Royal Mess - Winter Travers Page 0,14
the name media room fits nicely.”
“This room is my uncle’s pride and joy. He’s a movie buff and loves to read any book he can get his hands on.” Marco walked over to the overstuffed couch that was directly in front of the TV. “Sit here. I’ll get you the remote.”
I plopped down on the couch and sunk into the softest and most plush cushions ever. I waved my hand in the air. “Just leave me here. I believe the couch and I have become one.”
Marco chuckled and moved to the TV. “Just wait until you sit in one of the recliners.”
“I think I might give birth on this couch and raise the baby right here.”
Marco turned on the TV. “I’m sure Bristol would love it. She seemed to take a liking to you.”
“She’s more than nice. Totally someone I would hang out with on a normal day.”
Marco stepped toward me and handed me the remote. “This isn’t a normal day?”
I grabbed the remote and rolled my eyes. “Well, my brother dying and then being whisked off to Wyndemere Estates isn’t really what I would call normal.” My words brought a chill to the room. For a moment, I had forgotten Grit was gone. I had forgotten the reason why I was tucked away at Wyndemere Estates.
Meeks had killed Grit, and now, he was coming for me and the baby.
I handed the remote back to Marco and jumped up. “I changed my mind. I think I’ll just go back to bed.
“Royal,” Marco pleaded.
I shook my head and stepped around him. “I can find the way back to my room. Thank you for dinner.” I dashed from the room and jogged up the stairs. At the top, a sharp pain ran down my side, but I didn’t stop.
By the time I made it to my room and threw open the door, tears were streaming down my face. I pushed the door shut and twisted the lock.
How could I have sat down in the kitchen with Marco like nothing had happened? Was I really about to watch TV and not wonder where Grit’s body was? How did I forget everything?
Grit was dead, and I was next if the Meeks had their way.
I flipped off the lights and fell into bed. I wasn’t tired, but I didn’t deserve to be happy right now.
I didn’t know what I deserved, but I knew it wasn’t happiness.
“Royal,” Marco called. He knocked on the door.
I didn’t move. “I’m going to bed, Marco.”
“You said you weren’t tired,” he recalled.
“I changed my mind. I can do that.” I sounded like a cranky five-year-old.
“Are you okay?”
Okay? Was I okay? I really didn’t know. “I’m fine.”
“I don’t believe you.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t care.”
He sighed heavily. “Can I come in?”
“I’m naked.” I slapped my hand over my mouth. “I mean, I’m not.” As if anyone wanted to even think about my nine-month pregnant body being naked. I waited to hear Marco gag at the thought.
“I don’t know what to say to that, Royal.”
“You didn’t take the time to think before you spoke?” Marco seemed to always know what to say, no matter the circumstance.
“I’ve never had someone tell me they are naked and then in the next breath tell me they’re not.” He cleared his throat. “You threw me for a loop.”
Good. It was nice to know Marco Banachi was thrown off his game for a second.
“Well, go hop your loop in your room.” Why was I talking like an idiot?
“Hop my loop?” Marco drawled.
I grabbed a pillow and put it over my face. And screamed.
“Royal?” he called again.
I pulled the pillow off my face and tossed it at the door. “Go away, Marco. I’m not fine, but it’s fine that I’m not fine.” Maybe I could say fine one more time just to get my point across.
“If you say so,” he called.
“Fine.” I slapped my hand over my mouth. Do not say another word, Royal.
Marco chuckled. “Good night, Royal.” His footsteps moved away from the door, and I sighed.
I was blaming this whole evening on my pregnancy hormones.
That’s what it had to be.
This little baby was throwing my emotions all out of whack.
I laid my hand on my stomach and sighed. “Soon enough, you’ll be in my arms, and everything will go back to normal.”
Well, as back to normal as they could be.
A new normal.
Grit was gone, but Indiana was back in my life. Along with the Devil’s Knights.
And Marco.
But that was just for however long it took to