Page 51 of Twisted Throne
“How did things go last night?” she asked, hesitantly.
“Fine. I’ve no doubt Alec will fill you in when he returns.” My voice was firm, clearly signaling the end of our conversation.
Elena went back inside the house without speaking another word, the front door slamming closed behind her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gia
My body ached from head to toe. The scalding hot shower I’d taken had done absolutely nothing. I shoved some of the furniture out of the way and eased my way down to the floor. I knew from experience that stretching, while not exactly painless, would alleviate some of the soreness at least. Stretching my legs out in front of me, I could almost hear Mom’s voice as I went through the exercises that she’d taught me as a child.
Flex… and pointe… and flex… and pointe.
I raised my hands above my head, stretching my back straight as I reached up toward the ceiling. Then I rounded my back and leaned forward, letting my head drop down to touch my knees. As I relaxed into the stretch, I had to fight to keep my mind off of Paul. Once I felt reasonably stretched out I grabbed my mug and sat down in one of the two matching, brocade armchairs.
Rap.
Rap.
I started at the firm knock at the door. My coffee, (instant because I still couldn’t work the damn coffeemaker) sloshed out of its cup, the hot liquid soaking through my jeans.
“Yes, come in!” I snatched up a napkin and started dabbing at the wet splotches covering my lap.
“Are you okay?” Elena stepped into the room, looking concerned. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“No, it’s fine. I guess I’m just jumpy today,” I laughed slightly but stopped when I got a better look at Elena.
She looked even paler than before. The purple shadows under her eyes stood out against her skin like bruises, and her skin was dry and ashy. I’d never seen her less than perfectly made up, but she’d chewed the lipstick right off her mouth. All of a sudden, she looked human rather than model-perfect.
“Elena, what’s going on? Not to sound like Lucy, but you really do look terrible,” I gave up wiping at my pants and reached out to grab her hand. It was cool to the touch. “Something’s wrong, I know it. If you tell me, maybe I can help.”
She squeezed my hand, then sat down on the couch, sighing heavily.
“It’s nothing really, I’m being silly. Alec didn’t get back last night from whatever they were doing at the docks.”
She was picking at her manicured nails, flakes of pearly pink polish floating down onto the carpet.
“Oh my god, Elena!” I sat down beside her and put my hand on her shoulder. “Have you asked Angelo about it? Or Paul?”
“Yes, I talked to Paul a little earlier this morning. He told me that Alec had been sent to take care of another issue that had unexpectedly come up and that he would be back in a couple of days,” she said. “I’m sure I’m just overreacting.”
“You are absolutely not overreacting! It’s no wonder you’re worried sick. Have you tried to call him?”
Elena just stared at me.
“Sorry, obviously you would have tried to call him, guess there’s no answer?” I asked her.
“No answer. But he’ll call when he can.” She pulled her lips into a forced smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “He’ll come back, he always does.”
Her words echoed Paul’s promise to always come back to me. I don’t doubt that he meant what he had said, or wanted to at the very least. But I do doubt that it’s a promise he would be able to keep. How many nights of waiting for him, not knowing if he was alive or dead, could I take before it broke me down completely?
“Why don’t we go talk to Angelo? Or I can talk to Paul?” I suggested.
“Oh God, no! I’d never bother Angelo with this.” She sat up straighter. “And I already talked to Paul.”
She paused and looked down at her twitching hands.
“With being so worried about Alec, I forgot to even ask Paul how everything went last night.” She raised her head back up to stare at me. “Did he tell you how things turned out?”