“He doesn’t need to do that. I’ll be okay.”
“No you won’t, not if you don’t start sleeping properly. It’s about time we all got you settled in fully. This is your home now,” Dante agreed.
“Fine. I’ll discuss it with Rafe,” I gave in, knowing it would be easier for the time being.
“Rafe has some thing to discuss with you this morning too,” Dante told me. He released my hand and rose to his feet,
“What? Has he found something out?” I asked, my heart already racing at the thought of what my brother would tell me next, that would no doubt only send me spiralling further.
“He’ll tell you himself. I need to get to the office. Will you be okay?”
“Of course,” I nodded.
“Stay close to her. If she’s going to be yours too, you need to do a much better job of taking care of her,” Dante told Cal with a scowl.
“Dante!” I snapped, not even daring to look to Cal to gauge his reaction.
“Mine too?” Cal repeated.
“Oh God! Kill me now!” I uttered.
“We’ll talk about it later. We all need to have a meeting,” Dante said casually.
“All?” Cal spluttered.
“Later. Take care of Cara, and call me if anything happens.” Dante said flatly, then I heard the sound of his heavy footsteps leaving the kitchen.
“What the hell is he talking about?” Cal asked.
“Don’t play naïve, Cal,” Terza cut in. “It doesn’t suit you.”
“I’m going to take a shower and get changed,” I announced as I rose to my feet, choosing, for my own sake, not to make eye contact with either of those remaining in the kitchen. I fled as fast as I could speed walk out of there without another word, relieved when Cal didn’t try to follow.
***
As soon as I put my hand on the handle of my bedroom door, anxiety filled me as memories of the previous night returned. I knew it was ridiculous, since all that had been in the room the night before was a blown out lightbulb, and a smashed vase that I had knocked over, but just standing there again brought back flashbacks of my Mum’s dismembered body, and of her eyes just staring at me.
It took all of the sense and strength I had within me to push through the door and into the sunlit room. Someone had cleaned up the glass and water inside the doorway and when I flicked the light switch, the lights came on. Still, I felt even more uneasy there than I had before and I raced through the fastest shower and changing of clothes I had ever done in my life. By the time I was done my hands were shaking and my heart racing. I couldn’t stand to be in the huge, silent room for a moment longer than I had to, and I knew it made no sense, but I felt afraid,
Knowing I wouldn’t have the strength to return there later that night, I grabbed some clean clothes and pyjamas while I was in the closet, along with some toiletries and my phone charger, then I all but raced out of the room with the pile of my belongings in my arms.
I hesitated once I got down the first set of stairs, unsure what I now planned to do with all of my stuff. It wasn’t like I couldjust carry it around all day, plus I didn’t want the others seeing it and knowing exactly how afraid I was of a perfectly beautiful, modern bedroom. Even I knew how irrational I was being.
I thought about going to Cal’s room to see if he were there. I was sure he’d be good with me putting my things in his room for now, without making a huge issue of it, but I felt a little awkward about seeing him after what Dante had said to him.
What was Dante even thinking? To even assume that I would date one of them was one thing, but for him to openly talk about it and propose some kind of meeting? He was out of his mind!
“Mornin’ lass. What’re ye up to?” I jolted at the sound of Arran’s voice and looked up to find him coming out of his room. Had Dante spoken to him about his insane proposal too? “Ye feelin’ alright?” he asked, this time from much closer. I tried to snap out of my panic as I looked up to where he stood before me.
“Did Dante speak to you?” I blurted.
“About what? Are ye lookin’ fer him?”
“N-no,” I shook my head. “It’s okay. Doesn’t matter.”
“Were ye lookin’ for Cal then?” Arran pushed.
“I…yeah, maybe. I don’t know.”
