Chapter 3

Victoria's speech was nothing that great, to be honest. She showed off her ending friendship with Lydia who was escorted off the boat. I kept my eyes on Victoria though while everyone watched Lydia leave. It killed me knowing she has lived all these years on top of the world. Amanda and I struggled while she was enjoying the life she made by blood and betrayal. "Bells, her face will burn off if you keep staring at her like that" Emily linked her arm with mine and rested her head against the side of mine. "I know this is hard." she whispers softly to me as we half listen to the bitch speak.

"She ruined us. She ruined Dad." I hissed, trying to keep my composure with all these people around.

"I know, Bells." She rubs my arm to calm me down. "Just remember, we have been planning this for years. we have backup plans for backup plans"

I smiled, "Don't use my lines against me." I looked at my sister as our drinks were brought to us.

"I'm going to start my plan with Daniel." Emily announced as she sipped her drink.

"You know, I'm just saying this because it can benefit our plan more smoothly, we could use Nolan's resources."

"We'll talk about it ok?" Emily ended the conversation as she walked off.

Involving Nolan wasn't a part of the plan. I wanted him safe but another part of me craved to make up for all the years I missed out with him. I smiled a genuine smile once Victoria's speech was finished and everyone went back to talking to each other. I looked at everyone laughing and smiling, wondering what they could possibly be talking about. Can their lives really be that great? Can they really talk about anything this long? I will never understand these people, smiling and laughing when they made it here by framing an innocent man and destroying a family. Amanda and I never had a childhood, never got to graduate, or go to prom. I wouldn't have gone, but I would have liked to have a choice, but that choice was taken away from us.

I watch the crowd and see my sister sitting with Daniel. I take my phone out of my clutch and text my sister that I'm going back to the house. I don't feel at home with these people. I really never did, even when Amanda and I were younger, we would always hate going to parties. Dad would let us stay home instead and watch TV as long as we didn't burn the house down or go to bed too late.

I changed as soon as I arrived home and decided to watch the sunset. I walked down to the dock, remembering when Amanda and I would run across it, seeing who was faster. I would let her win just because she was older than me by a minute. Most of the memories Amanda and I have of our childhood are happy ones. Warm, summer days filled with love and light. Amanda and I would color with our dad on the couch while I would watch him work in between turning pages. I watched the sun fade while my mind kept replay memory after memory. Dad brought someone home with him one day and introduced an awkward, antisocial kid into our home. He was a few years older than me and Amanda, but while Amanda was busy with Jack, I introduced myself to the new boy in our home. It was just a kid crush at the time, Amanda and I were only six years old. For the next two summers, Nolan would visit for a few days. We would talk about computers, and the beach, what book I was reading. Nolan was supposed to come over when our house was raided. I felt a tear run down my cheek remembering the last time Amanda and I saw our father. I couldn't remember the last time we hugged him, or heard his voice. I just remember screaming for my sister as the police carried me away.

I hurried into the house, trying to block out the painful memory. My sister and I were here to set a wrong right. We were here for justice for our family. Our father may not be alive to seek justice, but Amanda and I will avenge him. We had to. Our father was framed for a crime he didn't commit. Before he died, he left us a road map for revenge that led us to the people who destroyed our lives and we planned to fulfill the plan he never got to do.

I unlocked the desk in the living room and took out the box with a double infinity on the top. I sat on the couch, opened it up, and smiled when I saw a photo of the three of us. Amanda, me, and our father were on the beach in the front of the Beach House. That was the Summer he bought this place. The next photo was of Amanda and Jack, and then the very last photo was of me and Nolan with Sammy. I put the photos off to the side, and see the group photo of everyone in the Hamptons. Everyone that matters anyway. I grab the red sharpie in the box that I put and crossed off Lydia's face.

"One down dad. We're getting there." I take the tablet out to get our uncle's testimony out to watch it again. He was our next target. Next week there is going to be a polo match and our lovely Uncle Bill was going to be there. I listen to his testimony as I work myself up for the upcoming week. I put everything back in the box after and lock it up, but as soon as I turn around, I gasp.

