Twinsequences Ivy (Twisted Twin #2)(21)
She started clapping. “Are we going now?”
“First we have to take care of a few things. Be patient, Destiny. Our forever will happen soon enough.”
Each time I spoke to Destiny, I watched my sister’s terrified reaction in the rearview mirror. It made me elated to be able to get under her skin. It was obvious the children meant everything to her, maybe more than Stoshua. It was too bad he’d rather die by her side than spend a long future with me and his children. He would have learned to forget about my sister, and the struggles they had because they couldn’t stay out of my way.
I turned on the radio, hoping to keep from hearing the two adults in the back whining for attention.
“How come they can’t have a drink. I think Daddy is thirsty.” Stoshua began shaking his head to agree, but I knew it was because he wanted the gag removed so he could tell his daughter to run. If he thought it was going to work he was the one who belonged in an institution.
“I gave them something to drink before we left. This is part of the game, sweetie. A real princess has to learn to ignore those people who beg for her attention. They’re trying to keep you from going on the adventure, because adults aren’t allowed.”
“So they’re not going with us?”
“Not all the way. They’re going on an adult adventure. You see, we’re all going to have so much fun.” I think the enthusiasm in my voice was what convinced her.
She turned around and pointed at them in a scorning kind of way. “Don’t be bad or you won’t have fun. I’m a princess.”
My sister was steadily freaking out. I’d convinced her daughter to believe me. I knew it crushed her, and it excited me. Anything I could do to antagonize the situation, I was going to do. She deserved nothing but revenge from me, and she was getting it. When I watch her take her last breath on earth I won’t be sad, I’ll feel relieved. There would no longer be someone I had to compete with – someone who always seemed to come out smelling like roses. She wouldn’t win the guy, or take away my dreams. She’d be gone, a forgotten memory to the children I was about to raise as my own.
After going south for close to an hour, I pulled over at the shadiest motel on the deserted road we’d been on. I took Destiny with me, since I wasn’t na?ve enough to believe they’d keep from trying to communicate with her. I threw on a ball cap and some sunglasses, to prevent anyone from seeing me on the news and reporting our location.
We entered the office hand in hand, directing our attention to an old man, who looked to be on his last leg. “Good morning. I was wondering if you have any rooms? My little girl and I are in need of a shower and some rest before getting back on the road.”
“There’s a Hilton about six miles up on the right hand side, if you’d prefer a nicer place. I haven’t been well enough to keep up with this motel. Diabetes took my foot six months ago. I’ve got cataracts in both eyes, and my walker won’t even fit through the doors of the rooms.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m really not worried about the condition of the rooms. We’re exhausted.”
“My niece comes to clean once a week. Use room number two-two-four. We just replaced the bedding and carpets a few months back. Some derelict kid brought his dog in and it ripped everything to shit. It took me a good eight-hundred bucks to fix it. He was long gone before I could bill him for it.”
I reached in my sister’s wallet and pulled out some money. “Do you accept cash?” I couldn’t stand there all day long listening to him ramble on. I was on a deadline. “I’ll make sure to tidy up once we’re finished.”
“Well that would be kind. It’s thirty-six for the first twenty-four hours.”
“That’s all we’ll need. Thank you, sir.” I started to leave before turning around to ask another question. “The sign outside says you have Wi-Fi. Is it working?”
“I don’t know what it is, but we do have it. The phone company came out and said I needed it for my guests. If you ask me it’s just an extra way of them making money. My phone still works the same as it always did. According to the young guy who installed it, there’s a card with a password in the room. If you can’t find it, I’m sure I have it written down somewhere.” He started shuffling around the desk.
I sat forty dollars on the counter. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure I can find it in the room.”
After he handed me the key, I pulled Destiny outside before he could keep us any longer. I gave him a friendly wave as we exited.
The room he’d given me was a few down from the office. I moved the van in a parking spot where I’d be able to get my sister and Stoshua out, without the old man seeing it. The parking lot was deserted, and I was sure no one was paying attention to what other people were up to. The place was shady as f*ck.
The first thing I did was get Destiny and the baby inside, after I inspected it for bugs or filth. To my surprise it smelled clean. The bedding looked like it had never been slept on, and even the television had been replaced with a flat-screen. On the dresser was a card with the password I’d need to log onto the internet from a phone. I’d be able to book my travel easily.
One at a time, I brought the inseparable married couple in the room and sat them down on the bed. With their hands behind their backs, I could tell it was uncomfortable. I smiled when I got them situated, lying on the mattress, forced to stare at the ceiling.