Page 83 of Royal Beast
We hug her tightly, and for now, things don’t feel so crazy.
The next morning, the sunlight streams through the curtains, painting the kitchen in soft golds, but the warmth it brings feels hollow. My mind is a storm of anger and resentment, every thought circling back to the same man.
Max.
My father.
The man who should’ve protected me but left me exposed, vulnerable, a pawn in Guy’s sick game.
Kellan moves around the kitchen, pouring coffee into mugs and plating toast. He’s trying to keep things normal for Rose, but I can feel his eyes on me, watchful, waiting. He knows I’m not the type to let this simmer.
I stare into the coffee he places in front of me, the dark liquid rippling as I tap my finger on the table. “I need to see him.”
Kellan stops mid-motion, his back to me as he leans on the counter. “Darcy…”
“I have to,” I press, my voice sharper than I mean it to be. I soften my tone, but the steel remains. “I need to look him in the eye and make him understand what he’s done. He put me—and Rose—in danger. He needs to know that I’m not letting this go.”
Kellan turns slowly, his brow furrowed. “You think he doesn’t already know?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I think he’s sitting there in that hospital bed feeling sorry for himself, like he’s the victim. And I won’t let him get away with that.”
His lips press into a thin line, and for a long moment, he doesn’t respond. When he does, it’s measured, calm. “You’re not going alone.”
I groan, leaning back in my chair. “Kellan, I don’t need a babysitter.”
“This isn’t about your needing a babysitter,” he says firmly, crossing the room to stand in front of me. “It’s about making sure Max doesn’t try to pull some kind of stunt again.”
My first instinct is to protest, to throw his overprotectiveness in his face, but I realize he’s the way he is for areason. Being overly cautious in our world sometimes means the difference between life and death.
“I’ll bring Rose,” I say. “He won’t try anything with her there.”
“Take Liam too, and Clary. She can watch Rose. I’d feel better if you took them.”
I glance over to the living room, where Rose is perched on the edge of the couch, giggling as Clary plays a clapping game with her. The sight tugs at my heart, and for a moment, my resolve wavers.
“I’m not going there to make nice,” I warn. “I’m going to tell him exactly what I think.”
Kellan’s lips twitch, the ghost of a smile breaking through the tension. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
His confidence in me settles something inside, the storm easing just slightly. I glance up at him, his strong, steady presence grounding me in a way I desperately need.
I sigh, standing from the table. “Fine. But if Liam so much as tries to interfere…”
“He won’t,” Kellan assures me, stepping closer. His hands rest lightly on my shoulders, his thumbs brushing against my collarbone. “He knows better than to get in your way when you’ve got your mind set on something.”
I lean into him for a moment, just long enough to take a breath. “Thank you,” I murmur.
“You don’t need to thank me, Darce. Just… come back to me in one piece, okay?”
I nod, pulling away reluctantly. It’s time for my father to face the consequences of his actions for once. I’m done trying to shield him from it.
We reach the hospital, and I hold Rose’s hand tightly as we walk through the blindingly bright corridors, the sound of her sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished floor. Clary and Liam flank us, their presence steady, anchors keeping me grounded.
When we reach Max’s room, I pause at the door, taking a moment to compose myself. My chest feels tight, anger coiling like a spring ready to snap.
Clary squeezes my shoulder. “You’ve got this.”
I nod, handing Rose’s hand to her. “Stay out here with her. I’ll keep this short.”
