Page 41 of Twisted (Never After)

My stomach is in knots wondering where Aidan is and worried that something’s happened. I just know he’s been trying to get ahold of me but can’t because I can’t find my stupid fucking phone.

I glance down into my mug of coffee, trying to center my thoughts, but am distracted by the sound of a Sultans commercial on TV.

“Turn your love from in the rough to spectacular with a Sultans diamond.”

I’m used to seeing ads for Sultans or going to different places and seeing our storefronts large and gleaming in the middle of the cities, so I don’t pay it any mind. It isn’t until my father picks up the remote and turns the volume up for the news that I lift my head, my interest suddenly piqued.

“The back roads of Badour are shut down completely, the Lamborghini unrecognizable from where it was wrapped around the tree.”

“And what about the driver, Tom? Any updates there?”

“There’s a search and rescue team combing the wooded area, but at this time, Diane, no bodies have been recovered.”

The screen changes from the news reporters to drone footage of the country roads just outside downtown Badour, not too far from where we are.

“Looks like a nasty crash,” I say.

My father hums before muting it and staring back down at his paper. “That’s why I prefer other people to driveyou.”

I hold back the annoyance at the reminder that I never learned how to drive, but it blossoms in full force anyway when Julian walks through the hall and into the kitchen like he owns the place.

Groaning, I tilt my head back. “Shouldn’t you be working?”

He grins as he makes his way into the room, leaning his elbow on the island across from me and plucking a grape from the fresh fruit platter that was set out when I first came down.

“Just making sure you don’t miss me too bad.” He winks and then turns his attention to my father. “Good to see you up and moving around, old man.”

“Hmm,” Baba grunts, glancing between the two of us. “How did dinner last night go?”

“Yeah, speaking of, I thought you’d be there,” I cut in.

My father’s face softens. “I wasn’t feeling too well.”

“You could have told me at least.”

He waves his hand in front of him like it’s no big deal. “I didn’t want you to see me that way.”

I sigh, irritation nagging at my middle. “Baba, I want to see you inanyway.”

“Enough,” he replies, causing me to jerk back at the harsh tone. “Tell me how last night went.”

I place my coffee on the counter and fist my hands in my lap. “It went fine.”

Julian isn’t even paying attention, popping another grape in his mouth as he watches the drone footage of that Lamborghini crash.

“Fine?” my father repeats. “That’s all I get?”

Shrugging, I look over to him. “He wasn’t my type.”

“He was a disaster, Ali,” Julian interjects. “Honestly, I’m surprised you even set them up.”

“He’s an upstanding man, Julian,” Baba argues. “I’d think you’d want someone in her life who knows how to present themselves around important people.”

Julian’s brows rise and he turns to face my father fully. “And why would that matter to me?”

“Because they’ll own Sultans.”

My lungs cramp, and a pregnant pause fills the air.