Page 86 of Claimed By a King

Mama doesn’t interrupt me, or offer any more words of wisdom. She just watches me as I break down, sobbing under the water that’s turning colder by the minute.

Once I’m no longer ugly crying, Mama asks, “What do you want, Zoe?”

I blink, staring uncomprehendingly at her.

“Do you still want to be free and go to Harvard? Or do you want to stay here?”

Without hesitating, I blurt out, “I want to find out who I am.”

“But beyond that—”

“And then I want revenge,” I seethe. The words surprise me so much I fall quiet.

The thought of making Gunner, Irina, my dad, and Rusty pay is like an alluring siren call, one I can’t ignore.

“I want them to fucking pay.”

Mama stands abruptly and comes over to switch off the water. Then she holds her hand out to me, hauling me to my feet as soon as I take it.

“See,” she says, smiling widely. “You are helping yourself.”

I can’t help returning her smile as I realize she’s taken us back to where the conversation began. Fuck, she’s good.

As I stand in front of the sink and brush my teeth, Mama comes up behind me. Without asking permission, she runs a finger across the indent in my skin left from Gunner’s teeth. She runs it all the way across to the other one where he branded me.

I cringe involuntarily, but force my spine to remain ramrod straight. I refuse to fucking crumble.

“When I came to live with Rocco, I never even knew a man’s touch could bring anything but pain. He’s the one who took care of me, and now the roles are reversed,” she says, almost wistfully.

I’m not sure if she’s talking to me or herself.

“When you came here, you took care of Gray, even if you didn’t realize it. You taught him what it’s like to love, and to be loved. You showed him so many things, but maybe now it’s his turn to help you.”

As I mull over her words, I can’t stop wondering if I’m talking to the wrong person. If everything is as she says, then her and Gray are in somewhat similar positions, which means Rocco’s and mine aren’t all that different.

“How’s he doing?” I ask, remembering Alana and Gray caught me up on what happened to him, and that he’s no longer the Prez of the Cruz Kings.

Mama shrugs, trying to appear aloof, but I see the worry in her eyes. “He’s… hanging in there,” she says, her voice thick.

Spinning around, I ask, “Can I see him?”

She immediately narrows her eyes. “Why?”

It’s a good question, and I’m not quite sure of the answer. Rocco has always scared me, and he’s never been shy in voicing his dislike for me.

“I just kind of feel like I have to,” I whisper, offering her the only explanation I have.

Mama hands me my clothes, and it’s not until I’m dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt that all feels too big on me, that she answers.

“Maybe one day, but not now. He needs to focus on his recovery. But if it helps, I’ll let him know you asked.”

I thank her before we leave the bathroom, and walk back into the living area where Gray and Slasher look deep in conversation. Alana is sitting on the edge of the couch, engrossed in something on her phone.

“Zoe!” she squeals as soon as she sees me. “You were in there so long I almost came barging in.”

Gray chuckles. “Almost? It was only me stopping you that held you back.”

She sticks out her tongue at him before bouncing to my side. “How are you feeling today, girl? You look better.”

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