Crowned by Fate (Crowned 2)

“Right? It’s weird. But I don’t care because he’s pretty!”

I rolled my eyes. “Your pussy is too easy to fuck, that’s your problem.”

“If there’s something you need to say, do it.” I shuffle in my chair, reaching for the humidor and taking out a cigar.

“I don’t think we should be keeping our connection a secret. It might help her, I don’t know, understand why we’re close?” Stace mutters, and I watch as a range of emotions soar through her face in waves.

I roll the cigar around in my mouth, allowing the tang of tobacco to linger on the tip of my tongue. “Let me tell you what Isa will do if she finds out that you and I used to fuck, suck, and lick each other since way before we even went through puberty.” I blow out a cloud of gray smoke. “She’ll kill you out of sheer jealousy, and then either me or Devon will have to figure out yet another plan to hide a murder. Because that’s what we will always do for her. We’re the soldiers that linger behind her.”

Stacey sighs. “Bryant, what the fuck has all of this really got to do with Max? Something is not adding up.”

I clench my jaw, simmering the rage that’s threatening to rise to the top. “Oh, I’m well aware that the coincidence is way too fucking obvious, but I’ve run checks on this kid. He’s fucking clean. Foster homes after foster homes, and then dead end.”

“Huh,” Stacey says, and I don’t miss the look of challenge that flies over her face. “I was married to him for twelve months. He was perfect at first, but then shit started to get weird. That cabin, the psych ward, the obvious secrecy whenever I’d ask about anything. He kept so much away while keeping me in close.”

“We’ll get to the end of it, and I doubt he’ll be walking away with his life.”

The excuses you create are just dressed up lies.

-Isa

I have two options. I can wear white or black. My head swings between the two dresses.

“I think you should go for black.” Jess gestures to the black lace dress with her margarita glass. “You always look good in black.”

Ash shakes her head. “But that’s it. It’s expected of you to wear the black. I say go white. It’s so not you.” Their small bickering dies off in the background as I internally go back and forth between what dress I’m wearing to this damn event. This is it. I know that whatever happens tonight will be the deciding factor in Bryant’s and my future. Having a child with someone doesn’t give them immunity to hurt you.

My fingers flex over the white silk gown. Strapless and tailored to fit my curves like a glove, Giorgio Armani did well with this one.

“Want a drink?” Jess asks as she’s diving behind my bedroom door.

I shake my head. “No, thanks. I need all of my wits tonight.”

Ash drops down onto my bed when Jess disappears. She takes my hand in hers. “I’ll take good care of little Harper tonight. I’m actually really excited. I’ve always loved kids and babies.”

I chuckle. “You say that because you didn’t have any siblings. But yes, she’s special.”

“I’ve got all these games lined up that I want to play with her.” I don’t have the heart to tell Ash that Harper is too young to play anything, so I let her yap off into the background as I slip into my dress and busy myself with the rest of my preparation.

My hair is done, soft curls trail down my back, and my makeup is completed. It’s natural, without looking natural. Low effort. When I make my way into the tent that’s set up in the back yard, I scratch at the palms of my hands agitatedly. There’s so much uncertainty that surrounds me and it’s making me feel unhinged. My father’s death didn’t lessen it, if anything, it made me more nervous.

“Well damn.” Devon’s fingers flex over my hip as he pulls me into his side. I’m paralyzed by how quickly they managed to turn Bryant’s boring back yard into one of festivities, but I dig it.

“Thanks,” I grumble, still not happy with Devon. I do my best to ignore him, people-watching as couple after couple enter the tent through the large doors. Security guards are posted everywhere, with one at the entryway.

“You’re still mad at me?” Devon sulks. “Come on.”

“Nope,” I answer, bored. “I don’t care anymore. Have a good night, Devon.”

I go to walk away from him when his hand comes to mine. “Isa, there’s something you need to know.”

I snap, finally turning to face him. “And what’s that, Devon? What now?”

Devon’s lips roll under his teeth. “Max is here with someone.”

I yank my hand out of his grip. “Leave me the fuck alone.”