Page 39 of Romania
She’d be perfect for Quake.
I could see them together with a bunch of kids in a cute home where she’d take care of the garden with him.
They worked.
He should just go for her.
“Eve?” Quake said, and I was sure it wasn’t the first time since everyone was looking at me.
“What?” I snapped.
Fuck. I was a bitch. I hated this. I hated hurting him. But I couldn’t stop myself.
“Uh-oh, someone needs to get to bed,” Rommy sang. She took my hand, and I allowed it, staring down at her soft hand in mine.
I didn’t like affection. I wasn’t used to it, and my skin crawled. Yet, it didn’t do that with Rommy, and it never did when Quake and I were in bed.
I’d hugged my friends a handful of times, and when I did, I wanted out of their embrace as soon as it started. It was never because of them, but me and my stupid head.
Why couldn’t I just accept touch or compliments?
Because you don’t deserve them. No one will put up with you. You’re nothing.
Rommy lifted our joined hands up to wrap her other one around both of ours and tuck them against her shoulder. “Don’t worry, big guy. I’ll make sure she gets to bed and is well rested for a nice and pleasant conversation in the morning.”
No. There wouldn’t be a conversation.
He needed to forget about me.
Even when the thought of not seeing him again was like a gunshot to the chest, leaving me open and broken.
Jesus, I was screwed.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ROMANIA
When I walked Eve to her room last night, it seemed like her thoughts were getting the better of her because of how silent she’d become. I couldn’t say for sure what was bothering her, but something had her distant—like she couldn’t bring herself to be close to the man she loved.
I’d noticed it at the bar, too, which was why I’d tried to take her mind off things. But on the drive to the compound, whatever it was kept pulling her under, and I couldn’t reach her.
Did other people see her struggles?
Did she let them?
I was surprised she opened up to me about her heartbreaking past.
It really boiled my blood when kids had to deal with parents like that.
No, it did more than that. I wanted to hunt them down and destroy them.
I am my father’s daughter.
Eve suffered on the inside. I could tell. If she didn’t, I was certain she’d be locked in a relationship with that gorgeous man.
Whatever her parents poisoned her with—words and actions—she was still letting that fester and control her now.
It wasn’t right.
