“I loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her.” He smiles as he remembers it all. “She was going door to door, looking for a job as a nanny. For the first time, I wished I had kids.” He laughs. “I found myself at a loss for words. Something in me wouldn’t allow me to let her leave. I told her that I didn’t have kids, but that I needed an assistant at work. Within a short amount of time, I found out that she also had no place to stay, so she stayed in my guestroom. We spent a lot of time talking. Although we loved each other long before, we became best friends before we started dating.
Little by little, she told me her life story, and I could hardly believe it. And then she told me about the curse of the black magic. She said she was offered a deal to use black magic to get away from her world, but that she made mistakes along the way and there was a part of her life she couldn’t get back and she would forever regret. So many things went wrong that day. She ended up becoming one of the carriers of that power, but she didn’t know how to control it or what to do with it. The consequences of her choices were destroying her little by little. She didn’t want the risk of making mistakes like that ever again, so I volunteered to take her place and that power was transferred on to me.
The thing about the curse and black magic is that you can’t control its evil. Something spiritual about it craves evil and I had to give in either by doing certain things myself or by sharing that power with others that would.”
“And that is where my dad and Owen came in,” I say.
“Not by choice. I tried to keep it away from people I knew, but your dad found his way in. He pushed it until I gave him what he wanted. With Owen, I still have some control. When you use black magic for something to your benefit, you always have a debt to repay. I did my best to watch out for Owen.
“So you know about the deal that Owen offered Arianna?”
He nods.
“And you let that happen? Why?”
He nods and looks away. “Out of selfish reasons.”
I give him a confused look. “What do you mean?”
He sighs.
“You have to promise that this stays between you and me.”
“You have my word.”
“Carol was like Arianna was before the change… before she ran away.” He pauses. “I don’t even know how to say this…” He hesitates. “The part of Carol’s life that she had to leave behind was Arianna.”
“What do you mean?”
“Carol is Arianna’s mother. I thought that allowing Owen that deal, would be a loophole to bring her back into Carol’s life, but then things got out of hand.”
I sit there, frozen. Trying to let this information sink in.
“Does Carol know? I mean does she know who Arianna is?
He nods. “She does, but she doesn’t want to scare Arianna away by telling her the truth.”
“And your daughter? How can Carol have kids? Is it part of the black magic?”
He shakes his head. “Could be, but Carol wanted nothing to do with that. We adopted her when she was little.”
“Please, don’t tell her,” he begs. “Let Carol, if she chooses to. Just—please stay here where she is safe… where you are both safe.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ARIANNA
Today is my second day volunteering at the animal shelter with Carol. Spending time with all of the animals is already becoming my therapy in a way. It is so peaceful. All they want is to be loved and someone who can love them back. It’s something so simple, yet, here they are, locked up, waiting to be loved.
I thought about staying with Blake instead of coming today, but I need this time alone. The morning goes by surprisingly fast and when we get back, we find Jones walking in from the backyard. I can see through the glass door that Blake is sitting there, staring toward the pool.
I say hi to Jones and slowly walk outside.
Blake seems distant.
I sit next to him. “Is everything okay?”
He looks at me and smiles, but his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah.”
He asks about my day and volunteering and I tell him all about it. He sits there and listens, but after a while, he seems distant again.
Carol has these decorations on the table, which include different types of seashells.
Blake catches me staring at them. “Do you miss it?” he asks and I know exactly what he is referring to, but I ask anyway, “What? Being a mermaid?”
He nods.
“At times. I mostly miss my dad. I know you probably think he is a horrible person for forcing me into a marriage I didn’t want, but he wasn’t always like that. When I was a child, he was the best father anyone could have asked for. I was all he had and I hate the thought that he is alone. I just wish he at least had someone with him.”
“Maybe he will find someone?”
I shake my head. “Our communities are so small. He basically already knows everyone he would ever meet.”
“What was your favorite thing about living there?” he asks.
I know he is trying to take things slow and I appreciate doing the things we didn’t do before… getting to know each other, with no lies.
“I miss swimming with the dolphins.”
He smiles.
I can feel him tense as the conversation changes. “Jones offered us to stay here for as long as we’d like. I think we should. I can tell you feel safe here. Are you okay with that… for now? I know you miss the ocean, but I think it’s for the best.”
I nod. “I’d like to stay.”
“Just tell me when you want to move somewhere else and we will go wherever you want to go,” he says and I can’t help but to shiver at the idea.
He gives me a concerned look but doesn’t say anything.
I feel the need to be honest with him, “I’m afraid,” I say.
He stares into my eyes and I look down as I continue.
“I’m afraid of having to see him again; I’m afraid of what he could do.”
He stands up and reaches for my hands, pulling me up and toward him. “You don’t have to see him ever again. I won’t let him near you ever again, even if we end up having to live with Jones forever to make sure you are safe, I will do what I have to.”
