Crushed (19 page)

Accepting their family meant accepting the fights, the disappointments, the problems. It also meant embracing their happiness, love, and support.

It wasn't an easy road that lay ahead, but Sophie no longer questioned her decision to stay.

She'd found what she needed to believe in.

*  *  *

The sound of the clock ticking in the background was the only reminder of time continually passing by.

As Sophie stood in the hallway outside of the living room, she felt all the warmth she'd held the day before leak out.

The house was cold and empty without the kids in it. They'd left an hour before to go on a picnic in the park. She'd been invited to go, but declined at the last minute, wanting to finish unpacking the last of her things.

It seemed that Robert had assumed she'd gone, as he hadn't informed her that they had company. In truth, both Cleo and himself were oblivious to her presence outside the doorway. It was obvious from the way they were speaking to one another.

"You're not surprised she lasted this long." Robert commented the moment Sophie had approached the doorway.

"She has her parents blood in her. I'm not surprised." Cleo answered, a smile in her tone.

If that had been all she'd heard, Sophie would've stepped in to announce herself. Before she had the chance, Cleo continued.

"What surprises me is that you haven't told her the truth yet."

"I'm still hoping she chooses a path away from this life." He replied.

"You insult me, Rob. Don't you like working with someone like myself?" Cleo joked.

"I'm not like the rest of them. I don't have a life of opportunity ahead of me."

"She will need to find out soon." Cleo sounded like she was amused at the prospect.

"You're planning on using her?" Robert's voice was emotionless.

"She's proven that she has the potential."

"If you asked me to, I would take her place. You know I'm the best there is."

"Not the best in the world, but the best available to me, yes. However, this is not your mission. They were not your parents."

Sophie clenched her fists, too taken in by their conversation to think clearly.

"She still thinks they died when she was three. It won't be easy convincing her the truth." Sophie listened to him shift his position.

"It would be silly of her not to accept the truth at this point. If she's come this far accepting such a strange lifestyle, more hidden truths shouldn't be a surprise."

"We'll see about that." He sighed again.

"Don't tell me she's grown on you. I didn't consider you the kind of man who grew attached."

"I made a promise to her mother." He admitted. "Back when I first came here. I don't keep my word on many things, Cleo, but I promised myself I wouldn't fail her."

"It's interesting how one letter can change everything." Cleo made a dramatic sigh.

Sophie's heart sank. She felt chill bumps race up her arm. Without recognizing it, she'd begun to hope for something impossible.

If what they were saying was true, it seemed like her parents could still be alive.

"Well, a lot of good that did them." Cleo commented patronizingly. "Their reckless actions will probably lead to death of their beloved daughter."

"Does it have to lead to that?" Robert's voice was grave.

"If she fails me, I'll make sure of it." Cleo's tone had grown cruel. "Max wasn't the only one Gerry and Anne betrayed. I'm not a forgiving person."

Sophie heard someone stand, and gradually began backing away from the doorway.

"I guess I was right, in the end." Robert said, his voice unnervingly close. "It would've been better if I hadn't discovered her."

Sophie realized too late that she was going to be caught. Before she could disappear, the sound of footsteps caused her to freeze.

Robert paused in the living room doorway, his eyes focusing on her without a hint of surprise.

"It would've been better if she'd chosen to run away." He whispered, his words directed only to her.

CHAPTER NINE

It seemed as if every danger in the world became less threatening when I accepted the fact that I was no longer alone in the fight.

Sophie found all the truth she needed in Robert's eyes.

The countless warnings he'd given her before were nothing compared to the reality he'd just doused her with.

She took one step backwards, her eyes still locked with his. Cleo hadn't noticed her presence, but it would be only a matter of time. Sophie continued to back away from Robert, until she'd reached the staircase. Without hesitating, she silently raced up the steps, bolting for her bedroom.

Downstairs she heard both of them moving around. It seemed like Cleo was still oblivious to the fact that they'd been overheard. She listened to the front door open and close as silence filled the house.

As if something inside her had snapped, Sophie began moving without thinking. All she knew was that she had to get as far away as possible.

She pulled out a duffle bag from the pile of moving boxes she'd been meaning to get rid of. Ripping open her drawers, she tossed heaps of close into the bag. She was in such a rush, she couldn't think clearly about what she would need. It was impossible to pause with her heart racing as fast as it was. Her hands were shaking so much she ended up dropping half of what she was trying to shove into the bag.

