Page 29 of Her Royal Master
Like a frightened child, I wanted to be home—not even home in L.A., but the home I grew up in.I needed to remember who I was.Who I am.To forget Derek.And Darius.
No, not Darius.
I never wanted to forget Darius.In fact, I wanted to record every single thing I could remember about him, even though doing so would break my heart into a million pieces.
Sweet Surrenderstopped moving.
This was it, we’d arrived back at Ibiza.
Tears smarted my eyes and my hands shook as I pulled on my sundress.“I had panties, too.”My voice cracked when I spoke.
Darius gave a callous shrug.“They’re missing.You’ll buy a new pair with your five grand.”
The money.
I’d forgotten about the five thousand Euros—no six thousand with my bonus—I’d be paid.
The thought of taking money made me sick.
Lost, chest aching, I sought Darius’ eyes, pleading with him to understand.
“Don’t look at me like that.”His voice rang out hard and cruel.He picked up my bag and held it out to me.“Time to go, princess.”
“Darius—” Tears leaked out of my eyes, wetting my cheeks.
Alarm flickered over Darius’ face but instantly morphed into fury.“Stop crying, princess.”The harsh command cut me like a knife.He pointed at me, and I saw gashed and bruised knuckles on his right hand.“You don’t cry unless Imake youcry.”There was so much anger in his voice that I stumbled back, my chest caving as if I’d taken a direct hit.
He slammed his wounded fist into the wall, splintering the wood paneling.
I gulped air, trying to stop the tears that only flowed faster now.
“Get out.”The words punished me far worse than any physical chastisement he’d given me.“Go now before I raise the alarm and my family comes down on you like the wrath of God.”
I didn’t move.
“Get.Out!”
A broken sob erupted from my chest, and I ran, half-blind from my tears, through the door.
“Take your bag,” Darius hissed behind me.
Somehow, I directed my fingers to grab it.Somehow I managed to be that close to Darius and not fall at his feet and beg his forgiveness.
I stumbled up the stairs, not knowing if Darius was following or not.Not able to stop the full on sobs that were coming now.
Samson stood on deck, handing the girls their envelopes of cash.
I pushed past, needing to get off the yacht before I imploded.
“Allegra, wait!Here’s your money,” Samson called after me, but my feet had already hit the dock.I started running and I didn’t stop.
Running away from the biggest mistake of my life.From Darius, the man who’d made me feel safe and special.Who’d shown me the white hot flame of lust and the cool comfort of home.
Because that’s what being with him had felt like, that’s why I wanted to run back to my childhood.
Home.
Except it wasn’t one I could ever return to.Not now, not ever.
