His words got caught in his mouth as I smacked his head with the golden vase on the floor, feeling triumphant at the sound of something cracking.
"I hope you rot in hell." Where even rats don't want his leftovers. And before I could unleash my anger out and hit him again, I felt an arm hold me back.
"He's not worth it."
Shouldn't I be the one saying that?
Darius’s fingers disentangled mine form the vase, causing it to fall to the floor with a loud noise.
Shouldn't I be the one doing that?
I watched the pathetic man cower in fear. I scoffed at him. You disgust me. I turned around and walked out of the room, where Adrian was waiting and telling us they were outside.
Who were outside?
I followed him as he took us back to the top and then toward the back where there was no one.
I saw a speedboat in the water, somehow keeping up with the boat in perfect synchronization.
"Darius, you go first," said Adrian as he pulled a rope ladder into position. Was he crazy? It was freezing. If someone fell, they were going to freeze to death in the cold water.
But, of course, Darius made it seem nearly effortless as he hoisted himself up onto the ladder and then barely used it as he got to the boat below.
"Come on. Your turn."
"You know if I fall, I would drown."
Adrian scoffed and waved an arm like he didn't care. "I'm sure you did plenty of fence jumping in your time." He even had the nerve to wink. I stared at him, my mouth slightly open.
How on earth did he know that?
I shook my head, going to the railing and lifting myself up. That was the easy part. I stopped, placed one leg over the railing and onto the rope, then the other. God, if I fell, I was going to die of pneumonia.
Don't look down. I looked down. Okay, that wasn't so bad.
"Move it already," said Adrian impatiently. I looked up to glare at him.
"Stop nagging me."
I took it one at a time, slowly going down till my foot met the edge of the speedboat.
Darius helped me down and I let out the breath I was holding.
"Okay, go," he told the driver and I looked back at Adrian.
"Shouldn't we wait for him?"
"No."
I almost laughed as Adrian yelled at Darius while the speedboat went in the opposite direction. I shook my head at them both and sat down, wrapping my arms around myself and watching interestingly as he spoke to the driver, who was nodding.
They spoke in fluent French. The only word I understood was 'Merci', which, I was sure, meant thanks.
My teeth chattered and I pressed them together, trying to silence them as Darius walked back and then stopped in front of me. He watched me and shook his head.
I narrowed my eyes at him. Is watching me freeze that amusing?
"I brought it. I just lost it," I told him, trying to remember where my jacket had gone. Darius smiled, still shaking his head, as he sat down on the orange seat next to me.
"I told you that you wouldn't need it."
Yes, I'll just freeze –
I yelped as he lifted me up, placing me between his legs and wrapping his jacket around the both of us.
I shivered, this time from the warmth, and how comfortable it felt. Can I just sleep?
"I still can't believe it," I muttered.
Darius wrapped his hands around my waist, holding me closer. "He won't bother you again. I'll make su –"
"No," I said, shaking my head. "You didn't buy me that dog."
Darius chuckled and I felt the vibrations on my back. He placed his chin on my shoulder and I could feel his warm breath.
"I'll buy you a picture of one."
I frowned, turning around to face him. "I want a real one,"
"I'll buy a life-size plushie."
"Why not a real one?"
"Adrian is allergic to them. And let's be honest, he spends more time in our house than in his."
I wasn't sure what to say, or what to think. He had called it our house and the fact that he cared about his annoying childish cousin was too adorable.
"Fine," I said, turning back around. If he could make the sacrifice, I was sure I could. Damn you, Adrian. Always ruining everything. Then again I liked the idea of having one more than having to clean up and take it for walks. I can just go to the pet store to visit it.
"Fine?" he said, probably wondering why I gave up so easily.
I shrugged and turned around so I was half-facing him. "We already have a dog in the house," I said and before he could ask where, I said, "You."
CHAPTER FORTYTWO
I woke up feeling even more exhausted and looked around the room.
"Sorry, did I wake you up?"
Darius was packing, and he was doing a terrible job of it. He tried shoving all the crumpled clothes into the suitcase, which he should have folded first. I shook my head. How did I get here?
I sat up and realised I was in warm cotton pants and a oversized jumper. When did I change? But looking at the clock, it was only five in the morning, and I was sure I hadn't slept for too long. What sane person is up at this unholy hour?
"Do you need help?" I asked as he kicked the suitcase and stood up, his hands on his hips staring down at the case.