Satan:
I knew you'd end up having second thoughts. I'm just glad it was after you gave me valuable information.
Unfortunately for you, I checked your intel as soon as you sent it to me, and thanks to some powerful connections, I know there's a shipment coming into the marina. I'll be waiting at the docks, ready to intercept.
Thank you for your help, sis.
Quickly shoving the socks onto my feet, I call my sister. I pick up a pair of black boots and rush out of my room and down the stairs as it rings.
"Hey, I was just—"
"Ellie, I've fucked up. Real bad," I shout, interrupting her. "I was pissed off—for stupid reasons—and I made a rash decision without thinking of the consequences, and now I think I'm about to be the cause of some really big fucking trouble."
"Woah, okay. Take a breath, Lissa. Calm down and explain to me what's going on."
Walking into the kitchen, I do as she says, taking a deep breath as I sit on one of the barstools, hitting the speakerphone, and placing my phone on the counter while I unlace the boots in my hand.
"Lenny asked me to help him get information. At first, I told him to go to hell, because I didn't want to help him with his scheming, but the other night…" I huff, dropping the boots to the floor and burying my head in my hands. "I thought Dom was a complete jerk—which he is—but that's not the point. He was acting so cruel towards me, and I assumed he didn't care. He was so dismissive and controlling, and it pissed me off. So, I made the mistake of messaging Lenny, telling him I'd help him."
"Oh, Lissa."
"I know. It was stupid and thoughtless," I admit, shaking my head. "I thought it was a good way of getting back at Dom. I wanted to hurt him like he'd hurt me, but I had it all wrong, El. He does care, and he does notice me. More than I realised. He spilled his guts to me, he was finally honest about the way he feels, and now I feel awful."
"Well, have you told—"
"Yes, I messaged Lenny just now, told him I'd given him bad information, hoping I'd be able to stop whatever it is he's planning, but he knew I was lying. I don't know what to do. I can't tell Dom what I've done, not after last night. I don't want him to go back to hating me after I've felt what it's like when he doesn't."
Silence spreads across the room, and I peek between my fingers to glance at the phone, checking Eliana's still on the phone.
"Say something, El," I plead.
She sighs. "I think you're gonna have to come clean, Alicia. It's the only way you might be able to stop what's going to happen."
I shake my head, even though she can't see me.
"I can't do that… I'll have to figure something else out. I know the shipment's coming in at midnight, so I have time to figure something out, right?"
"Possibly," she says, her voice unsure.
I've been pacing around the kitchen for almost an hour—probably burning the rubber soles of my shoes—and no ideas on how to solve the problem I've caused have come to mind.
Jellybean pads across the tiled floor, rubbing her head against me as she whines.
Bending down to stroke her, I sigh and pull her into my chest, cuddling her for a few moments, seeking comfort from her.
She wriggles out of my arms after a while and yaps at me as she leaves the room, heading down the hall towards the elevator.
"You want to go walk?"
She barks in response. I grab her lead, sling my coat on, and then press the button for the elevator as I attach her lead and pick her up.
The doors close, and the elevator whirs to life as I rest my head against the cool metal behind me, closing my eyes as I debate with myself internally about telling Dominic the truth about Lenny.
I don't want him to feel like I've betrayed him.
The elevator shudders to a stop, and when the doors open, I'm greeted by the sight of Leo and his usual scowling face.
Placing Jellybean on the floor, I allow her to trot over to him as his eyes wander across my face.
