Viola's Risk (The Twin Destinies Saga Book 2) Page 18

  “He’s not going to look for them right now Vi. I believe he went to his room after leaving here, if my sense of his emotions is correct,” Sage told her, trying to comfort her.

  Viola nodded but didn’t say anything else. Thomas asked Cora and Liam each for their assessments of the mission and they said pretty much the same things Sage had said before he dismissed the four of them. Viola, Cora, Liam and Sage all objected to being dismissed because they wanted to listen to the recording as well, but Thomas would have none of it.

  “You will find out what you need to know of what is on this recording when you need to know. If Dominic’s reacting this badly to what is on here, I need to review it before you listen to it,” Thomas told them in an authoritative voice.

  “You mean you want to screen it and only let Cora and I hear what you want us to hear and edit out the rest,” Viola stated, bluntly.

  “I am sure there are things on here neither of you need to hear,” Thomas admitted.

  “That’s crap. We have every right to hear what she has planned for us. We don’t need anything sugar coated to make us feel better or safer,” Cora stated in response.

  “That may be true, but there are horrors Anna is capable of that even the two of you are not aware of and do not need to be. As your father, it is my duty to protect you and I admit, by allowing Anna and Patrick to raise you, I have not done my duty at all. Let me do it now. You still have time before you have to fulfill the prophecy. You have time to enjoy yourselves and train to be ready, without having to look over your shoulder and worry about what Anna has planned for you. Let me, as your father, carry that burden for you,” Thomas said to them and they could see just how deeply he felt what he was saying.

  Cora and Viola looked at each other for a moment and then back at their father.

  “We still want to know what is on that recording. I think we can agree to let you review it first though. I can’t say we’re okay with you hiding anything on it, even if you feel that it’s what is best for us though,” Cora told him in a much more gentle and understanding tone than Viola could have managed. She still wanted to demand listening to it with Thomas, but knew it was a battle they wouldn’t win.

  “Both of us know you want to protect us, but we’re used to protecting ourselves and each other, without anyone else looking out for us. We need to know what is coming at us so we can be ready for it,” Viola pushed. “Go ahead and listen to it, but don’t keep anything from us. We need to know.”

  “You don’t have to do that anymore. You have us to watch your backs and help protect both of you now,” Liam said, wrapping his arm around Cora’s waist and pulling her closer.

  Thomas and Sage nodded their agreement with Liam’s words, but neither Cora nor Viola would let it go. The more Thomas fought against them knowing, the greater the need to know what Anna had planned grew in each of them. For Viola, it was becoming a desperate need, not only to be able to protect herself and Cora, but to know what had upset Dominic to the point where he was almost catatonic.

  “This isn’t just about Cora and I. I need to know how to help Dominic. What is on that recording will help me with that. I need to know,” Viola said, meeting her father’s eyes and locking gazes. They stayed that way for a few moments before Thomas nodded in resolution.

  “I will fill you in on what was said, but if I feel that I need to, I will tone it down for you,” Thomas said and held his hand up when Viola opened her mouth to object. “No, I’m not going to edit it, just make it less graphic.”

  Appeased, Viola and Cora both nodded their heads and headed out of the study without saying anything further. Viola headed straight for Dominic’s room with the others following behind her. They were all worried about how Dominic was holding himself together after his encounter with Anna and Patrick.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Viola knocked, but Dominic didn’t respond. She was worried, but could sense his presence in the room, which meant he hadn’t taken off to go find his family without her. She could also get a vague sense of the pain he was feeling and terror in his heart. When she reached out to him to try to find out what was going on, she found that he’d blocked their mental connection, which tore her apart.

  “Dominic, let me in so we can talk,” Viola called through the door hoping he’d respond, but not surprised when he didn’t.

  “I told you he needs some space right now,” Sage said, leaning against the wall across from Dominic’s bedroom door.

  Viola shot Sage one of those looks that could kill and tried knocking again. When he didn’t answer, she leaned her back against the wall next to the door and slid down to sitting on the floor.

  “You might be there a while,” Sage said. “He’s not going to be ready to talk anytime soon.”

  “How do you know Sage? Why are you even here right now?” Viola said, wishing he would back off and go do something else.

  “I can sense his emotions remember? There is too much running through him right now for him to handle being around anyone else, especially you, who brings up even more emotions for him. Men don’t talk out their feelings like women do. We process them and move on, that is what he’s trying to do right now. I’m here because you are family and I care about both of you. You don’t have to like it but you are going to deal with it,” Sage explained with impatience.

  “It’s funny, you weren’t this invested in Cora and Liam’s problems when they were having them before they were mated. What is your big fascination with mine and Dominic’s problems?” Viola snapped back.

  “Viola stop. Sage is just trying to help and you’re taking your frustration out on him. He’s family and a great friend who is trying to be there for you right now,” Cora said, leaning down and getting into Viola’s face to make sure her sister was paying attention.

  “Butt out Cora,” Viola sneered at her sister.

