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

I’m sure he’ll listen to you.’
    Anna shook his head. ‘When it comes to her, Tristan never listens. She has him under her control and he just shuts me out. He even tells me to go and take my pills.’
    I was surprised by the report. I knew that Tristan was against his being unnecessarily medicated and approved of the ruse that Anna and I carried out when it came to taking her pills. But for him to tell her to take it is another matter. I began to wonder what sort of person Tristan became when it concerned his fiancée. It also dawned on me that this woman did not have good intentions towards Anna.
    Jace found us on the sidewalk and was relieved to see my arms wrapped around Anna as if she was my baby sister.
    ‘We got so worried,’ he started.
    ‘Jace,’ I said, ‘can you go back and get the car. I think Anna and I should eat out tonight.’
    Jace gave me an enquiring look but I did not say anything. I simply nodded for him to move and he eventually complied with my request. Going back to the house right now was too emotionally dangerous for Anna and I needed to stabilize her before doing anything else. Tristan’s fiancée’s presence would only make things worse.
    As we waited for Jace to come back, I felt my heart drop and the splintering effect at the thought of Tristan being with another woman. I felt stupid to even having such feelings towards the situation. I’m only here because of Anna. He just happens to be her brother and the man that is also paying me my weekly wage.
    ‘Where to?’ Jace asked. I sat in the backseat with Anna.
    ‘Somewhere,’ I said. ‘Just drive around for a little while.’
    Jace did as instructed. Anna had slipped into a volatile state and he trusted me to make the decisions. I eventually settled for a fast food joint three streets away and the three of us sat together at the small table. Anna picked at her food and I didn’t feel like eating. We went back to the mall and meandered around for a little bit more with Jace behind us like a security guard. After a few hours, I checked my watch and found that it was almost eight.
    ‘I think we should go back,’ I said when I judged Anna to be stable enough but she was reluctant to comply.
    ‘I’m not going home if she’s still there,’ she said with her arms crossed. I saw heat bubble beneath her skin and it felt like I was negotiating with a volcano. But Anna could not control these things. The drugs had messed with her system for so long that it would require time and guidance to help her through it. It was this knowledge that allowed me to be patient with her.
    I took out my phone and allowed her to see the screen as I flicked through the numbers in the list. I stopped and Tristan’s name and pressed the button to call him. Pressing the phone to my ear, I waited and listened to the ringing tone. Eventually someone picked up.
    ‘Yes?’ he said. My heart paused for a moment before I found my voice again.
    ‘Is she still there?’ I asked. I thought it came off a little bit harsh and sounded as if I was angry. I closed my eyes and wished that I had more control. 
    ‘Yes.’
    I walked away from Jace and Anna. They did not follow and instead watched me from across the mall. I felt like I needed some privacy.
    ‘She needs to go,’ I told him.
    Tristan paused. It made me uneasy and uncertain about myself. Who am I to order Tristan Vice about?
    ‘Come home,’ he said finally. I could not tell from his tone how he felt or what he thought. It was impossible to know especially when I could not see his face, not that it was going to somehow help me discern what went through his mind. Tristan was always icy towards me but it is another matter for him to enact this cruelty towards his sister.
    ‘Not until I have your word that she’ll be gone by the time we come back,’ I said. Tristan paused again and I felt the need to explain myself. ‘Anna’s in a fragile state and your fiancée is setting her off. I can’t do my job