Page 81 of Red Retaliation
A nerve twitches in Red’s jaw. “Nothing of any importance.”
“Oh, it must have!” I continue sweetly.He wants me to act the dutiful wife, doesn’t he? Well, here she is.“Were there no hand tools left in B & Q? Is that it? Hatchets, perhaps?”
Red’s jaw tightens. He hasn’t risen to my jibe, so somethinghashappened. A wisp of worry unfurls, and I lower my voice. “It’s not anything to do with... You said the threat was fake, and now we’re married, that...”
“Don’t assume the threat no longer applies, Arianna.” Red’s voice isbarely more than a whisper. “It’s still alive and well. It’s just a question of when it happens.”
I’m genuinely shocked. “But I thought...”
“These things don’t just go away, so you’re not to go anywhere on your own, and I mean that.”
I twirl my spaghetti in silence, the triumph at shooting my barbed comments fading to black. I want to ask questions. I want to protest about not being able to go anywhere alone, but I don’t. For once, just from Red’s eyes, I can see this isn’t to do with control or scoring points, butreal. The familiar tension that I thought now gone, wraps itself back around me.
The Bristonis will still strike.
I’m deflated. I thought this was over, and that my family was safe, but I’ve been incredibly naïve.
“Whatever you think I’m doing or what I’m doing it for, I’m ensuring everyone within my life is protected. That includesyou, so don’t ask further questions on this subject and instead, just do as I say.”
At my small nod, Red morphs back into the character I’ve become used to. The smile he turns on like a light is as well-practiced as my own. “Let’s talk about something else, shall we?”
CHAPTER
58
Red
IHADN’T REALIZED just how easily Arianna reads my micro-expressions. To most people, aside from Del perhaps, I’m unreadable when I want to be.
But not from her.
Either Arianna has a hidden quality I’ve previously missed or I’m becoming lax in keeping my mask in place. I’m pretty sure it’s not the latter, which means I must be extra careful around her.
I finish my third glass of wine. The meal was delicious, and not usually being a fan of anything but hard spirits, even the wine is good. Much to my surprise, the evening that started out asPoint Scoring Exercise #2has turned into something I’m enjoying.
That alone is a rare concept.
Bypassing her stunning looks, Arianna is actually good company. After shutting down the subject of Bristoni threats, what started as polite, nonsensical conversation turned into light-hearted topics like art, music, seaside trips - things I haven’t thought about for as long as I can remember, let alone discussed.
There’s been funny stories and poignant recollections. A breath of fresh air that I sorely needed. Perhaps what webothneeded. The overconfident, alluring act she started out with tonight is replaced by what I only presume is her natural vivacity - something I expect she’s been forced to deny for almost as long as I have.
For one night and one night only, we’re being who we might have been were we not destined to follow the path we were placed on. For thisone night, we can forget who we have to be every other minute of our lives.
It’s surprisingly nice.
I don’t want to over-analyze, but this is the most relaxed I can remember feeling. Whether it’s the wine or the company, a switch has flicked and just for a while I’m allowing myself the freedom of leaving that switch in the opposite position of where it usually lies.
“What else do you want to know?” I grin, still chuckling about Arianna admitting as a teenager she likedTake That. “Must I really confess that I was once knitted a hideous jumper which my mum forced me to wear so I didn’t offend my Aunt Phyllis?”
Almost spitting out a mouthful of wine, Arianna laughs. It’s a genuine laugh - a gorgeous, melodious sound, like a natural spring in a woodland glen.
Jesus wept! What the fuck is in this wine? I’m getting poetic!
I smile. “I think that’s enough information about the unfortunate jumper incident!”
“Okay...” Arianna’s face suddenly grows serious. “Why don’t you tell me whatreallyhappened?”
“With what? The jumper?”
