Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(23)
“You got distracted, and well, it’s morning.”
“I’ll always be distracted when you’re naked. That doesn’t mean I’ll shirk my duties. Why does the morning matter?”
“Last night was the end, wasn’t it? We’re going to go back to ‘fake’ and forget that what’s between us was almost real.”
“I need the jewels, Darcy.”
“And I can’t give them to you.”
“I don’t want to be at war with you. Why are you forcing me to fight you?”
“You should go now.”
“I’m going to make your life a living hell. You’ve given me no other choice.”
“Get the f*ck out, Brayden. I can handle whatever you plan to dish out, so your conscience can be clear.”
“You’ve been warned.”
“Goodbye.”
I walk out, feeling anger start replacing the sadness inside of me. She thinks she can handle me, and come out of this unscathed? She can try. I wish her all the damn luck in the world.
Chapter 9
Darcy
The last few days have been pretty rough. I meant what I said when I told Brayden that I could handle anything he did to me. It’s what he’s not doing to me that I’m having a hard time with. We hold hands and even give each other a peck on the mouth during public appearances, but as soon as we’re out of sight, he stays as far away from me as possible.
His mother insists on us all eating together, but no one speaks during the meals, and we all go our separate ways afterward. I hang out with the girls, but never in my rooms. I don’t even sleep on my bed anymore. I’ve been taking the comforter and pillows off to sleep on the floor. There’s just too many memories in that bed—and on my couch in the game room—and besides, I’ve slept on much worse before.
Tomorrow, more of my friends are coming. The whole island is excited about their arrival, and no one is aware that they’ll be here for me. This weekend is the first of the many celebrations leading up to Brayden’s coronation, and it’s just for the locals. Because Brayden’s dad had spent time in the States for college, the plan has always been to feature American entertainment at these events. From what I’ve heard around the palace, and during my walks into the village, every young girl on the island—and many of their mothers as well--couldn’t be more excited to have Storyside performing for the daytime picnic and carnival. Zack Taylor is a big draw for the sports fans; although, I’m not sure that he and Ainsley will be able to hide their relationship from anyone. They’ve been together for almost a year, and still can’t keep their hands off of each other.
The nighttime ball is going to be more formal, with American dignitaries and businessmen and women dressed to the nines. Jake Mason will be attending on behalf of his mother—unfortunately Isa won’t be with him; I heard they had a huge fight about him constantly trying to protect her, but then he somehow made it up to her. I’m guessing he earned another medal doing it, but I won’t be asking either of them for confirmation. Matt and Reina will be here representing Corrigan & Co., Nate and Aiden will be joining them as part of their security detail, and Jade will be coming as a representative of the C&C Foundation. They won’t exactly be undercover, since the royals know they’re part of the Society. The mentors will be here as well, but they’ll be with their husbands—or in Helen’s case, her latest boy toy—so it will look like they’re just wealthy couples attending one of the biggest social events of the decade.
Stella picked out my dress when I was first assigned to the mission, but no one here will know that. Jenysis has been talking about how excited she is to meet her, but I think she’d be less than happy if she knew that Stella was really coming here for me. She hasn’t tried to harm me again, but she’s been overtly hostile, especially now that Brayden is treating me like I don’t matter. Noah gives me a sad smile here and there, but he’s kept his distance as well. I know his loyalty and allegiance lie with Brayden.
I’m sitting on a bench in a park near the village square, eating gelato, and trying to will myself to go back to the palace, as I smile at the people passing by. A shadow falls over me, and I look up to see Brayden’s uncle, Steven, standing over me. “Hello, Darcy.”
“Hello.”
“I’m surprised to see you sitting out here all alone.”
“Who did you honestly think I’d be with? Brayden can barely stand to be in the same room with me. Your daughter hates me with a passion that I’ve rarely seen rivaled, even in the ugliest of child traffickers. Noah is Brayden’s best friend, so he can’t be friends me with. Who’s left?”
“Your friends are here.”
“They’re busy trying to keep your family from harming me.”
“No harm will come to you, Darcy. Not as long as I am breathing. I swear it.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“I’m truly sorry for what you’re going through. My nephew made a promise to his father, and surely you can understand what that means to him.”
“Your brother should’ve never made him promise what he did. Asking him to do the impossible was wrong.”
“It’s not impossible. You could tell him what he needs to know.”