Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(99)

My heart drops to my stomach when I click on the first article and see the man’s mugshot.

I recognize him.

Angelica’s dad.

Oh, God.

Emotions tangle in my chest and I have to force my lungs to take in air so I don’t pass out.

I gave her my bracelet and told her to be strong.

But then a monster came along and ripped all her strength away.

Oakley gets off his bike and rushes over to me. “What—”

“Does your dad ever take pro bono cases?” I choke out.

Needless to say, Oakley’s confused as hell. “Not really. Why?”

I hold up my phone. “This little girl…Angelica. Her dad…he killed Mark because he…”

My stomach coils and I can’t bring myself to spit the words out.

Fortunately, I don’t have to.

Those long fingers of his draw tiny, soothing circles up and down my back. “I’ll call him.” Wrapping his arms around me in a giant bear hug, he kisses the top of my head. “My dad will take the case. I’ll make sure of it.” He buries his nose in my hair and inhales audibly. “Maybe I should take you home. This is a lot for you to deal with right now.”

“No,” I quickly say, because if I don’t go in there and rip the ginormous Band-Aid holding my freedom back off, I’ll lose my nerve. “I have to do this.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod. “Positive.”

He pulls me into another bear hug. “If it becomes too much, I’ll be right out here, baby girl.”

I know.

My legs feel like rubber as I make my way into the house.

Stomach churning, I head into the kitchen where I find my dad, Nadia, Jace, and Cole seated at the kitchen table.

I asked Dylan and Sawyer to join us at the house later because I’m positive my brothers are going to need them.

But right now it needs to be just us.

I look at Nadia. “I’m gonna need to talk to my brothers and dad alone.”

Everyone looks at each other in confusion, but neither them nor Nadia protest.

After kissing my dad on the cheek, she stands up.

She’s passing me when I reach for her hand. “Don’t go too far, okay?” I offer her a warm smile. “He’s gonna need you after this.”

Nodding her head softly, she gives my hand a small squeeze. “Okay.”

Then she’s gone.

And it’s just me, my family…

And all the secrets I’ve been keeping from them.





Chapter 48





Bianca





“I don’t even know what to say right now,” Cole utters. “I keep hoping this is just a bad dream.”

Jace mutters a curse. And then before anyone can stop him, he picks up a glass and throws it at the wall.

“Fuck her.”

I startle in my seat. “Jace—”

“No.” He turns his furious glare on me. “She almost killed you. And Liam.” A shudder runs through him and he closes his eyes. “I was always there for her. I did whatever she needed. I kept everything together in this house when she couldn’t even get out of bed.” He looks at our father. “I believed whatever she told me…all so she could cheat on Dad and try to kill her children before she offed herself.”

“She was sick,” Dad croaks. “Your mother loved you very much, Jace.” Grief floods his face and he hangs his head. “She loved you all very much. You kids were her life.” He reaches across the table for my hand. “I wish you’d told me sooner, sweetheart. I could have gotten you into counseling—”

Cole snorts. “Yeah, because look how well that worked out for Mom and Liam.”

“Counseling wasn’t the problem,” I point out. “Dr. Young being a piece of shit was the problem.” My chest heaves as I avert my gaze. “So was me forcing Liam to keep Mom’s secret when he wanted to tell someone.”

It’s something I’ll always have to live with.

A mistake I’ll never forgive myself for.

Because I was the one who told him to be tough and resilient.

To never let anyone inside…

To be silent when things are bad.

And in the end, that silence ended his life.

Cole squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t do that, Bianca. You were just a little girl. You thought you were protecting Mom…your idol.” He slaps his chest. “If anyone is to blame for Liam’s death, we all know it’s me. He tried to talk to me that night and I wouldn’t fucking let him. His death is my cross to bear, not yours.”

Dad slams his hand on the table. “Goddammit. Stop blaming yourselves. Liam and your mother were sick. I should have gotten Liam more help when I saw the signs, but I didn’t. I let it go when he threw a fit about seeing someone…because I was too wrapped up in my own grief to step up and parent. You all were kids, but I was the adult. I’m the one to blame. I crumbled when you needed me to be strong.”

No one says a word.

Except Jace.

Who’s looking at our father with something I’ve never seen before.

Pity.

“You didn’t seem surprised to find out Mom was having an affair.”