~Aleecia's POV~
"That was the last one" Ray mumbled and I collapsed to the nearest sofa in relief. I was so happy that it was over for more than one reason. Now that all the possible suspects were out of the house, I could think clearly, I could finally take a breath.
"What's wrong?" Ray questioned, sitting beside me and I threw my legs over his lap, laying my head unto the handle of the coach. I could never really hide anything from him. It was a bit annoying. Even so, I stayed silent.
"O come on, not the Mia thing again"
"Give me a foot massage Cotton" I bugged and he threw my feet to the ground, causing me to sit up.
"I told you to stop calling me that" He huffed in annoyance and I smiled
"Which is exactly why I continue to. I like that I can finally see something other than a man without emotions. It annoys the hell out of you and I love that"
"What's erupting your brain?" he searched my eyes and I bit my lips thoughtfully, scanning the white-themed hall.
"Come to my room" I whispered, offering my hand and he took it without hesitation.
"Good puppy" I chuckled, leading him to my door
"Ruff, ruff." He laughed and I rolled my eyes. Row was an idiot. That was why I loved him.
I shoved my door open and there it was, sitting on my bed, just like I found it moments before. I looked over at him and he exhaled through his lips, swallowing a few unnecessary times.
"I need a minute" he mumbled, snatching his hand from mine and striding through the door, leaving me alone with the possible envelope of doom. I took a deep breath, stepping back until I was against the wall and I slid to the floor. I watched the envelope sparingly, tears crawling down my eyes as the harsh memories trailed across my mind. I hated envelopes.
•°•°•°•°
~Ray's POV~
'Debris flying everywhere, thick black smoke, loud crashing sounds and fire. A lot of fire.' That's all I could see and I couldn't make it stop. It just kept replaying in my mind.
They say shadows don't have feelings and it's usually true but not when you see your brother explode in front of you. I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself but it was useless. I needed to pull it together. If anyone needed someone at this point, it would be Aleecia.
I grunted. I needed a cold shower. I went into my bathroom and switched the faucet on, its freezing state returning my heartbeat to its normal rate. I exhaled. My breathing, steady and even. I smiled remembering the day I told Amelia I wanted her after forcing her under the icy cold water. She trembled like a leaf and could hardly talk. I chuckled, turning off the faucet. I told her she looked like a newborn bat with hair. I laughed. She actually looked like someone I wouldn't be able to control myself around.
My smile dropped.
'What the frig was I doing?'
I stepped out of my shower, slipping out of my sopping clothes. I needed to keep a clear head. I couldn't let Mia affect my job or judgment. I needed to put an end to us.
'Us?' I lectured myself. 'What was I even saying!? There was no us.'
I pulled on a simple t-shirt and pants before heading back to Aleecia's room. I needed to focus. I shoved her door open. She was against the wall, on the ground, as far as she could get from the bed.
"It's not from the company" I stated after a brief moment of silence. She wiped her soaked cheeks, straightening herself so she could stare at me.
"It's not" she deflated in relief and I nodded.
"It's not color-coded or hand-delivered. Someone from the event must have left it here." I explained. I could have told her this the first time I stepped inside but I hated envelopes. Seeing it sent off a string of painful memories. I needed to clear my head.
"The one thing I'll always see eye to eye with Mia, is that you are an asshole"
I scoffed. I had no idea why I enjoyed hearing Amelia call me that but I loved it. At least, sometimes. On a few occasions like the current, I despised hearing the word. I guess because I knew I really screwed up.
I walked up to the bed, cautiously picking up the envelope. It was light and carefully made to compress and keep the air inside.
"Huh" I huffed thoughtfully.
"What?" She got up from the floor and I signaled that she keeps her distance. She stopped. "What?" she repeated, with an extra inch of concern. I searched my mind. 'Compressed air, small and holding a simple card.'
It was a bomb.
I gasped ripping the envelope open and immediately the room was engulfed in an overwhelmingly reek stench. Aleecia covered her nose.
"O god. What it is that?" she yelled in disgust "Ah, It's in my mouth" she quarreled, trying not to vomit.
"Frig" I cursed. I was right. It was a bomb, a whiff bomb. The content on the inside was soaked in rotten flesh and fermented blood, just like the smell in the library the night the men attack Amelia.
"Frig" I repeated, fear paralyzing my limbs. I hadn't seen or heard from Amelia since she left the ballroom. I was afraid I'd say another stupid thing and make the situation worse like I always do, so I stayed away. I refused to do my job because we were fighting. Frig.
"Amelia" I managed finally, looking over at Aleecia and she nodded her head understandingly, rushing from the room. I closed my eyes briefly before slipping the card from the envelope
'You are much a part of this as she is. Your mother and your stupid little sister started this but I'm going to finish it. She has to die. A life for a life'
Almost immediately Aleecia's scream rang throughout the house and my heart stopped beating, I froze. My mouth became dry and I struggled to find my breath.
"Row!" Aleecia yelled but I clamped my eyes shut wishing it could all go away.
"Row!"
I took a deep breath, before forcing my eyes open, dropping the contents in my hand to the floor and running to her aid.
I pushed open Amelia's door. "Ally?" I called, nervousness chopping my voice in two.
"In here!" she shouted from the bathroom and I ran inside. Amelia was on the floor, knocked out cold. She was still in her evening gown, the same one I could hardly tell her she looked amazing in.
"Is she breathing" I managed and Aleecia looked at me with fright printed in her eyes. My heart dried up as I impatiently waited for a reply
"She is."
I let a relieved breath go
"What is wrong with you? Get down here" she ordered but I couldn't.
"Is she going to be alright?"
"Yes. Row…"
"Can you take care of this?" I stressed
"Yes but…"
I nodded, storming out the door before she had the chance to finish.
Amelia would be fine but the person who did this was going to pay and sadly I knew exactly who it was. I went to my room and pulled my case. I strapped my firearms to me and slid into suitable pants. I placed a six inched knife into its strap on my ankle, before pulling on a jacket and staring into my mirror. My anger raged inside of me and I had no idea how to control it. I shoved the contents on my dresser unto the floor.
I inhaled, regaining my composure. Only one person would do something like this and the choice of words made the culprit clear. Even so, I needed to do some extensive research. I buttoned my jacket and left the house; all I could think about was Amelia's lifeless body on the bathroom floor. I had failed her and this was exactly one of the many reasons why I needed to keep my distance.