Chapter 34
Dove
My head spins, and I huff out a laugh to cover my discomfort from my phone ringing on repeat all night.
Even though I silenced it, the vibration is still way too obvious.
Fuck, drinking tonight was a terrible idea, even though his sister, Rochelle, is actually lovely and it was her suggestion.
Apparently that’s how she survives this family, and that just makes me feel sad for her.
I may have smashed dinner to cover how much I drank, but the boys are all looking at me weird now.
Like more intense, if that is even possible.
My phone starts ringing, and I feel Kasen tense beside me.
I pull my phone out of my pocket, ready to block him, I’m sick to death of Talon’s constant calls and messages.
It’s getting out of hand, and he’s not listening to me when I tell him I don’t want to talk.
But as I go to power it off, I see a voice message there from an unknown number.
It sends an instant icy shiver over my skin.
“Who’s calling you on repeat, babe?” River asks, trying to look over my shoulder at my phone.
“No one important. I need to use the rest room,” I mutter, knowing there is no way I want to listen to whatever this is with them all gawking at me.
“Over there.” Slater motions toward the far wall.
Kasen’s lips drop to my ear. “Still keeping shit from us, aren’t you, birdie.” The way his eyes bore right through me is unnerving.
I snatch my arm back from him, not justifying his stupid question with an answer.
“Take Rochelle with you,” he says, loud enough for her to hear, and to my surprise, she hops up ready to go on cue because he told her to.
I shove my chair back, so ready for a second’s space away from them and the ridiculous testosterone that’s surrounding me.
I sway my way through the room, wishing I hadn’t gone so heavy on the cocktails with their sister, but at that moment, I was just thinking I needed to block this horrendous night out any way I can. And she agreed with me.
She links her arm with mine. “How are you coping?”
“Hardly. What is wrong with your brother?”
“He was brought up by my dad.” She laughs.
“Don’t let him bully you, he’s clearly super into you.
Stand up for what you need with him. K can be intense, but he will bend for the ones he loves.
I’ve seen it with the other boys. He would do anything for them.
” We shove through the bathroom door. “In saying that, what is going on with you and River? I’m getting come-fuck-me tension, and Bodhi has been watching you like a hawk all night as well.
Am I right in thinking K’s not the only one you’re dating? ”
“That’s because Slater thinks he’s my personal bodyguard, and River, well, he’s just River.”
She bursts out laughing. “Sounds like you’re having fun. You know I married my bodyguard; they will love you like no other.”
I can’t help but laugh back. She’s trying so hard to be nice to me and help me fit in with the family. It’s really very sweet. “I didn’t, that must have been interesting when your father was still alive.”
“You have no idea, girl. Lucky the Throne tenacity runs in the family, and I didn’t back down till I got my way. Well, I made him believe it was his idea, but potato, potahto.”
Once in the stall alone, I flick the seat down and sit, pressing play on the voicemail and the phone up to my ear so she can’t hear.
“My beautiful girl, if you’re hearing this, your father and I failed to keep you safe.” My mother’s voice breaks.
A trickle of sweat runs down my spine. Is this some sick joke?
“There is so much I need to tell you. I could never prepare you for the life you will have to live.”
My skin prickles all over, and I stand in a rush, my heart hammering. How am I hearing a recording from her?
“I’m so sorry, Dove,” she goes on. “I’m an awful person, a terrible mother.
I should have got us all out when I could.
Trust no one in this life. If I’m dead, one of them betrayed me, and they will do it to you as well.
” The message ends, but it plays on repeat in my head.
I’ve heard those words from her mouth before.
That night in our family living room. She was crying, distraught.
I can see it so damn clearly now it’s like a movie playing in my head.
My father had our bags packed, and she just kept crying and saying one of them betrayed me, don’t trust them, you can’t. Over and over again as she sobbed.
Tears stream down my cheeks, the ache of missing her painfully overwhelming.
I try not to sniffle, not wanting Rochelle to hear me.
I stare at my blurry phone, sickness consuming me.
I knew they couldn’t be trusted. I can only assume she is talking about the Thrones, she fucking knew it as well.
