Page 53 of Royal

She looks unsure, her little hands trembling. “I’m six years old.”

Terror gets on his phone immediately, doing as I asked. “My little girl is around the same age as you,” I tell her, taking my phone out to show her pictures of Penny.

The little girl smiles. “She looks like a princess.”

Fuck me, my throat is thick. “And my son is a little daredevil, just tearing everything up,” I say.

I then show her a picture of me and Naomi. “This is my woman, Naomi. My name is Royal,” I tell her, showing her different pictures that I have of my family so she is familiar with them.

Earl yells when Terror grabs him. “What the fuck? I gave you the girl!” he screeches, and she starts to shake. Meanwhile, Gavin carries Donna, who is lifeless at this point.

“Are you going to hurt me?” I look away from the chaos and back to the girl.

“It won’t hurt you, I promise. Earl was a bad man. He hurt some very important people in my life.”

She nods. “I don’t like Earl.” She looks over my shoulder, fearful that he will overhear her.

“Do you like living here?” I ask her. I know she doesn’t, but I want to hear it from here.

She shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes. “My nana raised me until she had a heart attack a month ago. Mommy came and got me. I miss my nana and my bed.” She sobs the last part, and I want to fucking rip them apart for doing this to her.

“Do you have any other family?”

She shakes her head. “I just had my nana. Mommy lost custody of me because of the drugs but she got me back when Nana died.”

Fuck me, this little girl has been through so much. I’m thankful Earl hasn’t hurt her if he was telling the truth.

“How do you feel about coming home with me? My woman will be here in a few minutes. I came here on my bike. Not safe for a little girl.” She giggles at the last part before her face turns serious.

“Will I have a bed of my own?” she asks, ripping my fucking heart out once again. This could have been Penny if I hadn’t fought for her. It’s almost too much to bear to think about.

“You can have your very own bedroom and bathroom. My little girl would probably try to talk you into having sleepovers. Donovan will probably try to steal your dolls to do crazy tricks with.”

She laughs, her eyes lightening. “How old is he?”

“He is turning two very soon.”

We make small talk, sitting on the dirty floor, discussing her favorite toys, games, and school subjects. I learn that she hasn’t been to school since her mom took her.

“Will I ever see Mommy again?” she asks.

“Do you want to?” I ask her.

She shakes her head. “She is mean. She gets mad if I wake her and tell her I’m hungry or cold.”

Fuck me.

I almost fucking burst into tears sobbing for her. “You will never be cold or hungry again. I can promise you that.”

She smiles. “I would love to go home with you.”

I hear the van pull away, and I text Gage to let him know they’re on their way back and to lock their asses up.

A few minutes later, I can hear my truck pulling up. I’m sure my woman will be seriously confused, but I know her.

She runs inside the trailer and takes in the scene of the little girl sitting on the dirty floor, then the house.

“I’m going to talk to Naomi for a moment,” I tell her, and Presley nods, staring at Naomi.

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