Anything For Rachel – Episode 4

Episode_4

 

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When Logan got home a couple hours later, we tried to keep our cool front going. He cooked us some steaks, and suggested we eat them out on the back patio, but Pedro had convinced him he had some kind of allergy and needed to stay inside so that Logan would not notice the huge burned spot on our grass.

 

 

 

Conversation over dinner was cheerful. Pedro did seem to actually like Logan, although I knew he still had his reservations about it.

 

 

 

We all cleared our plates and helped clean up the kitchen before the three of us put Rose to bed. Once she was out, Logan excused himself to shower and Pedro and I sat down on the couch together.

 

 

 

“When do you have to leave?” I asked softly as I pulled the throw blanket down to cover my cold feet.

 

He pursed his lips. “We needed to have gone tonight, but I guess now it would be too late.”

 

 

 

The idea of not having Rose with me hurt me more than any hurt I’ve ever felt. “I don’t know if I can…”

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Pedro reached over to pat my knee. “It will be hard, but I want to do everything I can to protect that little girl, same as you.” He said. “Everything is going to be ok.”

 

 

 

I groaned, my chest feeling tight. “I don’t know.” I repeated. “Why can’t I just go with you both?”

 

 

 

He frowned and shook his head. “I already told you, people know you and your scent, they could track Rose down by finding you.” He told me. “Besides, for Calvin’s plan to get you cleared, you have to return to the castle. It is the only way.”

 

 

 

I furrowed my brows. “Cleared?”

 

 

 

“Things aren’t he same as they were when you left.” He explained. “Calvin has implemented many changes, and the government is one of those.” He said. “We still have a king, and a hand of the king and a royal family, if you will, but we run much more like a democracy now, rather than a monarchy.” He tilted his head. “There are those who oppose it, obviously, but for the most part it has been a very successful transition.”

 

 

 

“Wow.” I muttered, trying to figure out the mechanics of it. I had to fight down the thought that I was proud of him for being able to make such big changes, I didn’t get that right anymore, to feel any pride in something he does.

 

 

 

“Anyway, the lie came out about you, and now Calvin is under fire from the other members, and in order to grant you freedom, you’ll have to stand a trial for your crimes.” Pedro told me.

 

 

 

I laughed a little. “My crimes?” I repeated. “They act like I was the one who chose to be kidnapped and thrown into the whole competition in the first place.”

 

 

Pedro squeezed my knee. “I know it is all very arbitrary, but just to play devil’s advocate here, you may not have made those initial choices, but you did chose to marry him, and in turn you took a place in the royal line. You’re leaving is viewed as desertion of your people.”

 

 

 

I shook my head in disbelief at it all. I had thought I’d come so far, and done so well for myself, only to still be getting pulled in by these vampires who are always out to ruin any good life I have. “How will I get cleared?” I asked evenly, keeping my emotions at bay.

 

 

 

“I know it is all hard, Rachel, but Calvin has a plan, and we just have to trust it.” He was vague, but I’ve come accustomed to that.

 

 

 

I looked down at Pedro’s hand on my knee and I smiled at the gold band around his ring finger. “Pedro, is that a wedding ring I see on your finger?”

 

 

 

He looked down at his hand and smiled too. “I finally settled down last year.”

 

 

 

“Patrick?” I asked, and he nodded with a smile.

 

 

 

“He sends his love, of course.”

 

 

 

“I’m really happy for you, Pedro.” I smiled, my eyes betraying me by filling up with tears.

 

 

 

Pedro pulled me over to him and wrapped me in a hug. “Oh, Rachel, I’m happy for you too.” He sighed. “I’ve been so proud of all you’ve done, and I must say, your books are fantastic. I especially love the character Senor Marco.” He laughed.

 

 

 

“Although, I do not consider myself to be quite as sassy as you portrayed me.”

 

 

 

I leaned away from him and laughed, wiping the traitor tears from my face. “Trust me, you are pretty sassy when you get riled up.” I tried to smile, but my heart wasn’t in it anymore. “If you’ve read them, does that mean…”

 

He nodded his head. “Yes, he has too.”

 

“Oh.” I whispered.

 

“He’s proud of you too, you know.”

 

 

 

I didn’t want to hear that. I didn’t want to think of him at all, but ever since Pedro showed up on my door step again, he’s been running rampant in my mind. “I’ll have to see him.” I said out loud, my voice a little hollow.

 

 

 

“Yes.” Pedro whispered. “Why does that frighten you?”

