Page 8 of Royal Havoc

Exhaling loudly. “What?” Hating the sound of his voice, still pissed that Nolan refused to be here to moderate this conversation.

“You’ll respect me in this house,” Hendrix warns, causing me to turn and really look at him for the first time in years.

Laughter bursts from somewhere deep inside me. “Wow,” I giggle, trying to catch my breath. “Woo, I really needed that. But you probably shouldn’t throw around words you don’t know the meaning of,” I taunt sarcastically. “Actually, go ahead and give it a quick search. I’ll wait. Ignorance is out these days.”

His eyes narrow on me, shoving the same image I see in my daily reflection back at me. His caramel eyes may be showingcreases around the edges. And, his dark hair might be lightly salted. But they’re still the same as mine, and I hate it.

“I can still change my mind about this agreement. So, I’d watch your attitude,” he warns sternly, and I almost start laughing again.

“I’m not staying under this roof with you. I don’t give any shits what —”

“Why the cottage?” he challenges.

Crossing my arms defensively, showing him my back. “Because I don’t want to see you,” I answer honestly, proud of myself for speaking my truth.

“You’ll attend dinner in the main house. Six p.m. sharp. And curfew will be eleven p.m.,” he counters coldly.

Anger erupts under my skin as I turn to face him. “Nowyou wanna pretend to be a parent? Seriously, I’m not five anymore. I know when to eat. And, curfews are —”

“Non-negotiable,” he throws out flatly, shrugging a shoulder.

My eyes dart to his as we stand, having a silent stare-off. We both challenge the other, waiting to see who’ll break first.

“Face it, my house, my rules,” the sperm giver chimes in, breaking the silence first.

“Seriously?” I wail, rolling my eyes so hard I get a headache in the process.

“Rowland was a selfish son of a bitch. All he ever cared about was his money. This is him securing his investment,” Hendrix enlightens me on his way to pour himself a drink.

Nothing here is worth remembering because all it’s ever done is fracture my heart. And now, I’m realizing it did Mom, too. Everything she thought she ever had started here. When she truly had nothing.

How the fuck is my life fair?

“Whatever,” I grumble.

“Fine,” he agrees, strolling around the sofa and sitting casually in the leather chair beside it. “We should talk.”

My brows shoot to my hair line. “There’s nothing to say. It’s been thirteen years. I think I’m good, donor pops,” I huff, ready to get the hell away from him.

His nostrils flare as he inhales deeply. “Sit down,” he tries to order.

“Listen,Hendrix. I’m good. I’ve got nothing to say. I don’t need closure.”

He leans back, crossing his legs. “Did Opal explain our history —”

“Fuck the history bullshit. I’m tired. In case you forgot, I buried my mom today. You know,your wifewho left you the house in exchange for the kid,” I spit, anger heating my face. “Give me the code to the cottage. I want to leave.”

He stands slowly, walking to his desk. I watch him scribble what I hope is the code on a piece of scrap paper. “There’s a Jeep outside. It’s yours. You’ll need it to get to school. Keys are on the table in the entry,” he tells me, holding out the scrap of paper for me.

I take it and start to leave, then stop in the middle of the room. “Look at it this way. The privacy will be good. You wouldn’t want your donor daughter watching your whore parade,” I throw out evilly before continuing to stroll from the room.

Once I’m outside alone, far enough down the path, I can let the emotions grating at my insides show. Hugging myself tightly, I let the fear and frustration consuming me pour out, ugly-crying in the darkness. Purging the hate and anger thrashing around inside me.

four

Kings Fall Harder

Onyx: 2024