A Monster's Beauty (In the Arms of Monsters #3) - Sam Crescent Page 0,20

going to go and get the bags. I’ll be back.”

She left Anne holding her daughter as she rushed out of the house, grabbing the two cases she’d been able to pack, and made her way inside.

After flicking the lock into place, she turned around to see Elijah standing there, watching her.

“You better not take any advantage of my wife.”

Robin couldn’t help it, she laughed. “You’re talking to me about taking advantage. You need to look in the mirror to know what advantage looks like.” This man was clearly crazy. He had to be to think she would take advantage when this guy was doing it every single day.

“She told you?”

“Yeah, and besides, if she didn’t, there was already a whole load of gossip around town. You think this place doesn’t know how to spread rumors? Nearly everyone knows what you do, and with who.”

“I don’t like you being near my wife.”

“And I don’t like men like you who take what they want and hurt whoever the hell they want to in the process, but we can’t always have what we want, can we?”

“Your husband is a criminal.”

“And you’re a cheating scumbag who humiliates his woman all the time. You make a mockery of your marriage to Anne and you take all of this for granted.” Robin took a deep breath. “Are you done with the judgment? Can I go? This can go any kind of way you want it to.”

“When I find a way, you’re gone.”

Robin shrugged. “This isn’t permanent. But if I can get her to leave your ass, then I’ll consider it a job well done. She deserves a real man who will treat her with respect.” In a way, just the few minutes with this man reminded her a little of Bishop.

There was a selfishness to him, something she didn’t like in anyone, but witnessing it in Elijah made her even angrier. Maybe because it was directed toward someone she cared about rather than herself. With Bishop, in a way, she could accept it. He was a guy but he also didn’t have any other responsibilities. This man, he had a wife, a family, and he was tearing it apart in order to have his fun.

No, she didn’t like him.

Anne was a strong woman and she admired her for her ability to not let this man get to her. Others wouldn’t have been quite so accommodating. Thinking about Preacher stepping out on her was enough to make her sick. The feelings for Reaper weren’t the same. She’d experienced jealousy but nothing like this. With Reaper, it was like she expected it. He would grow bored with her and whatever his reasons were for taking her. No, she wouldn’t think about this, not right now. All of her feelings were new to her, and not at any point were they exciting. For the most part, she was angry.

Moving around Elijah, she walked back up toward the bedroom where Anne was still holding Bethany.

“Hey, I’m sorry, I should have gotten Elijah to move them.”

“No, worries. I’ve done it. And I think the less contact I have with your husband, the better.”

“What’s he done?”

“He’s done nothing. Don’t worry. I don’t like him and it’s not a crime to not like someone.”

“So, I was thinking the kids are going to a friend’s sleepover tomorrow night. How about we have some girl time? The library is closed this Monday, and I can get Elijah to drop the kids off at school.”

“I’d love to.” Robin winced. “I can’t.”

“Oh, it’s fine.”

“No, I’ve got a dinner I need to attend. Preacher needs me there, but how about you come to Sunday dinner? I can ask him and we can both go. It could be fun and if you’re there, I know I can get home. There won’t be any death or anything. We’d all be on our best behavior. Believe me, I don’t know if I can handle the thought of dinner right now, and you’d be helping me out a lot.”

“Your life sounds very exciting.”

In Robin’s mind, she instantly thought about losing her first child. “It’s not, believe me, you wouldn’t love my life at all.”

“I don’t know. Two men vying for your affection. A baby, and I bet they wouldn’t cheat on you for a secretary or anything, would they?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

“It must be nice.”

“It is nice.”

Anne placed a sleeping Bethany into the crib, running fingers through her hair. “I know you’re having a hard time with everything. I’m sorry if I’m