Page 186 of Hexed
Aria points the knife at Bastien now, which is laughable. He doesn’t even flinch. “Explain,” she demands.
“The back of that family painting? There’s an irrevocable trust inside. One even your daddy doesn’t know exists. One he thought he got rid of. And it leaves everything to Venesa’s mother, Adrina Andersen. And in the event of Adrina’s death, everything goes to her.” He nods toward me.
Aria’s mouth drops open as she glances back and forth between us. “Is that why you tried to get me to hand that ugly thing off to you?”
I smile. “Guess you’ll never know, will you?”
But inside, I’m reeling, the same way I was when Bastien told me the truth back in New York. I didn’t even know there could be something hiding inside the painting. I just wanted it because I promised Momma.
Bastien steps forward. “I can prove it to you. You have the painting, don’t you? Take me there; I’ll show you.”
Aria’s face is conflicted.
“You’ve got your loyal little fish boy here to keep watch over me,” I say, my eyes cutting to Fisher with a glare. “You don’t even need to unchain me until you get back.”
“Better hurry and decide, though, princess,” Bastien warns. “I have it on good authority E is on his way, and I know you like to play up that innocent act around him.”
My heart skips at the thought of Enzo showing up.
“Pass,” she snips. “I can just get them out and destroy them myself.”
“You could,” Bastien says. “But I’ve already made copies. Several of them. You sure you want to take that chance?”
Aria’s silent for a few moments, and the room is quiet beyond the pounding of my heart, hoping she’s naive enough to fall for our simple parlor tricks and twisted words.
She points the knife at Bastien again. “You come with me, and she stays here.”
“Of course.”
She spins to Fisher. “Don’t let her out of your sight until I’m back. Do you understand? And if Daddy calls, you stall him.”
He nods, and I scoff out loud, because if I don’t, then I might have to focus on the gaping wound he’s caused in the center of my chest.
Pathetic.
Aria softens her features and walks over to Fisher before pressing her palm to his cheek. “Remember what’s at stake, Fisher. If you fuck this up, there’s no chance for her.”
Now that piques my interest.
While she’s talking to him, Bastien takes the opportunity, catching my eye and mouthing one word.
Cabin.
Aria turns and lets Bastien lead her out of the room. And as they leave, Bastien’s shoulders relax, and he looks back at me one more time with a pointed look.
There’s no need. I know what he’s telling me.
He’ll take care of Aria, and it’s my job to take care of Fisher.
Somehow.
If only I could get out of these goddamn chains.
After they’re gone, neither Fisher nor I speak, and the silence is so overwhelming, it makes me want to scream.
I have a thousand questions running through my mind, a broken soul and a shattered heart and the burning need to ask himwhy, even though he probably won’t have the guts to tell me.
Fisher sighs heavily, the toe of his shoe going back to work scuffing against the linoleum floor.
