Page 8 of Royal Beast
“Darcy, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you call me sooner?” he asks, reaching out to take my hand across the table.
I pull my hand away, afraid to let myself get too close to him again. Confusion crosses his expression.
He might be able to help me, but he’s a dangerous man and I need to remind myself of that. Getting too involved would bea mistake, especially with Rose now in the picture. I dig my fingernails into the palm of my hand.
“I didn’t want to involve you if I could help it,” I say, a nervous edge to my voice. “But I don’t believe I have any other choice.”
Kellan’s expression falters for a moment, his smile fading.
“I see,” he says, his jaw tightening, eyes narrowing. “I’ll have to think about it.”
He stands abruptly before glancing back at me. “It was nice seeing you again.” His voice is kind, though his steps are stiff as he walks away.
I feel myself shudder and a soft sob escapes me. This was my last resort, my last hope. I don’t know what else to do. I have no other options.
Once I get home, I feel the tension snap. I spot a dirty diaper on the floor next to the trashcan and launch into a fight with my dad immediately. The two of us yell at each other until Rose starts crying. I pick her up, holding her close.
“I don’t have to take this!” Max shouts, slamming the screen door as he takes off. I feel myself breaking down, sobbing as the helplessness overwhelms me. I didn’t want to fight with my dad, but it seems like I can’t help from snapping at him.
Rose and I sit together on the couch, both of us crying until I calm down. We’re finally relaxed when my phone rings.
I recognize the number instantly and I answer it, heart hammering in my chest. “Hello?”
“I have a proposition for you,” Kellan says, his voice dark and unreadable.
I swallow hard, wondering if the next words out of his mouth will be my salvation or my doom.
4
KELLAN
After the brief meetup with Darcy, I head home, frustration mounting. Deep down, I knew she only asked to see me because of what was going on, but a part of me had hoped that shetrulywanted to see me.
My hands clench the steering wheel tightly as I think about how badly Max has screwed up this time. I’ve done what I could to prevent Darcy from having to deal with too many of his gambling debts, but this time managed to slip my notice.
Once I’m home, I pull my guns out of my safe and set them on the table, beginning the methodical process of taking them apart and cleaning them. It always helps clear my head, and I need to think this whole thing through.
I know that I haven’t been able to keep up with the bookies Max visits every time. But now they have gone after Darcy. It’s bad enough that he’s dragged her into this whole mess, but it sounds like her kid’s life could be on the line, too.
I picture the little girl with the soft curls I’d seen out and about with her mother once or twice. I don’t know if she’s mine. Darcy’s never said. But whether she is or not, that little girl deserves better than to be dragged into Max’s mess. I’d doanything to make sure she stays safe. Even if Darcy never wants me in her life, I can still protect her from afar.
As I take the guns apart one at a time, I stew over the situation, trying to figure out what I can do to help. I could pay the debt off, but that wouldn’t keep Max from accruing more in the future, nor would it help protect Darcy from getting the raw end of the deal.
Frustration and anger bubble up as I think about how I should have been there to protect Darcy better. I’d vowed to myself to be there for her even if she didn’t want me, but it seems I let her down.
Reaching for the gun oil, I almost knock the bottle over when an idea comes to me. The opportunity of a lifetime is staring me right in the face. I know a way that I can help Darcy and protect her at the same time.
Once I finish cleaning my guns, I carefully put them away and grab my phone, hitting the button for Rory’s number.
“Hey,” Rory says, a smug tone to his voice. “It’s done. The whole thing is going down late tonight.”
Hearing that brings a grin to my face. “Excellent. I’m sure that the Russians will think twice before fucking with us again,” I respond. We chat for a few minutes about business before I get down to the real reason I called.
“You remember Max Flynn, right?” I ask.
“Oh, yeah,” Rory says, chuckling. “I remember Darcy Flynn, too. You wouldn’t shut up about her for the longest time.”
“Max got himself into major debt with The Fixer,” I tell him, my voice grim. “He’s up shit creek. I looked into it, and it’s a few hundred thousand. The Fixer wants to go after Darcy since Max can’t pay, but I’m not allowing that to happen.”
