by Louise Dawn
When had Cyrus’s warped need overcome everything else in his life? He used to be an ambitious and exacting bastard with a promising career and friends that cared. But he’d grown tired of civility. He lived in the wrong century—too many rules tied down his lust. Why couldn’t he go on a blood-letting rampage and quench his thirst?
Pretending to be ordinary took so much of his energy. He was a gladiator—a gladiator who now cleaned up after other humans’ destruction.
Punching the dash, he knew what had to be done… cutting ties with everything sacred.
Pearl didn’t get the job—or any other remote position. Thanks to a recession, the job market looked grim, and she wasn’t the only one battling to find work. A week after the food poisoning debacle Pearl had accepted her fate. Now, she’d need assistance. Besides, it was time to pull off the healing scab and confront her family from the past. And she’d chosen a local ice-cream shop for the initial showdown. Relying on public transport, Pearl and Aysha had arrived early and waited at the counter for Aysha’s double chocolate sundae.
When the door jangled, Pearl took a breath and turned to face the incoming family—the picture-perfect family. Coraline herded in her two kids. You could immediately spot the similarities between Pearl and her sister, who both shared the same bone structure and basic features. Coraline, however, was a natural blonde and always ironed her long hair into a silken waterfall. She hated her slight curl. Unlike Pearl, she liked control and order.
Pearl glanced down at her niece and nephew, and her stomach twisted. The last time she’d seen Seaton, he was just a babe when she’d last visited the States. Now, he was six. Pearl had never met Brooke, who was the same age as Aysha. A teeny fair-haired princess dressed in a bright yellow dress.
She’d devoured the photos that Coraline had sent. Pictures of their birthdays and life events. Was that a worthwhile sacrifice for Pearls’ bitterness? Tears pricked, and Pearl tried to blink them away.
Without hesitation, Coraline ran to her sister and pulled Pearl into an embrace. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you so much.”
It took a moment to return the hug. Pearl shouldn’t have come. Her heart pounded, and her hands shook as she felt her sister’s warm embrace push aside a bone-deep chill. When they pulled apart, Coraline bent to greet Aysha.
“I’m your Aunty Cora. We’ve never met but let me look at you. You’re just as beautiful as your mommy.”
Aysha smiled shyly and grabbed Pearl’s pant leg.
“And these are your cousins.”
Hands behind his back, Seaton studied Aysha like she was a bug under a microscope. Brooke waved, but the ice cream counter proved to be too much of a lure. Pearl stepped around and joined her at the counter.
“Mommy showed me your pictures. She says you’re my aunty?”
“I am. I’m sorry if I’ve… if I’ve stayed away.”
“That’s okay. You can help me choose—I like pink ice cream. But the rainbow one looks yummy.”
“What about a scoop of both?”
Pearl helped Coraline with the order, and when the kids all had their sundaes, Coraline settled them at a separate table. “Seaton, look after the girls. Mommy needs to talk to Aunty Pearl.”
Coraline chose a table that afforded them more privacy, and Pearl sat down.
“You’re not the only one who hesitated over this meeting.” Coraline stared over at the kids. “If you disappear again—”
“That’s my prerogative.”
“You broke my heart.”
“Only after you shattered mine.” Pearl swallowed and looked out the window. “I see you’ve continued the ‘family’ tradition. Seaton and Brooke, huh? Was that mother’s idea? Aquatic-themed names?”
“You don’t get a say, as you walked away a long time ago.”
“So, you’re still keeping in touch with her.”
“She lives in the city.”
“In Fairfax?” Pearl snorted and shook her head. “I shouldn’t have come.”
“Let’s put aside the past. Just be my sister—for one brief moment.”
Battling to swallow past rising tears, Pearl took a sip of water before addressing her sister’s statement. “The difference between you and I, is that I remember the past. I remember every detail from that day at the truck stop—in technicolor. You were too young, but I will never forget the fear. And I had to protect you.” Pearl shook her head. “I tried so hard to do that, and I failed.”
“You’ve never failed me!”
“No, sheer luck has never failed you. First, you met Everett, who’s protected you his whole life, and then you were adopted by the nicest family. Your fearless husband and family have never failed you.”
“You’re part of that family. Everett protected both of us at the orphanage. He loves you like a sister—you were best friends.” Coraline bit her lip. “We were the three musketeers. Do you remember that secret hiding place at the back fence, behind the hedge? We called it our spooky cave.”
“Because it had spiders.” Pearl shuddered. “Everett would relocate those creepy beasts so that I could enter.”
Both women shared a smile.
“I’m glad that you found your person at such a young age. He never gave up on you. I still can’t believe that you married Everett.”
Her sister’s fateful relationship with Everett had begun on their first day at an orphanage. Everett had been the same age as Pearl—both seven years old, and he’d rushed in to defend a four-year-old Coraline from a bully on the playground.
That was the day they’d all met. He’d played and stayed by their side for three years. And then, Coraline was separated from Pearl—the first to be adopted. A good family who Pearl still resented. Why couldn’t they have taken both sisters?
