Page 71 of Royal Havoc

“He’s a lawyer. He means graduated college,” B explains simply to me.

“Hmmm,” I hum, not impressed in the least.

“Tulip?” a female voice gasps, rushing into the visiting room, causing a scene. “Where is she? I want to see —” A set of eyesmatching mine land on me, instantly turning sad. “Baby, what happened?”

“Leave,” I groan, instant anger ruining my mood.

She stops beside me, glancing around the table. “I’m her mother. Who are you?”

Ollie raises a brow. “His brother.”

“Oh,” she huffs, sliding into the chair beside me. “Opal,” she says, introducing herself.

“I told you I don’t want you here.” Spinning my head, looking at Ollie. “She’s nobody. She gave me away years ago. Forget she exists. I do.” I shrug, ignoring her heated stare.

“Is this the lawyer you were telling me about?” she asks Brock, shocking the piss out of me.

“What the hell? You’ve been talking to her behind my back?” I shriek, jolting from my chair.

“Tulip —”

“Fuck you,” I hiss, storming towards Dan, who's trying to figure out the commotion. “Take me to my room,” I order, charging past him.

I’d rather sit in silence than ever listen to a word she has to say.

thirty-seven

Truth Or Shot

Onyx: 2024

I’ve decided I’m a creature of habit. Over the years, I’ve adapted to doing things on my own — the way I want. Pawns don’t challenge their queen. They fall in line and shut their mouths.

This shit with Hendrix has me shook. He’s got my vocab spinning with obscure words like… trust, safe, and love.

I’m not a Scrabble triple-word score kind of girl. So, why do these little words have me rethinking my life?

I spent the majority of the drive back to the cottage trying to dump the cringe-worthy vibe clinging to me after our odd interview.

Was he flirting with me?

Now that I’m home, I’ve hardly had enough time to choke down a slice of leftover pizza, hoover half of a joint, and get ready. If he’s forcing me to go somewhere, he could’ve at least told me what to wear.

Did I mention I tucked away the other half of my smokey treat in my bra?

I dash around the cottage, locating my purse and phone, before rushing out the door to Vex’s grumbly car when I hear him pull up.

“What the hell are you wearing?” he grits, examining me as soon as I open the passenger’s door.

“Clothes,” I grunt, falling into the seat beside him, buckling my seatbelt.

“Christ,” I hear him mumble before turning up the music to ear-shattering levels.

From the corner of my eye, I notice he’s shaking his head as he slams the car into gear, tearing out of the driveway like a lunatic.

Let’s rationalize like the non-lunatic that I am. Ohio’s known for its janky weather. Some days, depending on the season, you might need a coat, umbrella, and tank top. I get it. However, today’s been pretty bland, and it’s not freeze-your-tit’s-off cold. So, I selected jeans and a halter top and paired them with leather boots and a jacket.

You can’t go wrong with leather!

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