Page 74 of Just Desserts

"You're going to do exactly as I say. We're all going to walk calmly out to the parking lot, if you do anything to draw attention to us I will fucking gut her."

Keeping my movements slow to make sure Isla saw what I was doing, I removed the knife from Grams neck. Before anyone could get excited, I repositioned the blade so it was pointed in the small of her back. I gave her a nudge forward, using the tip to give her some incentive.

"I know basic anatomy and I'm pretty sure I can hit her kidney or liver from this angle, so don't try me. Now get moving."

Chapter 52

Isla

I pictured how this night would go several times over the last few weeks. What I did not have in mind was my cousin sitting behind me in a car with a knife pressed to Grams throat, demanding I drive us to her parents house. I was scared. Alyssa had gone off the deep end. She looked like a totally different person, her eyes were manic, her pupils were blown up, her movements were erratic and she was alternating talking to herself and to me.

When she first cornered us in the bathroom I was shocked, embarrassment ran through me at my immobility and lack of response. Once we exited into the main room, reality hit me. As if she could sense it Grams looked over at me, her gaze filled with a mix of fear and pain before Alyssa aggressively yanked her forward.

I followed behind them mutely, panic racing through me. I had never seen Grams look like that, had Alyssa already cut her and I missed it? At this point we had made it to the doors, my brain was running a million miles per hour but I figured if I could get Alyssa away from the hotel I had a better chance of ending this without any casualties.

We reached her car and she unlocked it and opened both the front and back door before pushing Grams into the back seat and sliding in next to her. Grams gave a low moan which had me clamoring into the driver seat so I could assess the situation. When I tried to turn around to check on Grams I wasstopped short by Alyssa's blade.

In a flash I felt a burn across the side of my neck followed by a chilling sensation as blood trickled down my back and dripped onto my dress. I looked down, the crimson spots splattered on the pale fabric looked lurid in the moonlight. Deciding not to agitate her further, I buckled up and waited for her instructions. I was trying to keep still since she had already cut me once and I had no idea if Grams was okay or not. I sat upright and tried to use the rear view mirror to check on Grams but Alyssa's frenzied glare took up the entire frame.

"Take us to my parents house. Now." She said leaning forward, her hands unsteady.

I pulled out of the hotel and started the journey to the cul de sac we grew up on, trying to figure out the best way to handle this. The last thing I wanted to do was bring this to my family's door. I didn't want anyone to get hurt but I also didn't want to do something wild on the road and cause an accident. When we finally pulled into the driveway of the house I considered my second home I felt bereft. I had done nothing to protect them, I hadn't figured out any way to stop this.

Before I could do anything, Alyssa grabbed Grams by her arm and yanked her out of the back seat. As she stepped out of the car, she used the knife to tap on my window until I opened the door. I scrambled out horrified at the sight of Grams bent over in pain, her body getting yanked around like a puppet with no concern for bodily harm. I rushed over wanting to gather Grams in my arms and check her over but once again came up short as Alyssa pressed the tip of the knife into the thin fabric of my dress.

"Nope, no time for you to play hero now. All of this is your fault anyway. Get in front of me and ring the bell." She said, stepping to the side and shoving me forward. I started the short walk tothe front door but once again I felt the burning sensation down my back as I heard Grams gasp.

"Walk faster." Was all Alyssa said as the telltale warmth of blood slid across my bare back. The cut of this dress, originally so thrilling, now just left me far too aware of how vulnerable I was. With Alyssa at my back she could do just about anything and there was nothing in the way to stop her.

At the same time, I would rather her focus on me than Grams. Alyssa wrapped her hand around Grams mouth then pulled her to the side of the front door before slamming on the doorbell. Once we heard footsteps she prodded me forward with the tip of her knife. Uncle Charlie opened the door and looked surprised to see me.

"Isla? What are you doing here?" Before he could ask anything else Alyssa shoved me inside the house.

As a reflex Charlie wrapped his hands around me, attempting to stop my fall and keep me upright. I let out a shout as he unintentionally grabbed me on the side where I was cut, the noise causing my Aunt Susie to come running into the room. Sliding to a halt next to us, a mutual look of confusion and horror crossed both their faces when Charlie's blood stained hand came into view.

Alyssa took advantage of the distraction and stumbled in after us, locking the door behind her. Dismissing the three of us in the entryway, Alyssa headed for the living room where she casually tossed Grams on the floor as if she was nothing but a throw pillow.

"Alyssa! What is going on here? Dorothy are you alright?" Charlie went to check on Grams but stopped short at the sight of the knife in Alyssa's hand.

There was blood on both of us at this point and I could see as the reality of the situation hit everyone. I was feeling woozy, but I was more concerned about Grams. She was making small sounds I had never heard before, like a wounded animal where she was sprawled on the rug. Unable to help myself I ran past Alyssa dropping to my knees beside Grams.

"Grams! Where are you hurt, are you bleeding?" I asked as I frantically tried to pat down her body.

"My hip, my whole side hurts." Gram gasped as she curled in on herself. I heard Alyssa let out a growl behind me, I hunched over Grams in an attempt to protect her but thankfully Alyssa's head swung back around at my Uncle's shout.

"ALYSSA! Put the knife down now. There's no reason for this. Let's talk, sit down like a family." Charlie said, drawing Alyssa's attention back to him.

"Now you want to talk like a family? You're right, it's your turn to talk." Before I had a chance to fully evaluate Grams, Alyssa was yanking me to my feet by my hair. She pulled me in front of her and I heard my aunt gasp.

"Mom, Dad. Time to choose. Which daughter do you want? Which daughter gets to live. Isla or me?" She asked, bringing the blade back up to my throat waiting for the answer.

Myles

I had stopped paying attention to what the older gentleman was saying to me about ten minutes ago. I saw Isla go to the bathroom with Grams so I knew it could take a bit more time than usual but I was getting restless without her. I didn't like not having her near. I scanned the ballroom only to spot Jonathan. He was still at the table, the seats next to him now vacant, his coworkers giving him a wide berth. He lookeddisheveled and depressed, but at least I knew where he was. I headed towards his table, my gut telling me something was up when Sarah grabbed me.

"I can't find Isla or Grams. I checked the bathroom, I even went back to the rooms to see if they stopped up there for some reason but it was empty. Come on, Sully is expecting us in his office." I followed Sarah, stopping briefly to talk to one of the security guards positioned near the doors.

"Take that man to my office and do not let him leave under any circumstances. I want someone with him at all times" I said pointing at Jonathan.

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