Page 31 of Smoke

“Let’s save that for later,” Jasmine suggested.

She was getting used to calming dragons, I figured. Pierce’s attitude ran pretty hot most of the time. She was the voice of reason.

“Don’t tell me how to react to this,” he warned.

“Alina’s safe. She’s here with us. Nobody’s hurting her right now. Let’s keep that in mind.” She turned back to me with the tiniest eye roll. “Why did he do this? How did the two of you even end up crossing paths?”

“Uncle George.”

“Oh, no. I should’ve known he would have something to do with you getting hurt.”

I nodded miserably. “He wanted me to marry Bradley in your place.”

Her gasp was sharp. “You’re kidding. I had no idea! That pig!”

“When I said I wouldn’t, that’s when Bradley gave me these.” I looked down at my arm and the memory of him twisting it behind my back was fresh and clear. My stomach turned.

“You stood up for yourself, though. I’m proud of you.”

Smoke remained ominously silent.

“It got worse from there, if you can believe that.” I tucked my hair behind my ears, more uncomfortable than ever. “George was going to have my memories read. Because he knew I was lying about you.”

“He knew?” Jasmine sounded anguished.

“How did he know?” Smoke practically barked the question out.

“Calm down!” Jasmine hissed. “Do you want to attract attention?”

He ignored her. “The one condition of your leaving was that you’d be sure to convince them.”

“Stop, please.” I closed my eyes. I couldn’t stand seeing him look at me that way. He hated me. I should’ve known. “I did my best. I had my stories straight. But he’s known us our entire lives. He knew how uncomfortable I am with lying. He was ready to use Jasmine to blackmail me into marrying Bradley, all so our family would join with his. Heck, for all I know, he wasn’t sure I was lying until he threatened me with mind reading. I’m sure the way I fell in line after that confirmed what he suspected.”

“It’s all right, sweetheart.” Jasmine enfolded me in a hug. “This was never fair to you. We put too much on your shoulders. I blame myself, more than anything else. We sent you back and didn’t consider what might happen even if you convinced everybody else.”

I rested my head on her shoulder and wished it was Smoke’s shoulder. “It wasn’t your fault. I always knew George was a jerk and a creep, but I didn’t know he was that ruthless.”

“I want him dead. I want them both dead,” Smoke snarled.

“Yes, I’m sure you do,” Jasmine replied, placating him. “But now’s not the time for that. It might not ever be the time. You know just as well as I do how dangerous that would be. Don’t lose your common sense now. We need it.”

I dared to look over at him, still leaning against the door. He was breathing heavily through his nose, nostrils flaring. His handsome face was downright scary when he glowered the way he was right now.

“Did anybody see you leave?” he asked.

“No. I went through an unused tunnel.” I looked at Jasmine. “Remember? The one we would sneak out through whenever we wanted to play in the old outbuildings?”

She smiled fondly. “Of course. Papa never did understand how we managed to get outside even when he had eyes watching us all over the house. What a relief that you remembered them.”

“You’re telling me. I felt like you were right there with me, just like you were when I was standing at the window.”

It was hard to believe that I had ever been that desperate for a way out, desperate enough that I would consider jumping. It was easy to forget when I had Jasmine and Smoke with me.

“I wish I could’ve be there with you for real. I hate that you went through this all alone.”

“I wasn’t alone.”

She smiled through her tears. “I missed you.”

---