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As they drove off in the cab, a black SUV arrived at Gale’s behest. “Get in.” She smiled at Chloe, Calliope and me.
The last ones standing.
•••
THE CAR TOOKus from Chelsea to the Upper East Side. Very peculiar indeed. There were no bachelorette festivities to be had in that part of town. At least none that immediately came to mind, but I had to remind myself that Gale was a total weirdo and it was anyone’s guess what she was planning. She was bubbly, which was a sight. One leg crossed over the other, her foot bobbing up and down, unable to sit still. The behavior didn’t suit her, made her look like a child. My alarm bells were ringing, but I couldn’t let on anything in front of my future sisters-in-law. Gale had me in her clutches for now.
Chloe and Calliope were fading fast, dozing in their seats. Sure, nightlife could be fun with the right crowd, but since all of us were forcibly hanging out together, I don’t think anyone anticipated any sort of after-party attendance in the wee hours. I wished I could join them in their slumber, but I had to stay spry. And with good reason.
The car turned on East Eighty-First Street.
I immediately sat up straighter.
Hackles fully raised.
Focused and sharp.
It couldn’t be.
But there it was.
I never wanted to see that house on East Eighty-First Street again.
The SUV parked in front.
It looked exactly the same.
Unassuming, but I knew what was inside.
Every single terrible thing.
Gale watched me take it all in, enjoying it, so I removed every emotion I could from my external body. Chloe and Calliope could never know. Or Collin for that matter.Howdid Gale know? The threat level from Gale had crossed into unprecedented territory. I felt sick.
“Here we are!” Gale chirped.
“What is it? Where are we?” Chloe asked, still half asleep from dozing in the car.
“I did some research. Nothing but the best for Bea. This is your gift.” Gale grinned.
“I don’t get it,” Calliope said. The driver opened the door for us to climb out of the back. I followed them, calculating my next move in my head. I could not go back inside that house. Never. Ever. Again. Not when I finally understood what it really was. It was a trap. Always a trap. My whole life with her was a trap. But Gale couldn’t know about this place. Gale couldn’t know about me, the real me.
And Gale couldn’t know about her.
“Everything all right?” Gale asked.
“Why wouldn’t it be? What is this place?” I asked, keeping my wits about me. I needed to stay emotionless. Stoic and still. Like Mother.
“It’s a party,” Gale said. “I had to pull some strings to score an invitation. It’s incredibly exclusive.”
“What kind of party?” Chloe asked.
“Is it a sex thing?” Calliope was practically salivating with curiosity.
“My lips are sealed.” Gale smiled, starting up the steps.
“What kind of strings did you pull exactly?” I asked. I needed to know how she knew, but she wouldn’t give me anything. She had the upper hand and she knew it. We both did. She could read me, though I was trying my damnedest to be a blank page. I had to try harder.
“Why doesn’t everyone stop asking questions and we head inside?” Gale said, leading the way.
