Page 28 of Revenge of a Queen

He huffs out a breath and steps towards me until he is so close, I can smell his spicy scent and it wraps around me like a vice. His head drops to my shoulder and it’s like he is using me to gain some strength. I don’t know how long we stand like this, but I don't move, I can’t. If this is the last moment, I get with him then I will savor every second before he returns to hating me. When I feel him lift his head, I still remain frozen when but then his voice hits my ear again, "I’m going to find out the truth, Ells. Whatever it is, it’s the only thing that matters to me anymore.”

I squeeze my eyes closed to stop the tears gathering there from falling and I feel his presence leave me, I can’t open my eyes until I know he is gone. The last thing I see is his motorbike barrelling away from here.

Fuck, I need to get out of here, this was definitely more than I bargained for when I decided to pay Michael a visit. Lincoln is waiting in the SUV for me, no doubt he will have seen Elliot. I’m surprised he stayed away, unless he knew Marcus was here. Did he? Did he know I would be safe, or did he just think I could handle myself? It’s not like I’m not always armed, and he has seen me fend off men twice my size.

I make my way back to the car and find him leaning against it waiting for me.

He nods as I approach, “Everything okay?”

I nod in response, unable to voice the mixed feelings I’m experiencing right now after going toe to toe with both Elliot and Marcus.

“He’s gonna be heading home,” he says and we both know he is referring to Marcus not Elliot.

“You should be there when he gets back,” I say, finding my voice again. I consider Lincoln a friend, but Marcus is his family. I know how hard he is finding this divide between us all. I don’t want to add to it any more than I already have. He looks unsure so I continue, “It’s fine, Superman, honestly, just drop me home and go be there for him, he needs you more than I do.”

He nods and then surprises me by giving me a hug. My shock causes me to freeze awkwardly in his arms. When he pulls back, I can tell this kind of affection isn’t something he shows often. He isn’t touchy and overly friendly like Jace, he is more reserved and closed off, so the fact that he is opening up to me more and more everyday warms my heart.

“Let’s go,” he says, and I nod as we climb into the SUV and head back to the house.

Once inside I know there is only one solution to cheer up my day and I am grateful when I find Cassie and Helen already in the kitchen.

“Mommyyyy,” her little voice screeches loud and it speaks right to my heart and soothes me like it always does. It's amazing how someone so small can impact your life so greatly. She really is everything to me. I go to her, immediately sweeping her into my arms, as I come to stand next to Helen. They have a bunch of ingredients laid out on the counter.

“Sassy Girl, what do we have here?” I say, as I nuzzle into her hair stealing a cuddle, as she squeezes around my neck tight before pulling back.

“Cakes, Mommy, cakes!” She squeals excitedly.

“Want to join us, little rose?” Helen asks. I nod with a smile.

“An afternoon of baking with my two favorite girls?” I question, “There is no where I’d rather be,” I tell them honestly.

Chapter 16

MARCUS

Idrive around for hours trying to settle my thoughts. I am drowning in them. So many thoughts, so many questions, so many variables. I need to get to the bottom of what happened that night. That is where it all started, and it just spiralled from there. I can’t sit back and keep waiting for answers. I need to take them and that starts with my brothers and hers.

It’s late by the time I get home, I park my bike in the garage at our building. I spy both Jace’s Dodge and Linc’s SUV, so I know they are home, and an exchange with them is long overdue.

We haven’t been avoiding each other, more like I haven’t had anything to say to them, until now. I stalk in the door and both their gazes lift to me immediately. Neither are what I was expecting. They don’t look pissed or angry at me, in fact, they look as defeated as I feel. It’s time to cut the shit between us all.

I don’t want to talk about what has gone on between us or Jace kissing Elle, no. I have bigger fish to fry right now and it’s time I was let back into the fold.

“What did Elliot Donovan do?” I ask loudly, cutting past all the niceties and getting straight to the point.

“Erm...think you’re gonna have to be slightly more specific there, Bossman,” Jace snorts, while continuing to drag on the joint in his hand. Clearly, he’s stoned and the itch to ream him out right here, is as fierce as him locking lips with Elle last night, which plays on repeat in my head. But I can’t be distracted again.

“What did Elliot Donovan do to Elle?” I specify and they both give each other a look, it’s a knowing look and it fucking pisses me off. Jace goes to speak first but I cut him off, “Jace, don’t give me any bullshit right now, not today,” and that is all it takes to stop him from continuing.

I swing my gaze to Lincoln as he clears his throat, “You know, we can’t answer that for you brother,” he starts and before I can reply he continues, “But if you would stop being so reckless and thoughtless you would already know.”

“Oh yeah, how's that?” I ask.

“If you put your own emotions aside, you could have figured it out or Elle would have trusted you enough to tell you.”

“Oh, so she can’t trust me who she has known practically her whole life, but she can trust the two of you, who she has only known for a few weeks?”

“Maybe that's the point,” Jace interrupts, “Maybe, because we don’t know her, we see the bigger picture.”

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