by R. G. Angel
“I gave you your freedom back,” I blurted when I couldn’t take it anymore.
He turned slowly toward me, his face as expressionless as ever. “Did you?” He nodded. “Is this why you slept with me? To free me?” His words, even if said placidly, had a little bite in them.
I simply looked at him. Saying ‘yes’ would be a lie. It had served a purpose in the end, but at the time it was not the reason I’d done it, no matter how much I tried to convince myself to the contrary. I'd wanted to connect with Caleb at that level. I'd wanted to be with him. It was only after the fact, that I'd thought about using it to free him. It had been more than a gift to him. It had meant something to me, but I knew he wouldn’t listen to me – not yet, not now.
He nodded as if my silence gave him his answer. “Ah, it’s good to know that you were not just being a basic whore, but one with a purpose. I respect you a little more.”
I recoiled at the word. “Whore?” I repeated as if I’d misheard him.
He chuckled. “Well, you did give up your virginity awfully fast, Esmeralda. It took one fake date and your panties dropped, especially when you were supposedly in love with that Ken guy.”
“Do you mean Ben?”
“Ken, Ben, whatever.” He shrugged. “Even Aleksandra took two dates.”
I couldn’t help but gasp at the pain his assessment brought. He held my eyes a little longer to show me that my hurt didn’t affect him in the slightest.
“Then why come for me?” I asked, angry at the slight tremor in my voice.
“You’ve made a commitment. You need to honor it.”
“A commitment you don’t want,” I insisted.
“A commitment you want even less,” he replied with a smile. It was a horrible smile, a smile mirroring my father’s – cold, hateful, with a promise of pain that sent shivers down my spine.
He turned toward the window again and I looked at him with my mouth hanging open. It was his vengeance; he was ready to sacrifice his freedom to make me pay.
“You know what Confucius said about revenge, Caleb – ‘Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves’.”
Caleb didn’t reply or even acknowledge my comment until we reached the house and the butler opened the car door. “You better start digging too, Esmeralda, because you started along this path. I’m just joining you for the ride.”
“Mr. Forbes is expecting you in his office,” the butler announced formally. “Miss Esmeralda,” he bowed slightly toward me. “I trust you enjoyed your trip to Paris.”
I frowned with confusion. What trip to Paris? But I didn’t get a chance to ask what he was talking about as Caleb rested his hand on the small of my back and nudged me up the stairs.
“Paris?” I whispered as I looked around for Sophia’s friendly face, but she wasn’t here. Was she mad at me for escaping and leaving her behind?
“Ask your father,” Caleb replied through gritted teeth and I could tell he was not happy being here either.
Caleb knocked, which was so different from the air of defiance he’d had when we’d gotten engaged.
“Come in.”
Caleb pushed me into the room and I was surprised to see Archie there, leaning against the bookshelf. He looked so stoic, but I knew better now.
“Esmeralda…” My father trailed off and my name itself sounded like a threat; the man was skilled. He walked toward me slowly and once his back was to Archie, Archie let his mask slip for a second looking at me with both concern and puzzlement.
My vision of Archie was blocked by my father’s shoulder. “Did you really think you could run?”
Yes, I did, and you only caught me because I wanted you to, I thought, but looked down. I was scared he would see too much. He needed to think I had fallen into his trap.
“LOOK AT ME WHEN I’M TALKING TO YOU, ESMERALDA!” His voice lashed like a whip.
I looked up, not needing to fake the fear I was feeling. This man had never been shy with his chastisements and I could feel one coming my way. I also knew that Archie couldn’t stop it. He couldn't blow his cover. I’d never allow it.
“Did you think, even for a minute, that you would get out unscathed?”
Ah, there it was. I recognized it well, the sadistic glimmer in his eyes preceding every time he hurt anyone.
He raised his hand and I closed my eyes, tensing, bracing for impact.
Nothing happened. I opened an eye and was surprised to see Caleb’s hand circling my father’s wrist, preventing his slap.
