Page 31 of Royal Shark
His voice is a gruff command. “Get in the car.”
I hesitate.
“If you don’t, my car will follow you all the way home, so you may as well take the easy way.”
I close my eyes for a moment. “Fine. You suck.”
“Thanks.”
I get in the car, and he follows me in, takes my hand in his, and gives it a warm squeeze. My eyes get hot. I still remember when he held my hand all the way to the health clinic when I was in pain and terrified of stitches in my ankle. He cares about me, and it’s been so long since I’ve felt cared for. It makes my insides quiver, unsure if I can trust this feeling enough to enjoy it.
“Listen, I want you to land on your feet,” he says. “I don’t want you in the muck either. Come back to Villroy with me. I could use you at the casino. I need a pit boss. Someone who understands gambling, who can make the staff feel comfortable. I’ll give you a generous salary; you can stay at the palace in a guest room. We’ll commute together. It will all be so much easierand saferthan what you’re doing here.”
I go cold. Villroy is the last place I want to be. “I stand on my own two feet, and I don’t need a handout.”
“You’d be doing me a favor. I need a right-hand woman. I’m so sick of all the phone calls, texts, and emails, and the day-to-day stuff with staff is not my thing. I want to be working on big-picture strategies for running the place and bringing in more business. You could be good at it. Your experience is perfect. An office manager slash card shark slash waitress? It’s like my dream candidate.”
I laugh a little. No one has ever called me a dream in any context. “I can’t. Chloe needs me.” It’s true. She’s my responsibility. And Villroy is never going to happen. I want to be past this—it’s been twelve years since I lost my parents—but I’m just not. Even now my chest aches just thinking about them. I can’t lose control to panic attacks again.
Adrian presses on. “Chloe’s at university. She’s an adult.”
I shake my head. “It’s different with us. She barely remembers our parents. She was only six when they died. I’m like a mom to her. I visit her once a week, and we text all the time. She needs to know I’m only a train ride away. I’m all she has.”
He gazes into my eyes for a long moment. “Just promise me you’ll think about it.”
I sigh. “Okay, I’ll think about it.” But I already know I can’t leave Chloe, and I can’t face the memories of my parents on Villroy. It was the best, most happiest times our family had, and it’ll hurt too much to feel their absence there. My chest tightens, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I do that. Just stop breathing when the memory of them gets too intense.Breathe in, breathe out. I’m in control.
And then Adrian surprises me, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me close. My head rests against his chest. I’m frozen in shock for a moment. He smooths my hair back with his other hand and gives me a smile, his hazel eyes warm on mine.
Oh God, I’m going to cry. I close my eyes tight, willing my tears away. I can’t get used to this. It’ll be too painful to say goodbye.
I start to get up, and his arm tightens around me. “Just a little longer,” he murmurs. “I’ve missed you. Every woman I’ve met since you has paled in comparison.”
My heart thunders in my chest. I can’t believe he just said that. It’s so sweet, so…romantic. I can’t even find it in me to be angry anymore that he fucked up the Sergei situation.
The words are on the tip of my tongue.I missed you too.But I can’t speak past the lump in my throat. For so long I hadn’t wanted to connect with any reminders of family summers on Villroy, but meeting Adrian here on my territory makes it a lot easier.
I cuddle closer and breathe him in, spice and man. A good man. Maybe he’s the reason I’ve never stayed with any man. I was just waiting to meet him again.
Chapter Seven
Adrian
After Sara made good on her winners’ share of the money—drawing from her own stash of cash despite my offer to help—I went to visit my twin for lunch in Manhattan. Silvia was her usual affectionate, enthusiastic self and invited me for dinner at her place tonight, along with Sara and Chloe. She called it “an impromptu dinner party.” I told her to make the arrangements and I’d be there. Sara will find it harder to say no to Silvia’s invitation than mine. I know I’ve been pushy, sticking my nose into Sara’s life, but it’s the only way for me to figure out what’s going on with her game and the players in it. I’m staying an extra day so I can go to Sara’s Thursday night game.
Okay, she’s the reason I’m staying. I want more time to convince her to consider the job at my casino.
Next order of business—and it’s a big one—Silvia gave me my cousin Dylan’s info. He lives in Brooklyn, working construction for his uncle’s company. A far cry from his rightful inheritance. If his father hadn’t abdicated the throne, Dylan would’ve been the crown prince, heir to the kingdom of Villroy. He’s the firstborn. By all rights, Dylan should be king. He’s a year older than Gabriel, our current king.
I text him on the ride back to my hotel.Hi, this is Adrian, Silvia Rourke’s twin. She gave me your number. I’m in town and was hoping to meet up. I wanted to ask you about some locals in a friend’s poker game.
A text comes back hours later. It’s simply an address in Brooklyn. Five o’clock.
Okay. Not exactly friendly, but maybe he’s busy at work. Silvia’s dinner party is at seven. Maybe I could invite him too. She wouldn’t mind.
I text a quick reply.See you then.
I show up at the appointed time, and it’s a construction site by the waterfront. A huge crew is filtering out from the site because it’s quitting time. I don’t know which one he is. I’m looking for someone who resembles my family. Tall, dark haired, maybe with the famous Rourke aquamarine eyes. My father always said they were a sign of the true rulers of Villroy because they match the sea there. Silvia, Emma, and I inherited my mother’s hazel eyes. Good thing we were born later down the line or that would’ve shot that superstition to hell.
