Destroyed Destiny (Crowne Point 4)

His stare flittered back to me, eyes narrowed, and he cursed.

“Why don’t you ask Grayson, your infallible hero, why he didn’t think to warn you the most powerful men in the world think you’re the only thing standing in the way of the prize. That coin you’re after, the one you think will grant you your freedom from me—do you really think you can find it before my father? Before Beryl Crowne?”

“I…” I stumbled, tongue thick. “What is he talking about?”

“My grandfather and the du Lacs are looking for the coin, and they think you are the key to finding it.”

My mouth dropped. “But I don’t…I don’t know where it is. If I did I would have told you!”

“I know. I know, little wife.”

“My grandfather won’t act until he’s one hundred percent certain. Right now it’s just a hunch.”

I see now you’re more, Story. A different, deadlier breed of trash.

Because you’d never expect anything of a servant, would you, Beryl?

I was so sick of keeping my words in. Of being subservient and silent. And the one time I opened my mouth, I jammed a foot down my throat.

“Oh my God.” I fell back.

“What?” Grayson’s concern was faded into a buzz as adrenaline rushed through my ears.

“Oh no…” I vaguely registered Grayson gripping my elbow. “Oh no, oh no.”

I stared ahead.

Unblinking.

Until Grayson gripped my chin and forced my gaze to his. “Story, take a breath, and tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I confirmed it, didn’t I?” I asked, throat hoarse. “I just wanted to stand up for myself. I had no idea what he was talking about… What ice could she have slipped under? She was under the tree! It’s my fault. It’s all my fault—”

Grayson cut me off with a hug, shoving my face into his chest. “It’s not your fault when a snake bites you.”

I didn’t realize I was hyperventilating, that I was woozy, until they sat me down on a stone bench. I stared into both their eyes as West held one elbow, and Grayson the other.

That was when it hit me: Grayson and West were standing side by side. Was what West said true? They knew the same amount of information, and I was in the dark. What the hell was happening? I shook them both off, standing up, putting space between us.

“What the hell is going on here? Am I gonna end up like Josephine?”

I didn’t get the answer to my questions, because our little bubble popped as the rest of the Crowne and du Lac family flooded the hallway while they made their way to bed.

Grayson watched me with burning eyes as West led me to my tower.

West leaned on my doorframe, watching me. He’d loosened his bow tie, his jacket discarded, as if getting comfortable—in my fucking doorway.

I focused on anything else. Maybe if I ignored him long enough, he’d go away.

All the questions I’d sought from Grayson, the ones clawing my chest, suddenly had answers, and they came in the form of Josephine’s pale face.

I’d only just spoken with her; she’d just saved me from Beryl. Now she’s dead.

Gone.

My dress scraped along the hardwood floors, and anytime I turned, the circumference knocked into something—the wooden posts of my bed, the legs of my vanity.

“Someone died tonight,” West said. “So your girl isn’t coming back. If you want out of your dress, it’s either me, or no one.”