Page 3 of Worth It All

“Never mind. It’s not important.”

I don’t push her to talk. Our friendship has been rock solid all these years because we understand each other. We have boundaries and we respect them. Of course, when we’re like this, I want to cross those lines. I want to push those boundaries.

I promised myself a long time ago I would never do that. Not because I don’t want to and certainly not because she doesn’t want me to.

But because she chose Collin. All those years ago, she chose him.

I’ll do anything for Davina.

Except be her second choice.

5

Collin

Iflick the lit cigarette to the ground and stomp it out with my boot. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Mason knows who I am. The little blonde girl did exactly as I wanted her to, otherwise, there would’ve been no point in releasing her. I could’ve made a pretty penny off of her.

But I’ve stayed in the shadows far too long. This isn’t the life I imagined for myself. Hiding out for years. Always watching from afar. My brother stole the life that was meant for me.

The club. Our family started the Royal Bastards here in Birmingham. I should be the one with the title of President.

The girl. Davina was mine. Mason never had the balls to make a move on her. I did.

Everything. He’s taken everything I’ve ever wanted away from me. He thought I would just stay dead. Now, it’s his turn to suffer.

I watch them through the window of the store. Davina is still as beautiful as I remember. Their son looks just like him.

Anger boils to the surface. That could’ve been us. Should’ve been us.

Pretty soon, it will be.

6

Davina

Part of being on lockdown means stocking supplies. Charlie was completely on board. Mason, not so much, but he wanted me to have protection and everyone else was busy.

“So, he just shows up out of the blue? I mean, he never called you or made contact with you this whole time?” I ask.

“I thought he was dead, so no, we haven’t been in contact. I would’ve told you that.”

I know he would have, which makes keeping my relationship with Collin a secret from him so damn hard. I almost told him last night. Wanted to. But I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.

“No candy,” I say to Charlie.

“But all the guys love candy, right, Mason?”

“Seriously? Trying to use the club to your advantage?” Charlie grins and I cave. “Fine. Just don’t get too much.”

“Softy.” Mason smirks.

“You’ll be the one complaining later when he’s bouncing off the walls.”

He tosses a few more bags into the buggy and I roll my eyes. We head to the register to check out and Charlie sneaks in another chocolate bar.

It’s hard to believe there was a time I thought about abortion. When I found out I was pregnant, Collin had been gone almost two months. I was a seventeen year old kid and had no idea what I was going to do. I felt helpless. Now, I feel that way again.

“All right, kiddo. Let’s get out of here,” I say to Charlie, while Mason pays the cashier. He’s already unwrapping one of the chocolate bars as we walk outside.

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