Cracked Kingdom (The Royals #5)(83)

“I’m done,” she announces. “It’s safe to look again.”

I swing around to find her lying on the bed. She stretches her arm across the mattress. “This is a big bed,” she says, looking at me under her eyelashes.

My blood heats up. It’s hard keeping my hands off her, especially when she looks like she’d like to sink her teeth into my chest.

“I like a lot of space.” I struggle to get under control. She’s injured, I remind myself and toss a blanket over her. Her Astor Park skirt is riding up and the flash of thigh is making me sweat. As I lower myself onto the mattress, I bite my inner cheek and hope the pain keeps my dick under control.

“You’re still staying home tonight,” I whisper into her hair, drawing her into my arms.

“We’ll see.”

I doubt this is a battle I’m going to win, so I content myself with holding her tight, digging my thumbs into her tense back, rubbing a gentle hand over her sides, tangling my legs with hers. She presses her sock-covered feet against my shins and tucks her head against my shoulder. I rub her from neck to butt and back again until her breathing evens out and her body slackens against me.

My pants are tight, the arm tucked under her frame is going numb and it’s becoming uncomfortably hot, but I wouldn’t move for all the money, planes, and booze in the world.



*

At nine, Ella shows up at the apartment in my truck, which is big enough to fit all three of us. Her Audi convertible is a two-seater, so it’ll have to stay out on the curb. I make a mental note to toss Jose a hundie to keep an eye on the car, make sure no street punks try to mess with it.

“You’re in a bad mood,” Ella remarks when I let her in.

“No. I’m…” I don’t know how to describe it. Ever since I saw Hart get punched by Kyle, I haven’t felt right. Cuddling with her all day, as nice as it was, didn’t succeed in easing my nerves. I want to call tonight off, but this might be our best—and last—chance to nail Hartley’s dad and save the case against Steve.

I can’t let either of these girls down. Especially Hart. Last night she handed her trust over to me. Fully and completely. But that comes with a lot of responsibility. The urge to protect her at all costs was strong before, but now it’s a mantra that repeats itself on every beat of my heart.

“I’m worried,” I finally say.

“We’re just taking pictures.”

“Right.” But her words don’t reassure me.

Upstairs, Hart stands inside the door, wringing her fingers together. Ella, dressed in black from head to toe, her bright golden hair tucked inside a black beanie, surveys the place slowly. Hart’s braced for insults over the size, the condition, the mattress still sitting on the floor and not in a bed frame.

Hart’s anxious because she doesn’t want Ella to insult our apartment. I realize she doesn’t know Ella’s past.

“This is dope,” Ella says and drops onto the sofa. “But why are you living here and not with your parents?”

“They kicked me out,” Hart answers stiffly.

“Damn.” Ella whistles. “I didn’t know parents did that. Was it because you were dating Easton? I mean, he is offensive and all, but I figured parents liked him.”

“Thanks a lot, little sis.” I cuff her lightly on the top of her head before making my way to the fridge, appreciating her attempts to make Hartley comfortable. I grab two sodas and pop one open for Hart and another for Ella.

Hart’s still standing just inside the door, all wide-eyed and amazed.

“She doesn’t know where you came from,” I explain to Ella. “She’s been too busy researching her past to bother with yours.”

Ella takes a sip of her soda before replying. “That’s kind of nice, though. Can I keep her in the dark?”

I level her a look.

She sighs. “Fine. I came here a year ago. Gosh, has it only been a year, East?”

“A long, terrible year, Ella,” I tease.

She gives me the finger in return. “A year ago, Callum found me stripping at a nightclub and brought me here. They hated me at first.” She points at me. “They were mean to me. Kicked me out of their car in the middle of the night and made me walk home.”

“We followed you,” I growl as Hart’s wide eyes swing to me.

“You left her and made her walk home? In the dark?”

I clear my throat. “We made it look like we abandoned her, but we had eyes on her the whole time.”

“Easton Royal, I can’t believe you’d do that.”

“It was my brother’s idea!” I argue.

“You should’ve stopped him,” she counters, looking adorably outraged. At least she’s not hiding nervously in the corner.

“You’re right.” I reach over and grab her wrist and haul her over to sit on my knee. She perches on the end of it like she’s afraid contact with my groin is the same as putting on a porn show for Ella. “Good news is that Ella forgave everyone and is now playing hide-the-salami on the regular with my older brother.”

Hart snickers. “Really?”

Ella reaches over and punches me in the arm—hard. “I forgave you for past sins, but not the ones you’re currently committing.” She turns to Hart. “Yes, really. Reed and I overcame a lot of bullshit, but we’re together now. The problem is that my sperm donor keeps popping up like one of those whack-a-moles or villains at the end of a scary movie who you think you kill but don’t. It’s not just that he tried to kill me, but that he blamed a murder on Reed, and that he’s trying to get away with it. The man’s dangerous. He can’t get off.” Ella’s chin juts out, readying more arguments in case Hartley objects.