Officer Geruda’s face flushed red, his jaw working for a moment before he spoke. “I assure you, everything will be by the book, although threatening me won’t make me any more charitable toward your case. I’ll see you out.”
He escorted them to the lobby and walked off without a backward glance. They got their stuff back from reception, but when Scarlett pulled her phone out to call Beni, the screen was black. She sighed and stuffed it back into her clutch.
Cass and Scarlett stepped out onto the street. It was close to midnight. The rain had stopped, but the streets were still shining.
“What a fucking mess.” Scarlett burst into tears. “I’m going to get him back,” she added.
Cass put her arm around her shoulders. “You will, and I’ll help.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
As Scarlett and Cass walked into House Heroux, Beni appeared at the top of the staircase, with Tyler behind him. Beni’s eyebrows shot up as he took in her gown, wrecked from when she’d been kneeling in the street and still wet from the rain.
“Scarlett! I was so worried. Mum came up and told us you were on the news, and you didn’t answer your phone. Where’s Brayden?”
“I’m sorry, Beni. Tonight was a nightmare.” Scarlett’s voice was wooden. She couldn’t afford to melt down yet—not until she was alone. “We were attacked and almost abducted. Brayden was arrested.”
Beni’s mouth fell open as Scarlett and Cass reached the top of the staircase, his eyes darting between her ruined dress and their stoic expressions.
Scarlett held out her arms, hoping for a hug from her brother. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. The police took me to the station and had my phone checked at the front desk while I was being questioned. When I got it back, the battery was dead.”
Tyler opened his arms to Cass as Scarlett hugged her brother. Then the four of them made their way down the hallway andstopped outside Scarlett’s door.
“That fire looked gnarly,” said Tyler. “Is everyone okay?”
“Cass should see a doctor tomorrow,” said Scarlett. “The attackers got burned, and a couple of them are in critical condition, but I believe everyone else is fine.”
“I’m fine,” said Cass as Tyler’s hands cradled her face. “Have you seen the news? What are they saying?”
“It’s pretty bad,” said Tyler. “They’re saying Brayden used magic to start the fire. They mentioned an altercation, but not in any detail.”
“Never mind that Brayden and I were almost killed,” said Scarlett.
“They keep showing the pictures of you two at the beach…” Beni trailed off.
Scarlett waited for him to continue, but then she followed his line of sight.
Laylani was standing at the top of the staircase, her eyes gleaming with interest as she listened. “Rough night, by the sound of it?”
A tidal wave of rage built in Scarlett. It had been the worst night of her life—that didn’t involve an actual death—and she had to come home to this shit from her stepmother. The weight of the evening, of her entire Goddess-damned tragic life, bore down on her. Like a levy breaking, it all spilled out.
“You know what?” She rushed toward Laylani, who, alarmed, backed several steps down the staircase. “Get the fuck out of my house. Leave. Tonight.”
Laylani gasped as she paused her descent, clutching the banister to steady herself. “I understand your husband just got arrested, but don’t take it out on me!”
Heat blazed through Scarlett’s body. The fire inside her burned away her tears, her sorrow, her pity, leaving her with nothing but rage and vengeance. “Youknewwe’d get attacked tonight.Why else didn’t you attend such a high-profile event? Just like you knew Dad would get shot in the motorcade. That’s why you stayed home that day, isn’t it? Because you fuckingknew.”
Scarlett wasn’t a phoenix, yet, but right now she wished she could burn Laylani till she was nothing but ash. For her father and for him. For Brayden.
Laylani’s eyes were wide as she tried to compose herself. “What awildaccusation. How can you believe something so mad?” Her voice wobbled at first but grew stronger. Then her face flushed deep red with anger. “You sound paranoid, Scarlett. Are you sure you’re all right? Do we need to call the doctor, perhaps?” She started back toward Scarlett, daring to come closer.
Scarlett let out an inhuman shriek as she lunged for her stepmother, but Cass grabbed her arms as Laylani retreated once more.
“Scarlett!” Beni rushed to Scarlett’s side, panic etched across his features. His fear pierced through her rage. She couldn’t do anything to jeopardize him.
“Get out!” Scarlett yelled, but she didn’t struggle against Cass’s firm grip. She hated Laylani, but she didn’t want to scare Beni any more than she already had. She needed to protect her brother. And the last thing she needed was for Laylani to fall down the stairs and die before Scarlett could send her to jail.
