AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He just smiles serenely. “We’ll have to agree to disagree on that.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “So you’re telling me that you and your dead boyfriend made this decision?” I wave toward his side. “Is he whispering to you? Because if he’s there, take this, asshole.” I flip my middle finger to the nothingness next to him. “You’re fucking ruining my life, and making Ellie look like a crazy idiot. Let me remind you, you’re dead. D. E. A.D. Dead.”
“He prefers the term ‘challengingly alive,’” Ellington replies with a grin.
I shake my head, completely at a loss. Some days, I believe that he’s joking and does this for comfort. Others, when it seems like he’s doing something very, very stupid, I wonder if I should have him committed.
“So why are you doing this?” I demand. “Without the delusion of Zane’s input.”
His grin falters slightly. “When I realized she owned the clinic, I took it as a sign. A serendipitous moment. I’m hoping her forgiveness might help you find peace and let go of the guilt after all these years.”
I scowl at his response. As if her absolution could wash away the permanent stain on my soul. She despises me. “We’re leaving,” I state firmly.
“If you don’t get better, the band will kick you out for good,” Ellington reminds me gently. Then he glances around, a nostalgic smile touching his lips as memories surface.
He taps his chest a few times, closing his eyes. After a few seconds, he looks at me again. “If I had the chance to see Zane one more time I would do it, no questions asked. Even if he hated me—or if I hated him—I would be there sharing the same space.”
Ellington presses his lips together. “It’s not like he speaks to me, you know. I know it’s all in my head but that’s the only thing I have left of him. The hope that when I call him he’s beside me and agrees to anything I do or chastises me for fucking up.”
My heart breaks for my brother. He lost the love of his life, and there’s no way I can bring him back to him. How I wish Zane had pulled through, but . . . we lost him.
“Give each other that closure you both deserve,” he continues. “Don’t let Thatcher St. Clairmont win this round.”
I shake my head bitterly. “You already let him win before.”
Ellington nods, regret flashing across his face. “I’m sorry. I did it for her sake.”
He’s right. I’ll take this secret to the grave. But how can I earn Seraphina’s forgiveness when I can’t even tell her the full story?
Once again, my fate rests in someone else’s hands. I’m just a chess piece being moved across the board. All I can do now is brace myself for whatever comes next.
Chapter Six
Still shaken by my confrontation with Brahms, I push the door to my office, opening it with more force than necessary. The thud of the door sounds almost as loud as the pounding of my heart. I sink into my chair, head between my knees, struggling to steady my breathing and control the anxiety spiraling out of control.The silence in my office helps calm me, but the shrill buzz of my phone quickly shatters the peaceful moment.
I pull it out of my pocket. I tense, fingernails nearly piercing the plastic case as I stare at the screen. The contact is an unknown number, but as I read it, I know it’s him—Brahms. I grip the phone tighter, feeling my throat constricting as I stare at his demanding words.
Unknown: I’ll stay and pay you triple, but you’ll have to do as I say—no questions asked.
His arrogance oozes through even via text. This entitled attitude, expecting obedience, is classic Ehrenberg. But Brahms knows how to manipulate people to his will. If he thinks that will work on me, he’s got another thing coming. Anger flares in my gut, rising hotly into my chest. My pulse pounds with disbelief.
How can he be so pompous and entitled? So confident that I’ll just roll over and give in to his demands?
Jabbing angrily, I respond:
Seraphina: You’re in no position to negotiate.
I hope that’s the end of it. But with his one good hand, he texts again. The phone shakes in my clenched fist. I want nothing more than to hurl it across the room, to vent the rage boiling up inside me.
But I refuse to let him rile me up further. I’m in control here, not him. Taking a few deep breaths, I wait for his reply, ready to stand firm. I won’t be manipulated or steamrolled, no matter the offer. He needs to learn I’m a different person now.
Unknown: We both know that’s a lie, Seraphina. Don’t make this difficult on yourself.
I can’t help the bitter, humorless laugh that escapes me, the harsh sound ringing dryly through the quiet room.
“It’s already impossible,” I mutter resentfully. I should’ve just pushed him into the pond when I had the chance.
Seraphina: Dealing with you again is difficult enough. What else could you possibly want from me?