"You just now decided to listen?" Robert asked from her doorway. He was leaning against it casually, but his face was locked in a serious mask.

She ignored him, continuing to force piles of her things into the quickly expanding bag.

"It's too late to runaway." He warned.

The only thought in her mind was escaping. When she was satisfied she couldn't possibly fill up the duffle bag anymore, she turned on him. She didn't want to fight this battle, but he was in her way.

"Move." She ordered, her eyes spitting flames. She tried to shove passed him, but he braced his arm against the other side of the doorway so she couldn't get by.

"You're dead, remember?" He slipped his free hand behind him, pulling out a newspaper article from his back pocket. He tossed it on the floor, forcing her to pick it up herself.

She didn't bother to read the article, as the message was summed up by the title.

MISSING GIRL CONFIRMED DEAD.

Sophie's stomach sank in dread. Before, the idea of her missing had only seemed like a way to hide the fact she was working for Cleo. Now, the article seemed to predict her fate.

The memory of Cleo saying she wouldn't mind killing her was too fresh to forget. In the back of her mind, she heard Luke telling her that they were all pawns.

Pawns that could be sacrificed at any moment.

There wasn't a doubt in Sophie's mind that Cleo could murder her and get away with it.

"Didn't you want me to leave?" Sophie tossed the article back at him. "You're getting your wish."

"The time limit for making the right decision has passed. Your little mission with Luke sealed your fate."

Sophie closed her eyes, feeling the inevitability of what he would say next.

"Cleo's decided to make you an investment. She believes that Max has seen something in you worth scouting. Since he doesn't know who you are, she believes he sent Luke to encourage you to join him."

"Max doesn't even know we met!" She argued, though there was no fight in her voice.

"It doesn't matter. Cleo's made up her mind." He tugged the duffle bag away from her, dropping it loudly on the floor. "You won't last a day before she finds you."

"I didn't sign up to play this kind of game." Sophie hissed. "If you wanted me to leave, all you needed to say was that I could be killed for messing up."

"I thought after finding out about your parents you could put the pieces together." He answered calmly. "If you need to blame someone other than yourself, you can thank your parents. Without them, Cleo wouldn't have the incentive to hurt you."

"What could they've done that could be so bad?" She asked in desperation.

"What do thieves do?" He answered, crossing his arms.

"Who'd they steal from?" Sophie felt her energy draining out of her.

"Everyone who matters in this business." Robert's eyes narrowed. "I should let you know that if I tell you everything now, you have no choice but to follow Cleo's plan. Once she finds out that you know, there'll be nothing stopping her from forcing you to do what she wants."

"Don't act like I have a choice. If you don't tell me now, she'll only tell me later. I'm perceptive enough to know I've already become a pawn."

"True enough." Robert's eyes grew impossibly colder as he watched her. "Your parents didn't die in a car accident when you were three years old."

Sophie had already worn through the shock of his comment when he'd mentioned it to Cleo before. Now, she was naive enough to hope.

"They're still alive?" She asked, hoping he didn't catch the eagerness in her voice.

"They were murdered when you were ten years old." His eyes never left her face. "After leaving you with your grandparents, they spent their last seven years running away from Max."

"Except they weren't my real grandparents?"

"No. They worked for Cleo as artists that made replicas. Your parents met them through Cleo. They'd retired from this business for a few years before your parents gave you to them." His eyes dropped to the floor. "When they decided to quit, they vanished from Cleo's radar. Which is why you lived your entire life without encountering us."

"So, I was abandoned." The thought was even crueler when she put it into words.

"I assume it was to protect you."

"For seven years?" Sophie scowled up at him. "They lived for seven years while allowing me to be raised by strangers."

"It's not my job to judge them." Robert stood up from his leaning position. "That's all I have for you." He turned away.

"There's more." She shot at him angrily. "You haven't told me everything."

"I've told you all you need to know. Your parent's stole from some very important people, and you've happened to inherit their punishment."

"There's no chance I could just walk out on this now?" Sophie clenched her fists. "I don't want to die for something like this." She hadn't wanted to admit it, but she was terrified. It was only now that she truly comprehended the danger she'd gotten herself into.

"You're not going to die." He replied confidently, turning his dark blue gaze on her face.

"Cleo said..." She began.