 

I hadn’t been able to pinpoint the exact emotion that the thought of seeing him again was giving me, but now that Pedro said it, he was right. I am afraid to see him again. “I don’t know.” I lied, the reasoning all clicking into place for me too. “It just does.”

 

Pedro nodded his head then smiled. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you again, Rachel.” He told me, tapping my nose with his finger. “I missed you.”

 

 

 

“I missed you too.” I smiled.

 

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He sighed loudly, letting me know he was about to say something that would remove my smile and I braced for it. “What are you going to tell pretty boy?”

 

 

 

As soon as he asked, I heard the water in the shower cut off. “The truth I guess.”

 

 

 

I ran my hands through my hair and huffed out a sigh.

 

I’ve got to tell Logan the truth.

 

 

 

“Maybe I should wait until tomorrow.” I said quickly. “I mean, he’s probably had a really long day and all.”

 

 

 

Pedro gave me his look, rolling his eyes and then narrowing them at me. “For heaven’s sake, Rachel.” He shook his head. “You were braver when you lived among bloodthirsty vampires, but the idea of having an honest conversation with your fiancé and you are as chicken as they come.”

 

 

I sighed, throwing myself back on the couch. “I know, you’re right, but I don’t know what to say.” I admitted. “It is all going to sound so crazy and….”

 

 

 

“Rachel, if he loves you, like it does seem he does, then he will understand.” He said gently.

 

 

 

I sat back up and looked at him evenly. “Even the most understanding person in the world would look at you like you were a nut case if you told them you’d had a baby with the king of the vampire’s and someone is out to get the rightful heir to that throne.” I said flatly. “Don’t even try to make it sound like it is no big deal.” More interesting stories available

 

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Pedro smiled reluctantly. “Just trying to give you a boost, but very well, you’re right.” He nodded. “It will be hard, and he will probably have a hard time with it, but he will come around, and if not, oh well.” He shrugged.

 

 

 

“You don’t like him at all, do you?” I questioned, crossing my arms over my chest.

 

 

 

Pedro smiled at me apologetically. “I’m sorry, of course I like him.” He said. “He seems to truly care for you and Rose, but of course my own loyalties lie with my king.”

 

 

 

I stood up quickly. “Yeah, well, mine did too until he ripped out my heart and tossed me away, only to send you to bring me back five years later.”

 

 

 

“Now, Rachel.” He sighed. “You know he did what he did out of love for you.” He said softly, but I didn’t want to hear it. I was tired of being told how self-sacrificing Calvin was, or how he did the right thing for me and blah blah blah. I had feelings too. I have opinions and wants and needs that should have been taken into consideration. Yes I was happy that he came clean and told me the truth, and I was angry about that, but I hadn’t wanted to leave. That was never my decision, but yet it was the one that was made for me and I am still pissed about it.

 

 

 

I left Pedro in the living room and I went into my bedroom and waited for Logan to come out of the bathroom.

 

 

I knew I needed to think long and hard about how to approach this, but I was also still thinking about what Pedro had said. Whether Calvin did what he did out of love or not shouldn’t matter. He did what he wanted to do, because it was his plan, just like this whole thing now I am doing what he wants because he has a plan. It is like the never ending circle of Calvin taking my choices away from me.

 

 

 

When Logan walked into the room, a towel wrapped around his hips and his hair dripping down onto his bare shoulders, I realized I had been sitting here fuming over Calvin instead of planning what to say to Logan.

 

 

 

“Hey, babe.” He smiled as he walked over to the dresser, slipping into a t-shirt and some shorts. “How was your day?”

 

 

 

I fidgeted with my hands in my lap. “Eventful, actually.” I said softly. “We need to talk about something important.”

 

 

 

Logan raised his eyebrows and came to sit by me at the foot of the bed. He reached over and brushed my hair behind my ear so that he could see my face. “What’s wrong?” He asked gently, rubbing my back softly. “You look tense.”

 

 

 

I turned a little so that I was facing him, knowing I needed to look him in the eyes while I told him the truth. “You’re going to think I am insane, but I promise I am telling you the truth, ok?”

 

 

 

He knitted his brows together but nodded once, his full lips parting. “Ok.”

 

 

 

I put my hand on his knee and sighed. “I lied to you about Rose’s father.” I said quickly and his eyes went wide. “He isn’t dead, well, technically…” I shook my head at myself. “He’s alive.” I said.

