Viola's Risk (The Twin Destinies Saga Book 2) (19 page)

Dominic walked out of the high security prison area and
right past where Viola, Cora, Liam and Sage were all waiting for him. They were
dying to know what Anna and Patrick had said, but refrained from asking when
they saw the ashen color and look of horror on his face.

“It’s bad isn’t it? What she plans on doing?” Viola asked
him, catching up and walking next to him. She got even more worried when he
didn’t acknowledge she was there or had said anything. He just kept walking.

His mind was trying to process the vileness that lived
inside of Anna and how she could possibly be related to Angelica and the twins.
Even after everything he’d seen and heard Anna do and say over the years, he
was not ready to process what she’d just said to him in that prison. Never
would he get those words out of his head.

“Hey, Dominic, you okay man?” Sage asked, concern
overflowing from his voice. The emotions rolling off of Dominic in waves made
him want to curl into a ball and hide himself, so he knew something major was
going on.

Dominic still didn’t respond and just kept walking until
he’d reached Thomas’ study and opened the door without knocking. He entered,
leaving the door open behind him for the others and crossed the room to where
Thomas was seated at his desk. Angelica was nowhere to be seen.

“How did it go?” Thomas asked, looking up from a document
he’d been reading.

Not saying anything, he reached up and disconnected the wire
he’d been wearing to record everything. He handed the device to Thomas with a
haunted look in his eyes, turned and walked out of the room,
without saying a word.

Viola took a step to follow Dominic, but Sage grabbed her
arm and held her back with a shake of his head.

“You don’t want to go after him right now Vi. He needs some
time alone to process,” Sage warned her with compassion.

“He needs me,” Viola said, looking out of the door after
him.

“He will after he fully wraps his mind around everything
Anna just said to him. Give him that time,” Sage said with a dark, worried look
on his face.

“Are you sure?” Viola asked, hoping Sage would change what
he’d said and let her go after Dominic.

“I’m sure if you go after him right now, you won’t like the
response you get from him. You’ll know when the time is right, but it isn’t
now,” Sage told her and dropped his hand, turning toward Thomas, who was
watching and listening intently.

“So what did happen?” Thomas asked as he set the recording
device down on his desk.

“It was very uneventful. There was one point where Dominic
almost attacked Anna, but I will let Viola fill you in on that,” Sage told
Thomas in a professional tone that betrayed none of his worry for Dominic’s
mental health at the moment.

“Viola? What happened?” Thomas asked, turning his gaze
toward her.

“I was monitoring the situation through our mental link when
Patrick said something to Anna about Dominic’s parents, brother and sister
still being alive. His focus shifted and I had to promise to help him find them
to get him back focused on the mission. He was close to abandoning the mission
itself to find out where they are being kept and how this information had been
kept from him. It was very difficult for him to pretend to be at Anna’s beck
and call, especially after learning that information,” Viola told Thomas with a
terrified look on her face. She wondered if leaving Dominic alone right now,
after learning his family was alive after all of this time, was such a good
idea.

“He’s not going to look for them right now Vi. I believe he
went to his room after leaving here, if my sense of his emotions is correct,”
Sage told her, trying to comfort her.

Viola nodded but didn’t say anything else. Thomas asked Cora
and Liam each for their assessments of the mission and they said pretty much
the same things Sage had said before he dismissed the four of them. Viola,
Cora, Liam and Sage all objected to being dismissed because they wanted to
listen to the recording as well, but Thomas would have none of it.

“You will find out what you need to know of what is on this
recording when you need to know. If Dominic’s reacting this badly to what is on
here, I need to review it before you listen to it,” Thomas told them in an
authoritative voice.

“You mean you want to screen it and only let Cora and I hear
what you want us to hear and edit out the rest,” Viola stated, bluntly.

“I am sure there are things on here neither of you need to
hear,” Thomas admitted.

“That’s crap. We have every right to hear what she has
planned for us. We don’t need anything sugar coated to make us feel better or
safer,” Cora stated in response.

“That may be true, but there are horrors Anna is capable of
that even the two of you are not aware of and do not need to be. As your
father, it is my duty to protect you and I admit, by allowing Anna and Patrick
to raise you, I have not done my duty at all. Let me do it now. You still have
time before you have to fulfill the prophecy. You have time to enjoy yourselves
and train to be ready, without having to look over your shoulder and worry
about what Anna has planned for you. Let me, as your father, carry that burden
for you,” Thomas said to them and they could see just how deeply he felt what
he was saying.

