Page 43 of Celtic Dragon
“Done,” I reply. I look over at Damon and Patrick, who suddenly remind me of Dumb and Dumber, and say, “Can you boys make up a room for Liam? I’ll secure the items he needs.”
Damon nods. “Sure, Ice. Whatever you need.”
Dumb fucks. The minute they made comments about Rebel not knowing his shit was the minute I stopped liking them. I don’t give a fuck if they’re family. I learned a long time ago that the family that we’re born into isn’t always the family that means the most.
Rebel
We’re making real progress in our search; our meeting with Liam finally got us some answers. Having him work on a plan to get my mam and da out brings us one step closer to actually achieving it. Then we can go home!
I miss Ari. I haven’t called her since I left. It’s been really difficult with the time difference; whenever I finally do get a chance to call, I know that she is either sleeping or in class. I don’t even think that Ice has called Emma except on the day we arrived.
I’m restless and anxious. Things are finally moving along, but not as quickly as I’d like. I want to do something, but everyone has already gone to bed. I try reading, but I can’t focus. I text Ari, but I don’t get a response.She’s probably busy doing homework or something, I think to myself. Getting out of bed, I decide that maybe something to eat will help me sleep. There was some leftover apple pie from earlier today that sounds really good right now. I sure as hell hope we have cream, then it will really feel like I am at home.
Walking down the stairs to the kitchen, I flip on the switch and began to dig through the fridge. A few minutes later I hear someone coming down the stairs. Assuming it’s Ice or one of my brothers, I turn and say, “Want some …” I never finish what I was going to say, because I find myself face to face with Ciara, who is standing in my kitchen in nothing but her panties. “What the fuck, Ciara?”
“I’d love some of whatever you’re offering, Balefire,” she says. She saunters over to me and stands real close. She’s still beautiful and although taking her on the kitchen table is tempting, I think about Ari. The last thing I want to do is hurt her. I take a step back.
“Get back upstairs and put some fucking clothes on!” I demand, trying to be forceful and not soften to her. If she knows I mean it, she won’t push. If she pushes, I’m afraid I’ll give in.
“But Balefire, you used to love it when I would hang out around the house like this,” she says.
“That was a long time ago, Ciara. And yes, I did. I’m not denying that you look hot as hell. Shit, I’m not even denying that I’m tempted. But I’ve told you over and over again, I’m with someone. I’m not interested in rekindling anything between us.”
“But Balefire, don’t you miss me?” she coos.
“Fuck, Ciara, I missed you for years. And looking at you right now, I can honestly say I’m tempted. But I will not indulge my temptations. I will not hurt Ari. We had fun times, but it wasn’t real love. I’ve got that now and I won’t do anything to fuck it up.”
When she doesn’t say anything, I add angrily, “What about Damon? Does he know that you’re down here, practically naked and putting the moves on me? I don’t think he’d like it very much. And more importantly, where is your fucking self-respect?”
“I could care less about Damon. I only agreed to date him to make you jealous. And as for my self-respect … well, shit, we parted company a long time ago.” She waits for some type of response from me, but when I say nothing, she continues, “You’re the one I’ve always wanted. You, Balefire.” She inches up closer and tries to kiss me, but I dodge her attack and move away.
“It ain’t gonna happen, Ciara. So why don’t you turn around and march back upstairs to my brother’s bed, where you belong?” Our conversation is interrupted by a knock on the front door.What the fuck?We both look at each other curiously. “Get your ass upstairs. Now!” I walk into the living room and head for the door. I turn and motion for Ciara to go back upstairs. When she turns to head up the steps I turn back and open the door.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!Standing in the doorway in utter shock are Emma, Ari, and Honey. I can tell by their expressions that Ciara is still standing naked in the foyer behind me.I’m totally screwed!
Chapter 16
Emma
“Rebel?” I say cautiously. “What’s going on here?” Ari stands beside me, speechless. She and I both stare at the half-naked woman standing in the middle of the living room. She’s stunningly beautiful, with long red hair sexily draped around her shoulders; perky, creamy white breasts; and legs that go on forever. All she wears are black lacy panties. Even I’m jealous of her, and I have no interest in Rebel in that way. Rebel is standing there shirtless and barefoot, wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hang low on his hips. The scene before us is not good and I can’t wait for his explanation.
But as I look at Rebel, I realize that the expression on his face is not one of a man who’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t. Rebel is a smart guy; even if he’d been stupid enough to cheat on Ari, he wouldn’t do it while Caden was in the same house. That would just be suicidal. There’d be too much risk of him getting caught and I know that Caden would kill him if he did. So that’s definitely not what’s going on here. The more I take in the situation, the more I’m convinced that it isn’t what it seems … but if Rebel doesn’t start explaining soon, or acknowledge Ari like he should, she won’t believe anything that he says.
“Ari …” Rebel says loud enough for all of us to hear and then nothing. Silence deafens the room, then Rebel finally yells, “Ciara, I fucking said to go back to bed! Now!”
The half naked girl whom which I assume is Ciara looks from Rebel to Ari with a pout. “Fine!” she stammers. As she stomps up the stairs, she yells, “Good luck explaining this one!” Her laughter fills the silence in the room.
Rebel watches her go and then turns back toward us. “What are you girls doing here?” he asks as he gestures for us to come in.
We walk through the door silently, bags in hand. It’s one of the most awkward moments of my life. It’s obvious that we’ve interrupted something, but part of me is sure that Rebel isn’t at fault. “Maybe first you should explain what we walked in on,” I say. Ari still hasn’t spoken a word, not even a hello.
Rebel looks at Ari apologetically and says, “Babe, it’s not what it looks like, I swear. I never touched her.”
Ari doesn’t say a word, but her eyes begin to well up with tears.
“Honey, maybe you and I should step outside and let these two have some privacy,” I say.
“No!” Ari says. “Stay here and hear what he’s got to say. Then, Emma, you can tell my brother all about it,” she threatens.
