Page 44 of Game of Hell
“Ember, oh my, I was so worried.” The sweetness of her voice is angelic and eases my nerves as she pulls me in for a hug.
“Is Emerson home?” My voice is muffled against her shoulder.
“Yes, he just woke up. He’s been here since yesterday. We were so worried about you, princess.” Once we untangle from the hug her hand runs through my hair, pulling at the tangled strands—not painfully, just enough to tease my scalp.
Relief floods my body at her words and I watch as her eyes shift from mine to behind me.
Her eyes widen as she looks back at me, “Who’s that?”
I breathe out before I turn to him. “Mom, this is Ronan. Ronan, this is my mom, Mrs. Mary Bellerose.”
He steps forward with ease, a practiced calm and smile presented on his face as he stretches his hand out to her. She looks at the piercings glinting on his face and down at the tattoos on his exposed arms.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mary. I’m the one that kept your beautiful daughter alive.” He says smoothly when her hand lands in his. They shake for only a second and a bright smile spreads across my mothers cheeks.
“Thank you.” She blushes.Blushes?Like a school girl.
And there goes his charm, working to claim everyone around him. Never should’ve doubted his abilities.
She ushers us into the house and I follow her through the foyer into the living room where dad sits. His eyes are on the television screen as one of his favorite classics reruns.
“I was just making breakfast, sweetie. Have a seat.” I pull Ronan with me over to sit on the opposite couch as my dad.
My dad glances over at us, his eyes shifting from the screen and then doubling over as he turns to me.
“Princess, I’m so glad you’re home.” His eyes flicker to Ronan and a stern look crosses his face. “And who’s this you’ve brought with you?”
“I’m glad to be home, dad, and this is Ronan. He was assigned to be in the room with me. He helped me escape.”
My dad nods absentmindedly at my words but his eyes never leave Ronan.
Ronan stands with quick confidence and steps closer to my dad with his hand out. “Ronan Grieves, nice to meet the father of the girl I’ve fallen in love with. She’s lovely.”
I roll my eyes at his words. He can be real convincing when he needs to be. This second skin of his is honestly scary, I’d rather have the cold, sarcastic Ronan.
“Oh…thank you.” My dads chest puffs out with appreciation as they both shake hands.
The room seems to naturally bend into Ronan, admiring him as well. They both go into an easy conversation about cars and I turn to the stairs, waiting for my brother to finally come down.
A knock on the door startles me and I shift on the couch to stand.
“Who is it, sweetheart?” My mom yells from the kitchen.
“I don’t know. I’ll go see.” I walk over to the door and look through the small window. Sophie’s blonde hair greets me first because she’s turned, looking down the street.
“It’s Sophie!” I squeal and pull the door open.
Before she can say anything I pull her into a hug. A small sound leaves her throat from my grip around her waist.
“Sophie, oh my god, are you ok?” I pull from the hug and look down at her body. Her costume is gone and replaced with her normal skinny jeans and sweater.
“I’m fine. I had a fun time, came out alive.” She winks and I step back letting her inside. “I came to check on you and Emerson, are you ok? How’s your brother?”
I push the door shut with my foot as I walk behind her over to the living room.
“Holy shit, who’s that?” Sophie whispers as we step up to the threshold of the living room.
Oh fuck, I forgot about Ronan.
