Page 43 of Tell Me No
“When I started at LSU with Erik, I thought my life was as perfect as it was going to get. I saw him and I five years in the future, with successful careers, and well on our way to that happily ever after. I’m not sure why I saw that, because he was never that guy. Looking back on it now, I don’t think he ever even loved me.” Slowly, I see Elijah’s body tense next to me. “I was already distancing myself from him because I was tired of being put on the back burner. But when he told me he planned a surprise for me on my 18thbirthday, I was so excited, Elijah. I felt like I could finally see the guy I fell for in high school again. But it was all a lie.”
His fists clench in his lap, as if he already knows where I’m going with this story.
“Go on. I want to know, Aurora.” The edge in his voice is razor sharp, and I can tell he’s barely keeping it together.
“It happens to girls all the time, Eli. When I walked into that apartment and saw that I was the only girl there, I should have turned around and run. The rest of the night is mostly a blur, thank god. But I remember enough to know my mind and my body were changed forever.” Silent tears slide down my cheeks, dropping to the tops of my thighs. I don’t dare look up into my brother’s eyes right now. I don’t want to see the rage brewing there. Or worse, pity.
“After that night, dancing just didn’t feel the same to me anymore. I couldn’t step into the studio on campus without seeing him lurking in the shadows. Hell, I could barely walk across campus without having a full-blown mental breakdown. So I thought of the one place I would feel safe, the one place that was completely untouched by him and all the evil he brought into my life. And I ran as fast as I could to Grovewood, to you.” Finally, I meet his gaze. His crystal blue eyes burn with angry tears and I give him a soft smile. There’s nothing I could do or say to lessen the pain he’s feeling right now. Even if I could, it still wouldn’t change what happened to me.
“I’m… I’m so beyond sorry that you felt like you couldn’t tell me this when you got here, Aurora. I know things were still new with Ember and I then, but there will never be a time I’m not here for you. It would be a lie if I said I wasn't furious, because obviously I am. If you’d told me back when it first happened, I probably could have gotten away with a crime of passion. Now I’m going to have to talk my way out of premeditated murder, and my wife is definitely not gonna like that.” Most people would assume Elijah is cracking a joke to alleviate some of the tension right now, but I know he’s completely serious.
“Well, you’d have some help covering it up, I’m sure. Jason has been chomping at the bit to get his hands on Erik since the moment I told him,” I reply, leaning my head on his shoulder. My brother has always been a safe place to land, and I’m so grateful to have him.
“You toldBreakerbefore you toldme? Your own flesh and blood?!” He makes a motion as if he’s being stabbed in the heart and I laugh it off. I know he’s furious, but he’s covering it up very well.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away, bub. But I’m ready now to take my life back. I’m ready to be the person I know I can be, and I want to do that here in Grovewood, with Jason by my side. So no more punching my husband in the face. Deal?” I ask him, holding out my pinky the way we always did when we were kids. Hooking his much larger, tattooed finger with mine, he seals our promise.
Our friends come out of the studio, and we rush across the street to catch up with them. I sidle up to Jason, wrapping my arm around his waist, as Eli slings an arm around Ember’s shoulder. He kisses her temple, closing his eyes and soaking in the comfort she brings him. I’m proud of us, so happy that we’ve both found the other halves of our souls.
“Y’all wanna grab lunch?” Iris suggests, and we all nod in agreement.
We make our way down the block, talking over everything and nothing important happening in our lives right now. I can see the storefront for Grovewood Ink up ahead, and a black SUV parked out front. I would definitely say my situational awareness has increased since my kidnapping, and I’m grateful for that. A tall, stocky man stands to the side of the SUV door, as if he’s waiting for something.
“What the fuck is this?” Everett says, pushing Kelsea behind him. Elijah hands Ember the keys to the shop, stepping in front of her protectively.
“You girls go inside. Lock the door behind you and don’t come out until one of us comes to get you.” Elijah’s voice is sharp and demanding, none of us daring to argue.
“Be careful.” I kiss Jason’s cheek, not letting his hand go until I absolutely have to. We close the shop door, turning the lock behind us and filing into the break room to wait.
“Can’t go one fucking day without some bullshit, I swear,” Kelsea says, rolling her eyes.
“It almost feels like a damn requirement to be with these men, honestly. Must be willing to deal with the bullshit,” Ember replies, laughing softly.
They’re not wrong. It’s always something with these guys.
twenty-seven
I spottedthe SUV as soon as we turned the corner onto the street where Grovewood Ink resides. As we got closer, I noticed the armed guard standing next to the passenger side of the car, obviously waiting for someone. After making sure the girls were safely inside the building, the guard opens the back door of the car.
A younger, impeccably dressed Hispanic man steps out. He adjusts his tailored Armani suit jacket, shaking out his sleeves and twisting the Rolex on his wrist. This man screams money and power, it resonates from his entire being like it’s just part of who he is.
We all exchange looks, none of us knowing who the fuck this guy is, but we’re all already on edge.
“Gentlemen. I am sorry for dropping in on your day this way, but my schedule doesn’t exactly allow for much advance notice.” His thick accent leads me to believe he’s connected with Figueroa’s business, but he hasn’t made any forward threats towards us yet, so I can’t imagine what he’s doing here.
“Who the fuck are you?” Iris asks, always such an icebreaker.
“I am Sebastian Arsenio,” he says, so matter-of-factly, holding his hand out to me. He knows I know who he is. Just as I’m sure he knows I pulled the trigger on his man. I take it, squeezing back as firmly as he’s squeezing mine. I don’t fear any man, but I do know when to show respect to avoid conflict.
“This is the head of the Arsenio Family. He’s Figueroa’s boss,” I tell the men surrounding me. We all stand a little taller, already on high alert, curious about why the fuck he’s in our town.
“Ah yes, Mr. Figueroa. He is the reason I am here now. I wanted to thank you for eliminating that little problem of mine. I have been aware of his… side businesses, for some time now. But in my world, it’s very difficult to find the proof necessary to terminate an employee without creating a coup. So I felt the need to come thank you in person for taking that problem off my plate,” he says, checking his watch as if this is a normal conversation.
“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing. But Figueroa got what he deserved. The second he put my wife in danger, he signed his death certificate,” I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest.
“It’s no game, Mr. Negan. I am grateful for your interference in my affairs… this time. I admire your commitment to the protection of what belongs to you. It is a quality we share. This empire belongs to me, and I will protect it at any cost. I appreciate you taking out the trash for me, but this is where your involvement in my business ends. Do we understand each other?” He appears calm, but the look in his eyes tells me he has no problem killing anyone who threatens the balance in his world. I nod once, no other words necessary between him and I.
“I am not usually in the habit of handing out favors, Mr. Negan. But you have taken care of a big problem of mine. So one day you will need a problem of yours taken care of, and on that day, give me a call.” He hands me a business card, thick matte black card stock with a simple gold A on the front and a phone number scribbled on the back.
