Page 24 of Broken Crown

“You did?”

“I didn’t kill her, but if the police are going to stick with this theory that it was a domestic incident, I should at least be considered a person of interest.So I went to the Chief of Royal Police.Told him all about my relationship with her.How we were together until a few weeks before her disappearance.”He smiles sadly.“I may not have killed her, but I still feel responsible.Figured if they’d arrest me, maybe I could be at peace and the nightmares would stop.”

“Nightmares?”I ask, studying his features for any hint of deception.Any clue this is an act.

For several months, I spent nearly every day with him.Got to know him fairly well.Learned when he was being who he had to be in public or when he was being his authentic self.

And right now, there’s no doubt in my mind he’s being the real Jameson.

That he’s telling the truth.

Maybe my father’s right.Maybe the idea that Jameson Gates could be involved in something like this is preposterous.

He donates billions of his own money to charity.More than that, he donates his time, too, often volunteering when there’s a shortage, much like myself.

This is a man who once went out of his way to save a dying kitten he saw get hit by a car.He could have just left the poor thing, but he went above and beyond, spending thousands to ensure the tiny creature received the best medical care possible, then made sure he found someone reliable and trustworthy to adopt him.

He couldn’t even stomach watching that poor kitten suffer.

There’s no way he’s capable of doing anything to cause a human to suffer.

Right?

“They’re of Callie,” he answers finally.“She’s calling out to me for help, but I can’t get to her.I wake up gasping for air, like I’m drowning in the car with her.”

“I know what that’s like,” I admit before I can stop myself.“Ever since I was nearly shot, I keep having these horrible nightmares about it, too.But this isn’t about me.”I quickly shake my head.“My apologies.”

“It’s okay.”He laughs under his breath.“It’s actually refreshing to hear someone else has gone through something similar.That it’s normal.My father tries to tell me to get over it.That ‘only pussies need therapy because some whore you banged was killed.’”He rolls his eyes, his gruff voice mimicking his father’s almost perfectly.“‘Take some sleeping pills and move on.’”

“Parents are really good at fucking up their kids, aren’t they?Even when we’re adults.”

“Too right.”He treats me to a warm smile, then clears his throat.Any of the anguish that was present seconds ago has vanished.In its place is the Jameson Gates the world knows and loves.“Well, I suppose I should let you make the rounds.Thanks for the chat.It was surprisingly reassuring.”

“Of course.”

“Ma’am.”He bows toward me.

“Mr.Gates.”

He holds my gaze for another second, then retreats, purposefully ignoring the harsh glare coming from Silas Archer as he makes his way through the crowd.Has there always been a strange tension between them?Did I just ignore it because I wanted to blame someone for what happened to Adam, and Jameson seemed a likely target?

“What was that about?”

Anderson’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I look to my right as he approaches.

“It seemed…intense.”

I bring my flute back to my lips.“Just catching up.”I take a long sip of champagne, hoping my brother doesn’t pry.

It’s one thing to tell him about my own nightmares.It’s another to tell him about Jameson’s.

These types of dreams are incredibly personal.Sharing them is like splitting open your soul, your biggest fears, and allowing the world to see them.

“You sure?”Anderson narrows his gaze on me, forever playing the part of the protective older brother.

“Of course, I’m sure.”I roll my eyes, hooking my arm in his elbow and walking with him through the reception area.“Thanks for being my date tonight,” I joke in an effort to change the subject.

“It would be better if you had an actual date,” our grandmother snips out, seeming to appear out of nowhere.Her razor sharp eyes pin me with a disappointed stare before she turns her ire on Anderson.“You, as well.I sent you both suggestions for possible escorts.”She looks between me and my brother.“Apparently, you chose not to take them.”

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