Ivory Causeways Framed Distant Outposts by Arman Steele 58

Crossing the lines (Sleeping with my Best friends)

Chapter 58

Dean

I couldn’t say anything to Aleck’s confession because I felt the same way. It hurt too much. I made sure our parents didn’t see me. I opened the door and headed down to the basement. There was a hidden room at the back. I took the key out, opened it, and walked in. I

know Aleck and Andrew would come down. I switched the lights on and stopped short. Nella was in a cage, a prison cell. I figured it was

Diego and Mac. Her foot was chained to the wall. There was a toilet and a cot with a mattress. The minute she saw me, she started

laughing.

I just stood and looked at her. “Now you feel how I feel. She lied; she destroyed the one good thing I had, and you two believed her. Chris

would never have done that,” she said, still laughing. I texted Diego, and he replied, saying two minutes. I heard the door open and saw

Diego walking in with the laptop.

“Show her,” I said.

“Yes, boss.” He pulled a chair and placed the laptop facing her. When we had kidnapped Chris and Cameron, I asked Diego to record it

specifically for us. I didn’t think anyone would ever see it, but here we were. I watched as her face became pale the longer she watched.

“No, this… This can’t… What did you do to him?” She asked frantically.

“The same fucking thing you did. You killed her, and we killed them to protect her. If you wanted proof, we would have shown you, but

you still don’t believe it,” I said, turning away.

“No, Dean, wait, please,” she yelled.

I saw the door open, and Andrew and Aleck came in.

“We trusted you, Nella. Why couldn’t you believe them?” Andrew asked her.

“You don’t understand. I… I loved him.”

*WE FUCKING LOVED HER TOO!” Aleck yelled at her.

“You’ll stay here for the rest of your life. You’ll never leave. You’ll die right here,” I said, opening the door and walking out. Ruthless, cold–hearted, call me whatever you want, but she deserved it.

Today marks two months since she’s been gone, and it wasn’t any easier. Everyone looked at us weird, but we just ignored it. We went to work and then home. Aleck had taken to sleeping in her room. Sometimes I end up there too. A few days ago, I couldn’t help it and went to her grave.

I knew Mallory was still grieving, and I let her. Michelle and the deputy call us to check in. Mal speaks to them. She told us about the house, and I told her it was hers, and she gave it to her. Nella keeps mumbling nonsense. She can drop dead for all I care.

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Chapter 58

Aleck

Today marks three months since she left us. Some days I just stare at my phone, re–reading all the messages and looking at the pictures we had of her. She never knew or saw us taking her pictures. That was all that gave me the strength to continue living. Dean rarely says

anything. We went back to how we were before she came into our lives, and I hated. It.

our lives were

Our parents didn’t say anything to us; they gave us our space. Mallory and Andrew were great comfort. In a few months, fucked up completely. We were close, but everyone Irad ulterior motives; everyone wanted what was best for themselves, and they hurt

everyone in the process.

Pamela

Some nights I lie in bed worried about my sons. I know they loved her; they always had, and they’ll never stop, even though she isn’t here

anymore. She was pregnant, and now there wasn’t a possibility anymore.

Matthew and I have already discussed it, and we accepted it. We accepted that our sons would never be with anyone other than her, and

we would never force them. I just wanted them to be okay. I know they’re not over their grief as yet, and we will give them time.

Layla

I was somewhere between awake and asleep when I heard voices I didn’t know. I wanted to open my eyes but hesitated. That wasn’t

Dean’s or Aleck’s, even Uncle Matthew’s or Andrew’s voice. I lay there listening.

“Roger, it’s been three months. When is she going to wake up?”

“Silas, give it time. Her body has already accepted Marie’s heart. She’ll wake up on her own time. Is it necessary to handcuff her to the

bed?

Wait, was I handcuffed? I remember we were i

we were married, then I was shot. I have someone else’s heart? Where were Dean and Aleck?

“Look at her, so beautiful. She looks exactly like my Marle. Those damn tattoos marred her beauty. You did good at getting rid of them.

She needs to be handcuffed. Luckily, we found her on time. It was like a miracle. Matie died the same day my men found her, and she got

shot. See, that is fate, Roger. She lost her life so my Marie’s heart could keep beating. What are the chances that she is a replica of

Marley

Oh god. He sounded insane. I took my chance and opened my eyes and looked around. I saw a short, stubby man in a doctor’s csat. He

was almost gray.

“Ah, you’re awake,” he said, coming towards the bed.

“Who are you and where is my husband?” I said, looking at him. The other man walked towards me. He was tall, not

it as tall as Dean and

Aleck; he had black hair, and his eyes had a deranged look in them. He came over to the bed.

“Your husband? I am your husband. You’re dead. Layla Tuvers Cavanaugh is dead. The heart beating in your chest is my wife’s, so that

makes you mine,” he said in a tone that sent a chill down my spine.

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“Røget, make sure she’s up for travel within two hours,” he said, walking out of the room. I looked at the man.

“Please, let me go, I pleaded with him.

imas

“I’m sorry, but I can’t help you,” he said quietly.

“Where am I?” I asked.

“South Africa,” he said.

was no chance of

How did I get all the way here? Jesus. I needed a way to contact them. I was already handcuffed to the bed, so there w

making a run for it.

“Please, just lend me your phone,” I said. At the same time, the door opened, and the same man walked in.

“We’re going back home to Tristan da Cunha. Make sure she’s asleep,” he said, walking out.

“Please don’t. I’m begging you,” I said, looking at the ΠΑΠΙ.

“I’m sorry, but Silas Reid is a man you don’t want after you,” he said, injecting me. The entire room became blurry. I knew I was

pass out

was going to

When my eyes opened again, I knew I was somewhere different. The ceiling was different. That’s when I realized he was lying next to me

with his head on my chest. I pulled away, rolled over, and sat up.

“Don’t touch me,” I said, getting off the bed. He stood up and looked at me.

“Let me explain it to you, Marie,” he said.

“My name is Layla,” I said, looking at him.

He started laughing. “Let me introduce myself to you. I am Silas Reid, a businessman, just like your beloved husband, Dean Cavanaugh You’re on an island called Tristan da Cunha. The closest land is Cape Town, South Africa. I rule this island. Helicopters need permission to land here, and to get here via ferry will take almost one week. The heart that is beating in your chest belongs to my wife. You look exactly like her. All I need is to hear my wife’s heart beating. I’m not Interested in sleeping with you. You do as I tell you, and we’ll get

along. Don’t, and I’ll resort to treating you very cruelly,” he said.

“How did your wife die?” I asked.

“I killed her. She was so stubborn. She couldn’t listen to me; she didn’t follow the rules. Always trying to leave me. I loved her, but she said I was paranoid and crazy. I was just obsessed with her: I loved her, but she didn’t understand. You better understand,” he said,

opening the door and walking out.

I sat down on the bed in a daze. That would be my fate also. He wouldn’t hesitate to

kill th

the woman he loved. Then what about me? I

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needed to find a way to leave this place, find some means to contact Dean, Aleck, or someone–anyone. The door was pushed open, and he walked back in.

“Come on, Marie, let me show you around your home,” he said, smiling.

“Okay,” I said quietly, and stood up. I followed him out. I had to play along while I formulated a plan. I would play along. I needed to earn his trust, then make a move. I’m sure if they knew I was alive, they would come for me, or do they really believe I was dead? If so, they would need my body to believe I was dead, wouldn’t they?

Comments

Tracy Trout

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does anyone know how many chapters there is in this book because I stopped reading and waiting for more chapters to get dropped before I start back reading it