“Blake,” I pull away and look up at him.
“I’m also afraid of what he could do to you.”
He pulls me closer and kisses my forehead. “I don’t think he could do anything worse than he’s already done. Arianna, I’m still waiting to wake up and find you gone. I don’t know how you can stand to look at me after what happened; after me not being there to stop it.”
I look at him and say the words that deep down describe exactly how I feel. For the first time, I realize how much I can’t give him this power over me… the power to control my relationship with Blake. For as long as that is hanging over our heads, he wins. I can’t let that happen.
I meet Blake’s eyes and fight back the tears. “It wasn’t your fault. And you are nothing like him, Blake. When I look into your eyes, I see kindness. I see the man I love. I see the man who deserves so much more… who deserves to finally be himself and do what he wants with his life… to be happy.” I feel like a small piece of me is mended back together as I say those words. I know deep in my heart that this is the first real step toward healing.
“I love you,” he says and I crash into his arms, burying my head against his chest as he wraps his arms around me.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
BLAKE
I’m glad she agreed to stay, although I don’t like having to hide the truth about Carol. I know it’s not my place to tell, but I don’t want a life of secrets and lies. I decide that as soon as Arianna has had some time to heal, I will talk to Carol about telling Arianna the truth.
While talking to Arianna earlier this evening, I suggested that we take things slow, including staying in separate rooms. I know she would never ask me for that, but Dr. Patton was right. She needs time and space to heal. I’m jus
t glad she is here, and I want to start over and do things the right way… romance her, take her on dates, everything she deserves.
Going to the guestroom alone is not easy. I would much rather have her in my arms while we sleep. I have to keep reminding myself that this is for the best. I close the door behind me and don’t look back.
I see a text from Owen when I get in the room. “I’m back at mom’s. She asked that you call her when you can.”
I dial her cell phone and she answers right away.
“Blake, honey. How are you? How is Arianna?”
“Good. We are good. How is everything over there?”
She sighs. “Your dad has been gone a lot lately. And Owen is back, but something about him is different. He has this anger toward your father… I can hear it in his voice. I just wish someone would explain to me what has happened.”
“Mom—”
“I know… Owen said some things are best left untold. I will just have to trust that you will tell me if I need to know.”
I stay silent.
“So,” she says in a more uplifting tone, “Molly’s birthday is coming up.”
“I can’t mom.”
She goes on. “Your dad will be gone in two weeks so I thought that Owen, Molly and I could fly down and celebrate her birthday there. She wouldn’t forgive us if you weren’t there for her birthday.”
“Are you sure he will be gone?”
“Yes. He has a business trip. I have already talked to Carol about Molly’s birthday and she seemed very excited about having it there. She said she can help plan it and even mentioned having it at a local park.”
I wonder if seeing mom will impact Arianna in any way. I have a gut feeling that I should say this is a bad idea, but I leave it alone. It’s just mom, Molly, and Owen.
“Okay,” I finally agree.
***
I wake up thinking about her. I feel like a teenager who can’t wait to see his girl, but when I get up and dressed, she is already gone to the shelter with Carol. I feel good about her finding something she is passionate about.
I find Jones working in the living room and decide it’s time to throw myself back into work. I help him with research for a couple of cases, but neither of us say much.
“Do you know when they will be back?” I ask.
“Carol said they were going shopping for Molly’s party.”
“So Arianna already knows?”
He nods. “She also knows it will be only us, Owen, Molly, and Cindy.”
I take a deep breath.
“You can relax, son. We are all on the same side here.”
I sit back, take a deep breath, and get back to work.
As much as I try to focus, I can’t stop thinking about her. I’m anxious about this party. I’m anxious about her being around anyone in my family. I think about how Dr. Patton helped me in such a short period of time and I wonder if she could help Arianna in some way. I wonder if I should even suggest that she… we talk to someone as a couple.
Unable to get any more work done, I close the laptop just as Carol and Arianna walk in. They are carrying a ton of bags. I quickly stand up. “Here, let me help.”
I get the bags from both of them.
“Thanks, hon,” says Carol. “Can you put those in the kitchen? I picked up takeout on the way home. We’ll just set some plates and we’ll be ready to eat.”
“Sure thing.”
I put everything in the kitchen and then I get kicked out. I sit back on the couch with Jones as he flips through the channels a few times before stopping on the news. We see my dad’s picture splashed on the screen as they talk about our firm losing an important case. Jones and I both know this means a lost client.
I glance at Jones and he is pissed off. “Son of a bitch,” he says. “That is not even his case. What the hell does he think he is doing?”
I can hear Arianna’s voice getting closer.
“Please change the channel,” I ask.
Jones looks confused for a second, probably because he is still focused on what he just heard.
“She is coming. If I can help it, I don’t want her to even have to hear his name.”
