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“With all due respect, one simply does not invite a snake to their house and expect it not to bite them, sir.”
“Is this about Bonneville? She’s as harmless as a fly.”
His poker face remains in place, but I can sense the judgment licking my skin like acid. “At any rate, we’re ready to go.”
We walk together to the entrance and I roll my wedding ring. “Have you found out what Landon knows?”
“Not quite, but he does know something.”
“Which is?”
“I’m not positive yet, but I suspect he’s been kept in the loop about some happenings in this house.”
“Your and Sam’s necks are under the guillotine, so you wouldn’t be suicidal. Previous staff?”
“I’m afraid it’s more complicated than that.”
“Ariella?”
“I’d rather not throw around accusations without proof.”
I unbutton my jacket. “Leave Landon to me. I’ll take care of his silence.”
No one will know the extent I had to go to for Ava to be this way right now. Even if it’s not permanent and is bound to be shredded to pieces, I’m happy to prolong this phase as long as possible before she forgets me.
Again.
Maybe this time, it’ll be for good.
14
AVA
“Ishould probably bow out now before it’s too late.”
I pace the length of the boxy changing room for the hundredth time, the round hem of my French tulle dress dragging on the floor behind me.
Ari fingers old framed photos of the artists who’ve passed through this venue throughout two centuries. Artists whose vicinity I have no business existing in when I’m such a failure. “You’ve done this before. You can do it again, Ava.”
“If by ‘done this before’ you mean I made an epic fool out of myself, then sure, I’ve totally done that before.”
She trudges toward me in her killer black leather skirt and white top, then grabs my shoulders. “You’re different from two years ago. You might feel like only a few weeks have passed since that last competition, but it’s been years. People forget.”
“Well, I don’t.”
“This is your chance to. Maybe try to remember those competitions you won as a teen?”
“Those seem like a lifetime ago.”
“Maybe. But you looked like a goddess, sis. You still do whenever you touch the cello. I’ve never seen you shine so bright as when you play.”
A shaky breath escapes me as I nod. “Okay. I’ll try.”
“Yes!”
“Mama and Papa don’t know about this, right?”
“Nope. You said you didn’t want the pressure.”
