Something Bolder (Book Two)

LXX. Decisions

Fortunately for me, I managed to survive the rest of the trip back to Volterra with Jane.

Unfortunately, that meant I had to deal with the growing pile of problems that I created for myself.

I was so thankful to be back in my tower. The first thing I did was try to be productive and unpack my suitcase, but I gave up quickly and resorted to taking a long nap instead.

Jane and I never fully bounced back from our little argument in the car. We managed to be cordial - we weren't at each other's throats - but it had become very clear to me that my relationship with Jane was doomed to fail if I chose not to back away from Alec for good.

As strange as it sounded, Jane had actually begun to grow onto me. I wasn't even particularly upset with her about our fight after the dust settled; I'd rather have her as a friend, regardless of her motivation, than be at odds with her.

Jane was insane, sure. She was a manipulative, diabolical, evil, spiteful, cold hearted bitch - but she was also a strong, independent, badass, natural leader who was by far the most intelligent  person I knew.

Huh.

After Demetri's diatribe about all of my character flaws, I couldn't help but notice that Jane and I had a bit more in common than I would've liked.

Wow.

I quickly tucked that realization into the back of my mind. Denial truly was a beautiful thing.

I found myself painfully torn about what I should do about the twins.

As tumultuous as things were with Alec, when we were together we were real. We genuinely, whole heartedly cared for each other. There were no schemes, no games, no lies. We just...were. In the short amount of time we were together, we existed cohesively.

But was what we had worth losing Jane?

And sure, Demetri was handsome and charming and funny and cool and— well, a complete ride or die, apparently. But there were still so many unknowns. I still couldn't quite figure out what he was all about. There were so many mixed signals, and I was too concerned about protecting my feelings to risk confronting him about it.

At the end of the day, I knew I had to make a decision - and I had to make it soon.

The whole ordeal was so frustrating. Part of me wished I could wash my hands of the whole situation and just walk away.

But I was already in way too deep, and there was no escaping the Volturi. No matter how fast or as far as I ran, they would always be able to find me. They would drag me back to Volterra by my hair if they had to. There was no way for me to escape my new way of life.

I knew I couldn't avoid the decision any longer. I had to commit to pursuing one man or the other. It wasn't fair for me to string anyone along and, to be honest, I wanted to prove Jane wrong. I wasn't sitting around basking in all of the attention.

But who should I choose? Should I take a risk and try to make things real with Demetri, or should I play it safe and stay with Alec?

Ultimately, I knew what I had to do.

I had to be honest with myself. My relationship with Demetri was not only fake, but it was about to expire. I was begrudgingly willing to let Heidi walk, for Demetri's sake, which left us with only one more kill left before the End.

Our days were numbered.

The best thing I could do was to pull the plug - to get the last kill over with so I'd have no more excuses to hang around him anymore. I would have no more opportunities to get my silly little hopes up.

I knew Demetri said he had a plan, but with the ever-growing complications, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I didn't need him to do my dirty work, anyway.

And so, it was finally time.

Before Aro could read Jane's mind, and before Demetri could arrive home and stop me.

It was time for me to pull the trigger and execute my last, final kill.