I think my incredulity and surprise were matched on my father’s face. I was certain nobody had ever challenged him in this way before.
“How–” my father started as I took a step back out of reach. He threw daggers at Caleb with his eyes. “How dare you?” He finally uttered, the shock in his voice still overshadowing the anger at Caleb’s disrespect.
Caleb’s nostrils flared, his back ramrod. “I don't mean to disrespect you, but I think you wouldn’t appreciate anybody damaging what’s yours and as I have claimed her, her punishment is mine to give.”
My father turned to me, his eyes narrowing in anger as he briskly removed his wrist from Caleb’s hold. “I won’t accept this type of behavior again from her, Caleb,” he told him while keeping his eyes on me.
I was not even worthy of his words now? If he thought he had offended me, he had another thing coming.
My father resumed his lecture. “As long as she lives under my roof, she will–”
“She is coming with me,” Caleb announced.
I gasped, turning toward him. That was not something I wanted. At least while I was here I had Archie and Sophia to protect me from moody-psycho Dad. But sharing a living space with this version of Caleb? I shuddered at the idea.
“The fu–” Archie stopped, clearing his throat. “Father, surely you can’t agree to this!” He scoffed. “This is preposterous! We barely managed to avoid the scandal she caused when she ran by inventing a social trip to Paris!”
Thanks, Archie, I thought. He was sharing information the only way he could.
“How are we going to justify the wayward daughter moving in with her fiancé prenuptial? What about her virtue?” He grimaced. “Even the powerful William Forbes won’t be able to avoid the scandal.”
My father turned to Archie, his face thoughtful. Archie shrugged like it didn’t matter to him, but my heart swelled with love at my brother’s attempt to keep me close. So much had changed between him and me in so little time.
“I officially claimed her, Archibald,” Caleb seethed before turning toward my father. "The world has known since the announcement that your innocent little girl is not so innocent anymore. We’re basically married as far as our peers are concerned – as for the rest of the world, why should we even care?”
My father hesitated; it was clearly not because of my wellbeing so I didn’t really understand. “She’s wild, untrained and clearly not receptive to training,” he said.
“Are you talking about me or a poodle?” I let slip and Archie rolled his eyes at me with frustration.
My father’s nostrils flared in anger as Caleb’s hold on my bicep tightened painfully.
“See!” My father gestured to me. “She is too unruly. I don’t believe a boy can–”
“Are you calling me a boy?” Caleb cut in, raising an eyebrow. Well in my father’s eyes that was clearly the case. “Are you doubting my ability to keep my future wife in line?”
“That is not the point,” my father shot back.
“Actually, sir, it is. Let me prove you wrong. Let me show you I’m capable of the responsibilities to be incumbent upon me after the wedding.”
What responsibilities? I thought, but I’d have to wait and ask Archie because I was positive that neither my father nor Caleb would be forthcoming.
My father sighed, throwing his hands up in surrender. “You want the hellion? Take her, but don't forget that her behavior will still reflect on me, at least until you are legall
y married. Should this get out of control, should she step out of line… I’ll get her back here. Are we clear?”
“Crystal, sir.”
I didn’t need to be a Caleb expert to see it had cost him to grovel like that. Good! Now you know how it feels, King Caleb, to be at someone else’s mercy.
“I presume she has no belongings,” my father said.
“No, I do not,” I replied firmly. No matter what, I hated being treated like a doll.
My father glared at me. “I’ll call Sophia to take her upstairs for some things. Caleb, you stay here; we have things to discuss,” he added, leaving no room for dissent.
Archie took a step toward me. “I don’t think Sophia is the best choice, father. I'm still not convinced she hadn’t played a role in Esmeralda’s escape.”
