Embrace the Darkness (The Maura Quinn Series Book 1) - Ashley N. Rostek Page 0,110

be alone.

I heard Stefan sigh. “Men act stupidly when they’re jealous.”

I turned over slowly and glared at him. “Are you making excuses for him?”

Stefan shoved his hands into his pockets. “No. I think you’re both being stupid.”

“He’s not just jealous. He expects me to be a demure and submissive woman, like all the rest of the assholes in this godforsaken family. If Louie or Rourke had done what I did, or hell, even slept with someone for information, they’d get a high five or congratulated for a job well done. Me, oh no, I get shamed and called a whore.” It’s bullshit!

“I’m not going to coddle you, Maura—”

“I never expected you would.” I was snappy and acting bitter. He didn’t deserve it, but he was starting to get on my nerves.

With pursed lips, he gave me a displeased look. “You’re allowing your desperate need for acceptance to cloud your judgment.”

“Thanks for the pep talk, Stefan. I feel so much better,” I drawled caustically and flopped onto my back to glare up at the ceiling.

Stefan turned to leave, muttering something about me being impossible and stubborn under his breath.

I stared at the stupid ceiling all night. The Sandman was giving me the middle finger. I itched to run my hand down Jamie’s side of the bed. I was so mad at him but missed him more than my heart could handle. I had gone over our fight a hundred times in my head and taken apart everything that had been said word by word until my brain couldn’t take it anymore. Could we get past this? Did I want to? If he wanted a submissive woman then we wouldn’t work. I couldn’t suppress who I was to save his ego. No matter what I felt for him, I just couldn’t.

There was a knock on my door come morning, or at least I assumed it was morning. I hadn't been able to fall asleep until the sun had started to peek through my curtains. So it could have been afternoon for all I knew. By how tired I felt, though, it sure as hell still felt like it was morning.

“Go away!” I growled and smushed my face deeper into the mattress. The door to my bedroom opened and I groaned. “Leave me alone, Dean.”

“Guess again, doll.”

I rolled my head to the side and found Asher standing next to my bed, smirking down at me with a mug in his hand. I scowled at him before turning my head back the other way, willing myself back to sleep.

“You better get up. Dean is bringing your breakfast.”

“I don’t eat breakfast. Dean knows this.”

“Your father said you didn’t eat dinner last night and according to Dean, all you ate yesterday was a cookie. By everyone’s lack of surprise, I’m guessing starving yourself is a known issue with you?”

“Fucking hell, you’re chatty in the morning,” I snapped, pulling a pillow over my head.

“You not eating isn’t going to work for me. Starting today, you will be eating at least three meals a day.”

I snorted. Good luck with that, buddy.

“Knock, knock,” a voice said with a little tap on my door.

What now? I pushed my tired body up to a sitting position. From what I could see hanging down my chest, my hair was a tangled mess. I was only wearing a baggy shirt, boy shorts, and fuzzy tube socks. My feet had gotten cold last night. My eyes were burning and felt like sandpaper was scraping across them every time I blinked. They were undoubtedly still puffy and bloodshot. I glared at the second person to disturb my sleep.

Vincent stood in the doorway with his laptop open in his arm. He took in my grumpy and disheveled appearance with wide eyes. “Sorry, your door was open. I thought you were awake. I can come back,” he said sheepishly and took a step backwards.

“You might as well join the party, Vin. I have a feeling I’m up for the day,” I grumbled. Vincent nodded and made his way for the couch while I eyed the coffee mug in Asher’s hand. “Is that for me?”

Asher held out the mug. Thank fuck. I took the mug from him and took a sip. It was just how I liked it. I assumed Dean had prepared it. I’d been training him for the past couple of days on how to make me the perfect cup of coffee. If I was going to make it through the day without falling over, I