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“You mean taking your turn with an unwilling Willow Girl?”
“I’m not sure she’s so unwilling.”
I swallow, feel something in my belly, something unsettling.
And when he next speaks, his voice carries a tone of triumph.
“There’s something heady about owning a person, Helena. Someone like you.”
I search his eyes, try to understand him. He’s more straightforward than I expect. But I know he likes to fuck with me too and I know it’s easy for him.
“I watch you,” he continues. “Watch you with him. Watch your face. I see how you look at my brother even as he is your jailer. I watch how he keeps you, too,” he pauses, takes a breath in, eyes never leaving mine. “And you know what? I want it too.”
I shudder at his words and I don’t know what to say. Don’t know if I should get up and run and lock myself in Sebastian’s room. Don’t know if I should tell him he’s sick. Because I don’t think he’s just fucking with me, not right now.
“Are you jealous of your brother?”
He shakes his head. “Not jealous. I don’t begrudge him. I just want a piece of it.”
My mind wanders to Alexa 2.0 and Sebastian’s birthday cake analogy.
“Like birthday cake?” I don’t know why I say it.
Gregory smiles wide. “If only it were as simple as birthday cake, Helena.”
He finishes his drink and gets up.
“The fire will die out on its own. Sit as long as you like. I’m going upstairs.”
He doesn’t wait for me to say anything and I’m not sure what I would say. What I want to say. Not many people are honest like that. And I’m surprised at myself when I’m left wanting more.8HelenaEver since those days in that dark room, when I sleep alone, I sleep with the lights on. And I don’t sleep well. It’s like I wake up every hour or so to make sure I’m not back in that place.
When I’m in Sebastian’s bed, it’s a little easier, but not the same as being in his arms.
“Helena.”
I stir.
“Helena, wake up.”
Someone’s shaking me.
“Wake up.”
I blink my eyes open, squint against the light.
It’s Gregory.
He’s standing over the bed.
“What is it?” I sit up, look down to pull the blanket up over the T-shirt I’m wearing. Sebastian’s shirt. “What time is it?”
“Four A.M.”
I rub my face, look past him to the windows but the curtains are drawn, and I can’t see out.
“We need to go.”
“What? Where?”
“It’s Sebastian.”
I’m suddenly alert. “What’s happened?”
“He’s in bad shape. I don’t want to leave you alone on the island. I promised I wouldn’t.”
“Promised?”
“Promised my brother. Get dressed. Hurry.”
He pushes the covers off, eyes falling to the shirt I’m wearing, to my bare legs.
I remember when he put his shirt on me that time. I remember what Sebastian said. That he didn’t want his brother’s scent on me.
I get to my feet, stumble to my room and put on a pair of jeans and sweater that are still slung over the arm of the chaise. I brush my teeth quickly and pull a brush through my hair and when I’m done, Gregory is waiting for me impatiently at the door.
He lets me exit first and we head down the stairs. Once we’re outside, I practically have to jog to keep up with his long, urgent strides.
When he leads me to the boat, I stop, remembering the last time.
I look up at him and he must see what I’m thinking.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Helena. The alternative is staying here alone. I can’t let you do that.”
“Where are we going?”
“One of the casinos. He takes a room there, gambles, drinks. Gallo happened to be there. He just called me, thinks it’s a good idea to go get him.
“Joseph Gallo?”
He nods. “Let’s go. I’ll tell you more on the way. I don’t want to leave my brother there like that.”
I let him help me on the boat and a moment later, we’re speeding ahead and I’m hugging my arms around myself. At our speed, the air is icy on the water.
“You don’t like Joseph Gallo.”
“No. He’s as slithery as a snake.”
“Why does Sebastian trust him?”
“He doesn’t.”
“But why did he have me…why did we go there to sign that ridiculous book?”
“Things have to be done a certain way with the Willow Girl. There are rules.”
“Rules?”
“Everything is connected. Linked to the inheritance.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s complicated.”
I scratch my head, try to understand. I have so many questions, but he’s not going to answer them.
The lights of Venice proper come into view fifteen minutes later. The city is still buzzing this late at night and Gregory slows the boat as we approach one of the ancient buildings on the Grand Canal.
He pulls up expertly to the stairs that disappear into the water. Tall gates stand open and when the two formally dressed men holding lanterns recognize Gregory, they smile and welcome him.
