Chapter Thirty-Four
R aven
Without much argument, Slade took me back to my car. I asked him to keep Julianna with him so I could work on my game plan. He made it clear that he still wanted to talk and tell me everything, but I didn’t want to hear it. He could have his own plan, but I was tired of waiting around for someone to save me. Clearly, I was on my own in this world, and if I wanted something done, I would have to do it myself.
While I still wanted answers, I knew in time, I would get them. If he really was the heir to the throne, that meant that once I was free of Father and Zeke, I could go make a life for myself and Julianna somewhere that wouldn’t have the public eye raining down on us.
Part of me wanted it to work with Slade. To be able to build a life together with Julianna, even if that meant staying a royal. Things would be better by his side. I knew that by just seeing what he had created. That would never happen if I couldn’t get free of my demons.
I made it back to the estate when it was already dark out. The winter time brought on the darkness at an earlier time since the time changed. I hated it because Julianna had less time outside, and she loved being outside.
I made my way up the stairs, the fortress being heavily guarded by guards who were trying to keep out any threat they could. Or, more importantly, keeping the innocent public eye away from what Father really had going on behind closed doors.
I opened the door and met Anna, who looked like she was on her way out. “Oh, hey! I was hoping to go over some things on the wedding front with you today.”
A laugh escaped my lips. Of course she was. It’s not like they wanted to shove the wedding down my throat. ”Well, you’re in luck. I’m ready to plan. Also, I want to move the wedding up.”
Her brown eyebrows rose and her eyes grew. Guess she wasn’t prepared for that one. “Move it up? Why do you want to move it up? You know what? Nevermind! This is great news. I’ll work on the arrangements. I know the King and your fiance will be pleased to hear this information. Tomorrow we will go dress shopping and...”
I cut her off. “Don’t worry, I have a dress already picked out.” If I was going to my own funeral, then I would be wearing the dress I wanted.
Her eyes narrowed, but she smiled. “That’s great then! We can get everything else ironed out tomorrow. I will talk with the King about everything in the morning.”
She left shortly after that, and I quietly made my way to Father’s office. She wouldn’t need to tell him, because I was going to tell him myself. I need to move the plan along quickly. Surprise was the best way to catch everyone off guard, and I needed Zeke to be caught off guard.
Markus was standing outside of the door, listening to the yelling that was going on inside. He gave me a quick smile and nod, then went back to his stoic expression. “Who is he yelling at?”
“Someone who screwed him over in a drug deal and got a but load of money for it. Pretty sure he’s going to throw him in the dungeon and torture him. He’s pissed. I haven’t seen him this mad in a long time.”
Lovely. Maybe my news will help. I was going to play the perfect daughter, acting like everything was okay, getting excited to marry someone he threw at me. I had to fake it to make it if I wanted to be free of him. Of all of them.
I went to knock on the door. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you; like I said, he’s pissed.”
I shrugged. I’ve dealt with his wrath before; he can fucking get over it. Ignoring his statement, I decided to walk in instead of knocking. Father would listen to me when I wanted him to listen, not the other way around.
I walked in to him having his hand raised over a man who looked to be in his sixties. He was dressed in a nice suit, so I assumed he was a CEO or something in deep shit. Once Father saw me, his anger drifted towards me.
“What the fuck are you doing in here? I told Markus not to let anyone in.” He lowered his hand and moved back, his angry gaze focused on me.
“I didn’t give him a choice. You’re going to listen to me.”
His gaze narrowed. “I’m going to listen to you?”
“Yes.” I folded my arms over my chest. “I won’t fight you anymore on marrying Zeke.”
His brows rose. He clearly wasn’t ready for that one.
“But I will do it on my terms. I get to pick the dress, the cake, and every detail that goes into it. I also get to pick the date.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off. “I want to marry him this Saturday at noon.”
He took a breath and went to lean on his desk. “Why all of the sudden?”
Here’s where I had to sell it. I didn’t give a fuck who was in the room with us. I didn’t know who the person he was about to beat to a bloody pulp was, but I needed to get this out.
I took a deep breath and released it. “You were right. Slade isn’t the right person for me and Julianna, and it’s time to move on. He can’t give us what we need. I believe Zeke can. And while I don’t love him yet, I’m sure that will come with time.”