“Oh. Yes, of course. I’m sorry.” Jones quickly changes the channel and throws the remote on the coffee table.
“Is everything okay?” Carol asks as they walk in.
“Yes,” says Jones. “I just have to make a phone call.”
“Can this wait until after dinner?” she asks in a way that he sure as hell better say yes, and he does.
We sit down at the dining room table. Carol says to go ahead and serve ourselves while she goes to get something to drink.
She comes back with a bottle of wine. Jones is distracted and so am I, so I grab the glass as if it’s nothing, until I hear Arianna’s shy voice. “Blake?” she says in a concerned tone.
I glance at her and see that she looks from me to the glass and Carol catches it too.
“I’m so sorry!” says Carol. “I didn’t even think about it. I’m sorry. Here,” she practically snatches the glass from my hand, “I’ll go get some sodas from the fridge.”
When she comes back I assure everyone that I’m okay. I honestly don’t feel like I need to have a have to drink. I just wasn’t thinking.
It’s a very quiet and awkward dinner.
We are almost done when Jones clears his throat and speaks.
“You know what?” he says. “Let’s go to the beach this weekend. We have a beach house not too far away that hasn’t been used in years. Let’s just take some time away from everything.”
I look to Arianna and she shrugs. “It sounds good to me,” I say.
We look at Carol and she seems like she is in shock.
“Is that okay, sweetheart?” Jones asks her.
“Yes, of course. It’s just been years since we’ve been to the beach. I almost forgot about that place. Let’s go. Yes. This should be good for everyone.”
After dinner, Carol excuses herself and so does Jones. I can hear Jones outside, yelling, and I know exactly who he is talking to.
Arianna and I sit on the couch to watch a movie. Before I start the movie, I look at her and say, “I have something I want to ask you.”
She gives me a curious look.
“I want you to go with me tomorrow to talk to Dr. Patton.”
“Are you okay?” she immediately asks. “Do you feel like you need a drink?”
“No. It’s nothing like that.”
I can feel her relax. “I—” I look away.
“What is it?”
“I thought it might be good for you to talk to her about what happened to you.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She starts to stand up, but I reach for her wrist. “Then you don’t have to. But can you maybe go and just meet her? If you feel comfortable to talk about us you can and if you don’t, you don’t have to.”
She looks away. “I’m not sure.”
“Just think about it. You can tell me tomorrow. Whatever you decide is fine with me.”
She nods once, but stays where she is until I pull her down toward me and wrap my arms around her. I start the movie and she leans on my shoulder to watch it. Arianna is so tired she ends up falling asleep with her head leaning on me. I have no intentions of moving or waking her up. I just lean my head back and fall asleep by her side.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ARIANNA
I wake up in his arms and look up to see him watching me.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
I can’t help but to blush and look away.
He kisses the top of my head.
I’m laying against his chest and I can hear his heart beat faster. I know exactly what he is thinking about. I don’t know if I can talk to someone. I don’t even want to talk to anyone. I just want to put that night behind me and move forward, but when I pull away and look up to tell him that, there is so much hope in his eyes.
“I�
�ll go with you, but I don’t want to talk about that night.”
He smiles at me. “That is fine. This is a start. You don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to.”
“Morning,” says Jones. I’m startled by the sound of his voice. He seems upset. “I probably won’t be back until late tonight, but we will be leaving for the beach tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds good,” says Blake. “Do you need any help today?
Jones looks at him and cocks his head to the side. “You know what? I think I do. Do you have anything going on today?”
“We were going to drive to see Dr. Patton,” says Blake.
Jones nods as if thinking something through.
“Can I borrow you until early afternoon? I can call Dr. Patton and ask her to drive here to meet you later today.”
“I’m sure she is too busy.”
“She will be well compensated for her time,” he assures Blake.
***
BLAKE
Jones says to be ready for a business meeting, so I put on a suit and say goodbye to Arianna, hoping she won’t change her mind about meeting Dr. Patton later on.
I get in the car and we drive off.
“What is the meeting about?” I ask wanting to be prepared.
“We are going to see your dad.”
I freeze. “Do you think it’s a good idea for me to go?”
“Oh, yes it is. He has really pissed me off. I’m sorry, I know this is childish, but I think you need a little revenge just as much as I do.”
I give him a puzzled look.
“Trust me, son. Just play along and trust me.”
“Where are we meeting him?”
“At the airport. He has a connecting flight through here. It will be short and sweet… for us anyway,” he laughs and I wish I knew what he means.
We walk into a restaurant at the airport and get a table towards the back. Dad comes in and starts to flirt with the hostess. She points to our direction and his expression completely changes once he spots me. I have no clue what’s going to happen here, but seeing that look of surprise gives me a small bit of satisfaction.
“Jones, how are you?” he asks, ignoring me. Jones doesn’t bother replying.
Unbreakable (A Mermaid's Curse Book 3) Page 4