What was wrong with Pearl? She’d tried so hard to be the best child—always well-behaved—and tried so hard to get good grades in school. Coraline’s new parents had met the sisters, and yet they’d chosen only Coraline.
A year later, the orphanage placed Pearl with her new family. The beginning of a gray existence in a home where her presence was barely tolerated. The tragic tale of an unlovable child who’d cried every night for her sister. Her chest still ached at the memories.
And if it wasn’t for Everett. Years later, he’d found them both. He was the one to glue their little family back together—not Pearl—Everett. He’d never found a home and had left the orphanage at fourteen.
The rough and rebellious sixteen-year-old who’d shown up at Pearls’ door had run with wild crowds. But he’d also been determined to find Coraline and to build an empire. And that he had done.
Everett was now a powerful business tycoon—a dangerous man to cross. And he loved Coraline more than his own life. When she’d turned eighteen, he’d asked her out on their first date. Pearl’s sister had married young, and yet she’d found her person in a childhood friend. That’s all Pearl had ever wanted—her sister’s happiness.
“You know, Everett kept track of your movements after you ran to Europe.” Pearl played with the handle of her coffee cup.
“Of course, he did.”
“All we know is that you eventually married and lived in Sri Lanka. You married a politician? I heard that you’re divorced?”
Sighing, Pearl leaned back. “Yes. Rajin Bandara. I’m divorced. I was the perfect trophy wife, and you would’ve liked my lifestyle—similar to yours. Loads of servants and red-carpet events.”
“So, what happened?”
“In a nutshell? I realized that fairy tales don’t exist. My husband cheated numerous times.” Pearl glanced at Aysha, who still ate her sundae, and giggled with Brooke. “After our divorce, I discovered that we always had different interests. I loved my charity work and my child. Rajin is a fan of genocide, torture, and killing.”
“What?” Coraline shot forward and reached for Pearl’s hand.
“Yes. Rajin is a real gem. Aysha doesn’t know about her father’s dark side. She loves and
misses him.”
Pearl spilled the sordid story—how she’d found the first camcorder cassette and how she’d drugged Rajin and found the rest of the evidence. Their panicked escape from Sri Lanka…
“Are you safe? Everett can help; he has resources.”
“I do need your help. In normal circumstances, I would never have replied to your emails. But I’m discovering that I need my family. I can’t do this on my own. I feel like… I feel like I’ve been reborn amongst strangers. I need a familiar face—faces that I love.”
Coraline covered Pearl’s hand with hers. “Oh, honey.”
Pearl pulled back. “If you want me back in your life—if you want to see your niece—there are conditions. That woman will never come near my child. Are you still inviting her to your home?”
“You need to find space in your heart for forgiveness.”
“That won’t happen. If mother comes within a mile of Aysha, we’ll disappear so fast.”
“Just hear mom out—”
“That is my condition.” Pearl stood and threw a piece of paper on the table. “Here is my cell number. Make a decision.”
“Don’t do this.”
“I need help, and I’ll be brutally honest. I need a babysitter, and there is no one else that I trust more than you and Everett. I need Aysha to be safe.”
“I can do that, but—”
“I’m forced to take a second job where I won’t be home in the evenings. You might need to pick Aysha up and drop her off. I don’t have a car, and I can’t afford daycare and with Rajin still roaming this planet….”
“We’ll do it. If Rajin comes near, Everett will remove the threat. We have good security.”
“I know. And Rajin doesn’t know that I was adopted. I never felt comfortable talking about my childhood with him. Perhaps, it was instinct—not sharing my darkest memories.” Pearl paused in picking up her bag. “Is Everett just as deadly as before? He hasn’t gone soft, has he?”
“More so. You have no idea how far he’d go to protect the family. He wanted to come today. He wants to see you.”
“Another time. If we have an agreement, we can have dinner on the weekend.” Pearl turned and called for Aysha.
“Mommy, can we go to the park?”
“On the way home, yes.” After saying their goodbyes, Pearl looked back at Coraline. “I didn’t want to include you in my mess. You can say no.”
“I love you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“I love you too.” As Pearl stepped out onto the street, she prayed she’d made the right decision. Was she gearing up for the biggest fight of her life? Her gut told her that darkness was coming, and Aysha needed protection. If Rajin ever found them, Everett would fight dirty, and that’s what Pearl needed, powerful men at her side.
Chapter Nine
Antonio approached the off-ramp and tried Pearl’s number once more. He’d called twice in the last hour and shot her a text. Not having seen Pearl and Aysha in over a week, Antonio planned to surprise them with take-out. He needed a break from the office, and the drive out to Fairfax would help clear his exhausted brain.
He’d stopped by his loft for a shower which had made him feel human again after a long day. Looking forward to seeing Pearl, he once again checked his phone. It wasn’t like they hadn’t kept in touch since her ER visit. They spoke and messaged each other every day, and
Antonio now looked forward to their rambling conversations. Although she was still finding her feet, she seemed more relaxed and laughed more. Antonio suspected that this authentic Pearl had lain hidden throughout her marriage and flight from Sri Lanka.