Cora and Viola looked at each other for a moment and then
back at their father.

“We still want to know what is on that recording. I think we
can agree to let you review it first though. I can’t say we’re okay with you
hiding anything on it, even if you feel that it’s what is best for us though,”
Cora told him in a much more gentle and understanding tone than Viola could
have managed. She still wanted to demand listening to it with Thomas, but knew
it was a battle they wouldn’t win.

“Both of us know you want to protect us, but we’re used to
protecting ourselves and each other, without anyone else looking out for us. We
need to know what is coming at us so we can be ready for it,” Viola pushed. “Go
ahead and listen to it, but don’t keep anything from us. We need to know.”

“You don’t have to do that anymore. You have us to watch
your backs and help protect both of you now,” Liam said, wrapping his arm
around Cora’s waist and pulling her closer.

Thomas and Sage nodded their agreement with Liam’s words,
but neither Cora nor Viola would let it go. The more Thomas fought against them
knowing, the greater the need to know what Anna had planned grew in each of
them. For Viola, it was becoming a desperate need, not only to be able to
protect herself and Cora, but to know what had upset Dominic to the point where
he was almost catatonic.

“This isn’t just about Cora and I. I need to know how to
help Dominic. What is on that recording will help me with that. I need to know,”
Viola said, meeting her father’s eyes and locking gazes. They stayed that way
for a few moments before Thomas nodded in resolution.

“I will fill you in on what was said, but if I feel that I
need to, I will tone it down for you,” Thomas said and held his hand up when
Viola opened her mouth to object. “No, I’m not going to edit it, just make it
less graphic.”

Appeased, Viola and Cora both nodded their heads and headed
out of the study without saying anything further. Viola headed straight for
Dominic’s room with the others following behind her. They were all worried
about how Dominic was holding himself together after his encounter with Anna and
Patrick.

Viola knocked, but Dominic didn’t respond. She was worried,
but could sense his presence in the room, which meant he hadn’t taken off to go
find his family without her. She could also get a vague sense of the pain he
was feeling and terror in his heart. When she reached out to him to try to find
out what was going on, she found that he’d blocked their mental connection,
which tore her apart.

“Dominic, let me in so we can talk,” Viola called through
the door hoping he’d respond, but not surprised when he didn’t.

“I told you he needs some space right now,” Sage said,
leaning against the wall across from Dominic’s bedroom door.

Viola shot Sage one of those looks that could kill and tried
knocking again. When he didn’t answer, she leaned her back against the wall
next to the door and slid down to sitting on the floor.

“You might be there a while,” Sage said. “He’s not going to
be ready to talk anytime soon.”

“How do you know Sage? Why are you even here right now?”
Viola said, wishing he would back off and go do something else.

“I can sense his emotions remember? There is too much
running through him right now for him to handle being around anyone else,
especially you, who brings up even more emotions for him. Men don’t talk out their
feelings like women do. We process them and move on, that is what he’s trying
to do right now. I’m here because you are family and I care about both of you.
You don’t have to like it but you are going to deal with it,” Sage explained
with impatience.

“It’s funny, you weren’t this invested in Cora and Liam’s
problems when they were having them before they were mated. What is your big
fascination with mine and Dominic’s problems?” Viola snapped back.

“Viola stop. Sage is just trying to help and you’re taking
your frustration out on him. He’s family and a great friend who is trying to be
there for you right now,” Cora said, leaning down and getting into Viola’s face
to make sure her sister was paying attention.

“Butt out Cora,” Viola sneered at her sister.

“You know we all love and care about you Vi. You’ve gotta
stop turning on us every time you’re stressed out or upset about something,”
Cora said, hurt in her voice from her sister’s rejection.

“You know, I’m pretty tired of having all of you following
me around like I need babysitters. I don’t see everyone following you around
that way. I’m not a small child who needs to be watched over every second of
the day or to be told how to do and handle things. Just leave me alone,” Viola
yelled at the group.

Tears were rolling down Cora’s cheeks by the time Viola
finished yelling at them. Nobody said anything as they stared at her, wondering
if she was close to exploding like she’d done before.

“Oh give me a break. I’m not going to explode and start
spewing powers everywhere and at everyone. Just go away already,” Viola said
and turned her head away from all of them.

Liam took Cora’s hand and led her away from where Viola sat
waiting for Dominic to open his door. Sage continued to lean back against the
wall across from Dominic’s door, not saying a word.