"Cleo said you would be punished if you failed. You're not going to fail."

"How can you be so sure?" Sophie whispered, searching his face.

Robert grinned, though again, his smile did not reach his eyes. "I might be going to hell for a number of other reasons, but I'm not going to have your death on my shoulders." He paused, looking like he was forcing out the last part. "What Cleo said just now was an empty threat."

"Why don't I believe that?"

"Probably because you know that even if she doesn't kill you, the threat is still out there." His words were becoming stronger "It's scary at first, but you'll get used to it."

"I don't get used to threats."

"Look." Robert glared at her, sounding exasperated. "I'm trying to tell you to trust me. Isn't that what you said you wanted? Someone to trust?"

"I thought you wouldn't turn into someone I can trust?" She asked, too tired to really feel awed by his declaration.

"The only people in this world that are allowed to trust me are those three kids. They've gotten attached to you, so now you're someone I need to protect as well. The moment we succeed in getting what Cleo wants, you'll be well on your way to that golden future of yours. If you need something to believe in, believe in that."

"Are you willing to risk yourself by helping me?" She asked doubtfully.

"It's a gamble, but everyone knows I'm lucky." He winked at her slyly. "The kids will be home soon, so clean up your mess." He motioned to the clothes strewn around her room.

"You...really think I'll be okay?" Sophie didn't mean for her question to sound childish, but she needed just a little bit more reassurance.

"I wouldn't be betting on you if I felt like you were going to lose. Keep your chin up, darling." He disappeared up the staircase leading to his room before she could reply.

As she stared at the empty hallway, Sophie knew she'd just become aware of an unavoidable darkness. All the facts she'd learned about her parents could be dealt with later, but at this moment she needed to accept her actions.

Yes, she'd joined on without knowing what it meant to belong in this business. Yes, if she made the wrong move it could end up killing her. This was a dangerous world, but it was no longer one she could run away from.

This development was just another challenge, another hurdle to overcome. As long as she saw it like that, it became easier to push forward.

After all, she wouldn't be facing it all on her own. She had Teddy, Gwyn, and Rylan to support her. Luke, despite who he worked for, seemed to want to help her as well.

Then there was Robert, who had just offered the one thing he'd sworn he would never give her.

Yes, she would have to embrace this life she'd chosen.

However, her fear had all but faded away.

*  *  *

"This is what you call a training session?" Sophie asked with mock disappointment as she entered the living room.

To help calm Sophie after this mornings events, Robert had offered to teach her the basics of self defense. While it didn't fix everything that had happened, it did give her something to look forward to.

Robert had told her to meet him in the living room at five o'clock, but the scene before her eyes wasn't anything like she'd been expecting.

Teddy was sprawled out on the carpet, his hands propping up his head as he stared determinedly at the TV. Disney's Aladdin was on, and Teddy was completely focused on the movie.

"This better not count as my training." Sophie narrowed her eyes, not putting it passed Robert to say it was.

"Why not?" Robert asked, a smile of his face. He was sitting on the couch, glancing through a book absentmindedly. When she entered the room his face lit up.

Sophie noticed that his expression was similar to a child that had just been given a new toy to play with. She stifled a groan, realizing this wasn't going to be as informational as she'd hoped.

"Aladdin is the best thief ever." Teddy mumbled, though he glared at them as if to tell them shut up.

"Where are the others?" Sophie asked as she sat down beside Robert. It was obvious that her training wouldn't start until after Teddy's movie was finished.

"Upstairs." Robert said, as if he didn't see any significance in his answer.

"Alone?" While she didn't want to be overprotective, she couldn't help but feel frustrated with Rylan. Before she could think about hesitating, she stood to go find them.

"We were actually in the kitchen cooking dinner." Gwyn commented from the doorway. "Thanks for trying to get us in trouble." She scowled at Robert.

"Why would you get in trouble?" He asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Never mind." Sophie scowled at him as well, exasperated with his inability to see the obvious.

Teddy gave a dramatic sigh as he clicked off the television.

"Is the movie over?" Gwyn asked, coming to sit down beside of him.

"You were being too loud!" He complained. "I couldn't hear it!"

Sophie, Robert, and Gwyn hid their smiles. Teddy might've wanted to seem angry, but they couldn't take him seriously with his black curls continually falling in his face. The way he had to constantly keep pushing them back was amusing.