God of Temptation

Chapter 57

~Remington~

I've been rooted to this spot for the past three hours. I lay my head on my mom's shoulder who holds my hand and squeezes it occasionally to comfort me. My dad stands behind me, his presence giving me the ever-needed support. Ariella's parents sit opposite us, Uncle Cole stands next to his wife whose head hangs low, mirroring my own worry. We wait in silence, our collective breaths held, for Ariella to regain consciousness. The police also hang in a side, as they wait for Ariella to regain conscious so they can interrogate her.

Suddenly, Ava's voice booms from the hallway. She rushes toward her parents, her footsteps echoing in the sterile corridor. Aunt Silver stands up, and Ava envelops both of them in a tight hug. She sniffles as she asks, "How is Ariella?"

I watch Uncle Cole wipe away Ava's tears gently. "The doctor said she passed out due to exhaustion," He replies softly. "But she'll regain consciousness soon."

I glance at Ava's back and notice the others gathering. Eli, Landon, Creighton, and Brandon—my best friends—walking towards me. They offer their greetings to Uncle Cole and Aunt Silver, before they come to me.

"How is it going?" Lan asks, as he stans next to me.

"Hanging in there." I say softly, not wanting to talk right now.

Even right now, dreads fill me at the thought of what could've happened if I didn't arrive any sooner. The moment I reached back, and saw Ariella missing, I immediately tracked her. The bracelet I gave her this morning had a tracker. I didn't believe the fucking kidnappers would be this fast and take her to London in such a short time.

"Cole," Aunt Silver's voice breaks through my thoughts. "Stop glaring at the poor guy like that."

I look at Uncle Cole who looks like he is barely stopping himself from jarring a knife in my throat.

"I'm not glaring, butterfly," he retorts, my gaze still fixed on me. "I'm simply observing."

Observing my ass.

My gaze turns to Eli, "Is that what I have to endure, every time I see him?"

Eli turns around, finding Uncle Cole glaring at me, snickering "This is nothing, it's going to be worse."

I attempt to say something but fall silent when Alicia and Tempest enter. Alicia, at eighteen, carries herself with a strength beyond her years. Being Uncle Johnathan's daughter adds to her commanding presence. She glares at us, and we instinctively lower our heads. All except Bran, who remains unfazed, scrolling through his phone with a tiny smile playing on his lips. Perks of being everyone's favorite.

Vivian and Kaitlyn take seats, their auras entirely different. One exudes mystery, and though the other being my cousin exudes authority. As they greet us with hellos, they take their seats. However, Kaitlyn stands up and walks towards Aunt Silver who envelopes her in a hug.

The tension in the room thickens, and I turn to ask what's going on. But the boys shake their heads, signaling me to remain quiet.

A stern-faced policeman steps forward. "Our investigation reveals that this kidnapping was planned by the mafia," he declares.

Aunt Silver gasps audibly, and Mom's eyes widen in surprise. The gravity of the situation settles over us like a heavy fog. It was the Serpent's doing.

Breaking the silence, Vivian scoffs. "Of course it was," she says, and our heads snap to hers, she isn't exposing us here, in front of everyone.

Mom stands up from her chair. "What do you mean, Viv?" she asks, her voice steady but her concern evident.

Vivian's glare lands squarely on us. My eyes instinctively dart to Uncle Cole who looks like he is about to beat Eli and I anytime soon.

We exchange subtle glances, except for Bran. He watches the unfolding drama with an eerie calmness, as if he knows what's coming.

"When they are going to go around the Island disrupting chaos and making everyone's life a living hell, this is what is going to happen." Vivian's words hang in the air, devoid of emotion. The room feels heavy, as if the walls themselves are holding their breath.

"I think I'll need you to elaborate here a little," This time uncle Cole speaks, his gaze shifting to us—Eli, Landon, Creighton, and Brandon—each with their own brand of chaos.

Vivian's glare lands on Lan first. "Some like to light mansions on fire," she says, her voice sharp. Her eyes then lock onto Eli. "While some prefer to make people disappear." Creighton, the brooding one, earns her next glare. "And then there are those who pummel others into the ground just because they're pissed."

I wait for her gaze to sweep over me, but it doesn't. Instead, she continues, "Then there's the type that chases people through the woods, sending them flying to the hospital. And finally, the ones who like to play 'anonymous anonymous'. When these people come across each other..." She points around, "This is what happens."

Silence blankets the room. We all wait for Vivian to speak up. I can practically feel her anger simmering. "It's about time you guys get a reality check," she finally says, her voice sharp. "Maybe you think you look strong, sturdy, rough, and tough, doing such things, but in reality, it's hard to take you guys seriously you 'wannabe sociopaths."

Despite the gravity of the situation, a snicker escapes Dad and Uncle Cole.

"Grow up," she continues, her gaze sweeps over us. "One of you is already about to hit his thirties." I know that comment is aimed at Eli, who remains silent, head bowed.

Vivian rises from her chair. "Bran."

"Yes?" Bran tucks his phone into his pocket, unfazed.

"Come downstairs with me." With that, she strides toward the elevator.

The room crackles with tension, like a live wire ready to snap. My forehead glistens with sweat, "Well, that was close."

Dad smacks the back of Remi's head, "What part do you play in the mayhem?" His voice is stern.

"I swear, I do nothing Dad." I rub the back of my neck, feeling wronged.

Lan, murmurs from his corner, "I'm not a wannabe sociopath exactly. I've even been diagnosed with antisocial tendencies."

Eli, never one to mince words, snaps back, "Well, go tell that to Val."

"Oh yeah, right now she is calling me a wannabe, next she is going smack me, do I look like I was born yesterday?"

Dad speaks up, interrupting the banter, a smile playing on his lips, "As if one Knox wasn't enough, there had to be his clone as well." He chuckles, along with Uncle Cole.

Then Uncle Cole speaks up, his eyes locked with Eli. "So how do you feel about hitting your thirties, son?" The room erupts in snickers, and even Ava, who has tears streaming down her cheeks, joins.  

The doctors enter the room, bringing the banter to a halt, "The patient has regained consciousness." A collective relief escapes us and even though I am dying to meet her, to hold her, to kiss her, I stay in my position, letting her family meet her first.