Entangled (Vice Games) by Alice Cooper Read Free Book Online Page A

four and we returned home with nothing but what Lorraine put down on the grocery list. At first, the housekeeper was reluctant to give me the week’s shopping list but I convinced her that a trip down the fresh foods aisle was necessary for Anna’s sense of normalcy. Jace attempted to take in all the bags himself but I wouldn’t allow it. Anna happily volunteered to help with the load.
    As we entered the house, I noticed something d ifferent about it. There was a strong smell of perfume lingering in the air and Lorraine came out of the kitchen with a sour face. Anna’s smile quickly faded away and Jace fell silent. I frowned at everyone’s reaction and wondered what was going on.
    ‘She’s here, isn’t she?’ said Anna, her tone as cold as her brother when he spoke to me.
    Tristan Vice came down the stairs and I was surprised to see him home. It was Thursday and not yet six o’clock. He was usually still at the office. He had on his white shirt but it looked as if he had put it on himself in a hurry. It was the first time I’ve seen him like this. The top three buttons were undone and his hair was messy. Our eyes met momentarily and I enquired him with a glance. Although I lived in his house, Tristan made an effort not to speak to me. Conversations were only made if they concerned Anna.
    A woman walked out of his room and revealed herself to me. She was tall, blonde and looked like a model. She wore one of Tristan’s shirts. It was long enough to cover mid her thighs and she did not wear any pants. She made it no secret what went on between her and Tristan behind closed doors. I felt sick at the realization and my heart cracked with pain. The woman must be the dreaded fiancée I’ve yet to meet. Of course she must be. Who else could she be?
    Anna immediately dropped the grocery bags and left. I turned after her but she was already out through the door.
    ‘Anna,’ I called out after her. Placing the bags down, I chased after the girl. ‘Anna!’
    Anna was running down the driveway a nd out through the front gates. She continued to run until she was out of breath and when I finally caught up to her half way down the street, I saw that her face was covered in tears. She threw her arms around my neck and sobbed.
    ‘I hate her! I hate her! I hate her!’ she repeated in my ear.
    ‘Hey, everything’s going to be alright. I’m here now.’
    ‘That bitch is going to ruin everything,’ Anna cried.
    It’s been a while since I’ve heard Anna speak like that. I sat her down on the sidewalk, partly because I also needed a rest from the running. My legs were weak and jellylike. We plotted ourselves down on the concrete and Anna drew her knees up towards her chest.
    ‘Talk to me,’ I said to her. She rocked back and forth slightly as she spoke.
    ‘She’s horrible and Tristan isn’t Tristan when she’s around.’
    ‘What do you mean?’ I asked.
    ‘He turns icy and treats me as if…’ Anna’s chest began to heave and I sensed the imminent wave of a panic attack. Although being off the pills did help her a great deal, Anna was still prone to having outbursts when it got too stressful for her. I moved and wrapped my arms around her. It always helped her to remain calm.
    ‘Hush,’ I told her. ‘I’m here now. We’re in this together and I need you to stay calm.’
    Anna struggled to keep it under control. She breathed in deeply and held the air in her lungs until her face turned slightly purplish.
    ‘Alright, so Tristan turns into a complete ass when she’s around, have you ever tried talking to him about it?’
    Anna released her breath and shook her head.
    ‘Do you want to talk to him about it?’
    Anna shook her head again.
    ‘That’s not going to solve anything, now is it?’
    ‘He never listens to anyone when that bitch is around.’
    ‘Then you’ll have to talk to him when she’s not there. I mean, come on, you do live with him and he is your brother. When he’s in the right frame of mind,