Forbidden Fate (Crowne Point 3)

Grayson zeroed on me. “You’re only here because we allow it. Try and make some effort.”

Fury and betrayal made a noxious soup in my gut. Each inhale felt like breathing in knives. Yes, he allowed me to stay, but it isn’t the greatest benevolence to sleep on the floor to avoid an ashy bed. To be forced to fly to fucking Asheville when I wanted to stay with my uncle, the only reason I’m doing this.

“Thank you for allowing me to stay. It’s so important I get to stay near my uncle. After all, every minute counts.” His brow crinkled, and I swear recognition flickered in his blue gaze.

But I didn’t care.

“I should go to Mrs. Grayson Crowne.”

I shucked off West and walked by Grayson, leaving them both behind. I swiped at my face, trying to wipe off the heat. For a minute, I’d laughed with West and forgotten my life. Forgotten the darkness.

I heard the footsteps moments later, pounding on the hardwood.

“Hey!” Grayson called after me. I walked faster. “Story, wait! Story!” He spun me around. “I’m sorry. I got…” He tangled his hands in his hair. Absently, I noticed it looked wilder. I hated that I wanted to know what had been on his mind.

“I worry about you,” he finished.

Unwanted hope sprang in my chest.

Maybe he still wanted me. Maybe the weight on his shoulders was me.

“It’s not your job to worry about me, Mr. Crowne.”

He looked like I’d slapped him. Then an icy cold fell across his features. “Why were you with him?”

Why do you care?

Why do you fucking care?

I still had no clue why he’d ever broken us in the first place. But I did know the only reason he’d given me that moment on his wedding was because of his wife.

I was starting to think I got us all wrong. He was just like West, a rich boy who believed he was entitled to my love.

I took a breath, then said with an even voice, “What I do is of no concern to you, Mr. Crowne.” I turned, not waiting for a reply.

“He raped you!” His yell slammed against my back, echoing off the walls and freezing me in place.

The proclamation seemed to silence everything, even the birds outside, until only dust remained. Lingering in the air and catching the stripe of sunlight piercing the shadowy hall like stardust.

That little shred of hope I had that wouldn’t fucking die—ripped out. I don’t know how he learned…but I know now why he won’t let me go. The why—it’s always the same with these boys.

I straightened my shoulders, slowly turning. “Thank you for letting me know, Mr. Crowne. I

wouldn’t have figured it out otherwise.”

“Story, wait.” He grabbed my bicep. “Just fucking wait.”

“Why? Why do I need to wait for you?” My voice started to shake. “You left me. The only reason you’re paying attention is because you learned another guy dirtied your merchandise.”

“That’s not—” He exhaled and dropped me. “You don’t think that. You don’t believe that about me.”

I didn’t know what I believed anymore.

“Why do you keep hanging around him?”

“Why do you care?” I yelled.

“You know why.” His voice lowered to a growl that vibrated and throbbed in my chest.