He led the way back toward the stairs, but this time, we didn’t climb them. “Are we headed into the east wing?” I joked.
“West wing,” Marco clarified.
Of course. “How foolish of me. Of course, it’s the west wing.”
Marco glanced back at me with a huge grin on his face. “I’m joking, Royal.”
Oh. Well, now I actually did feel a little foolish.
We walked into a large room with one row of recliners and a row of couches in front of a huge TV screen. Large bookcases lined opposite walls that were filled with tons of books and movies.
“Uh, yeah. I think the name media room fits nicely.”
“This room is my uncle’s pride and joy. He’s a movie buff and loves to read any book he can get his hands on.” Marco walked over to the overstuffed couch that was directly in front of the TV. “Sit here. I’ll get you the remote.”
I plopped down on the couch and sunk into the softest and most plush cushions ever. I waved my hand in the air. “Just leave me here. I believe the couch and I have become one.”
Marco chuckled and moved to the TV. “Just wait until you sit in one of the recliners.”
“I think I might give birth on this couch and raise the baby right here.”
Marco turned on the TV. “I’m sure Bristol would love it. She seemed to take a liking to you.”
“She’s more than nice. Totally someone I would hang out with on a normal day.”
Marco stepped toward me and handed me the remote. “This isn’t a normal day?”
I grabbed the remote and rolled my eyes. “Well, my brother dying and then being whisked off to Wyndemere Estates isn’t really what I would call normal.” My words brought a chill to the room. For a moment, I had forgotten Grit was gone. I had forgotten the reason why I was tucked away at Wyndemere Estates.
Meeks had killed Grit, and now, he was coming for me and the baby.
I handed the remote back to Marco and jumped up. “I changed my mind. I think I’ll just go back to bed.
“Royal,” Marco pleaded.
I shook my head and stepped around him. “I can find the way back to my room. Thank you for dinner.” I dashed from the room and jogged up the stairs. At the top, a sharp pain ran down my side, but I didn’t stop.
By the time I made it to my room and threw open the door, tears were streaming down my face. I pushed the door shut and twisted the lock.
How could I have sat down in the kitchen with Marco like nothing had happened? Was I really about to watch TV and not wonder where Grit’s body was? How did I forget everything?
Grit was dead, and I was next if the Meeks had their way.
I flipped off the lights and fell into bed. I wasn’t tired, but I didn’t deserve to be happy right now.
I didn’t know what I deserved, but I knew it wasn’t happiness.
“Royal,” Marco called. He knocked on the door.
I didn’t move. “I’m going to bed, Marco.”
“You said you weren’t tired,” he recalled.
“I changed my mind. I can do that.” I sounded like a cranky five-year-old.
“Are you okay?”
Okay? Was I okay? I really didn’t know. “I’m fine.”