Page 7 of Bittersweet Revenge

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 supposedlyhate 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.”

“Areyouorderingme?” 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.”

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