Page 118 of Wicked Arrangement

The room my grandmother is being held in is bright and cheerful, she and Amelia are sitting playing cards at a table overlooking the manicured lawns of the backyard. To the unsuspecting eye, it seems like the perfect picture. Stood to the side is a burly yet professional-looking nurse, ready to assist should Gran have an episode. The whole scene feels surreal, it’s such a juxtaposition to the bloodshed that just occurred.

Jackson and his men efficiently dispatched Amelia’s guards without making a sound. David wasn’t kidding when he said Jackson should have been involved in Marta and my rescue mission. If only I could convince him to rescue Yaroslav too. I’ve told him that the man hinted he was still alive, but I can tell Jackson doesn’t believe it to be true. To him, Yaroslav is as good as dead. Once Sharkozi’s house had been secured, Jackson came and got me from the armored van as promised.

“Kimmy!” Gran exclaims as she notices us enter the room, “What a wonderful surprise! How was your trip?”

I’m not surprised that Amelia told Gran I’ve been away somewhere, at least it means Gran has no idea of the danger she’s been in. She doesn’t even know she’s been a prisoner. She looks well, I’m relieved to note, that at least they’ve taken good care of her.

“It was good Gran, I’ve missed you,” I say, my voice getting choked up as I walk toward her.

Amelia sits there calmly, silently surveying us over her cards like a lioness preparing to pounce. She’s calculating her next move. No doubt she’s wondering how to get out of this. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Jackson’s men escorting the nurse out. If he doesn’t resist, they won’t harm him. He was just hired to care for my grandmother, he has no knowledge or involvement in this as far as we know.

“And I you sugar,” Gran says, enveloping me in a warm embrace.

She smells as I remember, of cocoa butter and patchouli. Feeling her solid, comforting presence again, I can’t help the tears that fall.

“Now, now child, there’s no need for tears,” she soothes.

“Did they look after you well?” I ask, desperate to know for sure that she hasn’t been mistreated.

“Why of course, Amelia and I have had a wonderful time!” she says with a smile directed in Amelia’s direction.

Amelia smiles back, “The best. I have to say, Kimmy, I’m surprised to see you so soon, and with a new man no less,” she says directing her attention toward Jackson. “I thought you might have waited a while longer. I suppose you and Yaroslav truly are dead and buried,” she taunts.

At that moment I feel as though I could kill Amelia.

The only silver lining is that only I understand the true meaning behind her words.

Gran looks surprised, “You and Yaroslav broke up? That’s a shame, he was such a nice man. No offense, young man, I’msure you’re quite the gentleman too,” she says smiling warmly at Jackson.

“None taken, ma’am, but Kimberly and I are just friends,” Jackson says stepping forward to shake Gran’s hand while still keeping an eye on Amelia. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Walsh, I’m Jackson Brown.”

“Please, call me Emma,” Gran says with a smile.

“That’s right, Jackson is a friend. Yaroslav and I are still very much an item,” I say, giving death stares to Amelia.

“Silly me,” Amelia trills, “I guess he’s just tied up right now and that’s why he can’t be here,” she says with an evil glint in her eye.

She knows exactly what she’s doing, she’s trying to rile me, to make me slip up and give her a chance to escape. I won’t rise to it.

“Come on Gran, let’s get your stuff together and go. Jackson is going to stay behind to have a chat with Amelia,” I say, shooting a pointed look at my ex-best friend.

I wish I could be the one to interrogate her. I never thought I’d be capable of hurting someone. But I killed a man, and now I know I’d happily torture Amelia if it meant getting Yaroslav back. Heck, part of me just wants to hurt her for what she put me through. But I know Amelia, my indifference and ignoring her will hurt her more than my presence ever could.

“Goodbye Amelia, dear,” Gran says, still oblivious as we leave.

“Goodbye Emma, I’m sure I’ll see you again real soon,” Amelia replies, the veiled threat evident in her voice.

Jackson shoots me a look, an unspoken question, should he leave Amelia alive at the end of this? I shake my head.

Amelia seems to finally realize what’s about to happen, her eyes widen with fear, “Kimmy…” she starts, but I turn my back and ignore her as Gran and I walk out.

Amelia isn’t going to hurt me or anyone I love ever again. Over my dead body. Or rather, over hers.

Chapter 61

Yaroslav

Thomas Gillihan’s House

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