Page 75 of Just Desserts

I waited just long enough to make sure that message was communicated to the security team before chasing after Sarah who had gotten ahead of me as we raced to Sully's office. We burst through the doors and found Sully in his tuxedo running through video footage of all the different exits.

"Stop! The red, that's Gram's dress." Sarah yelled pointing at one of the screens.

Sully pulled it up on the big monitor where we watched in horror as Isla walked stiffly out of the hotel with Alyssa tight at her back, Grams getting dragged along beside them. Sully was already pulling up the trackers he had on Alyssa and we were able to see she was at her parents house. Cursing at how this could happen, how they could get so ahead of us, I missed Sully's call to the police.

"The brother! Myles, call Alyssa's brother! Maybe he can get there or warn his parents!" Sarah yelled and I cursed myself for not thinking of that first. I dialed Wes's phone immediately as the three of us headed for the parking lot.

"Hey man, I thought you had your big.." I cut him off before hecould continue.

"We think Alyssa did something with Isla and Grams. It looks like she took them to your parents house. We called the cops and are heading out now but I'm still at least half an hour away." I blurted out as Sully, Sarah and I ran to the back lot. We hopped in Sully's car as I heard movement on Wes's side of the call.

"What the fuck? Jesus Christ, what is she thinking? Let me go, I'm nearby. I can get to the house faster than you. I gotta go." I heard a car door slam as the call disconnected, I looked up vaguely aware that we were already on the main road.

"Well! What did he say?" Sarah asked worry and impatience across her face.

"Said he was nearby, he's on his way there now. Fuck. FUCK!" I yelled, punching the glove compartment before ripping at my hair.

"I never should have agreed to this party, shouldn't have let the firm's table get an invite. Shouldn't have let Jonathan or Alyssa within a hundred miles of her." I was distracted by a sob from the backseat, startled to see Sarah crying. She rarely got emotional.

"It's my fault! Grams didn't know all the details about Alyssa showing up here. We just wanted word to get back to Jonathan's coworkers about what a piece of shit he was. I didn't think he would show up and definitely not with her! I'm so sorry."

"Shut up. Both of you. It's all of our faults, I should have assigned more security to her, should have been at my desk, not at the party in this monkey suit. We all knew Alyssa was crazy but we couldn't predict this. Let's just focus on gettingthere and minimizing the damage as much as possible, now buck the fuck up."

The rest of the drive passed in a strained silence. I had no idea what we were going to walk in on, I hoped the police were already there. 911 responders are fast right? I tried to figure how much time had passed between our call and when Isla had left the hotel. My brain was sluggish while my body was on high alert. I couldn't lose Isla, I had just found her.

Sully managed to get us there in under 20 minutes but my stomach dropped as the scene in front of us unfolded. Police cars and ambulances were surrounding the house, lights were flashing and a variety of cops and paramedics were hovering on the front lawn. Before the car came to a complete stop I was jumping out with the intent to make a beeline for the front door. I came up short as a large man in a cop uniform stopped me.

"Hey! You can't go in there, this is an active crime scene!" He yelled, causing me to panic further.

"I have to go inside, I have to know if Isla is okay. You have to let me through!" I started trying to look around him for any sight of Isla. The house seemed flooded with people but none of the faces were familiar. Finally paramedics came out with a stretcher and my heart stopped for a moment. The terror didn't lessen when I recognized the small form.

"Grams!" Sarah yelled, easily slipping past the large cop to get to the woman's side. Using the distraction I bolted for the house. I had to get to Isla, I had to know she was alright. Once I finally crossed the threshold, the sight that met me would haunt me for years to come.

Chapter 53

Alyssa

Isla trembled before me and I couldn't help the wicked smile spreading across my face. Finally, she was put in her place. She would atone for her sins in front of everyone.

"Well? Choose. Only one of us is walking out of here tonight, it's up to you two." I said looking at my parents.

"Alyssa, sweetheart, please put the knife down.You've clearly had a rough night, it can't be good for the baby. Why don't you let me make you a cup of tea?" My mother coaxed, trying to creep towards me.

"A cup of tea! You think that will fix this?" I lashed out, forgetting the knife was in my hand and accidentally cutting my mother. I saw her clutch her hand to her chest, my father grabbing a towel to staunch the blood. Horror hit me first but was quickly replaced by rage. They had brought this upon themselves and more blood would be drawn before the night ended.

"Alyssa, you're pregnant?" Isla asked me from where she stood hovering over that meddling old witch. I was frozen for a moment not expecting this change in conversation.

"What does it matter to you? You've already moved on. You want both Jonathan and Myles now?" I yelled at her shocked face.

"No! Alyssa no I don't want Jonathan. You should listen to your mom, this can't be good for the baby." She implored, her concerned face only making me angrier.

"No! Stop talking! Stop pretending like you give a shit about me." I yelled, looking at the people around me. My family, my blood and they didn't care about me, not really.

"This is your fault!" I yelled, gesturing at my parents.

"You've always chosen her over me. I'm your daughter, I'm a part of you! Still, Isla always took precedence. Poor little orphan Isla, we must protect her from everything, at the expense of your REAL daughter! Why? Why wasn't I enough? Why did you even have me if you already loved Isla so much?" I begged them, it was a question that always bothered me.

I swiped furiously at my face, angry that I was crying, showing weakness in front of these people who didn't deserve any emotions from me. I was surprised when my father stepped forward. He had his arms in front of him as if approaching a wild animal but I didn't give him a chance to get too close.

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