Page 84 of Tormented Kings

“Okay, I’m pissed for myself, too,” he sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I get why he’s doing it, I do. But does he have to bring her here? I swear to god, I’ll kick his ass if I see him so much as touch her. Not just because I don’t want him to, butafter the way she’s treated you, him bringing her here in your own home is fucked up.”

If only he knew the half of it. I really should let them in on my past with her. I’m sure they know by now she’s bullied me, but they don’t know for how long or how bad. And they don’t know about the damaging effects it left on me.

Would Preston still be with Tina if he knew the reason why he found me passed out in that tower all those years ago was because she triggered an eating disorder so bad it nearly killed me?

Would he even care?

I’d like to think he would. But I’m not looking for pity. I’m better now, and I’m not going to let her bring me back to that dark place.

Keep telling yourself, Sadie. Is that why you haven’t eaten anything today apart from the popcorn with the girls?

That's different. I just wasn’t hungry.

I’m never really hungry these days. But it’s stress, not Tina and her bullshit. Everyone loses their appetite when they get too stressed, right?

As if to prove myself wrong, I grab a few finger sandwiches off the food table next to us and put it on a little plate.

“It’s not really my home,” I tell him, taking a bite. “I’m only a guest here.”

He gives me a blank look. “It’s your home, Sadie, even if you don’t plan on staying long.”

Mom heard back from the contractors. Between having to rip up all the flooring and replacing it, they found out they have to replace all the pipes because they’re all old and outdated. If they were just to fix the cracked one, it wouldn’t be long before it happened again somewhere else in the house. I’m sad because that means a lot of the interior is going to change, but if this means we preserve the exterior, that’s what I care about. It’s acute little authentic looking stone cottage that I adore and would love to keep in my possession.

“Let’s go dance.” I smile up at him. “Tonight has been amazing. I don’t want this to ruin it.”

He smiles, nodding his head. “You’re right.” He takes my hand in his and pulls me out to the dance floor. Leaning in, he brushes his lips against my ear. “I love you, Sweetheart.”

My eyes flutter closed, a phantom hand grasping my heart and squeezing, making the air in my lungs woosh out of me. Maybe it’s the alcohol, or maybe it’s my heart and soul realizing that we can be happy. I do deserve these men.

Chapter 19

Sadie

Overall, this party has been amazing. Declan has stayed by my side for most of the night. And when I’m dancing with the girls, he’s not far away. He’s been my shadow, my silent protector. Maybe I’m crazy for being in love with the men I’ve only just started dating, but it’s different with them. What we have... it’s not typical.

“I’m going to pee,” I call out to Declan.

“Okay!” he shouts back over the music. “I’ll be right here.”

I’m feeling a little tipsy, but not enough that I should be worrying about being alone in this house on my own. Just to be sure, I go upstairs to use the bathroom, where it’s blocked off from the rest of the party guests.

Just to make sure, I stop by my room and dip my head inside to make sure Tina or someone else isn’t hooking up in my room.

Flicking the lights on, I find it empty and let out a sigh of relief.

“No crazy bitches getting down and dirty in your bed this time?”

Letting out a yell of surprise, I spin around to find Collin leaning against the wall across the hall behind me, a sexy, cocky brow raised in my direction.

“You fucking scared me,” I pant out, placing my hand over my heart. “What are you doing here?” I ask, stepping into the hallway.

“I thought about dressing up so no one could tell who I was, but I didn’t want to risk it,” he says, pushing off the wall and taking a step towards me. “But I’ve been watching you all night, Sunshine. You looked pretty good out on that dance floor,like pure sin,” he groans, eyes taking in my body. “It’s taking everything in me not to rip every man’s eyes out for daring to look at my girl.”

“Sunshine?” I ask, trying not to let just the mere presence of him get me all hot and bothered.

“Yeah. I’ve been doing some thinking, and I don’t think Lollipop works anymore, does it?” he asks, backing me up against the wall next to my bedroom door. “It suits the old Sadie. The younger Sadie. With all the crap going on in my life, I’ve found myself in a pretty dark place,” he murmurs. “Sleepless nights wondering how I’m going to fix everything, how I’m going to make it out alright. Endless hours of research and plotting, trying to find a way to end him. To make sure you're no longer at risk.”

My heart races at his words as his hand reaches up to cup my cheek. “There’s times I have no hope; I feel lost, like everything is so far out of reach and I’m not going to be able to find a way out of this darkness. All it takes is one look at you, Sadie. One smile, one laugh, and you light up that darkness with pure sunshine. That's what you are to me, Sadie. The sunshine in the darkness that consumes me. The reason to keep going, lighting the way to salvation.”

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