"There's my girl." his voice sounds surprised, almost as if he doesn't believe I'm really here. "I was going over some of the footage I recorded from the party and who do you think I found in my video?" he walks around the island in the kitchen making sure he kept his eyes on me." I can't find it in me to say anything. I don't know what I'm supposed to say, he wasn't supposed to know I was here. I don't want him involved. "I nearly didn't recognize her today, but that's the whole point now, isn't it? " I didn't have it in me to hurt him, he was maybe the one person I couldn't do that to, but he couldn't know that. He slowly walked over to me, and with every step he took, I backed up, until my back hit the wall.

"Do you know how easy it would be for me to crush your windpipe?" I glared at him. I never liked being backed into a corner, and he knows that, or at least he should remember.

Nolan leaned down to make sure I was looking in his eyes, "I don't think your father would approve." he stood tall smiling, "You're father trusted me, Bells."

"My father trusted everybody." I tried to move away from him, but he put his arms on each side, caging me in. My patience was growing thin. "What are you doing here Nolan?"

He stared at me for a few seconds before the smile on his face disappears. "Don't worry. Your secrets are safe with me. You know I won't rat you out." He sighed as one of his hands caressed my face, almost as if he was making sure I was really there. "No one wants this imperious cadre of toxic phonies to eat it more than yours truly." He smirks as plays with my hair, "How can I be of service?"

I wanted to melt. Always my knight in shining armor, my champion. It breaks my heart for me to stay away from him, but I had to think about his safety. His resources would make things easier, but Amanda and I didn't do all this for the easy way out. We did it because we wanted to make everyone pay for what they did to us. In an act of revenge, they always say to dig two graves. Nolan can't follow me where I'm going. I sold my soul to the Devil and he will want his payment in full. It's too late to back out and I refuse to bring Nolan down with me.

"Nolan," I pushed against his chest in an effort to uncage me, but it didn't work. "You're not a part of this, you can't be."

"Yes I am." he growled, "Remember, I witnessed firsthand what these people did to your father. They are hardcore."

"Amanda and I can handle them." We planned this for years. We had everything under control as long as we stuck to the plan. I had to give up a lot of things, but so did Amanda. We were our father's soldiers, his last line of defense. We would never accept anything other than victory as we watch the entire Grayson family burn to the ground. "Don't make me take you down too for standing in our way. Please, Nolan!" I pleaded with him to go. If I tell him to leave, I know he would. He wouldn't like it, but he's never said no to me before.

"I don't want to get in your way Bells. I want to help you." His face got closer to mine and he rested his forehead against mine, taking deep breaths.

I smelled his cologne, I smelled his shampoo, and the slight mint on his breath. I closed my eyes, trying to will my brain to memorize his scent. I missed him. I missed him so much it hurts, but I needed to protect Nolan. I needed to make sure he remains innocent in this. I needed him away from Grayson's clutches. I needed to make sure he was safe.

I felt a tear leave my eye, trying my hardest to be brave. "You can't help me, Nolan." I pushed harder against him, and this time, he backs away from me.

He looked defeated and emotional, which made me want to just wrap him and never let go. I had to be strong for Amanda and our father. I had to bury my heart. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, Amanda warned me.

"Suit yourself." Nolan walked to the door and put his hand on the handle, but he turned back around. "But I can be just as powerful an enemy as any one of them."

I felt more tears fall along with my courage. I had to be strong. Almost as if Amanda heard my silent cry for help, she was home. "Then don't be our enemy, Nolan." She walked over to me quickly, standing in front of me as a shield with her arms crossed. "Take Bella's advice and stay out of it."

Nolan glanced at me quickly before acknowledging my sister. "I had a nice chat with Jack Porter tonight." He banged his knuckles on the door frame, "Guess who still carries a torch for little Amanda Clarke."

I looked at my sister and even from behind, I could see how tense she got just hearing the name of her hero. "Amanda Clarke" she paused, taking a deep breath, "no longer exists."

Nolan nodded his head and turned to leave the house, but he stopped again and turned to look at me for the final time. "I still carry a torch for Bells." He smirked at me, "Does she?" Without hearing what I had to say, Nolan left the house.