Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“Rose, I’m not leaving you.”
“Please, just give me a minute. I need this.”
Petal sighed and turned to Colt. “Keep an eye on her.”
She didn’t look to see what kind of signal he gave Petal. Whatever it was, her friend looked happy with the response. One by one, they all left, and it wasn’t long before she and Colt were the only two people there.
He stepped behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “It’s okay for you to cry.”
“I don’t think I can cry anymore. I hurt all over.”
Colt wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against him. “It will pass.”
“How?”
“The pain never really goes away. You think of that person and you feel it deep in your chest, but you somehow go on. You have no choice. Even though my sister was young when she died, I know she wouldn’t want me to put my life on hold.”
Rosalie smiled. “I know. I know deep down that my mother right now would be so annoyed with me. Daemon’s gone, and to a point I’m free.” And in that moment she admitted her guilt.
“Free.”
“I … I always stayed for her,” Rosalie said. “I don’t need to stick around anymore.” She turned toward Colt, and this time there were tears in her eyes because she hated herself. She pulled off the rings that had been placed on her fingers. “We don’t need to stay married anymore. Don’t you see? Daemon’s gone. The Evil Fuckers MC have vanished. Your commitment to your deal is all over, and I’m not pregnant. You can be free.”
Colt stared at the rings and shook his head. “No.”
“Colt, come on.”
“No,” he said. He cupped her hands and forced her hand to close.
“You’re being stubborn. You hate me.”
“I don’t fucking hate you. I have never hated you.”
“You don’t need to lie to me. I’m not going to fall apart.”
Colt cupped her face, tilting her head back, forcing her to look at him. “I don’t hate you, Rosalie, and none of this is forced. I love you.”
She shook her head and pulled away from him. “Don’t lie to me. I know, okay? I know that the last thing you wanted was to be married to Daemon’s daughter. That is me.” She slapped her chest. “He may be dead, but I’m still here. She’s gone and I’m still here.”
“And I am going to do everything in my power to protect you, Rosalie,” he said.
“I’m not pregnant. This marriage doesn’t have to stick, and when I can, I’m going to get a divorce.”
“I’m not signing it,” he said.
“You promised you’d keep her safe,” Rosalie said, knowing she was hitting hard. “She’s dead.”
Rosalie stepped away from him, taking another, then another, heading toward the car that waited for her and Colt. She slid into the seat and told the driver to go. She didn’t want to ride with him.
She wanted to be on her own.
Chapter Twenty-One
Three Weeks Later
“You want me to move in?” Petal asked.
“Yes. According to the lawyer, I now own this property. It would seem Daemon purchased it years ago. Mom never had to pay a single cent. Whenever it needed repairs, he handled it. When she wanted it decorated, he took care of it.”
“Does it make you hate him a little less knowing that when he could, he did take care of your mother?” Petal asked.
“No,” Rosalie said. “I still hate him. Do you think I should sell it? Finally go on that road trip we’ve always dreamed about?”
“Come on, Rose, you and I both know that was only a dream, and we always intended to take your mother with us.” Petal sighed. “Besides, we’ve got a diner to enjoy, remember?”
“Ah, yes, the diner.” Rosalie sighed and dropped down into the chair at the dining room table. “Do you have any idea what we’re going to do about that?”
“Did you send them?” Petal asked.
It was a question Rosalie had been trying to avoid.
“And don’t change the subject either.”
“I’m not going to change the subject.” Rosalie shrugged. “Yes, I sent the papers so they should be arriving today.”
Petal took the seat opposite her. “Are you sure about this? Divorce?”
“We were never meant to be together, Petal. Divorce is how these things end. I’ve already taken a pregnancy test. I’m not pregnant. Colt hates me.”
“I don’t know. You should have seen the way he reacted when he discovered you after being beaten up. That is not a guy who hates you. That was a guy who had some mega feelings for you,” Petal said. “He saved you, remember?”
“I was just there,” Rosalie said.
“Come on. You’re telling me you have absolutely no feelings for Colt at all?”
She lifted her head and shrugged. “It doesn’t matter what I feel. I’m not going to trap him into anything just because this was arranged by our fathers. We both finally have an out, and I’m giving it to him.”