Page 7 of Fierce Monarch

The sass was strong, but it was a lie. I could see it. There was something else, some other reason she agreed. When I continued to stare at her, she sighed.

“Before you left, you were surviving—and barely that—but you weren’t here. Not really. Now you’re back, and even though I can see you slipping back into that survival mentality, you look sad. Actually, you look wrecked. I just want to help.”

Destroyed was a better word, but she wasn’t wrong.

“Besides, you’ve always been nice to me and the other girls. Don’t think that just because we haven’t been in your bed that we haven’t noticed.” My ears burned, and I tried to ignore the earnest stare.

My brother was a sadist and an asshole. I couldn’t count the number of women I’d poured into taxis and sent away because I was scared he’d go too far and kill them. Or the ones I took to the clinic to get tested or birth control or morning-after pills. The ones I’d subtly warned away from the worst members of the Aces in an effort to keep them safe. I thought I’d been invisible, unnoticeable. My mistake.

“So, do we have a deal?” Ava held out her hand to shake.

“We have a deal, but I’m not going to touch you.”

She shrugged and lifted the bag again. My lip curled at the reminder that I was in the same room as a sex toy and another woman. Mari is going to have my balls.

Except, no. She wasn’t. Because she wasn’t mine anymore.

Fuck, I missed her. The ache hit swiftly, almost taking me out at the knees, and I knew I had to get out of there. I quickly got Ava’s order and headed for the door. “I’ll send your food in an hour.”

“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll make it memorable.” She smirked, tossing the bag onto the bed before standing to follow me out.

“Don’t call me baby,” I said clearly. I had no room for miscommunication.

Ava smiled, winked, then shoved me out the door, the loud click of the lock falling into place behind me. Running a hand over my face, I wondered just what I’d gotten into, then decided it didn’t matter. I was all in if it would get Cash off my back, even for a little while.

I’d unwillingly heard rumors about Ava’s prowess more than once and figured I could get away with not picking anyone up for at least a week if she made it convincing enough. The woman was a hellcat on a good day.

“This is fucking ridiculous,” I mumbled, walking into my room and locking the door behind me. It was just as bare as the rest of the apartment and twice as heartless.

I missed Mari throwing her clothes on the floor, only for Greyson to pick them up and fold them. I missed Dominic slouching everywhere, putting his fucking feet on the couches. The low hum of the radio that one or all of them always seemed to have on. I didn’t even think they realized it most of the time. They just couldn’t stand the silence.

And my suite was all silence.

As I sat on the edge of the bed, it hit me that I was alone for the first time in months, and the weight of that was crushing.

I’d been avoiding thinking of Mari as much as possible since we left the meeting because I knew the second I did, I would have to come to terms with how badly I’d fucked up. I’d have to relive her beautiful face twisted in agony. The fire of betrayal not just from her, but the men I had started considering brothers. Real brothers, not like whatever toxic relationship Cash and I had.

Dominic and Greyson were supportive and kind. They were warm and welcoming once I’d proven myself. They invited me into the fold and made me feel like an equal, even though I had far less history with Mari. They never once made me feel bad about who I was, and I found myself standing taller in their presence. As if just having them and Mari nearby made me stronger, better.

And then I’d gone and screwed it up.

I need to talk to her.

My phone was in my hand before I even finished the thought, and every ring screamed that it was a mistake. But I couldn’t stop myself. I had to hear her voice. I had to explain, even if she wouldn’t believe me—and she wouldn’t. I wasn’t stupid; I knew the truth like I knew her, but I couldn’t let the last time we interacted be with my brother in the room. I couldn’t live with her thinking I didn’t love her. If I could only tell her one thing, I’d tell her that.

The call connected, but there was nothing but silence for a minute.

“Angel—”

“What do you want?” I’d seen Grey in pain. I’d seen him terrified and worried and desperate for news. I’d seen him so angry he was ready to rip someone’s head off, but I’d never heard his voice so fucking cold. This was worse than frostbite. It was hypothermia in a voice.

“Can I?—”

“No.”

Of course he was playing guard dog. “Greyson. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I need?—”

“How dare you call and ask for anything. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

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