But she let herself get wrapped up with Keller. Who would send this to me as a warning?
From beside me, Rochelle flushes, and I hear the water of the tap running. “I’m heading back out. I’ll give you a sec alone. Don’t worry, I won’t tell them you’re upset,” she says, before I hear the door swing closed.
Fuck, she must have heard me crying.
How do I go back out there to that family and act normal?
With trembling hands, I clean up my make-up and try to disguise the tear tracks.
I can’t stay here with them. I fucking knew Keller had something to do with her murder.
He was the one who betrayed her, I’m now more sure than ever.
She trusted him and he fucked her over, just like I know the boys would me given half the chance.
Well, I’m not going to make her same mistakes.
I pull out my phone and bring up the image of the map I took a screenshot of, searching for answers.
Why did Slater give this to me when it makes no fucking sense at all.
I zoom in on Alejandro’s. It’s there on the map plain as day.
But it’s what’s overlaid that piques my interest the most. It’s what looks like a warehouse or some shit that has a whole heap of computer coding over the top.
Axis headquarters is the only part of it I can make sense of, even though I have no clue what that means.
Cautiously I pop open the door to the bathroom and peer out.
There isn’t one of them in sight. I half expected one or three of them to be waiting out here for me, but I’m relieved to find I’m alone.
Instead of heading toward the room where our table is, I go in the opposite direction, not sure where I’m going, just knowing I can’t go back there.
I want answers, and this place, if it’s some sort of headquarters, might just hold them.
I make it to the end of the hall and find a lift.
I take it to the bottom floor, the churning in my stomach telling me it’s strange that one of them isn’t following me.
For days now, since that last message, they haven’t left me alone.
Where are they? I shouldn’t care; I don’t.
Only that I’m scared one of them is about to catch me sneaking out.
But maybe Gloria is keeping them busy and they are finally distracted long enough.
When I make it to the basement, the elevator doors spring open, and I freeze, swallowing the lump now formed in my throat.
There right in front of me is River, his hands tangled into the hair of another man, their lips locked in the most passionate display of affection I think I have ever witnessed.
It’s jarring, not just because I’m jealous but because he’s so into it. The other man shoves him back into a wall roughly. Tingles erupt through me. Them making out is hot as hell, and I know I shouldn’t just stand here gaping at the two of them, but I can’t look away either.
The other man’s eyes open, and when they lock with mine, I feel like my heart is about to stop. It can’t be, but I know it is. I would recognize those warm brown eyes anywhere. Jayden.
He winks at me before pulling back from their kiss.
River, no longer caught up in the moment, also realizes it’s me. “H-hey, babe, w-what are you doing down here?” he stutters out, looking way too nervous for my liking.
I blink back at him, not understanding what I’m witnessing. Out of all of them, I would have thought River wouldn’t lie to me. But he lied right to my face and said he had no idea where Jay was. Clearly, he knew something. That wasn’t a one-time kiss, I could tell.
River tries to reach for me with an outstretched hand, but I sidestep him. “Don’t touch me.” My voice is angry, hurt even, and this time I can’t hide it.
Jayden tugs him back to him. “Go tell the others we will be up in a sec, I’ll talk to her.” Jayden’s voice is like a warm blanket, all smooth and in the strangest way like coming home. It’s so familiar, even though it’s been years since I have seen him.
“I wanted to tell you, babe, it just wasn’t the right time.” With a lingering, mournful look, River enters the elevator, heading back up to the restaurant, leaving me alone with Jayden.
Jay turns to me, his lips curving into a gentle smile.
His striking good looks haven’t faded; if anything, the years have only made him more handsome.
His hair is longer on top, creating a slight wave that drapes over his eyes.
He’s dressed entirely in black, his crisp button-up shirt with sleeves rolled up and the top button undone make him look like he’s stepped right off the set of a mafia movie.
Important and powerful, and he knows it.
As he approaches me, his warm, chocolate-brown eyes dance with an unmistakable delight.
Even though my pulse quickens, seeing him again after all this time, I take a shaky step back away from him. “Where have you been?” I whisper.
“Could ask you the same, gorgeous.”