Scorch (Virtues & Lies 2)

It’s just us.

People always say the truth will set you free, but actually, it’s what binds us together.

Truth. Trust. Love.

Chapter 32

Arabella

It’s dark. Dusky midnight grey tinges the mirrored walls. This is one of the most beautiful rooms in the old building. With the exception of the windows, the room is encased with old mirrored panels that have gone brassy and speckled. Wooden beading frames them into place, latticing over the walls and ceiling and reflecting what little light there is. Pretty, but terrifying when you wake up in the middle of the night or are too dishevelled to fuck like today.

“You’re awake.”

I follow Christopher’s voice to a corner of the room. He’s dressed in a fresh T-shirt and grey joggers. His skin is flushed from being so close to the fire. Sitting at the corner writing desk overlooking the expansive lawns, gardens, and lake that will be dusted like Christmas confectionary, he focuses on me.

Standing, he meanders over to me. The way his eyes course every surface of the room before they land on me again has my heart chugging at top speed.

“What time is it?”

“Not as late as it looks. It’s been miserable all day.”

“All day?”

“I didn’t want to wake you.” He sits on the bed beside me. “Mum’s waiting for you. Ignoring me. Leo and Freddie had the ridiculous idea of going for a hike, and your brother and Cassie had to take Fleur to the hospital in Kendal. She can’t stop spewing her guts all over the place. The fucking doctor refused to come out in this weather whilst the other two fucktards have gone for a stroll.”

Sliding down the bed a little, he pulls me onto his torso, cradling me to him like he used to when we woke up together. It feels normal. Even the digest of what’s happening.

The feel of him beneath my hands is comforting, I want nothing more than to stay like this forever, the two of us in our own world.

“Dad’s on his way up. He’s currently stuck in Liverpool. They had to land the helicopter because the snow is too heavy. Meanwhile Mum’s slamming every door going. I think Nan’s ready to throttle her. On the bright side, your sister’s keeping them both entertained.”

Fuck, as bad as it is, I’d spaced out on the fact Georgina was with us. “She must think I’ve abandoned her.”

“Something’s gone down in London,” he says quietly, his arms tightening around me as his fingertips brush the ends of my hair. “Heath House was broken into. Oliver’s office was ransacked, the safe completely destroyed. Apparently, he thought the whole place was going to go up in flames.”

“The ledgers.” I’m jumping up before I register what I’m blurting out.

Shit!

“Ledgers?” He gets up as I hop around the room trying to wrangle on his joggers from last night. They were the closest thing. “What ledgers?”

“I need to call your dad.” Pulling the cuffs up my calves so the long legs don’t wad at my ankles, I race to the

bathroom.

“What’s going on?” Christopher follows me with far too much calm considering he has no clue what the missing ledgers mean.

I go about brushing my teeth with his brush, because it’s the only one out. Meanwhile he’s on his phone. Probably sounding the horn or something.

Without a hairbrush, I tie half of my hair up into a messy, scrawny bun on top of my head.

My insides are vibrating as I try to rush past him.

“Arabella,” he grits, slipping his phone back into his joggers. “Arabella!”

“What?”

“Dad’s not picking up.” Taking a deep breath, I pause, allowing him to hold on to me. “I’m here. Talk to me.”