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I blink at him. How did he get so delusional, so fast?
“We’re meant to be together,” he insists. “You know that. I know you know that.”
Think fast, Ivy, for fucks’ sake.
“People like the Ravenscrofts aren’t our people,” he continues. “They don’t care about the planet. They are the kind of people who ravage the environment. Who bulldoze and pillage their way through their lives to make more and more money at the expense of everything and everyone else. The Ravenscrofts are our enemy.”
Jamie returns, balancing a tray very carefully. Grimacing with concentration at the task, he sets it down on the coffee table. He blinks at Jeff, hoping for his approval. “I made us some nice tea, Jeff,” he says.
“Thank you, Jamie,” I reply. “That’s very kind of you.”
“I didn’t know if you preferred chocolate biscuits or oat biscuits, Jeff, so I put both on the plate.”
Jeff glares at Jamie, and I know what he’s thinking. My brother had served his purpose in getting me here, but now he’s an inconvenient distraction. When he loses his temper—not if, when—I don’t want him to hurt my baby brother.
“Jamie,” I redirect, as calmly as possible. “Why don’t you take some biscuits and go work on your paintings?”
“But I’ve got visitors,” he replies. “That will be rude. That will be rude, right, Jeff?”
Jeff rolls his eyes, which upsets Jamie, who suddenly looks confused and sad. “I’m sorry,” he says, even though he doesn’t know what he’s done wrong.
“It’s not rude at all.” I give him a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll be right behind you to see your art.”
That seems to cheer him up. He takes a biscuit and leaves the room for his “studio” at the back, a simple sunroom which is his favorite place to be. We all call it the forest because he loves painting trees. It calms him, and brings him joy. Canvas upon canvas of trees line the walls. Lorna called Jamie the guardian of the forest, which never failed to make Jamie smile.
Jeff is getting more agitated. I know him well enough to be sure he’ll do something brutal soon. Been there, have the scars to prove it. He steps closer to me and I catch a whiff of something. It’s subtle, but unmistakable. At first, I think it must be turpentine from the studio, but then I realize it’s petrol. I sniff the air, not bothering to hide my suspicion, then stare at Jeff.
He’s belligerent. “What?”
“You wouldn’t,” I whisper in horror.
He sneers at me. “You don’t know me at all, do you?”
Chapter 35
Not Again
Iquickly run through my options. Play along with the psychopath and go with him to whatever godforsaken place he has in mind for us to have our fresh start. There’ll be a way to escape somewhere along the way. Or, have the confrontation here while Jamie is safe in his studio—but if I lose the fight, Jamie will be in danger.
I take a deep breath and sigh it out. “You win.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ll do it. I’ll go with you. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“You’ll leave your billionaire boyfriend for me?”
Whatever he needs to tell himself.
“Yes,” I try to muster some fake enthusiasm. “We can start again. Like you said.”
He eyes me suspiciously. “Really?”
Oh god, I really need to be more convincing to stand a chance of getting out of here alive. I need to bring everything I have.
“Yes,” I say, trying to look at him tenderly. It’s not easy with the hatred I have burning inside me. “To be honest … it’ll be a relief to be away from Alistair. He’s very … controlling.”
“Yes,” nods Jeff.