 

 

 

“Her father?” He repeated. “Why did you tell me he was dead?” He asked. “Does he know about her? Do you think he will contest to me trying to adopt her when we get married?” He asked and I frowned at myself. Of course he is worried about whether or not he will be able to adopt Rose like he had wanted to.

 

 

 

I sighed, slumping over slightly. “Look, Logan, her father and I, we ended very strangely.” I told him. “He knows about, Rose, but he can’t be a part of her life. It would be too dangerous.”

 

“Is he in prison or something?” Logan guessed, looking at me weirdly.

 

 

 

“I wish it were that simple, Logan, but it isn’t.” I said. “Please try to keep an open mind, ok? This is going to sound so weird, but Rose’s dad, he and I were married an-.”

 

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Logan held up his hand. “Woah, wait, you were married to this guy?” He interjected.

 

 

 

“Yes, Logan, but there is more.”

 

 

 

“More than being married and having a kid with him and then telling me that he was dead?”

 

 

 

“I’m trying to explain if you’d let me.” I sighed and he waited. “That wasn’t even the part that is going to be hard to believe.” I said shaking my head, then I looked back over at Logan. “Rose’s father is…well, he’s a…vampire.”

 

 

 

Logan burst out laughing, slapping his thigh and tossing his head back. “Oh, babe, you got me good.” He laughed. “I thought for a second you were being serious.”

 

 

 

“I am being serious.” I said, knowing this was exactly why I’d never told anyone the truth.

 

 

 

“Oh, yeah?” He laughed. “Let me guess, he’s also a prince like in your books?”

 

 

 

I was right. I never should have told Logan the truth. I should have made up an excuse for why Rose and I would be leaving for a while.

 

 

 

“Logan, this isn’t a joke.” I insisted. “I’m trying to tell you the truth here.”

 

 

 

“About you vampire prince ex-husband?” He laughed, tears in his eyes.

 

 

 

Pedro came around the corner and stood in front of Logan. “She is telling you the truth.” He said simply. “Although, he is a king, not a prince, and I’m not really sure about the ‘ ex -husband’ part either.”

 

 

 

“Pedro!” I snapped at him. “I’m handling it.”

 

 

 

Logan looked over to Pedro. “She’s got you in on this too?” He asked and I could tell Pedro’s patience was wearing thin.

 

Pedro took a step forward, his eyes turning jet black, and he passed by Logan, who was no longer laughing, and he walked over to my solid wood headboard and flicked it with enough force to splinter it right down the middle with a loud crack. He turned back to face Logan, then he shot from one side of the room to the other, hardly even visible as he moved.

 

 

 

He reappeared in front of Logan and held out his hand. “Feel how cold my skin is.” He told him. “What Rachel is telling you is the truth.”

 

 

 

Logan’s eyes were wide with shock and he brought his hand up

 

to his mouth. “You’re a…”

 

 

 

“Vampire.” Pedro nodded. “Yes.”

 

 

 

Logan pulled his eyes away from Pedro and looked back at me. “You married…”

 

 

 

I pulled Logan over to sit back on the bed with me. “Yes, I was kidnapped when I was little, and when I was eighteen I was brought to an underground castle where I met Pedro, and Rose’s father.”

 

 

 

“You married him.”

 

 

 

“I did.” I nodded. “We were married and I was queen briefly before Calvin had me sent away.” I said softly. “I found out I was pregnant when I returned home, and I haven’t heard or seen him or anyone else from there in five years.” I explained to him, but he was shaking his head the whole time.

 

 

 

“Is Rose a vampire too?” He asked in horror but Pedro and I both shook our heads.

 

 

 

“No,” I said. “Rose is human.”

 

 

 

Logan looked from me back to Pedro. “If you haven’t seen them in years, then what is the real reason that Pedro showed up, since I guess your dead aunt was a lie too.”

 

 

 

I half wondered if this helpless feeling was how Calvin felt when he was trying to tell me all the truths, but there were so many lies in the way. “Rose is in danger.” I said. “There are people who want her because of who see is, so Pedro is taking her into protection with him, and I have to return to the castle.”

 

 

 

Logan leaned away, standing up and shaking his head. “No chance.” He said. “Rose isn’t going off with some stranger.”

 

 

 

“Pedro isn’t a stranger to me.” I sighed.

 

 

 

“Well he is to me, and Rose may not be my daughter by blood, but I have helped raise her and I love her as if she were mine, so if there is some kind of danger to her, then I am not letting her go off alone with someone that she and I don’t know.” He snapped.

 

 

 

 

 

Story_Continues

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

ANYTHING FOR RACHEL