Page 24 of Blood and Thorns (Twisted Ever After #1)

Chip began to reset the board, standing slightly to reach across. The movement opened his jacket, revealing a pistol on his hip. He followed my gaze. “Don’t be nervous. I’m armed so I can protect the penthouse.”

“Why would the penthouse need protecting?” I wondered.

Chip shrugged, moving his first pawn for the second game. “Mr Devereaux has many enemies.”

My brows furrowed. “What exactly do you do for Sebastian again?”

His smile was friendly, but there was an edge to his gaze that I couldn’t put my finger on. “Anything I’m asked.”

I lost three times in a row.

I was almost thankful when Chip excused himself, because then I could deal with what was left of my self-esteem .

I didn’t ask him for details on what he actually did for Sebastian, especially considering the red specs on his collar had definitely been blood. I realised I didn’t want to know, happy in my ignorance.

My hands ached from how hard I gripped the pen, the words flowing across my notebook as I poured my thoughts onto the page.

I was running out of space, so I kept my handwriting small and using as much of the page as possible.

It didn’t matter if it was neat, or even legible. No one was going to read it anyway.

The lift dinged, and standing, I leaned over the banister to gaze at the living room below. Caden stepped out, followed by a shorter woman with sunshine blonde hair.

“Come down,” he demanded, and clearly, he was my number one fan because his glare could cut glass.

The brat in me wanted to ignore him just because it was the only thing within my control, but I was curious about the woman with the soft smile. She clutched a large suitcase, and even though Caden tried more than once to take it from her, she casually turned away with a tut.

“Hi, you must be Arabella,” she greeted after I descended the spiral stairs, her smile widening. “I’m Elena.”

“Ara,” I said, stopping a few steps away.

“Can you show me to your bedroom?” she asked, clearly struggling with the weight of the suitcase but refusing to let Caden help, much to his increasing distress. “I think you’ll prefer this if we had more privacy.”

“Elena…” he growled, and she was unable to hide her flinch when he reached over. Stepping back, he gave her a little more space. “This way,” he said, his voice gentler.

I looked at Caden, who’d clenched his jaw so tight I wasn’t sure whether he was about to break a tooth. I followed them both towards my room, watching how Caden always kept a gap of air between himself and Elena .

As soon as we reached my bedroom he paused, allowing Elena to move forward. She stepped inside and immediately dropped her suitcase with a thump.

“Perfect,” she hummed, the earlier commotion seemingly forgotten. Bending down, she unzipped the suitcase to reveal folded fabrics, a sewing machine, and other strange instruments I couldn’t name. “I’ve brought you some underwear.”

That was it. Elena was my new best friend.

Reaching for the bag she held out, I checked through the numerous lace pieces in my size, and of course all in black. “Thank you.”

“Elena’s here to make you a new wardrobe,” Caden said, leaning against the door. His tone clearly indicated his displeasure of playing babysitter, and I took some sick amusement in that. But he still kept his voice quiet.

“Thanks for the escort,” Elena said, smiling over at Caden. When he remained where he was, she pursed her lips. “I’m going to ask Ara to undress.”

“I’ll be out here if you need me,” he grumbled, disappearing down the hallway.

Elena closed the door anyway, her smile still in place once she’d turned back to me.

“Do you and Caden have a history?” I asked, sensing a warmth between them despite her flinching. Pulling off my dress, I held it to my front. Luckily I’d handwashed my underwear, so I wasn’t completely nude with a woman I’d only met a few minutes ago. I had some standards.

“With Caden?” Elena laughed, reaching out for my dress so she could place it neatly on my bed. “No, definitely not. I don’t think my husband would be too pleased.”

Elena would be around the same height as me if not for her heels. She held herself with such elegance, every movement as delicate as her. Taking some measuring tape, she held it across my body.

“Do you need help?” she whispered, her expression serious when she met my eyes.

“Help?”

“I can get you out of here,” she added carefully.

I laughed, the sound a little on edge. “I can’t leave.”

“Seriously, I know they’re scary, but I can ask–”

“No,” I cut in, ignoring the way my stomach twisted. I couldn’t leave. Not yet. Not until I figured out what I really wanted. This damn debt still hung over me like a noose, and the truth was, I was scared.

Scared that if I ran, Sebastian would follow.

And I wasn’t sure what terrified me more. The thought of him chasing me, or the part of me that wanted him to just because he made me feel less… hollow.

Elena gently touched the bruise on my ribs, the colour a lovely yellow.

“Sebastian didn’t do that.” In fact, he hadn’t really hurt me at all.

For such a gentle woman, her eyes of pale blue had hardened to ice. “Then who?”

I swallowed, surprised with the change. “They’re dead.”

After a moment she nodded, as if approving. “Even bad guys need to fear someone. I hope he made it hurt.”

Okay, bloodthirsty was not a character trait I’d expected from her.

“How do you know Sebastian?” I asked, holding out my arms when asked so she could measure.

“He doesn’t seem the person to have many friends.

” Not that I really knew him more than the man who wore a mask.

Even without his mask he spoke very little, his eyes always watching me with an intensity I didn’t know how to deal with.

“He was acquaintances with my stepbrothers.” Her skin paled a little, the colour draining from her face. “They weren’t good guys, so I went to Sebastian.”

“You asked Sebastian for help?” I clarified.

“Well, technically I first spoke to Hendrix, because he wasn’t as terrifying.” Her upper lip twitched, her colour returning as she took in a deep breath. “But with his help I contacted Sebastian, and he dealt with the situation, and even set me up to start a new life.”

“Does Hendrix work for Sebastian?” I asked, smiling at the way she blushed.

“God no, that’s a somewhat complicated story,” she laughed, her cheeks becoming a deeper shade.

She was acting like we were talking about a schoolgirl crush, and from her reaction, I’d guess it was Hendrix who was her husband.

“Sometimes,” Elena said after a few beats, “you need a monster to take out other monsters.”

I wanted to ask her more, but I knew the conversation was closed.

“So, do you want to tell me why I’ve been dragged from my shop to come dress you?

” The change of subject was a whiplash. “Caden wasn’t very forthcoming as to why you couldn’t come to me.

I’ve known the guys for a few years now, and they always pop in to make sure I’m okay.

” Elena rolled her eyes. “But I’ve never seen Sebastian with anyone. ”

“It’s complicated,” I replied, distracted by Elena’s words.

You need a monster to take out other monsters.

Sebastian didn’t bend to society standards, twisting the rules to suit his needs regardless of expectations and consequences. That was why he wore his mask, so people could see just how uncivilised he truly was.

A monster that scared other monsters, almost crudely honest in his persona. And yet, he’d helped Elena escape. I wonder what he’d asked in return?

“I’m only temporary,” I decided on.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Elena stepped back, pulling out various clothes from her suitcase. “Okay, so I’ve brought some stuff with me that I’ll need to alter, and Sebastian has also given me a list which I can get to you by next week. Is that okay?”

I reached for the pair of jeans, my smile strained. “They’re perfect, thank you.”