Page 17 of Making the King

“No.”

“No?” I ask, still holding the door open, and she stumbles backward, tripping on her own foot as she frantically shakes her head.

Lurching forward, I reach out and catch her just in time, saving her from falling back on her ass.

“No!” She cries out, shoving at me, her breathing rapidly nearing panic attack level.

“Shhh. It’s okay. You don’t have to.” I remind her, holding her to me as I rub my hand up and down her back.

Looking down at her, I see her hands fisted in my shirt, her eyes wide with fear on the now closed door, like she can see through it to another realm where beasts roam the planet.

“Talk to me, Cara. Tell me why you can’t step foot inside that room.”

She shakes her head frantically, dragging her gaze from the door to press her forehead on my chest.

I’m not gonna lie. I fucking like having her this close. I just wish she wasn’t so scared.

“Talk to me please. I thought the room would be big enough.”

She nods this time, keeping her head pressed to my chest so I can’t see her face.

“It’s not the size.”

“Okay, well it can’t be water since you showered outside. So what is it?”

She shakes her head against my chest. “I can’t.”

My shoulders drop in defeat. Her fear. Whatever it is, runs deeper than I thought, which means until she knows she can trust me, she’s not going to tell me her secrets.

“Okay. Let’s go and grab a drink then. You can shower outside later when we get home.”

My words have the right effect, making her relax, her fists releasing my shirt as she steps back, her breathing not so dire now.

Reaching out to take her hand, she snatches it away like I repulse her, and I try to remind myself that’s not why she did that, but it still stings a little.

She has no reason to trust me, I get that, and I could tell her the real reason why I married her, but she’s not ready to hear that yet. She’ll just think it’s a lie, so I need to wait until I know she’ll truly hear me when I tell her.

Leading Cara back out to the main room, some Diamonds are there, watching each other rehearse, so I head to a table on the far side to give us a hint of privacy.

“Oh hey, Rocco,” Mindy beams, doing a small, excited jump on the spot which makes her tits bounce. The patrons love that shit.

Me, not so much.

“Hi ladies,” I offer them all, making sure I don’t single one out and make them feel special, which is what Mindy wants.

A drunken night and a gang bang later and she somehow has it in her head that she’s my girl. It’s been that way for a couple of years. You’d think the fact I haven’t touched her since would discourage her, but no, not Mindy. She’s dedicated, if anything.

The women all call their hellos as we pass by and I watch Cara when she’s not looking to see her annoyed frown as she looks at the women.

Ushering Cara to her seat, I excuse myself to get her a drink, and after I give it to her, I excuse myself again to find Cain.

“Is she enjoying the shower?” Cain asks as I pop my head in the supply room he’s rummaging through.

“Nope. She couldn’t even step foot in the room.”

Cain’s brows shoot up. “Damn. Any ideas what’s triggering her?”

Sighing, I cross my arms over my chest as I lean against the door jamb. “Nope. It’s not the confined space. And it’s not the water. So, I have no fucking clue.”

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