Dancing with the Devil || Book 2

55

Theo's pov

I sat on a bar stool, taking small sips of whiskey. I watched the god awful channel that the bar had on that was broadcasting my fake engagement as happily ever after. I fucking hated gossip channels.

The idea that Diya might see this and have no idea about the truth, made me drink alot of whiskey.

My phone rang. It was Janine.

"It's late janineee"

"I knowww but I had some exciting news!" She sang in a mocking tone.

"I'm listening" I added, taking another sip.

"A news channel wants to interview you about your engagement. How exciting is that?"

I almost choked on my drink.

"Janine have you lost your goddamn mind. That is NOT exciting. I do not want to address this fucking engagement EVER unless it is to say that we went our separate ways. If they start poking around here with cameras I swear to-"

"The whole point of you being on that vacation is so they can poke around with cameras! It only makes sense that they want you to say a few words along with the images. You're smart Hendrix, think about this...."

"fuckkkkk" I growled after abruptly hanging up. I slammed a $100 on the table, making the bartender jump back.

"Jesus man" he held his heart in response.

"keep the change" I muttered.

I headed back to my cabin. I wasn't a lightweight but goddamn that whiskey was strong. The resort looked near abandoned but I was told that there was great nightlife here. I wonder what was going on. Maybe it was just a slow week for their business.

I walked back to see a man talking to Rebecca on the porch. I recognized him as the owner's son.

"hello" I greeted him professionally before turning the knob to go inside and check on Nicole for the night.

"your daughter was found... luckily. Next time, maybe you should keep an eye on her."

I turned towards him rather than facing the door, taking a step forward. Rebecca put an arm over me to stop me from getting any closer to this guy. There's no way he was talking to me with that tone regarding MY daughter.

"Excuse you? The fuck do you mean found?"

He dragged a cigarette from his mouth, the smoke keeping him from answering my question.

He reeked of cigarettes. Nasty weirdo.

"stop, please" Rebecca said sadly.

The man shook his head a bit. "I'm just saying man. But have a great rest of your night"

He walked off into the dark leaving me annoyed.

"RB what the actual fuck is he talking about? Where is Nicole?"

"She's here. She's fine" Rebecca quickly stated, calming me down.

I ran my fingers through my hair in stress. "Let me see her.. NOW" my voiced boomed louder than I anticipated making Rebecca jump.

"Wait. I have to explain first. I told her that she can't watch that vampire show and explained that I wanted to do something fun together because I love her. She said she hated me, stomped on my toes and ran away." Rebecca pointed to her bruised feet that were clearly very swollen.

"She scared a lot of people that were looking for her but they found her before I could even reach you"

"Are you SERIOUS!? I'm her father, I should have been contacted immediately. How could you not THINK??" 

"I just- I was so frightened they wouldn't find her" Rebecca began to tear up- causing me to feel guilty. I brought her into a hug.

"okay fuck okay. sorry. How long was she missing?"

"an hour" she responded softly. I felt myself get angry but I tried to ignore it. Rebecca was probably paralyzed with fear. It wasn't her fault and I knew better than to blame her.

I went straight to speak to Nicole who was in my room. She was cuddling with my pillow that was the size of her.

"hey champ, I heard you had a busy day"

"dad" she whispered as she stood up on the bed to hug my waist. I hugged her in return.

"I-I wanted to tell you the truth. Diya told me that I had to tell you the truth"

"woah, what do you mean Diya told you? You spoke to her?"

"Yes." She smiled.

"oh well Uhm RB already told me what happened. You cannot just stomp on people and run away"

"HUH? Dad I didn't-"

"You didn't what?" I crossed my arms at her attempt to get out of trouble.

"I didn't JUST stomp on her and run away!-" She continued in distress.

"I saw the damn bruise on her foot Nicole don't you lie to me."

"OR WHAT? YOU'LL HIT ME?" Nicole yelled up at me as she stood on the bed. I twisted my face in disgust, shocked at what she suggested.

"I would never hit you. Shame on you for saying that"

"You're just like her. JUST. LIKE. HER" she spat up towards my face. She hopped off the bed and ran towards her room.

"NICOLE"

"Just leave her be" Rebecca walked in, beginning to rub my back supportively.