Twist (Siren Publishing Allure) (23 page)

Lana took the piece of paper from her pocket, silently reading the first line before she collapsed into tears. She handed the paper to Lee. He glanced at it and nodded. “This is beautiful.”

Lee read from the paper,

“In waterfalls of the darkest night, our first love took to flight.

In days of bright sunshine, our love flourished like the finest wine.

It gathered strength, became absolute, sweet like summer fruit.

You held me in your arms at night, my fantasies were given flight.

Your smile glowed within my mind, always honest, always kind.

Your touch created the greatest heat, your absence icy with retreat.

We talked, we laughed, became as one, our love a brilliant sun.

Then childhood phantoms came back to call. My star began to fall.

Your light it slowly ebbed away, leaving me with tears this day.

I’m left with but your memory, in only dreams you come to me.

So on this day, I say farewell, min sann kärlek I tell.

Walk the path of crystal snow, don’t linger for me, you’re free to go.”

Lana whispered, “Min sann kärlek,
du är fri att gå
.”

Rolf pulled her tighter. “
Broder, du är fri att gå. Jag kommer att sakna dig
.”

Lana repeated, “
Jag kommer att sakna dig
.”

“Do you know what that means?” Rolf asked in a slightly skeptical tone.

“Yes. Enar taught me a little Swedish. ‘Broder’ means brother. I actually looked up ‘I will miss you’ because it applies.”

Lee walked around the fountain, offering Lana his hand. She accepted it, and Lee tugged her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “That was beautiful. What did the words mean?”

“My true love.”

“How do you say I love you?”

“
Jag kärlek dig
. He knows that you loved him, Lee.”

He nodded. “I know. I was saying it to you and Rolf.”

She smiled, sniffling, and then began to cry. She pulled Lee into a tight hug. “I love you, too. Don’t disappear from my life now that Enar is gone.”

“I won’t.”

She leaned back, gazing at him. “I want you to be happy. Is there anything I can do?”

“No. Just be Lana. Rolf looks like a lost pup without you in his arms. Make him happy. I can take care of myself.”

“I feel like I am always in his arms. The boy has a thing about letting me walk.”

“Are you complaining?” asked Rolf.

“No. I love being carried. It reminds me of how strong you are.”

He scooped her into his arms, carrying her to a chaise lounge that was unoccupied. Rolf stepped over the seat and sat down, shifting Lana to sit between his thighs. “The poem was beautiful. Will you write one for me someday?”

“Of course.”

Logan strode over, handing Lana a plate of food. “You look absolutely anorexic. You really need to fatten her up.”

Rolf smiled. “I am trying, and you are?”

“The name is Logan. I know Enar and Lana from Trist.”

“If I remember correctly, you called her Mistress Twist.”

Logan chuckled. “Yeah. That’s her nickname with a header of Mistress, Queen, Lady. The only thing congruent is the name Twist. I presume you are Enar’s twin. I’m surprised by how much taller and more muscular you are. Aren’t twins usually built the same?”

“Enar was sick as a child.”

“Ah. So are you going to keep the lady from us, or do you share your brother’s interests?”

“I do, but Lana will be busier with me. We’ll stop by once in a while.”

“Cool. I will be looking forward to it. I get first dibs.”

Lana chuckled, shaking her head in exasperated humor. “You are a trip, Logan.”

He nodded, his expression turning serious. “Your poem was beautiful. What were the words?”

“They were Swedish for ‘my true love. You are free to go.’”

“Were you releasing his memory or his spirit?”

“I will always hold memories of him dearly, but I know that he needs me to be happy before he will pass over. I’m trying.”

He wrinkled his nose. “I don’t want to get knocked out for asking this, but I’m getting the impression that no one has a rat’s chance in hell of even getting a date with you. Do they?”

Rolf nudged her leg so she would shift around to lean against his chest. He then wrapped his arms and legs around her. Lana knew it was Rolf’s way of claiming her and visually answering the question for everyone present. “No, Logan. I have already been marked as Rolf’s territory.”

Rolf growled and licked her neck, causing her to wiggle in his arms. Logan chuckled. “I see that. Your neck is very pretty, even though the bruise is not in its prime.”

