Page 19 of Royal Doll

“That’s entirely reasonable for casualwear. A couple of fancier things around the one, one-fifty mark, maybe?” she suggested. “For parties and the like.”

I agreed to what seemed a reasonable solution; six thousand bucks later, I have a brand-new wardrobe, top to bottom, underwear included. I only skipped footwear; I have the Mary Janes when I want to dress up, and my beat-up Converse work fine otherwise.

I feel more sure of myself. The security, the clothes, the fact that I’m attending the best university in the country, is a huge boost of confidence.

I try not to think about that night much during the day. Or the next three days, when I still felt them each time I walked, or moved.

They fucked me all night. After bringing me to a dark bedroom, my wrists were tied to the bedpost, and Sebastian,Hawk, and Callum took turns, jerking themselves over my skin, against my tits, in my hand when they weren’t inside me. Then I was carried to the shower and fucked again. Back to the bed, on all fours this time. It must have been two or three when the guests excused themselves, leaving me with the birthday boy. I didn’t even think to try to leave, just passed out, only to be awoken with a hard shaft pumping inside my burning pussy.

Trying not to daydream about it is one thing; I mostly manage. But at night, there’s no helping the memories flooding back to me, so I wake up drenched and frustrated in the middle of the night.

I think that’s why I could only bring myself to contact her at the start of October. After all, she was the one they really wanted. I was the replacement, because I was easier to buy and less complicated.

The girl across the table from me has dark hair. The differences between us stop there.

“We really do look alike,” she marvels, sipping her chai latte.

“Dad and his super swimmers,” I retort with a snort.

She tilts her head, her expression mostly blank. “What is he like?”

I shrug. “He’s a drunk.”

What else is there to say?

My half-sister nods. “Mom said as much. We went no-contact because he hit her. I’m…sorry you had to grow up with him. Is there anything we can do to help?”

I didn’t really understand my instinct to get my shit together before I tried to get in touch with my little sister, but now I do.

“No,” I assure her sincerely. “I’m fine.”

“Really?” She’s surprised, but not particularly relieved. I don’t get the feeling she would have been annoyed if I had asked her for cash.

“I didn’t reach out for money. I have some…” I hope she doesn’t ask how. I’m just eighteen, and she likely knows our father can’t keep a job for shit. I don’t want to explain how I came into my newfound prosperity.

“Okay. But if youdoneed anything—well, we have money.” She winces. “I sound awkward. I didn’t mean…” Grace hesitates, chewing on her bottom lip the same way I do when I’m not sure what to say. “We’re sisters. I don’t want you to struggle, when we have the means to help. My mother married a rich man, you see, and he’s very generous.”

I smile. While it’s abundantly clear to me that Grace is mostly shy, and a little bit on the awkward side, I can see how some would see her as stuck-up.

“You’re kind. But I'm truly fine. Ididstruggle for a while,” I admit, “but I manage now. I’m going to RUA.”

Don’t ask me how, don’t ask me how, don’t ask?—

“Oh wow! Me too, next year. I got early admittance. Whatareyou studying?”

“I’m undeclared, so I picked up a few different courses to explore my options. I figure I can decide on a major next year, or the year after.”

A new, insane luxury.

“Are we the same person?” she jokes.

It’s all I can do not to laugh in her face as I imagine her dangling her ass around a pole in a G-string. Maybe not.

“And how did you find me, if I may ask? Did you see me and figure it out?”

I’m prepared for this question. “Actually, one of your friends did. Callum Noble? He told me he thought we might be related in July.” All of that is entirely true. “I asked him to give me some time to tell you myself.”

“Cal?” She's shocked. “Oh. I wouldn’t have thought he knew what I looked like.”

---