Chapter 17
Royal
This isn’t ideal. None of this is. Having her around has fucked with my head, but now that she’s been here, I don’t think I can let her go. Nor do I want to let her go.
The fights are coming up, and the nerves are starting to kick in. I know I can fight. I know I’m good at it, but two fights in the same night? They’re right. That’s a lot of punishment for my body to take.
“Are you nervous?” she asks me.
“A little. Not about fighting, but what happens after. He only gives me a week in between fights to heal, and that’s barely enough time.”
“Isn’t there any other fights? Like other people?”
“There are, but I’m not getting involved with those. Those are big-time mafia and shit. I’m not going to associate with them,” I explain to her as I run my hand through my hair.
“Mafia? Really?” I nod my head as she blows out a breath. “I always thought that shit was in the movies.”
“It’s real life, River. Not something you want to get mixed up in, that’s for sure.”
“He won’t give you a break?” I shrug this time. I’ve never asked for one, so I have no idea what he’d say.
“I need the money,” I tell her. She nods her head before leaning over and resting her head on my shoulder.
Having River around has been nice, but at the same time, I hate to see her like this.
Living on the street isn’t ideal for her.
I know she’s uncomfortable a lot of the time, I can see it in her eyes, and it makes me wonder why she stays.
I’m sure by now that her family has put out a missing person report if they even care she’s gone.
Maybe they just think she’s messing around like before.
“Let me ask you something,” I say to her.
“What?”
“You’re going to inherit a lot of money, right?”
“If I get married. That’s the stipulation. I have to be married,” she replies.
“Then why not get married?”
“Those men … they don’t want to marry me for me. They want to marry me for money, power. For who my father is. I don’t want that. I want to be happy. I want a home and maybe kids one day. I want someone who loves me and doesn’t see the money signs or think of my father when they hear my name.”
“Fair enough. But you haven’t found someone like that.”
“No. I haven’t.”
“Then marry someone to get the money and file for divorce.” She looks up at me and shrugs.
“That could work. Not with those men, obviously, they’d never go for it.”
“I’ll marry you.” My words shock the shit out of both of us when they leave my mouth. River sits up quickly, staring at me.
“You what?”
“I said I’ll marry you, so that you can get your money.”
“What do you want? Half?” Now I laugh and shake my head.
“Fuck, no. I don’t want your money, River. I’ve made that clear. I’ll help you get your money, though.” River shoves to her feet and paces around in front of me for a long minute before turning to face me once more.
“You’d really do that?” she asks seriously.
“Why the fuck not? You get your money then.”
“And you get what?”
“Nothing. The luxury of knowing you didn’t have to marry some asshole to get your money,” I admit. I don’t want anything from her. It’s just a thought that would help her out. She has to know by now I wouldn’t touch her money.
“And you’re okay with getting a divorce?”
“I’m fine with it,” I tell her. Although the thought of keeping her has crossed my mind, I barely know her. I don’t know her enough to keep her, but that thought lingers in the back of my mind.
I wasn’t looking for anything or a girl for that matter, but River is different. She pushes my buttons, seeing how far she can get with me. She doesn’t back down from me as most people do, and I think that’s what I like the most about her.
“This is crazy,” she laughs.
“No, it’s not. You want the money, right?”
“Why wouldn’t I? My life would be set,” she tells me.
“Then I’ll help you get it.”
“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
“Dead fucking serious. There’s no reason you should have to be unhappy the rest of your life when I’m here and can help.”
“This is insane,” she mumbles.
“It’s smart. Just think about it.”
“I will.”
“Good.” I shove to my feet and grab my bag, hoisting it over my shoulder before holding my hand out to her. River walks over and takes it in hers, allowing me to lead her out of the warehouse. We walk down the block and over to the bus stop, where we wait.
“Why don’t you buy a car?” she asks.
“Why, when I can take the bus?”
“Don’t you want to go see your sister?” That stings. I’d love to see her. I would love to spend time with her, but that would put a target on her with our mom, and I’m not willing to do that to her.
“It’s not that easy,” I reply, watching for the bus.
“Why not?”
“Jesus, River. All the questions,” I growl. She sighs, and I know she’s just trying to talk to me, get to know more about me, but this is a hard thing for me to talk about. Hell, I don’t even tell Jeremy everything about this.
“I don’t want my mom to start in with her. That’s why I stay away,” I finally tell her.
“You think she would do that?”
“I’m pretty sure she would. If my staying away keeps her safe, then that’s what I’ll do.”
“That’s sad. I wish it were different.”
“Me too.” The bus pulls up, and we board, finding a spot to sit and riding across town. When we get to the location, we climb off and head inside. Tonight’s fights aren’t at the same place as usual since there are going to be more people watching.
We head inside, and I find Jeremy already waiting for us. He motions for us to follow him, and we do. I keep River close, not knowing a lot of these people here.
When we get into the dressing room, I pull River aside.
“I know you like to use that mouth of yours, but not tonight.”
“What the hell does that mean?” she snaps at me.
“You know what I mean, River. Stay close to Jeremy and don’t say a word to anyone. I don’t know most of the people who will be here tonight,” I tell her. She nods her head, but I need more than that.
I reach up and grab her chin in my hand, forcing her to look at me.
“Say it.”
“Say what?”
“That you’re going to keep your mouth shut.”
“Fine, Royal. I’m going to keep my mouth shut. Happy now?” she asks. I smirk and lean down, pressing my lips to hers.
“Very.”