“You watched them break him and then had the audacity to ask something of him. But al he gave you was an empty shel. And that’s al he’l ever give you. You’re done hurting him. You’re al done hurting him. I command you to leave him alone.”
“Ari!”
Ari blinked rapidly at the sound of Jai’s voice, the other self folding back into her so Ari was back in control of herself. She stumbled back at the unexpected control, her heartbeat racing, a lump of sick disbelief in her throat as she gazed reluctantly up at Jai who was standing, gaping at her in horror. She winced, looking over his shoulder to see Luca by Yasmin’s side.
“Ari, what the hel did you do?” Jai whispered hoarsely.
She shook her head, desperate for him to understand. It hadn’t been her. She didn’t do this. She was…
I’m going crazy. I’m going crazy.
“Ari?”
She shook him off, stumbling back from him, the room spinning around her. She thought she was in control. She wasn’t in control. Oh crap.
Holy Macaroons just didn’t cut it. This was a holy fu-
Her thoughts were brought to a standstil by the squealing, choking noises Yasmin was making as she turned to Luca in a panic, stil unable to talk.
Horrified, Ari blurted out, “I command you to speak again.”
“Oh my… What the hel!” Yasmin shrieked in terror, her eyes wide on Ari. “What the hel is she? She’s not normal! She’s not right-”
“Calm yourself,” Luca snapped, grabbing the young woman by her arms. He cursed as she struggled and turned desperately to Ari. “You have to command her to
un-know what she knows, Ari. Now!”
Panic fluttering in her chest, Ari took a frantic step forward, ignoring Jai’s accusatory silence. “I command you, Yasmin Lenz, to never tel anyone, by any means of communication, of what happened here today between,” she glanced at her watch, “7.30 and 7.50pm. Ever.”
Yasmin’s mouth slammed shut and she shot Luca a look of anguished betrayal.
Luca, however, was frowning. “You sure you worded that right?”
Voice quiet and shaken, Ari explained, “If I’d worded it differently I might have left a loophole. This way she can’t bring up what she suspects about me without aluding to what happened in the last twenty minutes and she’s completely incapable of doing that now that I’ve commanded her otherwise.”
“Good.” Bitar turned to Yasmin. “Go back to my office. This is your own fault for interfering in something that had nothing to do with you.”
As soon as Yasmin was gone, Luca glared at Jai. “Yasmin Lenz. Realy?”
“Hugo deserved it.” Jai shrugged, stil unable it seemed to look at Ari.
Luca froze for a moment. “You know about Nicki.”
Jai stiffened and Ari gasped. Luca knew his wife had had an affair with Hugo Lenz? “You knew?”
“Of course I knew,” Luca replied bitterly. “I know everything that goes on in my tribe. And while I understand your motive was based on your sense of loyalty, I don’t appreciate your methods.”
Jai nodded, his jaw tight with tension. “It was over before it started.”
“Yes, wel… so was Hugo and Nicki’s affair.” Luca grew quiet before turning to eye Ari carefuly. “Try looking after Ms. Johnson without ‘looking after her’-”
“Father-”
“That’s al I wil say on the matter. Safe Guarding with the Roes. Goodbye.” He turned to Ari, his expression thoughtful. “Goodbye Ms. Johnson.”
Ari nodded her head in a vague gesture of goodbye and then sagged when he left. “Jai… I’m so sorry…I-”
“Stop.” Jai held up a hand, not looking at her. “We need to get the hel out of here.”