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

me.”
    I nod and I know he is already planning to overload Blake with work so he doesn’t have time for Arianna, but at least this buys them some time alone until we all figure something out, because right now, other than buying time, I have no fucking clue what any of us should do. Who knows… maybe Arianna will miss home and have to go back… I can only hope.
    Dad watches me carefully. “Don’t let this drag for too long or I’ll intervene.”
    I nod and walk away to find Mom and Molly still working in the garden.
    As soon as I step outside, Molly jumps up and down yelling, ‘SURPRISE!’
    Mom watches me then asks Molly to run inside and put her gardening tools away.
    “ I heard you were spending some time with Blake. Is he okay? He won’t return my calls.” She looks saddened.
    “ He’ll be okay. I took him to the hospital earlier today. They found Arianna. She is going to be okay, too.”
    She smiles and rushes to hug me. “Thank God!” she says.
    “ Yeah,” I say and it comes out a bit harsh.
    “ What’s wrong?” she asks.
    I sigh. “I think I talked Dad into letting them be, but only because I got him to believe this is just a phase.”
    “ Oh,” she pauses, “this could be good.”
    “ Yeah, he still doesn’t know about the island and he doesn’t want her either there or here.”
    She smiles up at me. “We’ll figure everything out with time, son. Don’t worry.”
    She lets out a sigh of relief. “Do you think we should go see her?” she asks.
    “ Nah. Give her some time alone with Blake. I’m sure you’ll be the first to know when they’re ready for visits.”
    “ Of course. You’re right.”
    “ Mom, do you remember what happened to Mrs. Lauren and her daughter?” I ask.
    She freezes. “That was such a long time ago. What brought that on?”
    I shrug, “I ran into a friend the other day who mentioned her. That’s all.”
    She looks uncomfortable. “I remember you and Jenna used to be so close. Remember when your dad caught you kissing her? He was furious—“
    She cuts herself off. Yeah, I remember. She was my first kiss and he caught us.
    “— Anyway, that was such a long time ago. I don’t even remember what happened,” she lies and I let it go.
    I tell her I’m exhausted and say bye to her and Molly before I head back to my apartment.
    ***
    I wake up early the next morning and head to the hospital. I barely make my way out of the elevator when Arianna’s doctor stops me. I find some comfort in him knowing the truth about everything, which his father, Eric, told him.
    “ Is everything okay?” I ask.
    “ Yes, but, I want to talk to her alone and well… that means I need your brother off her side for a few minutes.”
    I nod. “Okay. I need to talk to him anyway. Just give me a minute to get him out of the room.
    The doc nods and goes to talk to one of the nurses.
    I walk into the room to find Arianna sleeping with her head on Blake’s chest. He’s awake, and stares blankly at me as he plays with her hair.
    “ Hey, how is she?” I whisper.
    “ Better, I think.”
    “ Good. I need to talk to you.”
    “ Not now, Owen.”
    “ It’s about Dad. It’s important.”
    I can see him tense. He slowly moves away from her side, making sure her head is now against the pillow and that she is comfortable. He kisses her forehead and follows me out. I take him to the visitor’s area and we sit down on the couch.
    He looks like crap, but I’m glad to see him sober for once.
    “ Did you get any sleep?”
    He shakes his head.
    “ Dad agreed to lay off you and Arianna for a while.”
    He gives me a puzzled look.
    “ Look, man, just enjoy it okay? She’s still not allowed at the house or at the island, but she can stay at your apartment.”
    “ But the island is mine now.”
    “ Yes, and I didn’t want to push our luck by mentioning that. Anyway, just come to work and act like you’re into it and that is all.”
    “ I want to stay with her today,” he says.
    I