Chapter 18

18

RILEY

I lie on Nikolai's bed, trying to find something to read, but nothing is catching my eye. When my phone chimes, I grab it off the nightstand, thinking it's going to be my sister or Nikolai, but it's not.

Angel: I swear. Dead Ex has to be the worst trope ever!

I snort with laughter, realizing that she's right. It always gives off the vibe that you're in second place. You live in the shadow of a ghost.

Me: I'm not sure if it's a trope per se. But I agree. It sucks. Unless she hates the ex.

Angel: I guess I could maybe be okay with that.

Me: I'm trying to find something to read. I'm bored.

It's still early. I checked the time. I'm sure Nikolai won't be back until the middle of the night.

Angel: Same.

Angel : Where is your man?

Me: Work

Angel: You should come over. We can hang out and watch reality TV garbage.

Me: I don't think I have really watched reality TV.

I never watched much TV at all. Mona would get me to watch movies from time to time, but more often than not, my eyes were glued to a book. I find it much more satisfying imagining the scenes and characters in my head.

Angel: WHAT! You must come over. I'll prepare snacks.

I check the time again. It's only seven. This would be a way to keep building this friendship I'm making with Angel. I'm just not sure I can leave.

Me: Let me check. brB

I go in search of Sal, whom I left in the kitchen, eating some of the dinner I had left over.

"Is it good?" I ask when I enter the kitchen.

"Yeah." He shows me his now empty plate.

"So I've got a question."

"All right, hit me."

"Am I allowed to like, go places?"

When I lived with my father, we couldn't do anything. We barely left the estate we lived on unless it was some sort of engagement he needed us to show our faces for.

"Why? What are you thinking?" Sal seems a bit apprehensive.

"Just a friend's house," I quickly explain.

"A friend?" I nod. "Does Nikolai know this friend?" I roll my eyes. Of course that's the first thing he would ask.

"Yes, it's a girl. We have a book club together, and Nikolai is always there."

"Nikolai is in a book club."

"No!" I laugh. "He just hangs around the library after school while I do it. He's my ride."

"I don't see why not, but I'll need to clear it with Matteo." Sal pulls out his phone. I watch as he clicks away. A few seconds later, my phone starts to ring. The screen displays my sister's name.

"Hey," I say, answering it.

"You want to go out?"

"Wow, that was fast spreading." I laugh. "It's with a friend from school. I really like her. She asked me to come over and watch reality TV."

"Oh, that sounds nice." I can hear the smile in her voice. "I don't see why not. There isn't a threat now that Father is gone." Our brother is, too, but I don't say that. We both know it.

"So can I go?"

"Yeah, it's kind of awesome to be able to say that. We can just go out. Do whatever we want. Well, within reason," she quickly adds. I'm sure Matteo gave her a look about that. She is right, though, it is different to be free. Our lives have changed so much in such a short time. "With a driver, of course."

"You mean Sal?"

"Yes, and he'll wait for you."

"I feel kind of bad making someone wait around for me."

"It would be here or there," Sal says, butting into my conversation, but it is about him.

"See, it's fine," my sister adds.

"Okay, I love you." I can't control the slight excitement I feel.

"Love you too, and I can't wait to meet her."

"We're not dating." I laugh.

"Oh, we'll be talking about your dating life the next time I see you." Oh crap. "Yes, I know."

"Don't be mad. I didn't want to make waves."

"Riley, it's fine. I'm only teasing you. Go have fun with your friend." We say our goodbyes, and I go collect my bag and Kindle to take with me. Angel texts me her address, so I can forward it to Sal.

"Swanky part of town." Sal whistles when he sees the address.

"And what is this?" I motion around us as we get into the car. Matteo owns the whole building, but the condo takes up the top three floors, and on the roof is an infinity pool. I wouldn't be shocked if this were the most expensive condo in the whole city. "We're not exactly living in the poor section of town." I raise an eyebrow at him.

"It's more of the snooty part of town." He shrugs. "Old money."

"You've seen my school."

"The place costs more than some Ivy League colleges."

Isn't that the truth? It doesn't take too long to get to Angel's, but we have to be let through a gated area. Yeah, this place costs a mint. A handful of houses sit right on the edge of the city, overlooking it. Sal pulls up to the front, and Angel walks out onto the porch. She gives us a wave.

"I'm only going to stay a few hours. I want to be home before Nikolai."

"I'll be waiting."

"Thanks," I tell him, hopping out of the car.

"You came." Angel is beaming at me. She engulfs me in a hug. I'm starting to think maybe she's as lonely as I am for friends.

"I wanted to see what reality TV garbage is all about." Angel hooks her arm into mine, leading me inside.

Her house reminds me of an antique museum. It's not very welcoming. It feels staged. "I got us set up in here." She leads me into a den area that is a bit more welcoming.

Angel already has the TV going and trays of snacks set out. "It's only us, right?" I laugh when I see the pile of food.

"Should be. My father isn't home, which is typical, and who knows where my brother is?" Angel drops down onto the couch. I'd forgotten about her brother. I glance behind me, but no one is there.

I take a seat next to her, pulling out my phone. I send a text to Nikolai letting him know that I'm with Angel but will be back in a few hours. As Angel hits play, I toss my phone back into my bag and grab the bowl of popcorn.

I'm not sure how long we're watching TV, but the next time I glance over at Angel, she's out cold. I stand up, stretching my legs, before I go in search of a bathroom. I should probably call it a night. I could go home and get a few hours of sleep in hopes that Nikolai will wake me up when he gets home.

When I step out of the bathroom, I'm blindsided. A hand covers my mouth, and I'm yanked into a hard body. Becky steps out to stand in front of me. I can see bruises on her neck from where Nikolai wrapped his hand around it earlier.

"You came to see me?" Brent says against my ear. His hand comes up to grab my breast. I whimper against his fingers.

"Did you really think you could fuck with me?" Becky steps closer to me. "We're going to have so much fun with you." A cruel smile pulls at her lips, sending shivers down my spine.

"Are you still a virgin, or did you let that dirty mutt inside you?" I try to remain calm, to not even think about why he would be asking that sort of question, but inside I'm in full panic mode.

"Does it matter?" Becky rolls her eyes at Brent. What kind of messed-up relationship do the two of them have?

"I suppose it doesn't, but I'm about to find out." With his other hand, Brent grabs a fist full of my hair and starts to pull me down a hallway. Tears are stinging in my eyes. Becky leads the way, opening a door. Brent shoves me inside. I stumble, falling to the floor.

I glance around and know it's his bedroom. "Get the restraints." Becky licks her lips. I don't think this is their first rodeo. She's enjoying this way too much. I knew neither one of them were good people, but I had no idea how evil they actually are.

"He'll kill you," I warn them.

"There won't be anything for him to find," Becky says, and her tone is filled with giddy excitement.

"You don't know what you're doing." I scramble backward as Brent approaches me with some black bands in one hand and a ball gag in the other.

"I know what I'm about to do."

I do the only thing I can think of to do. I am praying that Sal will hear me. I scream.