Revelations (Blue Bloods 3)

A muscular pool boy approached, his dark skin and hair striking against his white swimsuit. "Caipirinha?"

"Sure." Mimi pulled herself up on her elbows and didn't bother to cover herself.

His nonchalant gaze - almost obnoxious really, the way he stared at her chest, excited her senses. She was always on a hunt for a new familiar, and when in Rio...

Chapter Thirty-four

As far as Bliss was concerned she could stay in Rio forever. All afternoon she'd wandered the city's beautiful beaches, wearing a swimsuit she'd purchased at the hotel shop when the one she'd brought struck her as way too puritanical for this city.

They were staying at the fabulous Fasano Hotel on Ipanema, and although Bliss enjoyed sunning on the roof deck, she'd itched to walk the coast on her own. BobiAnne had asked her to take Jordan with her, and the sisters were having fun swimming in the ocean and people watching. Brazilians wore skimpy bikinis, no matter their shape or size; it was liberating and somewhat appalling at the same time. The American in Bliss believed grandmothers should not wear thongs.

Still, she was really starting to enjoy herself, relaxing in the sultry weather and forgetting they were in Rio for some fairly serious stuff. She'd overheard Forsyth talking to Nan Cutler, and it sounded as if Lawrence was in a real mess. Her parents didn't say anything, but it was obvious they were unsettled and anxious. Forsyth kept snapping at every little thing, and even BobiAnne was on edge. Bliss wondered if Schuyler had any luck contacting him.

Bliss hadn't been able to convince her family to bring Schuyler with them. ("Absolutely not," her father had said. "She is Charles's ward and I do not think he will give permission.") She'd done the next best thing and given Schuyler enough money from her personal account to secure a ticket. Schuyler was probably in the city already, but she was supposed to call Bliss when she got in, and so far Bliss hadn't heard from her. She hoped Schuyler was all right. Rio wasn't a place for young girls traveling alone.

She tried calling Dylan again, but there was no answer. The two of them had gotten into the habit of talking every night and checking in with each other during the day. She knew when he had yoga, when he had therapy, and what time he ate lunch. It bothered her he hadn't returned any of her messages. Where was he?

She dialed the main number of the center and asked for his counselor.

"Dylan?" The therapist's voice was cheerful. "He was checked out the other day."

"Really?" This was news to Bliss. Dylan hadn't even mentioned that he was eligible for release. "Do you know who picked him up?"

"Let's see..." There was a sound of papers shuffling. "It says here he was discharged to Senator Llewellyn."

Bliss felt uneasy. Obviously her father had failed to mention any of this to her. Maybe it was time to confront him about what she knew, but the thought of bringing it up with Forsyth made her stomach feel queasy. Dylan would call her when he got a chance, she was sure that he would. She would just have to wait. Next to her Jordan was huddled underneath an umbrella, covered with towels and layers of sunscreen. Bliss mocked her for it - taking out her unease over Dylan by insulting her sister.

"You don't tan either," Jordan retorted.

"Yeah, but I don't care. I like to burn."

"B, can I have a coco juice?" Jordan asked, pointing to a seller who was hawking the frosty wares.

"Sure." Bliss rooted in her bag for her wallet, when everything suddenly went white. She couldn't see a thing. She was completely blind, even though her eyes were wide open. It was the most unnatural, disturbing feeling - almost as if someone else were seeing through her eyes. As if there were another person inside her head.

When her vision returned, she was shaking.

"What just happened?" she asked Jordan.

Jordan's face was drained of color.

"Your eyes - they were blue." Bliss had green eyes, as green as the emerald that glinted around her neck.

"You're joking." Bliss laughed.

Jordan looked like she was trying to decide something. Finally she spoke. "Listen, you have to believe that I didn't have a choice, okay?" She grabbed Bliss's arm.

"What are you talking about?" Bliss asked, totally confused.

Jordan just shook her head, and Bliss was shocked to see her stoic younger sister so close to tears.

"Nothing, it's nothing." Jordan sniffed.

Bliss embraced her. "Take it easy, kid."

"Remember that you were truly like a sister to me." Jordan whispered so softly that Bliss wondered if she'd really said it or if she was just hearing things.

"Whatever it is you're worried about, everything's going to be okay, okay?" Bliss said, hugging her sister tightly. "Nothing's going to happen, I promise."