He wanted to see more of her smiles which lit up her entire face and made her seem so alive—so infectious. Her true happiness mattered—not a fake smile hiding a crashing storm. The anxious expression she’d worn in the airport should be left in her past. Perhaps that’s why he couldn’t resist helping her on the journey.
Throughout his career, Antonio had seen his own share of tragedy. At times, it had felt like he waded through swamps filled with grief, heartache, and gore. Innocent civilians were decimated by the enemy and families torn apart. Fellow soldiers who died in the field and sometimes in Antonio’s arms. Every death took its toll, and many lives were irreparable.
That helpless feeling of standing on the sidelines was never Antonio’s strong suit. Action was needed wherever possible. Helping out a mother and child on the run from a war psycho didn’t take great effort. Pearl acted like she was forever indebted to Antonio, but he knew what true sacrifice entailed. Images flashed of his friend stepping in front of a bullet.
Antonio clenched the phone as he shoved away the memory.
When Pearl answered, he rolled his shoulders.
“Hey. I can’t talk.”
“Pearl? Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I… um… I’m just busy.”
Antonio sat up. The discomfort in her voice was unmistakable. “Where are you? At home?”
“No… uh. I’m out.”
Antonio glanced at his watch—six p.m. He’d picked up on the “I’m out” and not the “we’re out.” She was by herself? Ah, hell. Was she on a date? That would explain her awkward replies.
“Do you need a lift anywhere? I’m heading that way. I thought I’d pick up some dinner for us. I messaged you earlier.”
“No. Um... I’m fine. Don’t worry about dinner.”
If there wasn’t a fucking monster ex-husband at large, he’d leave her be, but Antonio’s gut wanted confirmation that she was safe. He heard a jangling sound and voices through the phone.
“Where are you? At a restaurant?”
It’s not your business, buddy. Hang up and walk away.
“I have another job. I just stopped by my… my workplace. I officially start tomorrow.”
Pearl hadn’t mentioned that. Usually, she’d give him blow-by-blow accounts of her job interviews.
“Congrats, Cielo. I gather it’s not a remote position. Do you need a car?”
“Uh... no. It’s in walking distance.”
Antonio frowned, knowing that she lived in a residential suburb. He tried to think of the nearest business district.
“It’s getting dark, so I’ll meet you there and drive you home.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Nonsense, I’m five minutes away. What’s the address?” Antonio heard her curse.
“Look, I don’t want you to freak out and—”
“Why would I freak out? Address, please.”
“Antonio.”
Now, he felt the worry creeping in. “Address?”
She rattled off the street name and number, and he pulled over to plug it into his GPS. That didn’t seem right. All that came up was a gas station.
“Wait, repeat that.”
Pearl complied, and Antonio felt his blood pressure rising. “I’ll be there in a minute—”
“Antonio—”
“In a goddamn minute.” After pushing the “end” button, he pulled into traffic, his movement abrupt. Maybe the GPS was mistaken or outdated. He was grabbing at straws because the sinking feeling in his stomach told him otherwise.
As he drove past the gas pumps and pulled into a space in front of the small convenience store, he drew in a steadying breath. What the hell was she thinking? Pearl stepped outside, which was a good thing because he had a lot to say.
She wore a black jacket over a red blouse, and she’d applied full make-up. She looked like a movie star, standing beside a fucking ice fridge in front of a grimy store. He opened the car door, placing one foot on the tarmac.
“You’re shitting me, right?”
“It’s within walking distance, and the additional salary means I can cover rent and extra expenses.”
Antonio shook his head and bit his lip.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
He tried to speak but slammed the door instead.
“The job also fits in with my schedule.”
/> Antonio took measured steps to her side. “Let’s talk around the corner—in case there’s an audience.”
“It’s my life, and I can’t find work.”
He took her wrist and guided her to a tree. His brain felt like it would explode, and he wanted to upend the filthy table that appeared in their path.
“Look—”
He swung her to face him. “What time is your shift? What did you sign up for?”
Pearl smiled nervously as he released her arm. “Um…”
Waiting for her answer, he folded his arms.
“I work in the evenings—not the late shift. From three to nine. It’s still a part-time gig.”
“Do you work weekends?”
“Yes. Until ten.”
Looking away, he willed himself not to bellow in frustration. Seconds ticked by.
“You’re not saying anything.”
“Working at a convenience store—at a gas station—is listed as one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Why do you think that is?”
“I’ll be fine.”
His voice rose. “Why do you think that is?”
“I know the dangers.”
“Let’s see—we have robbery. Gas station drive-offs. Drunk and disorderly offenders. Shoplifting. Convenience stores are vulnerable to repeat victimization—especially in a store that offers low security and fewer staff members. They’re easy targets. Just glancing at these external CCTV cameras alone gives me the fucking creeps.” He waved a hand at the store. “One is swinging by its damn cord, and the functional one is so rusted up, I doubt it even works. Judging by the model, it was purchased decades ago.”
“Let’s think positively. I need the work and—”
“Convenience store employees suffer from high rates of homicide, second only to taxicab drivers.”
“This is my decision. I’ve been searching for weeks. The job market is dismal right now and—”
“You have a daughter. What happens to her if you’re killed in a robbery.”
“You’re overreacting.”
