Chapter Five

~Charlotte~

The alarm still echoes faintly when I enter my room and lock the door.

After a long night, the last thing I want is to be in danger. Pretending to be Scarlett and still being recognized by Sebastian had already strained my heart.

What shitty luck do I have that he was bartending at the gala tonight.

What I shared with Sebastian ran deeper than romantic love, and when I remember the terrifying rage on his face, I know explaining it to Stefan is impossible.

I crane my neck, trying to listen for any sound. I don't hear Stefan or the bodyguard stationed outside. I had heard them arguing before, but the penthouse is silent now.

I grab the nearest thing that could be used as a weapon—my potted cactus plant. Useless against armed robbers, but I can't just hold nothing.

My legs start pacing. I'm hoping it's nothing—a false alarm.

I've had enough panic for one day.

Then I hear my phone ring and the shrill sound almost stops my heart.

“My goodness,” I mutter, hurrying to grab my phone off the bed where I threw it in my haste to find a weapon.

An unknown number flashes on the screen.

My first thought is Sebastian. But I had changed my number, and there's no way he could have gotten it.

My mother then? No.

…Scarlett?

My stomach twists at the thought. It's been three weeks, and nothing from her.

Could she be calling me now?

About to explain why she left so abruptly?

To apologize for abandoning me?

I tremble slightly as I answer and put the phone to my ear.

The voice that filters through isn't the soft voice of Scarlett, or my mother, or even Sebastian.

It's calm. Cold. Familiar.

“Hello, little dove.”

My blood turns to ice. The cactus slips from my fingers and shatters on the floor.

I know that voice. A voice I thought I'd never hear again.

“No,” I whisper, my stomach dropping to the floor.

“Yes, little dove. I'm back.”

I can’t move. Can’t breathe. Frozen with memories of a time I buried deep inside.

“You've done well for yourself, Mrs. Reimann,” he laughs and goosebumps ripple over my skin. “I hear your husband is a CEO and an aspiring senator. Hmmm. Nice.”

“Please, Erik.” His name drips like a curse from my lips, tainting the air.

Erik Ortega.

My brother. Somehow out of prison.

“I’m sure he can drop some millions for his brother-in-law, right?”

A loud bang on the door jolts me and the phone clatters to the floor.

“Charlotte! I heard something break. Are you okay in there?!” Stefan’s muffled comes through.

My body trembles with fear as I stare at the phone like a live grenade.

“Open the door, Charlotte!” The banging gets more frenzied.

The phone goes off as the call ends, and somehow I get moving, unlocking the door before Stefan breaks it down.

He rushes in, his wild eyes scanning the room, a gun raised in his hand. Behind him, the bodyguard steps forward, armed as well, and moves through my room, checking for hiding assailants he won't find.

Stefan sees the broken pot of my cactus, then his gaze rests on my tearstained face and…softens.

“What happened, Charlotte?”

“I—” A shiver cuts through me like a knife. My words form a lump in my throat that chokes me.

“My…”

Stefan quietly passes his gun to the bodyguard and gathers me into his arms, as if his hug can stop me from breaking apart.

It barely does anything.

Erik resurfacing brings dark tides.

All my revenge plans will burn from his recklessness. He ruins everything.

He always ruins everything.

“It's okay, Charlotte. It was a false alarm. Something tripped the rooftop access, and I'm guessing it's a pigeon.”

A sob escapes me. It's sad to hear Stefan think I'm scared because of the alarm.

I'm scared of who has done it.

How did he find out where we live?

How is he out of prison?!

Stefan runs a soothing hand down my back. “Don't cry. I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you.”

I clutch his shirt as another sob wracks my body.

Erik shouldn't be here. Stefan must not know about him. But with Scarlett gone, how am I going to do this?

Stefan tightens his hold. “Breathe, Charlotte. You're safe. You're okay.” His voice has lost its edge, and there is an unrecognizable warmth laced within.

I take a deep breath, inhaling his smoky scent, and letting the solid feel of him comfort me.

“Edgar, can you make some tea, please?” he orders the guard, who leaves quickly.

After a long minute of me controlling my tears and panicky breathing, I feel much better and able to focus.

And I focus on the wrong thing. The feel of Stefan. His steady breathing. His warmth. The soft concern in his voice.

“Are you okay?” He asks, noticing I've gone quiet.

“Yes.”

He pulls back slightly to look at me. Gently brushing hair out of my face and wiping my tears with his thumbs.

“I'm sorry. I'm normally not like this,” I sniffle.

He laughs. A strange sound that slides down to my belly and sets it on fire.

“I know. You don't have to apologize.”

I nod, still holding onto his shirt even though I have to let go.

“So…a cactus? What were you trying to do with that?” He asks incredulously.

It's my turn to laugh. “Defend myself.”

Another tear slips out of my eye and he wipes it away, a light chuckle rumbling from his chest. “I don't think a cactus would get you very far.” His hands, big and warm, cup my face. “But your tears might. They would take one look at your adorable face and leave.”

I half laugh, half snort. “You're not making me feel better.”

“Yet you're laughing.” Stefan smiles and the sight stuns me.

No anger, no cold hatred. His face breaks like dawn and floods my mind with light. My hand reaches up with a mind of its own to touch his face.

This time, he doesn't flinch…he leans in, and the air around us hums with electricity.

Warning bells go off in my head, telling me to back away. To put an end before it begins.

I'm here to destroy the man who killed my father.

Yet my mouth is parting, eager for his, all my thoughts fading away like mist.

Stefan kisses me and everything stops existing.

The kiss isn't tender or probing. It's demanding and possessive, like my mouth is his to claim.

I return his kiss, wanting more of him. An ache blooming between my legs as I press myself against the hard cut muscles of his body.

“Scarlett…” he murmurs against my lips, and my body immediately freezes like I've been doused with ice water.

Scarlett?

I shove him away from me, realising my stupidity.

Horrors paints his face. “Wait, Charlotte, I—”

“Get out, Stefan.”

He runs a frazzled hand through his hair and backs away, his face becoming cold and unreachable once more.

I slam the door and lock it. Shame clings to me as the weight of what I'd just done sinks in.

“I'm so stupid,” I mutter, rubbing my mouth as if I can wipe off the lingering feel of his lips.

He loves my twin sister. He killed my father. I hate him.

My focus sharpens once more, and my eyes fall to my other hand which I had slipped inside his pocket when he hugged me.

A silver key rests in my palm.

A key that unlocks his study of secrets.