Page 12 of Crocodile Tears
“Ouch,” I said, pretending her words wounded me. I placed my hand to my chest, feeling the comforting outline of the coin hanging on a necklace beneath my shirt. She’d have to try harder than that though. “I’ll have you know, we’re going to donate to a very well-known LA-based organization.”
“Very well known? Which one?”
“I can’t remember,” I admitted.
“LA based?” She was talking so loudly now that some would argue it bordered on shouting. “You really are an idiot.”
My brow furrowed. “What?”
“What does LA know about tropical rainforests? Or the Almadran Archipelago for that matter?” She put her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows at me, waiting for my answer. When I didn’t give it, she exploded. “Exactly! You need to be working with the locals. You need feet on the ground. Ugh!” She pinched the bridge of her nose in an action I distinctly remembered her mother doing, but I knew if I said that out loud, she would probably cut my balls off. I wouldn’t put it past her. She had a veterinarian sister who would probably help her. “I shouldn’t have to explain this to you. You shouldcarewithout being told to. You should care that you made a whole species extinct.”
“Technically, it was the company?—”
“Andyouare the face of that company, you fucking child,” she spat. I lifted my eyebrows, impressed.Damn. She had always been tough, but now she was downright vicious. “All those teenage douchebags buy your energy drinks because it’syour faceon the can, you total waste of air. Why are you smiling?”
“Still a wicked little tiefling, I see.”
“Don’t talk D&D to me,” she hissed. “I don’t remember anything. I haven’t played since we were twelve.”
“But you still watch people play online.”
“Howdo you know that?” She waved her hand as if cutting off her own impending rant. “You know what? I don’t even want to know.”
She rubbed her palm with the thumb of her other hand. It was such a brief movement before she dropped her hands, but I caught it. I wondered if that scar was still there. I wondered if she was touching it at the memory or if I was just reading into nothing.
“Can we call Cody back and talk game plans now?” I asked, trying to remain patient.
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“You really live in your own delusional little world now, don’t you? Have you even been listening to me?”
“Are we still talking about the skinks?” I asked with a yawn. I’d been up since 4 am and was desperate for more coffee. “They were native to one little island and no one even knew they existed until a couple decades ago. No one will miss them.”
“I hate you!” She was definitely shouting now. “You could’ve done something about this with your infinite power and clout and wealth, but instead you’re too busy fucking nineteen-year-old models.”
I rocked back like I’d been hit. “I thought you didn’t have socials anymore?” I gritted out, clenching my jaw.
“Yeah, well, the radio is on in the prep kitchens and sometimes even I can’t avoid it.”
We stared at each other in a silent standoff.
So this is what she really thinks of me.I hadn’t fully comprehended the depth of her contempt until now.She hates me.
I thought Dove might be able to see the real Deacon underneath it all, but more and more, I was beginning to wonder if he even existed. I was perfectly okay with hating myself, but I couldn’t have her hate me, not Dove. She was the only non-relative who had been close to me before the fame. I couldn’t forever ruin the one relationship that kept me a human and not a business.
My throat bobbed as I swallowed back the ugly realization. “I’m sorry, Dove. Truly.”
Her shoulders bunched around her ears. “Even if I believed that apology, which I don’t, I don’t care,” she said and turned to the door. “Make this situation right if you want me to forgive you.”
She knew perfectly how to cut me open and pour salt in my wounds. I’d rather her rage than her cold indifference, but if she thought she could get away from me this easily, she was wrong. Iwouldregain her approval. She could try to dodge me all she wanted, but I wasn’t going to give up.
Chapter Eight
Deacon
Cody walked back into the room, his eyes shuffling to Dove’s retreating form and back to me three times before he blustered, "Where is she going? Why are you letting her walk away?"