  “You know we all love and care about you Vi. You’ve gotta stop turning on us every time you’re stressed out or upset about something,” Cora said, hurt in her voice from her sister’s rejection.

  “You know, I’m pretty tired of having all of you following me around like I need babysitters. I don’t see everyone following you around that way. I’m not a small child who needs to be watched over every second of the day or to be told how to do and handle things. Just leave me alone,” Viola yelled at the group.

  Tears were rolling down Cora’s cheeks by the time Viola finished yelling at them. Nobody said anything as they stared at her, wondering if she was close to exploding like she’d done before.

  “Oh give me a break. I’m not going to explode and start spewing powers everywhere and at everyone. Just go away already,” Viola said and turned her head away from all of them.

  Liam took Cora’s hand and led her away from where Viola sat waiting for Dominic to open his door. Sage continued to lean back against the wall across from Dominic’s door, not saying a word.

  Sage and Viola stayed like that for what felt like hours before Liam came walking back up the hallway.

  “Hey, anything yet?” he asked Sage in a low voice, being very careful to ignore Viola who was still sitting on the floor next to Dominic’s door.

  “Nope, not a thing,” Sage replied.

  “Dinner’s ready, Thomas and Angelica want the two of you to come to the dining room now,” Liam reported, unease in his voice.

  “You two go ahead, I’m waiting right here,” Viola responded, her hazel eyes daring either male to argue with her.

  “It wasn’t a request Viola. I was told to carry you there if I had to. I don’t want to do that but I will if you force me to,” Liam said, looking at Viola.

  “Nah, you go ahead to dinner, we’ll be there in a few minutes,” Sage responded, letting Liam off the hook. Liam gave him a grateful smile and nodded his head before turning and heading back the way he’d come.

  “I’m not leaving here, Sage. Whether Dominic knows it or not, he needs me right now,” Viola replied, exhaustion in he
r voice.

  “Viola, you are beyond tired. You need to refuel your body so you can be there for Dominic when he’s ready to accept your help, which is not right now. He knows you’re out here. He knows you care and want to help him, but your vigil out here is making it take longer because he’s also worrying about you. Let’s give him a break and go get some dinner,” Sage told her, coming over to crouch down in front of her as he spoke and reached a hand out for Viola to place hers in so he could help her to stand.

  “I feel so useless,” Viola groaned.

  “You are not useless Vi. You are doing the best you can under these circumstances. You know what Anna can do to a person’s mind first hand and so does he. He just needs to work through what she’s done to him this time around,” Sage explained to her with understanding in his voice.

  Viola looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier. I just want to help him so much.”

  “I know Little Sis. Knowing how much you care, does help him. He’s just not ready to be around anyone yet and you need to respect that. Give him his space and he’ll come back to you quicker. I promise you that,” Sage said with a sincerity that Viola had trouble arguing with. She nodded her head and placed her hand in his, allowing him to help her to her feet.

  “Do you think they’ll have already assessed that recording and have some information for us yet?” Viola asked, trying to distract herself from the fact that Dominic was shutting himself away from her.

  “Only one way to find out,” Sage said as he led her down the hall, toward the dining room. Viola made a mental note to make sure there was food taken to Dominic’s room before she went to bed tonight.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Dinner was quiet and strained around the table. Viola just picked at her food, her appetite almost non-existent with the events that had occurred that day. She was so worried about Dominic she wanted to cry for his pain.

  “Viola, you should eat some of that instead of just pushing it around on your plate. You need your strength,” Angelica told her in a gentle motherly voice.

  “I know Mom, I’m just not hungry,” Viola said, sounding tired.

  “I know you’re worried about Dominic, but he’s strong and he will pull through this. Believe in him, that’s what he needs most right now,” Angelica said, understanding in her eyes as she gazed at her daughter.

  “I just wish he would let me help him,” Viola said and set her fork down on the plate.

  “He will when he’s ready. The things Anna said to him will take a little while to process, especially now that you are his mate,” Thomas said, his voice grim which made Viola’s eyes get wider as horror filled them.

  “What did she say to him?” Viola whispered. “It was about me wasn’t it?”

  “It was about both you and Cora. I know you want to know what was on that recording but I have to say, you shouldn’t know. Never in a million years did I ever think my sister was that depraved,” Angelica said, sorrow in her voice.

  “We need to know Mom,” Cora said, placing her hand on Angelica’s shoulder.

  “We understand why you feel the need to know, but some things you just shouldn’t.” Thomas replied when Angelica was too choked up to do so.

  “You promised to tell us,” Viola said, betrayal filling her tone.

  “Never in my wildest imagination did I think it was as bad as it was when I made that promise. Believe me, I don’t break my promises easily, but this is one time I feel I must. If you know what is on that recording, you won’t even be able to sleep tonight. I doubt your mother, myself or Dominic will be,” Thomas said in an ominous voice. The dark look in his eyes made Viola and Cora worry even more about what Anna had planned for them.

