?
She was so not in the mood for this right now.
She was fucking exhausted. There was absolutely nothing going on with the kid.
Without another word, she retreated to the bathroom, shutting the door in a fruitless attempt at privacy, and started running water for her shower.
“I’m just saying,” Bellamy said, appearing in the doorway. Vesper should’ve locked it, but some part of her knew that would only make things worse. “You liked Cedar. They look alike—sort of. Might’ve wanted to give the sister a try.”
Vesper dropped her clothes on the ground and turned to see Bellamy leaning casually against the doorframe, watching. Her expression was guarded, her body was tense. Bel was worried—actually worried. Vesper cocked her head, trying to figure out what Bel was afraid of now.
“Already said I didn’t.”
“How many times have you come to see her?” Bellamy asked, arms crossed and looking at Vesper with a pout.
Vesper smirked. Bellamy wasn’t scared. She was insecure. And Vesper knew a good way to help with that. She shrugged, walking over to Bellamy and sliding her hands under her shirt.
“Tried to come down every couple days,” she murmured, looking down, trying to read Bel’s face. She watched the adorable flush spread over her cheeks as she tried to push Vesper away.
Vesper held firm on Bellamy’s waist, pushing her against the door, letting her fingers dig in. Bellamy’s next words didn’t hold the ire she wanted to portray. More of the embarrassment, the insecurity, reared its head instead.
“How many of those times did you stick your fingers in my sister’s cunt?”
Vesper sighed. “None, Bel. I told you. I only met her that day. I didn’t even know you had a sister, for fuck’s sake!”
“Would you have?” Bellamy whispered, clutching the front of Vesper’s shirt and pulling her in.
Fucking of course she would have, and Bel damn well knew that. But it wasn’t for the reason Bellamy would assume. Bellamy sniffled when Vesper took too long to answer.
“Yeah,” Vesper admitted quietly.
Bellamy’s shoulders shook, and Vesper pulled away, gently tipping Bel’s face up to look at her. Her makeup was smudged with tears streaking down her cheeks. She always could make Vesper feel fucking horrible.
Vesper swallowed her pride and continued. “Only because she looks like you. I only ever wanted it to be you.”
Bellamy searched Vesper’s face, her eyes darting all over. “You’re lying,” she whispered.
Vesper shook her head. “I don’t know if I ever really hated you, Bel.”
Bellamy surged forward without another word, crashing them together. Their kiss turned frantic in an instant as Bellamy clawed at Vesper’s clothes.