Sage and Viola stayed like that for what felt like hours
before Liam came walking back up the hallway.

“Hey, anything yet?” he asked Sage in a low voice, being
very careful to ignore Viola who was still sitting on the floor next to
Dominic’s door.

“Nope, not a thing,” Sage replied.

“Dinner’s ready, Thomas and Angelica want the two of you to
come to the dining room now,” Liam reported, unease in his voice.

“You two go ahead, I’m waiting right here,” Viola responded,
her hazel eyes daring either male to argue with her.

“It wasn’t a request Viola. I was told to carry you there if
I had to. I don’t want to do that but I will if you force me to,” Liam said,
looking at Viola.

“Nah, you go ahead to dinner, we’ll be there in a few
minutes,” Sage responded, letting Liam off the hook. Liam gave him a grateful
smile and nodded his head before turning and heading back the way he’d come.

“I’m not leaving here, Sage. Whether Dominic knows it or
not, he needs me right now,” Viola replied, exhaustion in her voice.

“Viola, you are beyond tired. You need to refuel your body
so you can be there for Dominic when he’s ready to accept your help, which is
not right now. He knows you’re out here. He knows you care and want to help him,
but your vigil out here is making it take longer because he’s also worrying
about you. Let’s give him a break and go get some dinner,” Sage told her,
coming over to crouch down in front of her as he spoke and reached a hand out
for Viola to place hers in so he could help her to stand.

“I feel so useless,” Viola groaned.

“You are not useless Vi. You are doing the best you can
under these circumstances. You know what Anna can do to a person’s mind first
hand and so does he. He just needs to work through what she’s done to him this
time around,” Sage explained to her with understanding in his voice.

Viola looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry I
snapped at you earlier. I just want to help him so much.”

“I know Little Sis. Knowing how much you care, does help
him. He’s just not ready to be around anyone yet and you need to respect that.
Give him his space and he’ll come back to you quicker. I promise you that,”
Sage said with a sincerity that Viola had trouble arguing with. She nodded her
head and placed her hand in his, allowing him to help her to her feet.

“Do you think they’ll have already assessed that recording
and have some information for us yet?” Viola asked, trying to distract herself
from the fact that Dominic was shutting himself away from her.

“Only one way to find out,” Sage said as he led her down the
hall, toward the dining room. Viola made a mental note to make sure there was
food taken to Dominic’s room before she went to bed tonight.

Dinner was quiet and strained around the table. Viola just
picked at her food, her appetite almost non-existent with the events that had
occurred that day. She was so worried about Dominic she wanted to cry for his
pain.

“Viola, you should eat some of that instead of just pushing
it around on your plate. You need your strength,” Angelica told her in a gentle
motherly voice.

“I know Mom, I’m just not hungry,” Viola said, sounding
tired.

“I know you’re worried about Dominic, but he’s strong and he
will pull through this. Believe in him, that’s what he needs most right now,”
Angelica said, understanding in her eyes as she gazed at her daughter.

“I just wish he would let me help him,” Viola said and set
her fork down on the plate.

“He will when he’s ready. The things Anna said to him will
take a little while to process, especially now that you are his mate,” Thomas
said, his voice grim which made Viola’s eyes get wider as horror filled them.

“What did she say to him?” Viola whispered. “It was about me
wasn’t it?”

“It was about both you and Cora. I know you want to know
what was on that recording but I have to say, you shouldn’t know. Never in a
million years did I ever think my sister was that depraved,” Angelica said,
sorrow in her voice.

“We need to know Mom,” Cora said, placing her hand on
Angelica’s shoulder.

“We understand why you feel the need to know, but some
things you just shouldn’t.” Thomas replied when Angelica was too choked up to
do so.

“You promised to tell us,” Viola said, betrayal filling her
tone.

“Never in my wildest imagination did I think it was as bad
as it was when I made that promise. Believe me, I don’t break my promises
easily, but this is one time I feel I must. If you know what is on that
recording, you won’t even be able to sleep tonight. I doubt your mother, myself
or Dominic will be,” Thomas said in an ominous voice. The dark look in his eyes
made Viola and Cora worry even more about what Anna had planned for them.

