Something Bolder (Book Two)

IV. Lamb

After Bria left, I decided that she was right. Nothing sounded nicer than a long, hot bath.

I returned to the gorgeous bathroom and piled my hair on top of my head with a large scrunchie. I adjusted the brushed brass knobs until the water was a pleasing temperature and explored the contents of the various cabinets around the bathroom. I found a soft bath towel that I sat close to the bathtub for easy access once I was ready to get out.

The tub was more than big enough for me, and I filled it with plenty of bubble bath soap, to boot. I sank into the steaming water and took slow, deep breaths as I felt my muscles unknot. A wave of pleasure rolled through me. It had been so long since I slowed down to take a bath. I closed my eyes and sunk deeper into the water until it grazed my chin.

"Where's Bria?"

My eyes snapped open abruptly and gasped loudly.

"Jane! What the hell? I'm bathing!" I exclaimed.

Jane sat perched on the edge of the tub, looking down at me blankly. "She's supposed to be taking care of you."

"I sent her away," I said, annoyed that Jane continued to stare at me despite the fact that I was nude. "I don't need a handmaiden." I suspected Bria was supposed to double as a spy, too, updating God knows who about my day-to-day activities and whereabouts.

"I disagree," Jane said without inflection. "We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your stay with us."

"Wow. Love the hive mind around here," I said sarcastically. "Also - comfortable? You're literally watching me bathe."

"Am I disturbing you?"

"You always disturb me. This isn't new," I said bluntly.

"Your wit is as sharp as ever," Jane chuckled.

I made a face. "What is this? A month ago you were at my throat. Now you're chatting with me pleasantly? What gives?"

"What can I say? I'm home now. I'm more at ease," she said lightly.

"You're still in the dog house with your brother," I said accusingly.

"Alec and I have reached an understanding."

"I am so sure," I said, resisting an eye roll.

"What? You should be pleased!" Jane insisted.

"I think I like you better when you're mean. At least then I know what to expect from you," I said.

"Mean? That's a little harsh, don't you think?" Jane asked sweetly.

"You do remember our last conversation, right?"

"Hmm. I don't seem to recall."

"I do," I said with a clipped tone. "And I quote: 'I bet massacring that family was the most fun he's had since we ate yours for lunch.'"

"Did I say that?" she asked, blinking innocently.

"You are so full of it. As usual," I said, completely unimpressed.

"Water under the bridge," she insisted.

"Speak for yourself."

"I'm trying to be nice," Jane snapped. "Just accept my kindness."

"Do you really think you can demand my forgiveness?" I asked, leaning forward in the tub to look her carefully. "Seriously, Jane. Get lost."

"You'll come around," Jane said haughty before disappearing.

"Jesus Christ," I muttered as I sank deeper into the water.

Once the water was too cold to enjoy, I climbed out and drained the tub. I dried myself off and wrapped myself in my towel before returning to the bedroom to find something to wear.

Through the windows, the sun was quickly sinking below the horizon as I began pawing around the room for my suitcase. Exasperated when I came up empty handed, I resorted to digging through the large dresser for something to throw on in the meantime.

Upon surveying my options, most of which were either white, lacey, or both, I incredulously wondered who prepared the room for me. Considering the fact that the entire coven tended to stick to darker tones, it was clear that whoever it was thoroughly enjoyed symbolism.

'Sweet, delicate Violet, the Volturi's innocent little lamb,' I thought to myself bitterly.

Flustered, I threw on a babydoll dress and a pair of opaque tights before angrily throwing myself at the phone located on the bedside table. Naturally, it was a rotary phone, so it took me a good ten minutes to properly dial Bria's number.

"Hello! Bria speaking, how may I assist you?" she asked brightly.

"Hey, Bria. It's Violet."

"Hello, Miss Forsythe. What can I do for you?"

"Please just call me Violet. I'm begging you," I sighed.

"If you insist," she chirped. "How can I assist you, Miss Violet?"

"Okay. Wow. Close enough, I guess," I muttered into the receiver. "Hey, I was wondering if you knew where my suitcase was. I checked all over my room and I couldn't find it."

"I do. I have it with me behind the front desk."

"Thank God," I said with relief. "Could you please send it up? Unopened - if you don't mind."

Stashing three labeled cans of dry shampoo with a giant lighter at the bottom of my suitcase was super cool and dramatic in the moment, but now it was just incriminating.

"Absolutely! I'll have it delivered right away," Bria assured me.

"Thank you, Bria," I said, smiling into the phone. "You're the best."

With that handled, I gladly climbed into bed and flipped on the TV. I did my best to relax while I waited for my suitcase to arrive but, in the end, I kept finding my mind drifting back to the two most entitled little brats I'd ever laid eyes on...