Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(38)

Angelica protests, tears welling in her big green eyes. “No—”

“Hey.” I drop down to my knees so I’m eye level with her. “You want to see something really cool?”

Wiping her nose with the back of her hand, she sniffles. “What?”

I take off my bracelet. “This bracelet has superpowers.”

She doesn’t look like she believes a word I’m saying…until I lean in and whisper, “Not only does it protect you and make you stronger, but if you talk into it when you’re all alone, mommies can hear you all the way in heaven.”

Her eyes widen. “Really?”

I nod emphatically. “Really.”

“How do you know?”

“Because my mommy died when I was a little girl too.”

There’s an unspoken bond between us as I place the bracelet on her tiny wrist. Luckily, it’s adjustable so I’m able to make it fit.

Angelica’s lower lip wobbles, but I tap the bracelet and she sucks in a jittery breath, gathering her composure.

Attagirl.

The world will chew you up and spit you out at the first sign of weakness.

“See? It’s already working.”

Before I can stop her…she wraps her little arms around my neck. “Thank you.”

Dammit. A snot-nosed little brat shouldn’t be thawing the block of ice around my heart.

“Stay strong,” I remind her as I stand up.

Her father is visibly stunned.

“Bianca Covington,” the woman at the front desk calls out.

I hike my purse up my shoulder. “That’s me.”

I’m about to walk away, but think better of it.

“You care about your daughter, right?”

The man’s eyes widen. “Of course I do.”

“Then I suggest you find her a new psychiatrist.”

His mouth drops open. “Dr. Young came highly recommended.”

I look him in the eyes. “Trust me, she’s better off with someone else.”

Pushing past him, I slip my game face on and march into his office.



Stay strong.





“What brings you here today, Bianca?” Dr. Young mutters.

I cross my legs. “I’m pretty sure you already know.”

Lust flashes in his eyes before he looks away. “I told you I wasn’t comfortable with you coming to my office anymore.”

It takes every ounce of willpower not to reach over and strangle him.

I leisurely run a finger up my thigh. “What can I say? I’ve never been good at following instructions.”

He looks down at his notepad. “I’m aware.”

Drumming my nails along the armrest of the chair, I give him a menacing grin. “How’s your wife?”

His jaw bunches. “Bianca—”

“What’s the matter, Doc? Afraid I’ll tell her and everyone else the truth?”

He turns ashen. “You promised—”

“I promised nothing,” I hiss.

On second thought, he’s right.

I promised I’d make him pay for what he did.

I promised that one day I’d make him feel every ounce of pain he caused my family.

I promised I’d avenge her death.

The pathetic man looks like he wants to drop to his knees and cry.

Good.

“What do you want?”

“I want my mother back, but that can’t happen…now can it?”

Frowning, he rubs his forehead. “I told you I’m so—”

“Sorry won’t bring her back.”

He draws in a heavy breath. “What can I—”

“I need more money.”

He looks at me like I’m insane. “I wrote you a check for two hundred thousand three months ago. Not to mention, your father is a goddamn billionaire.”

I stand up and walk over to him. “I’m aware.” I flash him some teeth. “And you’re right, I don’t need your money. I just want to ensure your murdering ass doesn’t get to have any.”

“I’ve told you time and time again. I didn’t kill—”

“You have one month to come up with five hundred thousand.”

His eyeballs nearly pop out of his skull. “You can’t be serious.”

“As a heart attack.” I tap my chin. “Or rather, a car going sixty miles an hour ramming into a tree and then rolling into a ditch.”

His expression turns solemn. “You know I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Not my problem.” I study my nails. “On second thought, it’s no biggie. I’ll just post those videos on every porn site I can think of.”

Turmoil colors his face. “You swore you wouldn’t do that. Don’t punish her for my mistake—”

The sharp sting from my hand slapping his cheek practically echoes in the small room. “My mother wasn’t a mistake.”

She was a tortured soul.

A tortured soul who trusted him to fix her.

But he didn’t. Because he was too busy taking advantage of her.

“Please, Bianca. I am begging you not to do this.”

I walk over to the door. “Just like my mom begged you before she killed herself?”