It had been so long since I’d seen Father happy. But there was a genuine grin that came onto his face. He chuckled, “Well, it looks like you’re in luck, Julian. My daughter just saved your life.”
He moved around the desk, sat in the chair and reached for his cell. He glanced back at me as he looked for the number and brought the phone to his ear. “I accept your offer.”
I nodded and left the room quickly.
The first part of the plan was ready.
Time for part two.
SLADE
“Wait, she didn’t even listen to you?” Elijah was a hard person to crack. At times he was down to earth, trying to be funny and everyone’s friend. Other times, he was an asshole who needed to be reminded often that he wasn’t in charge.
I was.
“She wasn’t particularly thrilled with me throwing her to the wolves. I understand that. I’m just giving her a little time to process it while we work on our next move.”
“I still don’t understand your fascination with her. There are plenty of women around, pining for you. You need to go that route instead of getting caught in that tangled mess.”
I tipped the bottle back and chugged. Once it was empty, I threw it in the trash, grabbed another beer from the fridge, and opened it. I looked him in the eye and told him how I felt. “I love her. Plain and simple. Love isn’t easy. It never has been. I hate her at times, and currently I hate that she is making me out to be the bad guy. She’s irrational, makes stupid decisions, but she means well. She’s always meant well. It’s not her fault she was put in the place she is currently. It’s not her fault that I was framed. So, again...don’t input your suggestions when you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. Don’t make me choose Elijah because if it comes down to it, I’ll pick her. Every damn time.”
He was quiet for a minute, then he reached for a bottle of crown. He grabbed two shot glasses from the cabinet, opened the bottle and poured. “Then I guess it’s time to confess something.”
I stilled. He handed me the shot. “You better drink up. I need you drunk, because once you hear what I have to say, you won’t be my biggest fan.”
I took the shot and downed it. My hand gripped the glass. The kitchen was quiet, everyone was out at the bar or having sex somewhere on the compound. Lewis had taken Julianna for ice cream and then took her back to the estate. She was ready to be back with Raven and I wasn’t going to fight it, especially since my head was so fucked up.
“Tell me.” I said through gritted teeth. I had a sick feeling whatever he was going to tell me had to do with Raven, and that I wasn’t going to like it.
“Do you remember that night I came to the estate and told you that Kyra was bugging me after you broke it off with her?”
I didn’t say anything, I just nodded. I remember that night perfectly. I was about to kiss Raven, to take what was mine in her room, on that bed, but Elijah showed up and ruined it. Then she took off and never came back, so I went to the gym to let off some steam.
He poured another shot and downed it quickly. “Well, something went down that night. I told you that I was leaving, but I ventured off and found Raven in the library.”
I didn’t say a word, but my body wouldn’t move. I was frozen in time, thinking about every scenario that may have happened between the two of them. My mouth was shut, my jaw ticked, and my hands were fisted at my sides. Did he kiss her? Did they have sex? Did he fucking hurt her? My mind wouldn’t stop.
“What...happened,” I said through gritted teeth. He was testing my patience.
The room was dead silent, so when he swallowed, I could hear it. “I was so mad at her for being such a bitch to you, for always playing with your emotions when you could’ve been with someone else. You could’ve been with me.”
What the hell? I never knew that he was gay. The way he played around with girls made it hard to believe that was the truth.
“What did you do?” My patience was wearing thin. I didn’t care that he was gay, I had many friends who were. But I was straight and that would never change. I never batted for the same team. I was all for women, but there was only one I wanted to mess with.
He took a deep breath, and this time, he lifted the crown bottle to his lips and chugged. The fucker wouldn’t be feeling well in the morning.
He slammed it down on the counter and confessed everything. “I attacked her. I found her in the library, knocked her to the ground, got on top of her, placed my hand around her neck and squeezed. I lifted up her shirt and felt her bare skin on my fingers. I tried to go further, but she fought me. I have the scars to prove it. Not to mention, Markus came in and basically threw me off of her.”
He kept going; but I was focused on one thing.
I attacked her.
I felt her bare skin on my fingers.
I was on top of her.
Those words were moving around and around in my head until I saw red, and I snapped.