It took all my willpower to keep my face smooth. Since Archie and I had made up, I seemed to have forgotten he could be as ruthless as the rest of them, and throwing poor Sophia under the bus when he knew she had no hand in this was as cold as it came – especially in the environment we lived in. My father was an evil man who treated her like dirt at the best of times. How he would treat her if he thought she was involved, didn’t bear thinking about, and it seemed that Archie could not care less.
“No she didn’t. Nobody did,” I finally choked out once the shock wore off, but I was yet again ignored.
“So what do you suggest Archibald?” My father's voice lashed like a whip.
Archie shrugged, ignoring the tone. “I can do it if you want. You know with me she won’t be going anywhere.”
I was impressed and a little worried about my brother's ability to twist the situation to his advantage and make it as if he was doing them a favor and not the other way around. He really was a master manipulator, but at least he was working for me in this case… or was he?
I shook my head, willing the doubt away. Don't be silly Esme. He risked a lot to get you out. Don’t start doubting him now.
“Esmeralda?”
I focused on my brother now standing before me. How long did I zone out? “Sorry?”
“I said you need to move; I don’t have all day.” He gestured toward the door.
“Archie, what–”
“I don’t have time for this,” he barked, but his face was gentle, his eyes worried. He rested his forefinger against his mouth in a ‘shh’ gesture.
We walked silently to my bedroom, my mind still reeling from everything that was happening, especially me moving into the Astor mansion. That was such a step back in my plan to find my– our mother’s killer.
As soon as Archie closed the door to my bedroom, he pulled me into a bear hug and for a minute I let myself forget about all the insanity and enjoyed the comfort of my brother’s arms. He really gave the best hugs – it was like being in a cocoon of warmth. He really should give them more often.
He reached for my shoulders and gently forced me out of the hug. I let go reluctantly.
“Why are you here, Esme?” he whispered with urgency. He detailed my face. “Why did you come back?”
“Ah, you don’t think I was stupid enough to get caught?” I asked, somehow glad that he thought higher of me.
He snorted. “Of course I don't. If you got caught it’s because you wanted to be caught. The question is why?”
I pulled him into the closet. “I came back because of this,” I said, passing him the folded note.
He unfolded it to read, but kept his eyes trained on the paper much longer than reading ‘YOUR MOTHER’S DEATH WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT’ warranted.
“Archie?”
He looked up at me with incredulity. “Please tell me you didn’t come back just because of this,” he said, waving the piece of paper.
I frowned in confusion. Why didn’t he look more shocked? Why didn’t he take it for the bombshell it was? “I…What?”
He sighed. “Esme, you just gave up your freedom for something you’re not even sure is real. We don’t know who wrote this. It could be a hoax. You should have told me, let me deal with it.”
“And let you take all the risks?” I shook my head. “No, if we do this, we do this together. And why would it be a hoax? This person had mom’s journal, didn’t they? Mom called this person her ally. Why would they lie?”
Archie shook his head in defeat, running a hand over his weary face. “Because they might just think so? We don't even know who this person is! Why didn’t they make themselves known when they gave you the journal? It might be some delusional wacko who–”
“Who’s a delusional wacko?” Caleb asked as he stepped into the wardrobe.
Archie slipped his hand into his pocket, hiding the note. He detailed Caleb up and down. “If the shoe fits.”
Caleb’s nostrils flared, the only outside sign that the jab had landed. He pointed between Archie and me, the closeness of our bodies, my hand resting on his arm.
“You seem awfully close for siblings who supposedly hate each other. I guess helping somebody escape can create bonds.”
I expected Archie to deny it, to call Caleb delusional, but instead, he stood straighter. “Prove it,” he challenged him.
I groaned at the testosterone battle happening in my closet. It was neither the time nor the place.
Archie glanced at me before turning to Caleb again. “As you can see, she’s not packed. Go wait downstairs.”
“Are you ordering me?” Caleb asked, pointing at his chest in disbelief. It was another clear indicator that Archie had never bothered to stand up to Caleb before, but I also realized it was because he never really cared enough before to fight.
