Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(25)

Finally, he turns. “About what?”

I open my arms wide. “I don’t know…everything.” Realizing I need to be a little more specific I add, “Why was I in the car with you? Where were we going?”

There’s so much sorrow in his eyes my heart does a painful flip.

Head down, he goes back to sweeping. “It doesn’t matter.”

The hell it doesn’t.

“Look,” I start, trying to reason with him. “I know my brothers are scary, but—”

That earns me a rough laugh. “I’m not scared of your brothers.”

That would make him the first and only guy in Royal Manor who isn’t.

It also makes me very confused.

“Then why won’t you tell me—”

“Because it doesn’t fucking matter,” he snaps. “You have a new life now.” He gestures to the door. “Quit talking to me and go live it.”

There’s an edge to his tone…one I can’t make sense of.

However, it’s clear he’s not going to budge. Which means I need to try a new tactic.

“Okay, if you don’t want to tell me about my past…can we spend a little time together?”

I’m hoping if we do it will trigger another memory, given I’ve had not one but two of them in the span of twenty-four hours since meeting him.

He looks at me like I’ve sprouted another head before dismissing me entirely.

“No.”

Holy hell. It’s like that’s his favorite word.

I’m not going to give up so easily, though so I attempt to reason with him again.

“Fine, but if I tell you about the flashback I had, can you at least confirm some things for me?”

Sweep. Sweep.

“I’m sure your brothers can do that.”

I’m so frustrated with him it’s taking everything in me not to rip my hair out.

“Please,” I beg, even though it’s sad that I even have to in the first place. “I can’t trust Jace and Cole anymore since they lied—”

“Your brothers love you,” he quickly bites out, coming to their defense.

Well, then.

I did not see that coming. Especially after the way they treated him yesterday.

“And I love them,” I say, guilt rising in my chest. “But if you know them—and it’s pretty freaking obvious you do—you know how stubborn they are. Therefore, they’re not going to tell me anything they don’t want to.”

Plus, it’s not like they know everything anyway. Based on the memory I had last night, it’s clear I’ve kept certain things from them.

Guilt sneaks up again.

I’ve kept a lot of important things from them.

When it’s apparent he’s still not going to cave, I go for gold. “I was standing on a cliff in my flashback…drunk out of my mind. But I called you…not them.” I shrug helplessly. “Which means you’re probably the only person on the planet who can help me get my memories back.”

Scowling, he rakes a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry for putting you in a coma and giving you amnesia—it’s something I’ll never forgive myself for.” His eyes take on a sad glint. “But I’m not the right person to help you with this, baby girl. Trust me.”

It’s not so much his words…it’s the sheer devastation on his face that forces me to fold.

For reasons I’ll probably never understand now, talking about the past hurts him.

“Okay,” I whisper in defeat.

You can’t force someone to talk to you and give you answers if they don’t want to.

I start heading for the door, but pause. “For what it’s worth I’m sorry I hooked up with Morgan behind your back. That was a shit thing to do to you.”

There’s a hint of amusement on his face, but it quickly disappears.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“Actually, that’s not true.” Shame tightens my chest. “I was really awful to Hayley.” I hold his gaze. “I know you cared about her…I’m sorry for your loss.”





Chapter 10





Oakley





“I’m sorry for your loss.”

She is aware that I killed her, right?

I open my mouth to tell her that, but she’s gone.

It’s just as well though.

Gripping the broom handle, I mutter a curse.

She’s so confused—so goddamn lost—it makes me want to chase after her and tell her everything.

But I can’t.

Jace’s words from yesterday echo through my head.

“The last thing she needs is you coming back to fuck up her life again.”

Despite the way my chest hurts when I think about her marrying Stone and the intense feelings I’m positive I’ll always harbor for her.

I want the best for Bianca.

Even if it means staying the fuck away for good.

Past…





“Is it cool if I cut out early?”

My boss, Cobra looks around the half-empty bar and shrugs. “Pour me a shot of Henny and it’s a deal.”