Page 66 of The Rogue and His Flower

“You told him about what happened to you as a kid?”

“A little.” I heave out a breath, swiping at my face in an attempt to regain my composure. “But not everything.”

For a moment, Drix seems to soften, his expression a mixture of concern and understanding, but then his anger flares once again. “Riley told me how he was behaving inside the bar, that’s why I came out to find you. There’s no excuse for that.”

“You’re right, and he apologised for it. He explained why he reacted the way he did. He has issues, Drix.”

“Don’t we all?” he counters.

“Yes, so you understand that he’ll need time to work through them. We both do.”

“And you want to help him to do that?”

I consider his question for a moment, and answer honestly. “Yes.”

“Daisy, I don’t think that’s?—”

“A good idea? So you think I should turn my back on him?” I challenge.

Drix pinches the bridge of his nose. “I just don’t want you to get hurt-”

“I know that,” I interrupt, “But equally, he’s clearly struggling. No one’s perfect, Drix. I’ve been unfair to him too.”

“Especially not by Dalton,” Drix continues with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck, his voice tinged with resignation.

“I understand your concern, but I also believe that people are capable of change and growth.”

“I’ve known Dalton a long time, and truthfully, I’m not sure he can change.”

“Well, I guess we’ve got the time to find that out,” I say with a half-smile.

“And what about you? Do you think he can give you the same care and thoughtfulness in return?” Drix asks me.

“Honestly, I’ve no idea,” I admit. “But we have to find a way to live with each other. Maybe if we help each other to heal, we can at least be friends at the end of all of this.”

Drix stares at me, his expression unreadable as he collects his thoughts. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“If you’re willing to try, then I’ll support you, but I won’t hesitate to step in if he fucks up.”

“I appreciate that,” I murmur, throwing my arms around him, hoping to God that I don’t end up regretting this decision.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

DALTON

My head is fucking scrambled. I don’t know what to think, what to say, how to act, even. The whole drive home the tension between us has been suffocating as Daisy navigates the dark, winding roads that lead us back to Highwood Manor Estate. Tonight I told her something that I’ve never told anyone, not even Drix, at least not directly.

I don’t know how to love.

It was the honest truth, and I don’t feel any lighter after revealing it, I just feel the burden of it weighing heavily on my shoulders. But my issues are insignificant in comparison to the trauma Daisy has been through. How could I have been so fucking self-centred to not have realised that her upbringing had been as bad as that? Yes, I knew her parents abandoned her, but the cruelty she spoke of? Fuck, it makes my blood burn with a rage I’ve never felt before.

I’m angry at her parents for treating her that way. I’m angry at Drix for not telling me the whole truth. I’m angry at myself for the way I’ve acted towards her, not just tonight, but ever since I’ve known her. I’m an arsehole, the worst kind of person. All of the things she accused me of being are true. I should’ve let Drix hit me. Fuck knows I deserved it.

How do I even begin to make up for all of the shitty things I’ve said to her over the years, let alone how I’ve behaved towards her tonight? How could I have been so blind, so callous in my treatment of her? My mind is a whirlwind of guilt and regret as I grapple with the harsh truth of my own shortcomings. It’s a terrifying realisation, one that leaves me feeling utterly lost and adrift.

As we finally pull up to Highwood Manor Estate, Daisy cuts the engine but doesn't make a move to get out. I know we need to talk about what happened tonight, about the bombshell that was dropped on us both, but where do I even begin? I’m not equipped for this.

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