“If it’s that bad then we need to know more than ever what
she has planned. We can’t be sitting ducks, just waiting for her to be able to
do what she wants to with us. We need to get ahead of her and stop it before
she gets to that point. As it stands, neither of us will sleep wondering about
it all night,” Cora spoke up before Viola could. She’d seen the fury swimming
in her twin’s eyes and knew they’d get further with logic than Viola’s temper.

“I would rather have you sleepless wondering about it than
sleepless in fear. You’ve had to deal with enough fear from that woman
throughout your lives. It ends now. We are
not
going to tell you what
was on that recording. That’s the end of this discussion,” Thomas declared,
voice firm and eyes blazing.

“But…” Viola started and Thomas silenced her with a look.
Sage placed his hand on her shoulder and shook his head when she glanced over
at him, warning her to back off. If she persisted, things would get ugly and
fast.

The room became so silent you could hear a pin drop. Cora
and Viola were having one of their silent conversations, debating whether they
should pursue the conversation with their parents or take a different route to
get the information they wanted. In the end, they decided to regroup later and
figure it out.

Cora and Viola stood and exited the room together without
saying another word to anyone. They were furious at their father for going back
on his promise to tell them what was on that recording.

Liam stood to follow the girls but Thomas told him to sit
down and let them be. Cora was glad he had because she knew if Liam knew what
her and Viola were about to do, he’d try to stop them. She didn’t want to have
to fight with her mate about it.

When they reached Viola’s room, they closed the door and
locked it. Flopping down onto the bed, they looked at each other.

“Well, any ideas?” Cora asked.

“I have a few. It depends on whether we’re trying to get the
info from Dominic or get our hands on that recording,” Viola said with a shrug.

“I don’t think Dominic’s gonna tell us. I’m pretty sure by
his reaction to what Anna said first hand, he’s going to side with everyone else,”
Cora told her sister.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure you’re right on that. The only way to
get it out of Dominic is to push him into it and I don’t want to fight with
him. Especially not right now after everything that’s happened,” Viola said
with a sigh.

“So, that leaves getting our hands on that recording. Where
do you think it is?” Cora asked, putting her hands behind her head to get a
little more comfortable.

“I’m betting it’s in Thomas’ study under lock and key. I’m
sure there’s nowhere else he’d feel it would be safe from us,” Viola said with
a mischievous grin on her face.

“You’re probably right on that. It’s a good thing for us he
doesn’t know us that well. Patrick thought he could keep stuff locked away from
us too and never succeeded,” Cora said, grinning back at Viola.

“Idiots,” Viola said, laughing. “They’ll find out soon
enough now won’t they?”

“Most definitely,” Cora said and laughed with her sister.

There was a knock at the door, but neither girl moved to
answer it. They didn’t want to talk to anyone at the moment whom was going to
side with Thomas against them.

The knock came again after a couple of minutes and Viola
rolled her eyes. “Go away,” she yelled at the door.

“Cora, I need to talk to you,” Liam called out.

“Are you going to tell us what’s on that recording? We know
our parents told you,” Cora yelled through the door to him.

“No. I am not going to tell you that,” Liam said, the horror
in his voice telling the girls he now knew what was on it.

“Then we have nothing to say to each other right now. I’m
going to stay here with Vi tonight,” Cora yelled back.

“Don’t do this Cora,” Liam called back, misery in his voice.
Cora could feel his pain through their connection so she let him feel the full
extent of her betrayal, hurt and anger.

“I’m staying here tonight. Maybe we’ll talk tomorrow, maybe
not. It depends on how I’m feeling. Leave us alone,” Cora yelled back, tears
forming in her eyes at having to push her mate away so they could complete
their personal mission, but it had to be done.

“Trust me, the two of you do not want to know what’s on that
recording,” Liam warned them through the door. “Let it go and let us protect
you.”

“Whatever Liam. Go away,” Viola called back as the tears
streamed down Cora’s face and she pulled her sister in for a tight hug before
her resistance caved in and she ran to Liam.

“You two need to listen to reason,” Liam yelled back, anger
and frustration leaking into his voice at their stubborn resistance to talking
to him.

“You need to leave now,” Viola called back, anger filling
her voice as well.

Liam let out a loud, frustrated growl and stomped down the
hall and stairs. Cora’s tears flowed even faster the further away his footsteps
got.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get our hands on that recording tonight
and you can be back with Liam tomorrow,” Viola whispered to her sister as she
soothed Cora’s pain-filled sobs. She felt Cora nod her head against her chest
and her mind went to planning how they were going to get their hands on that
recording sooner rather than later.