Page 28 of Royal Shark
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Sara
Last night with Adrian got intense. I can’t believe he hung onto his pair of fives! Is it possible he held onto our shared fantasy future just like I did? Did it bring a bright spot to dark times for him too? No. Adrian didn’t have dark times. He lives a golden life, a royal with a large loving family, who does whatever he wants. He says he wants to be in my life, but I know he’s tied to Villroy, and I never want to go there again. It’s just too painful with all the memories of my parents. I can’t face that grief again. I just can’t. It was hard enough the first time. Besides, I have a good thing going here with my game, and I could never leave Chloe.
I can’t let him get close enough to make the goodbye painful. He’s decided to stay an extra day, and I’m trying not to read too much into it. I need to keep a friendly affection between us and then go back to my life.
Adrian showed up this morning just like he said he would. Part of me was glad because I missed him after he left last night, and part of me was irritated that he’s checking up on the way I do business. Today is collection and payout day for the game, and we’re in his rented Mercedes on the way to my first collection. His guard, Jack, is in the front passenger seat. Adrian doesn’t know what it’s like to truly be on your own and know there’s no one you can depend on besides yourself.
I direct the driver, Bill, to park a short way down the block from the brownstone I’m going to and then hop out of the car, feeling Adrian’s eyes on me. He’ll probably time how long I’m inside the place too. He and his guard will storm the brownstone if I’m not out in the requisite amount of time. I stifle a sigh. I’m not used to having someone second-guess me. Honestly, these guys are not dangerous. Okay, I had a dicey moment with Sergei on collection day before, only because he was angling for a date, but he backed off. Of course, it’s a good idea to have someone guarding the money as I travel with it, but I just can’t justify paying a guard when I know Chloe’s tuition bill is so hefty.
The first visit goes smoothly, and I can’t help but rub it in Adrian’s face when I get back in the car. “I told you. No big thing. I keep it a light, fun visit.”
His expression gives nothing away, poker face firmly in place. “Sure. Let me know when we’re at Sergei’s place.”
“He’s a sore loser. Doesn’t mean he won’t pay up. He’s loaded.”
“Tell him we’re together now.” He says it matter-of-factly like he expects me to comply. It gets my back up. Bad enough he’s got his nose in my business; now he’s issuing orders.
“I’m not going to say that. You’re leaving in two days, anyway, so it’s not like that’s a deterrent.” I huff. “You know this kind of bossiness may work with your sister, but it’s not gonna fly with me. I’ve been operating just fine on my own for a very long time.”
He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear in a tender gesture, his voice deep and warm. “I wish I’d known you then. I feel like I missed so much.”
I swallow over the lump in my throat. Somehow he cuts through all my defenses so easily. “You wouldn’t have wanted to know me then. It was hell, and I was not fun to be around.”
“I could’ve helped you.”
“No one could’ve helped me and, believe me, they tried. My uncle, my school social worker, my teachers. I had to pull myself together, and I did it by focusing on caring for Chloe, which was a win-win for both of us.” I paste on a smile and gesture to myself. “Count yourself lucky to meet the newly put together Sara.”
His eyes are so sympathetic, I have to look away. I hate sympathy. I’ve had way too much of it in my life, along with the whispers: “Those poor Travers girls. Such a shame, and their uncle isn’t much help.”
I force my mind back to business. The next stop goes smoothly. This time I stifle theI told you so, but I sure am thinking it.
A few minutes later, I tell the driver, “Turn right at the stop sign. It’s at the end of the next block.”
“Is this Sergei’s place?” Adrian asks.
I’m a little surprised he guessed. “How did you know?”
“Because only three people owed you after the buy-in was collected, and we already made two stops. Process of elimination.”
“Such a smartie. Stay here.”
He arches a brow but says nothing.
When I get to Sergei’s house, I ring the bell and wait on the front stoop. I hear stealthy footsteps behind me and whirl, about to yell at Adrian to back off, but it’s Jack.
“I’m to accompany you inside, ma’am,” he says.
“You can’t. I won’t be able to collect with another guy witnessing it.”
His expression is unyielding. “I’ll remain in the background completely unobtrusively. I won’t even look at him.”
I stifle a groan. “Go away. Please. This is going to make things so much worse.”
The front door opens and it’s Sergei, not the housekeeper. “Good morning, Sara. Looks like you brought some muscle today. Don’t trust me to honor my debt?”
“Of course I trust you. My—” I nearly choke on the word “—boyfriend is insanely overprotective and insisted his guard accompany me today.” I don’t have boyfriends. I have acquaintances.
