Fated - A Mermaid's Curse 2 by Daniele Lanzarotta Read Free Book Online

the hospital took it off so I don’t say anything, but she notices me looking.
    She looks down at my hand over hers. “I’m sorry. It’s gone.”
    I smile at her. I then stand up and lay on the bed next to her. She adjusts herself so that she can lay her head against my chest. I reach for her hand, bringing it to my lips and kiss her finger, where the ring was. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get you a new one.”
     

 
    CHAPTER NINE
    OWEN
    As soon as I get in my car, everything hits me. “Fuck!” I allowed myself to feel bad for Arianna and Blake and I fucked up even more by doing so. I just single handedly managed to get them back together and dad is going to be furious. But what else could I do? There was no fixing Blake.
    It’s getting late and I know I need to save my ass before it’s too late so I head over to dad’s house.
    I’m greeted by my little sister, Molly, who hugs me and asks where Blake is.
    “ He is taking care of some things, but I’m sure he’ll come around sooner or later.”
    She looks sad. She’s only five, but ever since I can remember, she’s always been attached to Blake.
    “ Where is mom?” I ask.
    “ In the garden. I’m helping her.”
    She grabs my hand. “Come on.”
    I know I need to talk to dad before I tell mom that Arianna is back.
    I stop Molly. “Is dad home?” I ask.
    “ Yes. He’s working from his office. He’s not being very nice today.”
    ‘ Is there ever a day when he is?’ I mumble to myself.
    “ Good,” I say instead. “I’m going to talk to him for a minute then I’ll go outside. Don’t tell mom that I’m here, okay? I want to surprise her.”
    “ Okay,” she says before she runs outside yelling, “Mama, I have a surprise for you!”
    I shake my head and walk to dad’s office, knocking on the door.
    “ Come in,” he says in a cold tone.
    I get in and lock the door behind me.
    He sits behind the dark wooden desk, with a cigar on one hand and a glass of whiskey on the other.
    “ I’ve had a long day. You better have good news,” he warns me.
    “ Yes and no,” I say, still standing.
    “ Spill it.”
    “ Blake is… was… in pretty bad shape.”
    “ Obviously. And now?”
    “ Please listen to everything I have to say before you come to conclusions.”
    He glares at me, “Are you trying to tell me how to act?”
    “ No, sir. I’m sorry. It’s just that—there was a complication but it may actually help move things along.”
    “ Go on.” He lifts the glass and takes a sip.
    “ Arianna was found. She is in the hospital and Blake is with her.” I didn’t know how else to start saying it all, so I just blurted everything out.
    He slams the glass on the desk with such force that I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter.
    “ How the fuck is that supposed to move things along?”
    I clench my fists to keep from shaking, clear my throat and shrug, “Blake is a Crawford,” I say as if that explains it all, “Arianna is just a phase. He’ll leave her sooner or later. He’ll get bored and move on.”
    He considers it for a second. “No, I don’t think so. Blake is weak. I want her gone. Now.”
    “ Dad, you didn’t see how bad Blake was. There was no bringing him back. He was going to end up drinking himself to death. You’re right. He’s different. Just let him be for a while. The novelty of it all will warn off. He’ll see what is good for the family and let her go on his own terms.”
    “ And if he doesn’t?” he asks.
    “ I’ll make sure he does. Just give them some space and I’ll make sure the rest is done.”
    He sighs. “You’ll be the one paying for this if things don’t go as planned. If anything at all goes wrong,” he warns.
    “ I know.”
    He let’s out a grin. “Bigger mistakes lead to bigger scars,” he threatens.
    “ Yes, sir.”
    “ I still don’t want her in this house or at the island.”
    I nod, leaving out the part that the island now belongs to Blake.
    “ And Blake is to keep working for