Craven Cove Royalty (Craven Cove)

Deciding to get this over with, I put my hand on his arm, leaning in close.

“You can fuck off, Rory. You disrespect my daughter, you disrespect me,” I hiss, unable to keep my emotions in check. My voice is low enough that no one else can hear us. If anything, it looks like we’re flirting.

“It’s not what you think, Anna. I’m sorry—” he rushes to say.

“Sorry isn't enough,” I cut him off.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a black American Express card, and it's like a slap to the face. “Let me make it up to you. I heard you say you’re going to the city for a girls’ day. Let me pay for it.”

Without hesitating, I take the card from his hand. He wants to treat me like a whore, I’ll act like one.

Not only will I take all his money, but I’ll take his heart while I’m at it.

Chapter Eight

Rory

From the end of the road, I wait for Apollo to pick up Celeste for school. It’s early, but I wanted to wait until Anna was alone to talk to her in person. I texted her over the weekend, and she never responded, not that I could blame her.

Once I see them turn in the opposite direction, I pull out of my spot and drive to Anna’s house. After I park in her driveway, I go to the door and knock softly. I didn’t even bother dressing for work today. I’m in a T-shirt and gray sweatpants. As soon as I woke up, I was ready to see her.

There’s a sound inside, and I hear her come closer. “Did you forget something, sweetheart?” When she finally opens the door and looks at me, she starts to close the door in my face.

“Wait.” I put my hand on it to stop her. “Let me talk.”

“I don’t want to hear what you have to say.”

She steps out, and I see she must have woken up not long ago. Her blond hair is piled high on her head, and she’s in a pale blue tank top and sleep shorts. She’s not wearing any makeup, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look more beautiful.

“You will.” I take a step toward her, but she doesn’t give an inch. “I’ll do it out here in the street if you want, but either way, you’re going to hear it.” She hesitates for half a second before she rolls her eyes.

“Fine.” She steps to the side and then closes the door after me once I walk in. “Hurry it along. I’ve got things to do today.”

She won’t even look at me, and I grind my teeth in frustration. “I’m scared,” I admit, and that gets her attention.

“What?”

“What you make me feel is so powerful it’s almost unbearable. If you wanted me out of your life, it would break me, Anna. But I’d do my best to give it to you.”

“Well, that’s what I want,” she snaps.

“Hear me out.” I step closer, and she crosses her arms over her chest. “I would do that for you because I’m falling in love with you.”

She swallows hard as her eyes meet mine. She doesn’t say a word as I take another tentative step closer.

“I would somehow learn to live with the hole in my heart you’d leave behind, because I have to keep going for my son. But I know that Apollo feels this way about Celeste. I can see it in every part of him, and the way he looks at her. I’m scared that if she pushes him away like you’re pushing me away, he won’t be strong enough to survive it.”

“Rory, I—”

“I’m so damn sorry that I made you think for even a second that I don’t care about Celeste, and I want to apologize to her too. Because in reality, I care too much, and I’m afraid. I’ve never done this before, and putting it all on the line means I have everything to lose.” I let out a long breath. “I’m already pushing my son away with how I’ve behaved, and it has to change. I have to change.”

“I’ve never done this before either.” Her arms fall to her sides, and I see the honesty in her eyes. “Celeste will always come first for me, Rory. Just like Apollo will come first with you.”

“I know, but that doesn’t mean that you aren’t a priority to me.” This time when I step closer, she’s within my reach. Slowly, I bring my hand to her arm and trail my fingers against her bare skin. “Let me try and get this right. I’m going to fuck up and make mistakes, but I want to be in any part of your life, as long as I get to be with you.”

“I’m trying to stay mad at you.” When the edge of her lip curls up, hope blooms inside of me.