Rivals

Chapter 4

"The Plan"

    I haven't been able to rid my thoughts of what happened last night. I can't even seem to think straight. As much as I'm trying to deny it, I am involved with this lethal business now.

Rio. I'm covering his tracks as if it's not a dangerous role to play - as if his presence alone isn't already dangerous to encounter.

I'm still thinking of a way out of it. But then there's the thought of Callum...

"Thanks for coming." My brother's careful voice pulls me from my inner thoughts, and I'm brought back to the sight of his front porch, as he leads the way to the door.

I take in a breath, following behind him as I walk up the few steps. "So this is your new place..." I start, just as Callum begins pushing open the front door and entering his house before I do after him.

In my maroon colored blouse that's loosely tucked into my black skinny jeans, I step inside. My matching maroon booties hit the hardwood floor that reflects the homey chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling above.

And my blue-green eyes scan across the keen and luxuriant furniture before me. I feel my brows instinctively cock up in surprise. Though I know I shouldn't be too surprised.

"Nice." I compliment, casually, crossing my arms firmly across my chest while watching my twin brother stand with an all too inevitable prideful vibe - just radiating. He seems to glance around at his own surroundings himself, a second, before meeting my observant eyes again.

"Isn't it? Thanks." He grins. "And thanks to my boss giving me this huge bonus last week. Took a lot of hard work to finally come up with the money for this place." Callum makes his way towards the living room couch, before plopping comfortably down on the white cushion.

"Really?" I perch up a brow, beginning to slowly walk over to him. "How long? Two months? One?" I begin to question - Callum's ocean irises are locked on the flatscreen across the open space in front of him.

And when I stop just feet from the corner of the couch's arm his gaze fixates on mine, finally.

"You don't come up with this kind of money within a month, Cal. That's how long you've been gone, right?" I stare right into his confused gaze, before shaking my head in disappointment. "One month." I whisper in afterthought.

I take in a steady breath, averting my sight onto the shiny hardwood floor a moment. And I clear my throat - when it feels like I'm swallowing down the pain of sharp treachery.

And I look up to meet my brother's lost irises again, as he remains seated. I part my lips. "I know, Cal." I inform him quietly, watching his brows furrow in return.

Then suddenly, it looks as if everything in his body - the pride, the excitement - completely diffused from him the moment his expression softens immensely.

Callum immediately jumps up to his two feet; his ocean eyes now holding an apologetic glint on mine. And he then begins in slow and careful steps towards me.

"Bells..." He must feel the mix of disbelief, disappointment, and distaste radiating from me, from the way he halts in his tracks. I remain still.

"How did you..." Cal's confused state fixes onto the floor for a moment. And he seems to pick up on the presumed answer just from the momentarily silence I deliver in return, when his eyes lock on my own again.

Then he lets out a low sigh. "I take it you eventually put together the pieces." He says lowly - but I catch on to the linger of questioning in his tone.