Page 5 of Ruthless Blade

Hazel: Maybe she’s taking a detour?

I scoffed.

Lex: Highly unlikely.

I shoved the phone back in my pocket, and that’s when I realized we were at a completely different house. She pulled up to a three car garage home that looked like a miniature castle. The home was beautiful. It was outlined with tan brick, big windows, and balconies on each side of the house. The yard was covered with trees and shade, and the mountains were a painted view on the backside of the property.

Two of the garage doors were opened with a shiny, black BMW inside. Mom pulled up to the second garage and parked in front, like she owned the place. She reached for the clicker on her shade, and pushed the button.

“Mom, what’s going on? Where are we?”

I knew for a fact that she didn’t own this house. There was no way. Not even with the insurance money Dad had.

“We’re home, Sweetie.” I clenched my eyes shut. Don’t call me that. I breathed in through my nose, trying to refrain from lashing out at her.

Stay calm, stay calm.

You can do this, Lex.

It’ll be okay.

No the fuck it won’t.

“Lexi, come on! I want you to meet everyone.”

I gritted my teeth and unbuckled my seatbelt. Slowly, I opened the door and got out of the car. It was as if I stepped into a completely different dimension. A twilight zone, perhaps.

I’m losing my mind. She gave me the backpack, and I slid it over my shoulders. “Why are we here?”

“I’ll explain everything in a bit.”

I don’t want you to explain everything in a bit; I want you to explain it now. That needy little voice said in my head.

I followed her in through the garage and into the house, which led right to a massive kitchen with grey granite counters and white cabinets. It was beautiful.

“Ben, we’re here!”

I walked further into the house; the windows glowing from sunlight shining through. There was a fireplace on one of the walls, with tan couches framing the area.

The place was huge, but there were pictures and trophies everywhere. They must really be into sports.

A tall guy came from the hallway with a big smile on his face. He had short brown hair, green eyes, and he was easily six feet tall. I froze when I recognized him.

No, there’s no fucking way.

He came to give Mom a kiss and I forced myself not to vomit.

How could she? I wanted to run, to find anywhere but here. I knew him well. Hell, my whole family did, considering he was best friends with Dad, and his...

I couldn’t even think of it.

Fuck.

I knew what was coming next, and I wanted no part of it.

How could this be my life?

Did he know?