Royal Mess (Devil's Knights 2nd Generation 3)

That wasn’t the case when it came to Royal. Yes, Grit was gone, and I was to blame, but it felt like we had managed to move past that yesterday.

“I’m not mad at you.”

That was bullshit. “Then why won’t you talk to me.”

“Because I have nothing to say,” she replied simply.

“I don’t believe you.” I bet Royal had a bunch to say to me. Hell, she probably had a bunch she would love to yell at me, too.

“Come have a drink with me before dinner.”

She rolled her eyes and looked down at her stomach. “I think I’ll pass.”

Idiot. “I can make yours a virgin.”

“Marco, I don’t want to have a drink. I want some cheese and crackers.”

Of course, she did. There was comfort in numbers, so she wanted to be in the kitchen with everyone else. I wasn’t going to force her to talk to me though. “Then let’s get some cheese in you.”

Royal tipped her head back. “Really?”

I let go of her arm and motioned down the hall. “I’m not some animal that is going to force you to do something that you don’t want, Royal. Have I yet?”

“I’m here, Marco.”

“I know.”

She rolled her eyes. “I mean I’m here, and I didn’t choose to be here.”

Well, that was the truth. But that was for her own good. “Name another thing besides that.”

She opened her mouth but closed it without a word.

“You’re here so you can stay safe, Royal. I know I made you come here, but since you’ve gotten here, you’ve been free to do whatever you want. If I had my way, I would have knocked down your door this morning and demanded you talk to me.”

“And you would have had my foot up your butt if you did that.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sure you would have tried.”

She huffed and stepped away from me. “If I’m free to do whatever I want, maybe I’ll just go back to my room. I’m sure Bristol would be more than happy to just leave a tray for dinner outside my door.”

I clamped down the words in my mouth. Like hell you’re going back to your room. “Whatever you want. I can let her know, if you want.” That was hard as fuck to say.

“I don’t believe you.” She stepped back toward the direction of her room but stopped when she heard Greer’s laughter.

I was pretty fucking pissed when Greer showed up, but her being here might actually help me. She had told me she only had the baby and Indiana left. Maybe she was adding Greer to that list of people she favored.

“There’s no point in making Bristol send up a tray when I’m already here.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I’m eating dinner down here.”

That had worked perfectly. It seemed that reverse psychology was going to be the way to get Royal to spend time with me. “After you.”

Royal wrinkled her nose and glared at me. “I thought you were wanting to have a drink before dinner.”

I nodded to the glass in my hand. “I already had two. I just thought you could use some refreshment.”

“Cranberry juice is about the only refreshment I can have until I pop this baby out.”

I smiled. “I remember you calling dibs on the couch in the media room when that happens. I’m sure Murphy and Princeton can drape some plastic on the floor.” I meant it as a joke, but of course, Royal didn’t take it that way.