Chapter Thirty-Two
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
As Scarlett and Cass walked into House Heroux, Beni appeared at the top of the staircase, with Tyler behind him. Beni’s eyebrows shot up as he took in her gown, wrecked from when she’d been kneeling in the street and still wet from the rain.
“Scarlett! I was so worried. Mum came up and told us you were on the news, and you didn’t answer your phone. Where’s Brayden?”
“I’m sorry, Beni. Tonight was a nightmare.” Scarlett’s voice was wooden. She couldn’t afford to melt down yet—not until she was alone. “We were attacked and almost abducted. Brayden was arrested.”
Beni’s mouth fell open as Scarlett and Cass reached the top of the staircase, his eyes darting between her ruined dress and their stoic expressions.
Scarlett held out her arms, hoping for a hug from her brother. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. The police took me to the station and had my phone checked at the front desk while I was being questioned. When I got it back, the battery was dead.”
Tyler opened his arms to Cass as Scarlett hugged her brother. Then the four of them made their way down the hallway and stopped outside Scarlett’s door.
“That fire looked gnarly,” said Tyler. “Is everyone okay?”
“Cass should see a doctor tomorrow,” said Scarlett. “The attackers got burned, and a couple of them are in critical condition, but I believe everyone else is fine.”
“I’m fine,” said Cass as Tyler’s hands cradled her face. “Have you seen the news? What are they saying?”
“It’s pretty bad,” said Tyler. “They’re saying Brayden used magic to start the fire. They mentioned an altercation, but not in any detail.”
“Never mind that Brayden and I were almost killed,” said Scarlett.
“They keep showing the pictures of you two at the beach…” Beni trailed off.
Scarlett waited for him to continue, but then she followed his line of sight.
Laylani was standing at the top of the staircase, her eyes gleaming with interest as she listened. “Rough night, by the sound of it?”
A tidal wave of rage built in Scarlett. It had been the worst night of her life—that didn’t involve an actual death—and she had to come home to this shit from her stepmother.
The weight of the evening, of her entire Goddess-damned tragic life, bore down on her.
Like a levy breaking, it all spilled out.
“You know what?” She rushed toward Laylani, who, alarmed, backed several steps down the staircase. “Get the fuck out of my house. Leave. Tonight.”
Laylani gasped as she paused her descent, clutching the banister to steady herself. “I understand your husband just got arrested, but don’t take it out on me!”
Heat blazed through Scarlett’s body. The fire inside her burned away her tears, her sorrow, her pity, leaving her with nothing but rage and vengeance.
“You knew we’d get attacked tonight. Why else didn’t you attend such a high-profile event?
Just like you knew Dad would get shot in the motorcade.
That’s why you stayed home that day, isn’t it? Because you fucking knew.”
Scarlett wasn’t a phoenix, yet, but right now she wished she could burn Laylani till she was nothing but ash. For her father and for him. For Brayden.
Laylani’s eyes were wide as she tried to compose herself.
“What a wild accusation. How can you believe something so mad?” Her voice wobbled at first but grew stronger.
Then her face flushed deep red with anger.
“You sound paranoid, Scarlett. Are you sure you’re all right?
Do we need to call the doctor, perhaps?” She started back toward Scarlett, daring to come closer.
Scarlett let out an inhuman shriek as she lunged for her stepmother, but Cass grabbed her arms as Laylani retreated once more.
“Scarlett!” Beni rushed to Scarlett’s side, panic etched across his features. His fear pierced through her rage. She couldn’t do anything to jeopardize him.
“Get out!” Scarlett yelled, but she didn’t struggle against Cass’s firm grip.
She hated Laylani, but she didn’t want to scare Beni any more than she already had.
She needed to protect her brother. And the last thing she needed was for Laylani to fall down the stairs and die before Scarlett could send her to jail.
Laylani angled her chin up as she stayed where she was. “I didn’t have anything to do with what happened tonight. You’re making a mistake—”
“Funny your first reaction wasn’t to say that about my dad’s death,” hissed Scarlett.
She grabbed Beni’s hand, needing the physical reminder of why she couldn’t get violent.
“I don’t care what you say. I don’t care!
I don’t care. It’s your fault my parents are dead, and I want you fucking out of here.
This is my house. I’ll give you half an hour to pack your essentials.
The rest of your things will be shipped to your sister’s house within the week. Just get out!”
The color drained from Laylani’s face. She glanced at her son, who still held Scarlett’s hand firmly in his. “Beni, let’s go. You’re coming with me.”