“My house, my rules…”
“Your father’s house.”
Archie shrugged. “Then go complain.”
They glared at each other for a few seconds, the tension almost choking me.
Finally, Caleb broke eye contact and concentrated on me, granting Archie a small victory but I could see in his eyes I was the one who was going to pay for this. “Fifteen minutes, Esmeralda, or I’ll be back up and so help me God…” He trailed off, turned around stiffly and slammed the door hard behind him.
“You shouldn't have done that. He knows now,” I told Archie. I couldn’t help but worry about him.
He gave me a gentle smile, removed some hair from my forehead, and kissed it gently. “It’s nice to be cared for, nice but terrifying.” He sighed. “And believe me, Caleb is a lot of things, but he is extremely smart, scarily so – more than he even lets people see. He already knows I'm part of it. I don’t care. Anyway, come on. Get that suitcase ready. We don’t want him to get his panties in a bunch. "
“You can’t keep me out of this investigation, Archie,” I countered. “One way or another I’ll do it. I think it’d be safer if we do it together.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and I knew I was spot on; he intended to keep me out of it. “I want to keep you safe.”
“Then keep me involved because you know I’m stubborn enough to do it by myself if I have to.”
He looked heavenward, probably begging for patience and that made me smile, the simple sibling relationship.
“Also stop blaming Sophia for shit,” I added. “I don’t want her to get into trouble for me. She’s always been kind.”
Archie’s expression sobered. “She might look kind to you, but she’s not innocent. She–”
I raised my hand to stop him. “Just don’t please. She’s been nothing but supportive to me. She’s been a saving grace; without her I’m not sure I would have survived. I can’t have that guilt on my conscience.”
“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. You would have been just fine and it’s not on your conscience, it’s on mine and there’s no guilt. I don't mind destroying anyone if it means keeping you safe – innocent bystanders included.”
“You’re ruthless,” I breathed, still not comfortable with this side of him even if it was to my benefit.
“Yes I am, and maybe you should be too.
”
I took his hand in mine. “I read a quote from Morrissey once and it said that ‘It takes strength to be gentle and kind’ and it does, it really does.”
Archie brought my hand to his lips. “Not in this world, Esme, and you know that, but you know what? You can be the good twin.” He grinned. “I’ll be the evil one. I enjoy it anyway.”
I chuckled. “Ah, I'm glad I have you.”
He sighed. “I am too, even if you’re now a weakness I’m not sure I can afford.”
“What–”
He shook his head. “Not now, just pack things for a few days. I’ll bring you some more soon. As for this–” he took the piece of paper from his pocket and gave it back to me. “Swear you won’t do anything without me. I’ll help you 100%, just please don’t put yourself in danger. I don’t think I could bear it.”
I nodded. “Yes, I swear. She was your mom too. We’re in this together.”
He detailed my face for a few seconds and nodded. “Oh, now hurry up!”
Chapter 3 - Caleb
I didn’t know why I’d done this – why I’d had the impulse to take her home with me. I glanced her way quickly, still trying to understand what had pulled me into defying her father and my own resolve.
I couldn’t really say what she felt right now as she looked down at her hand, trying to remove the chipping lilac nail varnish from her thumbnail.
She looked so innocent and frail here, but what did it mean? Nothing as far as I was concerned. She was just so good at pretending.
And yet we were on the way to my home, which I now had to share with her. I needed to reassess my revenge plan, most of it at least. Now that she was moving in, there would be no speculation as far as her virginity was concerned, but it didn’t really matter. She was claimed. She’d become more than my fiancée when I'd opened my mouth that night and now this part of my revenge plan, the blackmail over her lost virtue, was gone.
I let out a sigh and she glanced at me curiously, her eyes a mixture of wariness and fear. I gave her my darkest scowl until she looked down again, shoulders sagging a bit more.
Good! I thought, feeding on her feelings. You should be scared. Nothing good will come your way now, traitorous siren.