Rolf thumped his head back onto the lounger. “That was actually an accident. I had a nightmare and my hand was wrapped around her throat. I would never leave a visible bruise like that on purpose. I’m kinky, not stupid.”

Logan held up his hands defensively. “I didn’t mean anything bad by that. I honestly think it’s pretty. I like bruises.”

“He does. I have seen his girlfriend and she also likes creating bruises.”

Logan smiled, shrugging. “Rolf, we all loved your brother. I can understand why you might feel a bit like you are being scrutinized, but you are really not. Not by his friends from Trist at least. We know how Enar felt about Lana, and it doesn’t surprise us in the least that he wants the two of you together. It’s nice to see that you are taking such good care of her. To see her cry is brutal. What she said in her poem about your brother’s smile also applies to her. Her smile is always honest, kind, and filled with life. We were all afraid that she would turn bitter and depressed because of Enar’s death. You keep that from happening, okay?”

“I’m trying.”

Lana cuddled back into his chest. “You are doing a great job.”

“Thanks.”

Jolie strolled over, her makeup barely concealing the vicious scar on her face. Lana smiled. “Hey. Where is Mark?”

“He went to use your bathroom. This is really nice. How are you doing?”

“I’ve had better weeks, but Rolf is helping.”

“Don’t tell Mark, honey, but I would love to trade places with you. I always liked Enar, but Rolf, baby, you are something else.”

“I am something that’s attached to Lana by my brother’s final breath. I haven’t even thought about another woman since she came into my life. Oh shit, speak of the devil.”

Lana turned to him, frowning, and saw him looking at the patio door. She followed his gaze and grunted. “Who invited her?”

Lee strode over. “Did you invite Jessica to the gathering?”

“Yeah, I’m a moron, Lee,” Rolf said sarcastically. “I threw her out and even gave her half a million to get the hell out of my life.”

Jessica stormed across the yard, her hands locked on her hips as she glared at Rolf. “Are you
fucking
kidding me? You left me for your brother’s wife. Where the hell is Enar?”

“He’s in the fountain, Jessica. He died four days ago. You are at Enar’s funeral gathering, so turn your skinny ass around and get the hell out of my house,” snapped Lana.

Jessica stared at her. “
What
?”

Rolf grunted. “What part of that didn’t you understand? Enar is dead and you are not wanted here. I told you to get the hell out of my life and I meant it. Did Patty give you the note that I left?”

Jessica snapped a sarcastic smile on her face, her eyes filled with malice. “No, but I have been informed that
you
are selling
my
fucking house.”

“It was not
your
fucking house. I bought it, I paid the bills, and I am selling
my
house. I have already moved back here to be with my brother and Lana. Go home, Jess, and stay there.”

“I have
no fucking home
to go back to.”

He held out his hands, playing a tiny, imaginary violin with his fingers. “You have had six months and half a million to find a new place to live. No longer my problem.”

“I didn’t think you were serious. I spent the money.”

He made the violin smaller. “Not my problem. I’ll give you plane fare to get home.”

Lana snarled at her. “No, sweetie, let me. It is fitting that my first purchase with Enar’s money should be to send her into flight.”

Jessica took a step toward Lana. Her hand was in midswing when Logan grabbed it, twisting her arm behind her back. His nostrils were flared in anger and he marched her toward the door, shoving her into the house. Lee went after them. He returned a few minutes later, laughing with Logan. “You owe me a grand, Lana.”

“A grand? What, did you fly her first class?”

“No. I left her outside, pissed off as hell, waiting for a cab. I gave her the grand to get rid of her. It was worth it.”

“She will come back,” said Rolf.

“I’m not a moron either, Rolf. Mark is keeping an eye on her for us. I have no doubt that she will go to the airport and get on a plane.”

Lana began to laugh. “Mark? He is a trip. I wouldn’t fuck with him.”

Jolie grunted. “What is wrong with Mark?”

“Nothing, Jolie. I love Mark, but I know him. The first time I saw him, he scared the hell out of me. He looks like a hard-core biker with a bad attitude.”

Jolie laughed. “I can’t argue with that. If he told me to leave and not come back, I wouldn’t come back. Of course, he likes what Mama gives him and would never tell me to leave,” she added smugly.