Beni’s grip on Scarlett’s hand tightened. “Scar said you’re leaving. Not me. I’m staying.”
Scarlett squeezed back. “There’s no way I’m letting you take my brother.”
For the first time in Scarlett’s memory, Laylani’s face crumpled for a brief second before her mask returned. She pointed a finger at Scarlett. “You’ll regret turning my son against me.”
Baffled, Scarlett nearly laughed. “You have no one to blame for that but yourself. You think I wanted it this way? I’m just like Beni. All I wanted was a loving family, and you ruined any possibility of that for me and your son. Now do as I said and get out.”
Laylani glared at her but was silent as she turned and hurried down the stairs.
“Cass, watch her pack and make sure she gets a taxi without coming back up here,” said Scarlett. “Don’t let her take anything other than her own clothing—nothing of my dad’s.”
Cass rushed after Laylani.
Scarlett faced her brother and Tyler. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
Tyler’s eyes were wide, but he looked impressed. “Don’t apologize. I do suggest we sage the house once she’s gone.”
Beni let out a long breath, his shoulders collapsing inward. “She’s leaving? For good?”
Scarlett looked at her brother with concern. “I had to get rid of her. I know I said I wanted to keep her close, but now that Brayden’s in jail, I just can’t risk it anymore. Are you okay?”
Beni scooted closer and wrapped his arms around Scarlett. “I’m glad she’s gone. Now we don’t have to pretend anymore.”
She held her brother close. “Things will be a lot easier at home from now on. We can build the loving home she never gave us.”
He let out a sigh that was almost a sob, and she squeezed him tighter.
“They’ll be keen to make him the poster child for magical abuse,” said Manon. She and Lachlan were sitting in Lachlan’s office in the castle, looking at Scarlett through the mirror.
“We could extradite him back to Clair de Lune,” said Lachlan.
Scarlett shook her head, her exhaustion weighing her down.
The fight with Laylani had drained her body of any energy reserves she’d had left after the National Theater, but she didn’t want Manon to worry, so she tried to sit up and keep her eyes open.
“They won’t allow that, given how high-profile this is.
” She leaned in closer to the mirror. “I know you could get him out, but he’d never be able to come back.
Please, Lachlan, let me work on this from my side.
If I fail, you can do what needs to be done, but at least let me see what my lawyer can do for him first.”
Lachlan’s expression was pinched. “We’ll wait a few days. But I hate the idea of him sitting in a Soleil jail cell.”
She met his gaze but had to quickly look away, rubbing her eyes to hide the tears forming. “I know. It kills me too. All he did was protect us. Whoever sent those men is probably overjoyed he’s locked up right now.”
“You’re both alive and unharmed,” said Manon. “That’s the important thing. You’ll find a way to free him.”
It was true. Earlier, she’d believed death had come for her. As long as they were alive, there was still hope.
Elestine called Scarlett early the next morning. “I wanted to check if you’re all right.”
Scarlett rose from her bed, where she’d been lying awake for some time, and moved to sit at her desk. “I’m glad you called. We have a lot to discuss.”
“We do, unfortunately. I assume you’ve been watching the news.”
“Of course. Some of it is totally off base, but I’m relieved there are some neutral and sympathetic perspectives.
” As the police had released more information, the account had shifted from focusing on the fire to the masked men who’d infiltrated the National Theater.
“Today I’ll call the reporters I know to help push the narrative even further our way. ”
“Excellent. The public adores the star-crossed lovers story. Make sure they know Brayden was defending you,” said Elestine. “Which reporters do you know?”
“One at the Soleil Times and one at Citizen. If you have any others, send them my way.”
“I’ll send you a list. I have contacts at every paper.”
Scarlett blinked. But of course the prime minister would have those contacts.
Elestine sighed. “Before last night, you two had so much public support, and that counts for something. Let’s get the young progressives riled up on your behalf. If we play our cards right, we could use this awful incident to help bolster the case for legalizing magic.”
Scarlett had been so focused on Brayden and Laylani she hadn’t calculated that far ahead, but she was once again impressed by Elestine’s dedication to the cause. “That’s a good point. And imagine if the incident last night turns out to be linked to my dad’s death.”
Elestine whimpered softly. As Scarlett took in her distress, her fondness for the prime minister deepened. They sat silently for several seconds, both thinking of Jules. Laylani and all that had transpired yesterday flashed through Scarlett’s mind.