"You were set to marry my father's heir. My oldest brother," She picks up a cup, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, he has died. As second oldest, it is my duty to fulfill my father's wishes." I'm still utterly confused. She takes a sip, "You will ma...
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Ruth Foster
"Ruth Foster," I'm not surprised she knows my name, but hearing her say it, angers me for some reason. "Did she send you to do her dirty work?"
"You don't get to ask questions. Not yet," I ignore her question, and observe her, "It's pointless," I point to her newly scratched up hands. They weren't like that when I saw her yesterday, which means she's tried to claw her way out, literally.
"Even if you did manage to remove the straps, the door is locked, always," I tell her, "You're trapped here, unless you tell me what I need to know."
"You're just like Orion," Elle chuckles darkly, "I remember how she always liked getting straight to the point. Did you know that in bed, she'd al—"
"I know how my wife is in bed," I cut her off, not wanting to hear whatever it is she was about to say.
"I didn't come here to hear you here to reminisce on whatever past you had with her," I continue, "I'm sure that's the only thing keeping you alive right now, the thoughts of your past, seeing as though you have no future. I'm here to get the information that I need. Nothing more."
Nothing less. "Are you really?" She questions, "I know her well, your wife. I know everything about her, and even know her better than you. I know she'd never send you in here to question me, especially not when she's already given me my fate." Silence, "So, why are you really here?"
"You said Orion gave you your fate?" I ignore her question, and pose one of my own, "Which is?"
"She didn't even tell you," She chuckles, "If you came here with the idea to hurt me, then I wouldn't if I were you. Wouldn't want to upset her."
"Why would me hurting you, hurt her?"
"Because I'm untouchable," Elle replies, "Your wife refuses to let me die. I would want nothing more than to finally be put to rest, finally be gone from this abomination of a world, just like her father. Lucky son of a bitch. At least he's fucking free."
"Right, because you killed him." I state.
"He deserved to die."
I nod, "Maybe so, but you're no different."
"Compared to him, I'm a saint," Another chuckle.
Staring at Elle now, I can tell there's something deeper than this need for revenge on Orion. What happened? And why? I wonder how she ended up this way, and what Orion's father had to do with it.
"What happened to you?" I finally ask.
"Would you believe me if I answered? They didn't." Elle replies back, "I told the truth, and was treated like an animal for it. I was hunted, preyed on."
"Tell me," I say, "I want to know."
She stops herself from saying more, "If you want to know the truth, a truth that can possibly save your wife from internal danger, then I have a request."
Of course she does. How can I believe a word that comes out of her mouth, it's probably all lies.
"What is it?" I find myself asking.
Elle takes a breath, "I have no reason to lie to you. My life is already over, Foster. I have no will to live, or any strength to carry on. If you want to know all that I know, then you'll kill me after I tell you."
"What?" I raise an eyebrow at her, "You want me to kill you?" Surely she must know how outrageous she sounds. I'm not Orion. I have no idea how to kill people. "You must be out of your mind!" I yell.
"No. You must be out of yours, barging in here, and making orders. This is the life, you imbecile. This is life you want so badly, the life with Orion," In a way, she's right, "You must give to get, Foster."
"I won't end your life."
"Then help me end it. Bring me a knife, and remove the restraints," She suggests, "Help me, and I'll help you. That is my request, and it's very simple."
She's a liar, a pathological one. She deserves to stay stuck in that chair for life, but what if the information she claims she has, is true? I can't risk it, but I also can't kill her. It goes against my morals, and everything I believe in. It isn't right.
I don't respond back to her. I can't, so I decide to leave before I dig myself in a much deeper hole, although I'm not even sure that's possible now.
"Shit," I grab ahold of Emily as I walk out of the room, the door locks automatically. "You tell no one," I tell her, "Especially not your boyfriend."
• • •
On the ride back home, Amiri's eyes watch Emily and I through the rear view mirror. I know he's required to tell Orion where we were, but I pray that he doesn't. If she finds out, she'll be upset.
"He's not my boyfriend," Emily says.
I snap out of my thoughts, "What?"
"Adonis. He's not my boyfriend. You referred to him as that, and he's not," She clarifies, "He's just a friend—well, not friend. He's just a stupid boy."
"A stupid boy that you like," I deadpan.
"No. I don't like him," She insists, but I know she does, and it's quite obvious, "Fine. A little."
By the time we get back to Orion's home, I'm all filled in on the details between Emily and Adonis.
From what I hear, he's a good guy, aside from all the killings, and the distributing drugs, and the collecting illegal weapons. But yeah, great guy.
"Miss," I'm stopped by Amiri as I make my way up the stairs, "Your wife is going to ask me where I took you today. What am I to tell her?" Shit.
"I can't ask you to lie," I reply.
"No, you can't," He agrees, "But from what I remember, I took you to the mall. You found nothing good there, so you and your cousin sat at the food court, ate French fries, gossiped about Adonis, and then I drove you both back here."
I take a look at Emily who only nods back at me, satisfied with the story. "Sounds accurate," I respond back before finally making my way inside.
