Page 3 of Revenge of a Queen

MARCUS

She knows me.

That's the only thought that is swirling around in my mind. Not the fact that Elle somehow has a daughter or that somewhere that daughter has a father. A father who has had my Ells and given her everything I promised I would. No, I refuse to think about either of those things. The only thing I can concentrate on is that this little girl knows me, and Elle kept it from me.

Elle King has a brother.

Elle King has a daughter.

Elle King is a liar.

I don't know how long it's been, but I know I haven't spoken, not one word. It's like I am mute and don't know a single word of the fucking dictionary.

Last night, I had Elle curled up in my arms, and I was happier than I have felt in years. Now, I feel like a bomb has dropped on my world, ensuring the casualties will never be the same. Elle invited me inside after my mind exploded. I had no choice but to follow her. My heart is beating so hard against my chest I feel like it might just rip right through my rib cage, no matter how deep of a breath I take, my lungs are screaming for air.

I am sitting frozen on the sofa, watching as the little girl speaks a mile a minute telling Elle about a trip she has taken with her grandparents, whoever they may be. Elle is listening intently, while stealing glances at me every few seconds, like she is expecting me to make a scene. Which isn't too farfetched considering what just happened outside.

We aren’t alone either. Her so called brother is sitting next to her glaring at me intensely, the older man and woman are hovering with worried looks on their faces. I can do nothing but sit here in utter disbelief at how this day has turned out.

I knew Elle had secrets, but I never imagined this. She hasn't spoken to me directly since she introduced Cassie, invited me inside, and told me to sit down. She looks how I feel, confused, worried, devastated, far too many emotions for me to even register them all right now. I can tell she is trying to hide her feelings, but I know her too well for that. The tension in the room grows the longer we sit listening to the little girl’s tales. I have no idea how old she is, but she can’t be older than two or three. She is so small, and her words come out quick and not properly pronounced, telling me she is still young. I am trying not to think about what kind of timeline that puts her birth on, was Elle pregnant before she left town? Is that why she left? Who the fuck was she having sex with at fourteen years old? How the fuck did I miss this?

Just as I conjure up the only person who could be her father, he appears, like my mind summoned him. Asher Donovan. Asher fucking Donovan. He didn’t ring the bell, so clearly, he is comfortable enough here to get past security and be let in. He rounds the corner, and just as I want to ask the question out loud and break my silence, Cassie beats me to it.

“Daddy!”

That one word cracks my already broken heart. Fuck. I never knew something could hurt this much. I bring my hand to my chest and rub against it, like that could take the pain away. When in reality, I don’t think anything will ever ease the pain.

Asher spots me immediately, frowning as he takes quick stock of the rest of the room, gauging the situation. His face sets into a firm grimace until Cassie barrels towards him. He opens his arms for her, and she jumps into them, like she has done it so many times before. I guess she has.

“Hey, how's my best girl?” he says in a strained soothing voice as she nuzzles into his chest, his eyes back to being locked on mine.

“Good, Daddy, miss you!” she replies.

“I missed you too, little angel,” he answers her and it’s the softest I have ever seen him be. Their interaction is bittersweet. I can practically taste the betrayal on my tongue. Elle King isn’t the only liar in this room. Finally, I find my voice as I shake my head in disbelief.

“She loves Asher,” I mutter with a scoffed laugh, more to myself than anyone else.

“What?” Elle says to me, even though it’s clear from the look on her face she heard exactly what I said.

I clear my throat and speak up, “You love Asher, he’s your family, that's what you said to me right? You said you cared about me, but you couldn’t be with me and when I asked about him,” I practically spit as I motion to Asher, “You said he was your family and you loved him. I guess I didn’t take that literal enough did I, little King? Or should I say, little traitor?”

“Careful, Marcus,” Asher warns me with his arms still wrapped around his daughter.

I swing my gaze to him. “And you,” I laugh, “You are a good actor, pretending to be my friend as kids--”

“I was your friend,” he interrupts.

“Yeah, before or after you took my girl and your dad killed--”

“That’s enough,” Elle cuts me off. “Helen, can you take Cass to clean up for lunch please?” The pleading note in her voice calms me some as I remember there is a little girl here, I mutter fuck under my breath.

She offers Elle a sympathetic smile, “Of course, my little rose.”

The woman, Helen, leads Cassie away and the older gentleman follows leaving just me, Elle, Asher, and her brother. I wait until they are out of the room before I continue with my eyes still locked on Asher.

“You looked me right in the eye and said there was nothing going on between the two of you, that there never had been. I, being the fucking idiot I am, trusted you. You think I would have learned my lesson after what happened the last time a Riviera trusted a Donovan,” I spit his last name at him in disgust.

Asher’s frown deepens in confusion, he swings his gaze to Elle, like there is something else going on here. I see the subtle shake of her head and am about to ask about it when an unexpected voice cuts into the room.

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