Saving Isabella

Chapter 11: I think an apology is in order

"Bella, are you high?"

I laugh, shrugging off Dominic's question. His expression tightens, annoyance etched into his face, but I couldn't care less.

"Oh, come on, what are you going to do? Tell Arthur?" I taunt.

"Maybe I will!" His tone is sharp, but I can't help but burst into laughter, clutching my stomach. The absurdity of it is too much.

"Oh really? And what's he going to do, share his coke with me?"

Dominic's eyes narrow, and his voice drops dangerously low. "What the fuck do you mean?" He grabs my arm, shaking me lightly. "Bella, look at me, for fuck's sake!"

His sudden anger startles me, and I instinctively take a step back, fear creeping in. Tears sting the corners of my eyes. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry!

"Our oldest brother was high out of his mind this morning," I mutter, almost to myself. "He probably didn't even know his own name."

Dominic's mouth opens to fire back, but his phone rings. He looks at it, his brow furrowed, then answers.

Phone Call (Dominic/Elijah)

"What is it, Elijah?" Dominic growls into the phone. His eyes flick to me.

"..."

"She's with me. Don't worry, I'll take her home." There's a pause before Dominic frowns.

"Is it possible Arthur was high this morning, before school?"

"..."

He clenches his jaw. "Well, look into it. Oh, and we're going to be home late."

"..."

"Yeah, don't worry. I got this."

End of phone call

Dominic lowers the phone, his expression flat and unreadable. "If what you're saying about Arthur is true, I'll rub it in his face for the rest of his life." He chuckles dryly, shaking his head, like this is some sort of joke. "But back to you—you reek of weed. Carly probably left some perfume in the car. Use it before we get home."

I stand there, blinking, the sting in my arm reminding me how careless he is with me. Like I don't matter. Like I'm just a nuisance he has to deal with. "Thanks," I mutter, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. My stomach twists into knots, but I don't want to show him how scared I am. He'd just laugh.

"You're not gonna tell the others, are you?" I ask, hesitating, praying that, for once, he'll show a shred of decency.

"Nah," he says with a careless shrug. "I don't give a shit what you do, honestly. You're lucky I'm helping you out this time."

My heart sinks. I want to believe it's just a lie, but I know it's the truth. He doesn't care. None of them do.

I bite my lip, my mind scrambling for an escape. "Can you take me to the party?"

Dominic glances at me, smirking. "What party?"

"You know what party," I snap, my voice cracking, betraying how much I need to get away, to be anywhere but under their eyes. Dominic's expression doesn't change—he's enjoying this, toying with me.

"Oh, that party," he says with mock realization. "Let me think about it... Nope."

"Please," I whisper, hating myself for how desperate I sound.