Royal Prick (A Stepbrother Romance #2)(33)

“I am so tired of you… Tired of your attitude and your behavior!” Tension filled the air, lingering out into the hallway. I had to see what was happening; it was like an invisible cord was pulling me toward her door. I clenched my fists tightly as I stepped out into the hall walking on my tip toes over to her door, my eyes peering into her room through the small opening. I could see Noelle with her back against her dresser, her mother looming over her like she was about to attack.

“Tired of me!?” Noelle raised her voice in disbelief, and that seemed to be the last shred of sanity her mother had. Without warning, to either Noelle or I, her mother raised her hand landing a hard slap straight across the right side of her cheek, her face twisting to the side with the force of the blow. I had to grit my teeth to hide the fact that I was standing there watching it all go down. I wanted nothing more than to bust through the door and take her mother out, but I knew more than anyone that would just amplify the situation. It would be a grave mistake, one that Noelle would end up paying for.

“You will learn to listen to me, Noelle. That boy across the hall is nothing but an irresponsible idiot. Following in his footsteps will lead you down a dark path, and as your mother I want nothing but the best for you. I will not stand by and let you disrespect me.” Authority dripped from her lips. Who did this bitch think she was?

“Royal is a human. A person with real feelings, and just because he has had a troubled life doesn’t necessarily make him a bad person. Don’t make this about the fact that he is dangerous or a bad influence, when it’s more about the fact that you hate that he is here. That he interferes with your perfect image and perfect life.”

Everything that Noelle was saying was something I already knew. Viviana didn’t want me here. She voiced her concerns to my mother right before I left. Me being here was making shit harder for Noelle, and it wasn’t like her mother was wrong about me. I was troubled, and I always would be, but I would never do anything to hurt Noelle. Having Noelle stand up for me against her mother was everything I could have ever wanted.

She wormed her way under my skin and started to mean so much to me in such a short amount of time. I could never hurt her. She was too pure, too good for my shitty behavior. Noelle deserved the knight and shining armor, the carriage and the castle. She should be treated like a Queen, and I wasn’t the type of guy to be her King or give her any of that shit.

“I will not let you treat me like this anymore. You will learn to have some respect. I’ve sacrificed so much to get us to this point… and you… you couldn’t care less.” Her mother raised her hand again, and I knew deep down in the pit of my stomach that I couldn’t allow her to lay another hand against my princess.

Noelle seemed to push back against the dresser trying to get away from her mother. Shrinking to make herself smaller and that didn’t sit well with me. My girl should never have to cower to anyone. Least of all her retched mother.

I chose then to make myself known. Clearing my throat, I pushed through the bedroom door, pretending as if I had no idea that Viviana was in here.

“Noelle, I was just wondering…” I pretended to be asking a question. Viviana turned around shooting daggers at me, a fire burning deep in her eyes. I smiled.

Score one for Royal. Zero for Viviana.

“Oh hey!” Noelle forced a fake smile. I took notice of the ugly red mark against her beautiful pale white cheek. Unshed tears were brimming in her eyes as she tried to blink them away.

“We’re done here for now. Remember what I said, young lady.” Viviana’s voice was dark as she said the words, turning away from Noelle and glaring at me at me once again. The woman had a hard on for hating me.

“Hi Viviana, how’s your day going?” I smirked at her, which only made the flames in her eyes flicker more.

“Oh shut up, Royal,” she spat at me. It was like I was blowing on the flames, taunting the fire, trying to see if I could get her to blow. I hoped she hated me, because I didn’t like her very much myself.

She walked out of Noelle’s room without another comment, or a glare at either of us. Shame formed on Noelle’s precious face, and I wanted to take that shame and crumble it up and throw it away because there was no reason she should feel ashamed for wanting to be a teenager. I couldn’t protect her from her mother’s slap, but I could hopefully help ease her pain.

“Don’t be ashamed.” I gulped down the anxiety that filled my belly. I wasn’t used to soothing people. I wasn’t usually the one reassuring or calming someone, as if one couldn’t see that from my already long track record. I was the one causing the pain, but this was Noelle. I would do anything and everything for her. All I ever wanted was for everything to be okay in her life.

“I….” She paused, a tear trailing down her cheek and right over that big red splotch her mother placed against her skin. I couldn’t stop myself as I walked across the room stopping directly in front of her.

I pulled her into my chest and wrapped my arms around her small frame. I rubbed my hand up and down the length of her back, making sure she knew I was here for her, and that I wasn’t going anywhere. I pulled away but only slightly so I could look into her sad yet beautiful eyes, then I gently leaned forward and kissed that one single tear away.

“Please don’t cry,” I pleaded with her, not knowing what else to do.