Page 89 of All My Broken Pieces

“No one is going to do anything reckless. Got it?” Killian demands, drawing a visible reaction from everyone in the room. “Good.” He shifts his gaze toward the other half of my heart before his eyes move to mine.

Arriana slowly turns toward me, and even though I have a million other things I’d rather know, my pounding heartbeat and the uneasiness in the atmosphere draws the question I don’t really know if I want to ask. Because there’s a high chance I’m the answer.

“What’s going on?” I swallow the desire to hide as everyone’s attention shifts to me at the quiet question. No one says anything for several agonizing moments only serving to further my need to retreat.

Shifting on my feet, I fiddle with my glasses before clasping my hands, twisting my fingers together to release some of the nerves.

Ava is the first to break the silence. “Fallon, oh thank god.” Flying across the room, she crashes into me, wrapping her arms around my rigid body. “I was so worried.” Ava whisper cries, tightening her embrace.

I murmur useless comforts to her, nothing I can say will make up for what I’ve done and we both know it. Glancing over her shoulder, my eyes lock onto Arriana’s and I find myself trapped in the small pools of darkness. I shudder at the depth of desire, anger, love, and fear I find reflecting back at me.

“What were you thinking?” Ava pulls my attention back to her, freeing me from the trap of Arriana’s intense gaze. Ava releases her hold, her hands moving to my shoulders as she peers into my eyes, clearly demanding an answer to her question.

Releasing a heavy breath, I shake my head and mumble, “I don’t know.”

Before either of us can say anything else, a throat clears. “Look, I’m glad she’s okay,” I turn to look at the man speaking, my forehead creasing at his clear distress. Even in his emotional upset, he’s very handsome. Shoulder length, sandy brown hair hangs around his clean shaven face. His sharp cheekbones and jawline accentuate his plump lips and dark green eyes. His tanned skin complimented nicely by his stylish clothing.

If I didn’t know any better, I could swear I’ve seen him somewhere. He definitely is giving model energy, that’s for sure.

He glances at me before looking pointedly at Arriana, rubbing the back of his neck. “I really am, sis.”

Sis?

I don’t have time to get caught up on the newfound revelation that Arriana has a brother before he continues speaking. “But, how could you be so fucking selfish?” Another uncomfortable hush falls over the room at his exclamation.

Arriana’s eyes narrow as she slowly turns toward him. “Selfish.” She repeats, her voice hollow. “¿Crees que soy egoísta?” Her brother swallows, squaring his shoulders in an attempt to hide the fear at Arriana’s emotionless tone.

“You want to talk about selfish, Spencer?” She quirks her head to the side, as if debating her next words.

Straightening her posture, Arriana slips one hand into her back pocket. “How aboutyouleaving us the first chance you got?” Waving her other hand between herself and another unfamiliar man standing beside her brother, she continues, “Ormaybe how you disappeared from our lives like you moved across the world when you live in the same fucking city, hmm?”

Taking a step toward him, Arriana smirks at his flinch. “Better yet, howyouhave always had a knack ofmakingmylife andmyworries all aboutyou.” Her brief moment of levity leaves, her expression falling and shoulders slumping. “Egoísta mi culo. Maldito familia.” Sighing, she runs a hand through her hair, muttering, “¿Porqué me importa?”

Before either of them can say anything else, the other man steps up to Arriana, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Arri.” He murmurs, waiting for her to look at him. “I hate to admit the little prick has a point, but itwaskinda selfish to invite us here without at least giving us a heads up.”

Something about his voice pulls at me and a flash of a hazy memory sparks in my mind, the same deep cadence as I’d heard at some point during my battle for consciousness.

I study him, finding he also has an attractive look, maybe not the same level as the man beside him, but still enough to warrant a second glance. His dark brown, nearly black hair is trimmed short. Features much softer than the male model, but he still sports a nice jawline under the carefully styled beard lining his jaw. There’s a familiarity between the three, but not a clear familial connection as the features vary drastically, along with the fact that his skin tone is several shades lighter than both Arriana and the other man.

Arriana glares at his hand, brushing it off her shoulder. “I didn’t invite you, Coop.” He opens his mouth to reply, but she cuts him off. “¿Honestamente? Ojalá te hubieras mantenido alejado, hermano.”

My focus fades as he replies in Spanish, their conversation becoming agitated with each back and forth. I try to decipher what they might be saying as they grow more animated, but my sluggish brain can’t keep up.

Ava nudges me, leaning over to whisper in my ear, “Babe, it’s like a real life telenovela.” I roll my eyes at her, shaking my head to hide the smile trying to break its way through. “Oh come on, you can’t seriously pretend it’s not just as dramatic as some of the storylines Britt was explaining last season on Love Island. I mean, estranged family, alcoholic girlfriend,” I shoot her a glare, but she waves me off, continuing her explanation without acknowledging my offense. “A fugitive, and then the co-”

“Excuse me, awhat?” I cut her off with my whispered shout.

Ava’s face pales. “Oh, shit. Um, so here’s the thing…” My eyes drift to Arriana, my own agitation growing to match my furious other half as Ava briefly explains the situation.

“Crazy, right?” Ava lets out a nervous laugh, looking almost apologetic if it weren’t for the excitement she can’t quite hide shining in her eyes. She’s never been a huge fan of my choice in companion and adding in the drama of it all…it’s apparent the friend side of her and the drama obsessed side are at war.

Nodding my head, I step around her, crossing the room to stand behind Arriana. “Excuse me.” I mumble, shifting nervously on my feet. Three sets of frustrated eyes move to me. Adjusting my glasses, I try to ignore the incessant need for a drink to settle the anxiety buzzing beneath my skin.

“What is it,mi vida?”

My breath catches in my throat at Arriana’s nickname for me, the one I didn’t know if I’d ever hear again. Pushing aside the desire to dive into her arms and bury my concerns in her, I shift my eyes between her and the two men. “You’re on the run?” My quiet question makes her flinch, the motion is almost imperceptible, but I catch it anyway. “And you camehere? Why would you do something so stupid?” I’m shocked that the words slip through, but it would appear I still don’t have full control of myself.

The male model snorts, crossing his arms with a look of triumph. “Yeah, sis. Answer the lady.”

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