  “If it’s that bad then we need to know more than ever what she has planned. We can’t be sitting ducks, just waiting for her to be able to do what she wants to with us. We need to get ahead of her and stop it before she gets to that point. As it stands, neither of us will sleep wondering about it all night,” Cora spoke up before Viola could. She’d seen the fury swimming in her twin’s eyes and knew they’d get further with logic than Viola’s temper.

  “I would rather have you sleepless wondering about it than sleepless in fear. You’ve had to deal with enough fear from that woman throughout your lives. It ends now. We are not going to tell you what was on that recording. That’s the end of this discussion,” Thomas declared, voice firm and eyes blazing.

  “But…” Viola started and Thomas silenced her with a look. Sage placed his hand on her shoulder and shook his head when she glanced over at him, warning her to back off. If she persisted, things would get ugly and fast.

  The room became so silent you could hear a pin drop. Cora and Viola were having one of their silent conversations, debating whether they should pursue the conversation with their parents or take a different route to get the information they wanted. In the end, they decided to regroup later and figure it out.

  Cora and Viola stood and exited the room together without saying another word to anyone. They were furious at their father for going back on his promise to tell them what was on that recording.

  Liam stood to follow the girls but Thomas told him to sit down and let them be. Cora was glad he had because she knew if Liam knew what her and Viola were about to do, he’d try to stop them. She didn’t want to have to fight with her mate about it.

  When they reached Viola’s room, they closed the door and locked it. Flopping down onto the bed, they looked at each other.

  “Well, any ideas?” Cora asked.

  “I have a few. It depends on whether we’re trying to get the info from Dominic or get our hands on that recording,” Viola said with a shrug.

  “I don’t think Dominic’s gonna tell us. I’m pretty sure by his reaction to what Anna said first hand, he’s going to side with everyone else,” Cora told her sister.

  “Yeah, I’m pretty sure you’re right on that. The only way to get it out of Dominic is to push him into it and I don’t want to fight with him. Especially not right now after everything that’s happened,” Viola said with a sigh.

  “So, that leaves getting our hands on that recording. Where do you think it is?” Cora asked, putting her hands behind her head to get a little more comfortable.

  “I’m betting it’s in Thomas’ study under lock and key. I’m sure there’s nowhere else he’d feel it would be safe from us,” Viola said with a mischievous grin on her face.

  “You’re probably right on that. It’s a good thing for us he doesn’t know us that well. Patrick thought he could keep stuff locked away from us too and never succeeded,” Cora said, grinning back at Viola.

  “Idiots,” Viola said, laughing. “They’ll find out soon enough now won’t they?”

  “Most definitely,” Cora said and laughed with her sister.

  There was a knock at the door, but neither girl moved to answer it. They didn’t want to talk to anyone at the moment whom was going to side with Thomas against them.

  The knock came again after a couple of minutes and Viola rolled her eyes. “Go away,” she yelled at the door.

  “Cora, I need to talk to you,” Liam called out.

  “Are you going to tell us what’s on that recording? We know our parents told you,” Cora yelled through the door to him.

  “No. I am not going to tell you that,” Liam said, the horror in his voice telling the girls he now knew what was on it.

  “Then we have nothing to say to each other right now. I’m going to stay here with Vi tonight,” Cora yelled back.

  “Don’t do this Cora,” Liam called back, misery in his voice. Cora could feel his pain through their connection so she let him feel the full extent of her betrayal, hurt and anger.

  “I’m staying here tonight. Maybe we’ll talk tomorrow, maybe not. It depends on how I’m feeling. Leave us alone,” Cora yelled back, tears forming in her eyes at having to push her mate away so they could complete their personal mission,
but it had to be done.

  “Trust me, the two of you do not want to know what’s on that recording,” Liam warned them through the door. “Let it go and let us protect you.”

  “Whatever Liam. Go away,” Viola called back as the tears streamed down Cora’s face and she pulled her sister in for a tight hug before her resistance caved in and she ran to Liam.

  “You two need to listen to reason,” Liam yelled back, anger and frustration leaking into his voice at their stubborn resistance to talking to him.

  “You need to leave now,” Viola called back, anger filling her voice as well.

  Liam let out a loud, frustrated growl and stomped down the hall and stairs. Cora’s tears flowed even faster the further away his footsteps got.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll get our hands on that recording tonight and you can be back with Liam tomorrow,” Viola whispered to her sister as she soothed Cora’s pain-filled sobs. She felt Cora nod her head against her chest and her mind went to planning how they were going to get their hands on that recording sooner rather than later.

  Chapter Forty

  They waited until well into the night before making their move. Both girls had discussed all of the precautions Thomas would have taken to keep them away from the recording, including babysitters, and how they’d get around each of them. This was not going to be an easy task, but both girls felt they would succeed in getting what they wanted.

  Viola opened her bedroom door and, just as she’d expected, Sage was sitting there waiting for her.

  “What’s up?” he asked her, a knowing look on his face.