Page 2 of Fall of Hellfire (Hellfire Society #3)

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ALI

T he dial tone ring sounds ominous, as memories of my life before I ran away try to crash through the steel wall that’s blocked them for years.

I don't know what I was expecting to happen, but the moment the call connects, I freeze.

My entire body just stops, my muscles bunch up tight, and something akin to anxiety takes over.

But that doesn't make sense; I don't fear Ethan or any of my past "family", but that doesn't stop a certain memory from forcing itself through my mind and taking over. The night I left and what I had overheard hits me like a freight train. Richard’s and Miranda’s voices ring loud and clear as if I’m sixteen all over again.

“She needs to go, Richard.”

"I think I found someone to take her.”

"They are willing to pay good money. I warned them about her attitude problem, and they said that makes her all that much more wanted.”

“Honestly, all they wanted to know was if she was a virgin. They didn’t even ask to see a picture of her.”

“If we can do a business deal with these guys, they could lead us to more business down the road.”

"They say they will come at night, something about less of a fight if surprised.”

That night I made the decision to never be afraid of the Blacks again, so why am I so nervous now?

Before I get the chance to speak, Ethan lets out a heavy and annoyed sigh, sounding like the total prick I remember.

That somehow breaks the weird spell I was under, but I’m mindful of Shane's last words.

I take a moment to breathe, taking in a lungful of air before slowly letting it out.

Deciding to pull a power move that all men hate, I wait.

He will either speak first, which will give me the upper hand to control the conversation, or he will simply hang up, which he will still lose because he folded first.

Taking a seat at Shane's desk, I kick my feet up, prepared to wait as long as I need to get my point across. I’m in control here, and I’m not afraid of him. Luckily, I don't have to wait too long. My silence finally annoys Ethan enough that he snarls, the sound static through the phone.

"Who the fuck is this? Do you know who the fuck I am?" I can't help myself; I roll my eyes. Not that he can see, but the whole “my dick is big, so don't fuck with me bit” is old and outplayed. And come on, the “Do you know who I am?” line is such a cliché.

"I do know who you are," I say, knowing that I’m taunting the man, one who is not my biggest fan right now. I mean, I did kill our father; it’s not the best idea, but I can't help it. I hear a sharp intake of breath before Ethan speaks again.

"Alison?" he asks with a hint of interest. Or is it surprise that I hear? Regardless, the way he just said my name sends a shiver of disgust down my entire body.

"I’ve heard you've been looking for me. Why?" Now I’m rolling my eyes at myself. I know why. He wants to kill me. An eye for an eye and all that. His next words give me pause, though.

His tone suddenly turns from surprised that I called him to excitement, and not like the “I just found my long-lost half-sister kind.

"I’ve been looking for you since you left me.

" No, the way he says, "you left me", is the way my guys talk to me.

Obsessive, possessive. 'Where have you been, Alison? Why did you leave me?"

"I’ve been around." I don't bother addressing his second question, but that doesn't seem to bother him, he just continues on.

"You know, I was surprised to see you last week but not disappointed.

You've grown up since I saw you last. Filled out in all the right places too.

Honestly, I didn't recognize you at first with all those tattoos and pretty pink hair.

" He lets out a throaty sound. "Tell me, sis, is your pussy as pretty and pink as your hair? "

If I thought I was disgusted before, I was wrong. My head practically reels back in shock at his words, but I don't have time to fully process them as he once again continues.

"I was mad when I found out you ran off.

Richard was only mad because he was planning to sell you.

I disagreed with that decision. I wanted you all to myself, but our father told me no, time and time again.

I was waiting until your birthday, but I should have taken you sooner.

Staked my claim to you." He lets out another deep sigh.

"I’m not even upset you killed the bastard.

It was about time I took the full reins.

Plus, I don't think he would have accepted our relationship. "

This time I can't hold back my gag. "You're a sick fuck, Ethan. I’m your sister; there is no and will never be a relationship between us. Ever." My voice raises with each word, my disgust blatantly evident, but my words only make the bastard laugh.

"We are half siblings, Alison. It doesn't even count." The delusional sick fuck truly believes that. I try to think back to when we were younger, when he started looking at me differently, but nothing comes to mind. Honestly, he probably has always been a twisted fuck, but now he doesn’t care who sees. Ethan’s laugh continues as if this really is just one big joke.

Okay, Ali. Think. You called to get information but turns it out all you figured out is that your half-brother is a sick fuck. Stay calm. We need information.

Taking a deep breath, mainly to not throw up all over Shane's desk, I try to stay calm. Ignoring his previous comments, I redirect the conversation. "Why are you working with the Hellfire Society?"

"We are indebted to them because of you.

They came for you. But when Richard and my mother told them you ran away, they weren't as understanding as our father had hoped.

Instead, they threatened to kill my mother and then burn the entire house down with us in it.

Do you know what that is like? To watch as men stripped your mother bare right in front of you and threaten to make you watch while they took turns," he growls out, the sound distorted over the phone.

"Richard did what any man would do: bargained. Our family real estate business gave us access to all sorts of things, so we made a deal. We could provide real estate when needed as well as information we could dig up with access to city hall. Luckily over the years, we were able to show our family’s worth, and we were finally going to be able to sit at the big table.

But once again, you had to ruin it." He takes another long pause as I absorb the information he is giving me.

"But I suppose not all is ruined. I was offered a better deal recently. "

Curious and hopeful he will tell me more, I ask, "What sort of deal?" The question makes Ethan burst out in manic laughter, and I have to bite my lip from just cursing the fucker out.

"Oh, Alison. Your little fuck buddies have really pissed off their daddies.

Now me and Richard weren't any better, but he wasn't going to outright put a bounty on my head.

But people say everything works out in the end.

Now I do have to run, but I look forward to seeing you soon, sis.

" The line clicks off and I just sit there still a bit stunned.

I feel just as useless as I did before the disrupting conversation. I was hoping for some sort of information, even a sliver, to be able to help glue together this puzzle. But I feel like I got nothing from him. Hell, I didn't even control the conversation when he was the one doing all the talking.