Page 99 of Burning Daylight
Me:
Weird way to say “send me a dick pic” but if you insist…
Little Rose:
I swear on everything that I will block you.
Amusement wrings my chest tight, and I don’t even realize how big I’m cheesing until Merrick clears his throat.
“Sorry,” I say, tossing the phone down on the table, and when I do the lock screen flashes that Rosebrook Rag article again.
His gaze homes in on it.
“Fucking vultures,” he says. “They’d print literal shit on paper just so they get the readership.”
“Seems that way,” I reply, thinking about what they’ve already said about me and wondering what else they will.
He sucks in air through his teeth. “You know, you may not think of yourself as a prince, but I promise you, you’re Rosebrook Falls royalty now, whether you want it or not. Be careful with them.” He taps his finger on the headline.
“Reading it or being in it?” I ask.
He shrugs. “If you can’t figure that out, then you’re fucked either way.”
I nod, his words settling against my skin like glue. “Noted.”
He leans toward me, his dark brows drawing down. “Do you have any idea what the hell you’re doing here?”
I blow out a breath, debating whether to trust him fully. But the truth is, even if I can’t, I need to have someone on my side. Someone who seems down the middle, not tied down to one side or the other of this generational feud I’ve found myself in the middle of.
“Not a fucking clue,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck.
He whistles and shakes his head. “I had a feeling. You’ve got that freshly unboxed family trauma vibe.”
I smirk. “Do I?”
He nods. “Tragic and broody. It’s very Dickensian of you, actually. Almost romantic.”
“Glad my unresolved trauma is giving you material.”
Merrick grins. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Every tortured hero needs a sidekick. I’m here now, and I’ll be that for you.”
Even though anxiety is still gnawing at my insides, and I’m pretty sure he’s being a smart ass, his words give me comfort. “Do you mean that?”
He lifts a shoulder. “Someone’s gotta be in your corner who doesn’t have skin in the game either way.”
“So it’s a pity friendship.”
He smiles. “What, you don’t want to be my friend?”
“Just trying to figure out who I can trust.”
His brows draw in, creasing his forehead. “Well, I won’t tell you to trust me, but I’ve got your back. Anything that shakes up these rich pricks in the area has my vote.”
“Technically, I’m one of those rich pricks now.”
He gives me a look. “Nah, you’re not. You can wear the clothes and take the name, but you’ve known what it’s like to go without. I can see it in your eyes. I’d trust you with my dollar before any of those motherfuckers.”
Nodding, I lean back in the chair.
