Destroyed Destiny (Crowne Point 4)

“So Gemma and Tansy aren’t thrown on the street.”

“That’s why you did it? For Gemma and Tansy? There’s probably never been a more undeserving pair for your kindness.”

I took a deep breath. “Can you still call it kindness if you only offer it to those who deserve it? You’ve never done something for anyone if you didn’t get something out of it, have you, West?”

He looked like I’d struck him.

For a second, I thought good. Maybe something was finally getting through to West, maybe he’d change.

Of course I was wrong.

I moved to get out of bed, and he gripped my wrist, pulling me back.

“How are you feeling?” He palmed my stomach, possession seething from his grip. “You’re so big now.”

I wanted to scream.

To shove him off.

But then something miraculous happened, and I lost all train of thought.

A kick.

I couldn’t breathe or move. From the joy that overwhelmed me, and the absolute dismay at having it happen with West.

I hoped in vain that he didn’t feel it, but then West let out a small, startled laugh, his eyebrows skyrocketing. “It kicks.”

She. She kicks.

“Is this the first time?” West rubbed my stomach, possession seething the grate in his voice.

I let out a weak, parched, “No.”

West’s brow wrinkled, and he stared at my stomach for a long time, an emotion I couldn’t read muddling his eyes.

Everything that had happened to me since I’d left. Swallowing my words, living in fear, the countless beatings… None of it compared to the heartache of this moment.

This was Grayson’s kick. This belonged to Gray.

“This looks fucking cozy.”

I jumped, scrambling up at Grayson’s voice.

He leaned in the doorway, watching me with no emotion. The more Grayson and I were separated, the colder and crueler he became. Not to me…to everyone. To the world. I don’t think he noticed, but I couldn’t help but notice.

West leaned back, throwing his arms out to rest on my pillow.

“Morning, Crowne.” West laughed, getting out of bed. “I think I need a shower after last night. Want to join, Angel? You’re invited too, Crowne. I think she’d want it, right, Angel? If he slid inside you, alongside me.” West’s gaze slashed to the side, catching mine.

Grayson stared at me. “Maybe she would.”

I sucked in air at the bitter coldness.

West made his way to the bathroom, his laugh lingering hauntingly with the spray of the shower. Every morning, Grayson was here; every morning, West taunted us. And every day we looked for a coin I was beginning to think didn’t exist.

We’ve looked everywhere, beneath every poem. In the library, the graveyard, even Gemma’s wing.

She really wasn’t happy about that.