Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(91)

Wrapping an arm around her waist, I haul her into my arms.

She burrows her head against my chest, clutching my shirt for dear life.

“Breathe, baby. I got you.” With a heart full of lead, I carry her inside.

I’ve spent the last four years pining for the opportunity to destroy this girl’s life so I could watch her break.

Who knew success would taste so fucking bitter.





My window is boarded up with a large piece of cardboard and Cole is sweeping the glass into a dustpan by the time I enter my bedroom.

“Thanks.”

He continues sweeping. “I owed you one. Figured this was the least I could do.”

I start to deposit Dylan on my bed, but she fastens her arms around my neck and locks her legs around my waist.

“I need to find you clothes,” I tell her, but it only makes her tighten her grip more.

“I can ask Bianca to lend her some,” Cole suggests.

Yeah, that will go over like a fart in church.

“Nah. I got this.”

Carrying a distraught Dylan, I head over to my dresser. I pull out a sweatshirt and pajama pants with a drawstring.

They’ll be too big on her, but it’s the best I can do.

Reaching between us, I start to unbutton Dylan’s jeans, but my eyes land on Cole. “A little privacy.”

He waggles his eyebrows. “I read you loud and clear, brother.”

Yeah, because emotionally unstable chicks are such a turn-on.

The door clicks closed, and I plop us down on my bed.

She’s still crying and shaking, so I feel like shit when I have to pry her death grip from around my neck, but I don’t have a choice. I need to put dry clothes on her.

Her teeth begin chattering when I remove her shirt.

“I know,” I say as I place the new one over her head. “We’ll get you under the covers and warmed up soon.”

Christ. I don’t know who this guy caring for the girl he’s supposed to hate like she’s the most precious thing on earth is…

Actually, I do.

It’s me…circa four years ago.

Back when the girl crying in my arms was my best friend.

My everything.

Forcing my dick not to react, I stand her up and slide her jeans down her hips. Then I slip my pajama pants on her and tie the drawstring tight so they don’t fall.

“You gonna tell me what happened?”

Whose ass I’m kicking.

Whose life I’m destroying.

Whose blood will be on my goddamn hands for being stupid enough to hurt you.

“My dad,” she croaks.

“I thought—”

“Savannah…the baby.”

Oh shit.

I’m starting to get the picture, until she chokes out, “Oakley…my aunt Crystal…you.” The guttural sound she makes goes straight through me like a bullet. “Everything is so fucked up. I can’t…I can’t…”

The muscles in my chest draw tight. Our demons are almost identical, and it’s clear hers are wreaking havoc right now.

For once, Dylan can’t fight them off on her own.

Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her close. “It’s okay. You don’t have to.”

I’ll fight this battle for you.





Chapter 40





Dylan





The sound of thunder booming wakes me up with a jolt, but strong arms clutch me tighter.

Jace.

I’d recognize his touch anywhere.

It’s like a warm blanket wrapped around me in the middle of a snowstorm. Keeping me safe and warm.

“It’s just thunder,” he whispers against my temple.

Turning in bed, I face him. “How long was I asleep?”

“Three hours and seventeen minutes.”

“Wow, that’s…precise.”

The edge of his thumb traces my jaw. “How are you?”

He’s looking at me with so much concern, I fear my heart might burst right out of my chest.

“Better.”

Because of him.

After I ran over here like a psycho during a meltdown, Jace took care of me.

No, more than that.

He listened without judgment as I unleashed everything I’ve been keeping inside.

My problems. My fears. My pain.

And then he held me while I cried myself to sleep.

His eyes search my face. “You should get some more rest.”

I’m about to concede, because the exhaustion coursing through my body makes me feel like I could sleep for weeks and it still wouldn’t be enough, but then I remember.

I bolt up. “Oh my God, Sawyer. We were—”

“Relax.” He nods to my phone on his nightstand. “Your phone kept ringing, so I answered it. I told Sawyer you were going through shit and spending the night here.”

Oh. “How did that conversation go?”

Amusement lines his face. “After asking for photographic evidence proving you were safe, she threatened to take a chainsaw to my nuts and my brother’s if I didn’t return you in one piece.”

That’s my girl. “I’ll give her a call in the morning.” Nausea barrels into me. “I should probably tell my cheating, cradle robbing aunt I’m here.”