A Monster's Beauty (In the Arms of Monsters #3) - Sam Crescent Page 0,38

even have to be couples. They were all having a good time and Anne seemed to love it instantly.

Robin was pleased she’d brought her and arranged for Elijah to be the babysitter. In her short time of living with Anne, she’d come to see Elijah took advantage of her way too much, and Robin, well, she didn’t like it.

Their marriage wasn’t equal and she didn’t see why Anne had to be the one who constantly went without while Elijah got to have all of his fun. She’d make sure Anne got just as much attention as her husband, if not, more so. She was looking forward to this.

At the bar, she ordered a couple of shots. She had already spoken to Preacher about making sure Anne had a good time and that the guys knew to take care of her.

Anne downed a shot, letting out a whoop, and Robin followed her, knowing she had limits and wouldn’t be adding another.

After Anne had a third, Rider approached and asked Anne to dance.

“Do you mind?”

“Nah, I’m going to go and look for Preacher.”

“Do so and you have my permission to be all naughty.” Anne winked at her and she laughed.

“Love to.”

She watched Anne walk off. She had no doubt the guys would give her an amazing time, Anne deserved it. Moving away from the bar, she came to a stop when she saw her father. She and Bear hadn’t been close since her memories or the Reaper revelation. She was a little sad at how their relationship had turned, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it. There was no way for her to change what happened. She only hoped in time he’d be able to see she never actually meant any harm to anyone.

“Robin,” he said.

“Bear.” She no longer felt like she had the right to call him Dad.

“I … it’s good to see you.”

“I was looking for Preacher. Have you seen him?”

“He’s in his office. I … I’m sorry,” he said. “This isn’t coming from Preacher or anyone else. I’m not under instructions to be nice to you. You’re my daughter and I overreacted. I love you and I don’t believe the things I called you. There’s no excuse. I hope one day you can forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” She wasn’t about to hug her father though. The younger her, the less hurt, she’d have run to her father, wrapped her arms around him, and told him they were good. Not anymore.

Bear looked past her to the dance floor. “Do you think she’ll accept a dance?”

She looked at Anne and saw her laughing. It was a change to see her be a little selfish and take time for herself. This was probably one of the best ideas she had. “Maybe.”

“Robin, I know you say there’s nothing to forgive but I remember a time when you’d hug me and I would know it would be okay between us.”

“Not everything in life goes away with a big hug. A lot of shit has happened since then. You can’t always forget, and sometimes the damage is too far gone. I’m sorry, Dad. I don’t know what it is you want from me.” She nibbled on her lip. “I … I need to go and see Preacher.” Talking to her dad wasn’t on her list of problems to deal with.

Tonight wasn’t about having problems, though, it was about having some fun. At least for Anne it was.

Walking into Preacher’s office, she saw him standing at the window, looking out over his men. He held a bottle of beer in his hands, and he appeared relaxed. He turned toward her.

“I thought you’d stopped drinking,” she said.

“I’ve come to make an exception. How is Anne?”

“Having fun.” She let go of the door and walked closer to him. With every step she took, her body seemed to get even hotter beneath the collar. This never happened with Reaper, not even close. Rounding his desk, she leaned up against it and watched him. “Thank you for arranging everything.”

“I promised my guys a bloodbath soon, and a party. They were more than happy to oblige. Besides, Anne is fresh meat to them. You look beautiful.”

“Only you can talk about fresh meat and me looking beautiful within the same sentence.”

“There’s a full stop in there somewhere. It’s two different ones,” he said. “I can also say beautiful is an understatement. You look amazing.”

She laughed.

He stepped up close and she took the bottle from his grip. Tilting it to