Reg walked over, nudging Jolie with his hip. “You are hogging the queen. My turn.”

Reg leaned and kissed Lana on the cheek and then hopped back, his hands held up defensively. Rolf chuckled. “I’m not moving. I have the best seat here.”

“I see that.” Reg held out his hand. “I’m Reg. Your brother was the best.”

Rolf shook his hand. “I’m Rolf, and I agree with you. We are really going to miss him.”

“That’s what makes death a bitch. It’s no biggie to die, but it does a number on the people who you leave behind. Take good care of Lana. She deserves it.”

“Thank you, Reg.”

She saw a shimmer of red in her side vision and turned to it. Maria stopped short, staring at her as her expression morphed to one of confusion. “Lana?”

“Of course. I’m so glad you came.”

“I’m sorry, there was an accident on the highway. It took them forever to clear it up and I was between two exits so I was stuck. You look so different.” She held her hands out as if wanting to give Lana a hug but unable to do so with the position that Lana was sitting in. Lana shifted forward, extending her arms. Maria gave her a tight hug, frowning as Lana slid back into Rolf’s grasp. “I’m confused. I thought this was a funeral for Enar.”

“He didn’t actually want a funeral. This is just a gathering of friends, a day to share grief and memories. We put Enar’s ashes in the fountain about half an hour ago. The large, black marble stone is his urn.”

Maria turned and looked into the fountain and then shrugged at Lana. “Who the hell is he?” she asked, pointing her finger at Rolf.

“Maria, this is Enar’s twin brother, Rolf. Rolf, Maria is a friend from my life before Enar. I haven’t seen her in about eight months.”

Maria slid over a chair. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“I have the feeling that I’m missing something here. Mona called me two days ago. She said that your mind was wrong and you have become anorexic. She insisted that you were being drugged and abused. What’s up with that?”

She leaned her head back into Rolf’s chest and sighed. “Nothing is up with that. I spent the last year watching Enar become progressively weaker and more tired. I spent the last two months caring for him as he faded away into death. Rolf and Lee helped, but I was with him almost every minute. It doesn’t do much for your appetite and I lost weight. I’m trying to eat better, and I have two men trying to shove food down my throat at every opportunity.”

Rolf tickled her sides, making her squirm. “Don’t accuse me of shit, woman.”

She turned her head to him, grinning. “Every time I turn around, you or Lee are asking me if I want something to eat.”

“When you put it that way. Are you going to eat some of the plate that Logan brought you?”

“Yeah, I will.”

He pushed her forward slightly. “Give me it. I’m starved, and it’s probably ice cold by now.”

Lana handed him the plate, leaning forward with her elbows on his thighs. She shrugged at Maria. “I’m trapped. Stop looking at me so suspiciously. Enar’s last wish was for Rolf and I to be together. He didn’t want me alone and he didn’t want me with anyone else. I want to be with Rolf and he wants to be with me. I am not being drugged and haven’t lost my mind. I’m simply grieving Enar as I fall deeper in love with Rolf.”

“Deeper?”

“Yes. I fell in love with him while Enar was alive. He knew about it. He didn’t mind as long as I loved him more, which I did. Now…” She shrugged. “That is changing. As long as he keeps treating me like a princess, I’m in trouble.”

Rolf laughed, running his hand down her head. He used a handful of her hair to physically turn her to face him and Lana showed him a wide, toothy smile. She giggled at his provocative expression. “Am I accusing you again?”

“Not exactly. Why are you in trouble?”

“I’m not, I just figured the comment would make you laugh.”

“It almost made me spit food all over your back. I needed the laugh though.”

Lana snatched a chunk of thick cheese from the plate and ate it. Rolf pursed his lips and she took another piece, feeding it to him. She could see the expression of disbelief on Maria’s face and turned toward her.

“I can’t believe what I am seeing. Your neck is purple as if someone choked you and you obviously don’t care. I expected to get here and see you sobbing over the man you loved. Instead you are acting like a teenager with his brother. My god, Lana, what has happened to you? Have you really become so cold that you can thoughtlessly lie in this man’s arms the day you put his brother in his final resting place?”