Page 126 of A Lesson in Obedience
Blood gurgled out of her throat. She coughed but managed to say something to me. “You couldn’t just do what he said, could you?” She spat blood at my feet and I felt a tug on my arm, along with hearing a protective growl from Beau.
“You chose to side with a monster,” I said, my feet shuffling backwards when Asher pulled me harder.
We all got a few feet from the door and Mateo quickly got behind Asher, who leaned against him as he grabbed his stomach. I walked up to him and placed my hand over his wound. “What do we do now?” he asked, looking to me for answers. Grayson threaded his fingers through my own and patiently waited for my reply.
I turned my head and looked back at the house. My nose turned up and I let fire erupt in my hands. I tossed it at the house, watching as the wood was slowly enveloped in flames and I watched my legacy burn.
51
Riley
ONE MONTH LATER
“You picked what we watched last time,” Grayson whined, stealing the remote from River’s hand.
“I am the injured one here. I had surgery and everything, so hand it over.” River held his hand out.
I watched them argue from the kitchen, while Asher set our food up in cute little trays.
I considered the comfortable bliss we had settled into and how we’d gotten here. I thought back to what happened after we’d left that burning house with no idea how the future would play out. Ike had called 911 from the car and we all crossed our fingers that we didn’t have to explain more than we needed to. The minute we got out of the general area, I wanted to go see River. I’d jumped out of the car, likely while it was still moving, and scared the nurse at her station when I asked to see my boyfriend. I was covered in mild burns and probably some blood, but I didn’t care.
He’d winced when I hugged him as hard as I could, giving him the biggest kiss I could muster and told him it was done. I’d admitted I was scared for the future. I got into his hospital bed, being careful about his injuries, and cuddled into him. Grayson had texted later saying that the hospital wouldn’t let Asher just meander around while he was bleeding out of his side, so they were going to patch him up first.
I’d passed on school the next few days after it happened and when the news got out about the massacre that happened at the Chancellor’s house, it was all over social media. The school had tried to clean it up in their very fancy, but also very vague email, but people embellished. The house was nothing more than ash and rubble when the pictures on the news cycles started popping up.
Then there were the long theories where people connected him and his mother. Maybe someone had a vendetta against him? Maybe they pissed off the wrong people? I rolled my eyes at every single stupid word. They would find a new chancellor that had nothing to fucking do with me and that had my shoulders easing. Celica would be my only connection to him, but that would stay within my circle. Our own little secret that we all would happily keep. They would have to yet again find someone to fill my dad’s job as well, hopefully someone worthy of the job.
Corrin checked on me frequently, along with Jade and everyone else. By checked on, I meant she came over and sat in bed with me while she made the boys do something else. Grayson would read with me, but I knew his eyes were also watching, making sure I didn’t need anything. Asher doted on River, well, we all did, but I told him not to worry about me and that I didn’t regret what I did.
River and Asher had to console their mother when she heard her husband was lost in that fire. River was much nicer to her than his brother, since Asher would blatantly state that ‘she never came around when her son was in the fucking hospital’. She claimed she never knew about that, which, knowing their dad, that wouldn’t surprise me. Asher said that she would be fine, there was enoughmoney to keep her comfortable in that house and he would hire help for her if she needed it. And he did so in the most begrudging tone, admitting that he was glad she was out from under his thumb.
The story sent our parents off the deep end and things were just now settling down. Grayson spent a few days at his parent’s house and I’d brought my mom over to Corrin’s house, smiling while I watched them chat about their headache-inducing daughters. I’d been scolded and damn near had to sign a contract stating that I would check in with my mom twice a week for the next year. I’d just laughed, grateful that she didn’t want all the details. I had started to explain but then she’d stopped me halfway through and told me that I should leave all the heroic acrobatics to the female characters in my books.
She’d mentioned therapy, for the both of us, and I didn’t decline her offer. I’d gone ahead and started my research on female psychiatrists, since I was very done with men trying to tell me how to feel.
Beau jumped up onto the counter, sniffing and leaning towards the tray of food.
“Back off. You literally have food.” Asher pointed to the dog bowl in the corner.
I plucked a plain chip out of the bowl and fed it to him. Beau happily munched away, giving Asher a smug look and jumping down. The scar on his side was still visible, but it had healed nicely. Corrin had healed what she could before we’d taken him to the emergency vet.
“You spoil him,” Asher scolded, shaking his head.
“He deserves it, don’t you buddy?” I got down and scratched Beau around the ears.
I love you very much.I told him privately.
I love you too, Mom.
I straightened up and walked over to Asher. “How are you feeling?”
“I told you yesterday, I’m fine.”
“I ask all of you the same thing, so don’t snap at me for caring.”
He sighed. “Sorry. I’m good. You’ve put a lot of things on hiatus because of injuries.” He leaned down to get closer to my face.
“Have I?” I asked innocently.
