Reign of Brayshaw (Brayshaw High) - Meagan Brandy Page 0,78
least breathe while you’re gone.”
My heartstrings tighten. “Royce.” I step closer, placing my hand on his chest.
His eyes soften.
“I don’t wanna do anything without you, but I needed you here with Captain. He needed you more than I did.”
“Why is that?” Royce whispers. “How come you don’t need me like you need them?” His dark eyes turn somber. “Do I not make you feel the same way they do?”
My chest compresses. “Why would you say that?”
“You left me here, baby girl.” He tucks my hair behind my ears. “Went off on your own, trusted someone else to have your back. I’d die for you, Raven, without a second thought.”
“Exactly,” I whisper, and his brows pull in. “I took Maddoc from this family, thought I took Cap. How could I live with myself if I took you, too? You were all that was left standing, and I needed you to stay that way. I needed to know if I came back to find Maddoc gone forever, Cap never waking up, I’d still have you.” I swallow. “You think you can’t live without me? Well, I would refuse to without you.”
Deep creases take over Royce’s forehead and he gives a curt nod before tugging me against him. After a moment, his chest inflates with a deep inhale, his warm exhale helping my muscles relax.
I squeeze him tighter.
“I love you, RaeRae.”
“I know, and I love you too.” I pull back, looking up at him.
He slips the phone in my palm, closing my fingers around it. “You need to set a password, do it soon. It’s got a ton of apps, enough to keep you busy trying to learn it while I’m gone.”
“It’s two in the morning, Royce. She’s sleeping.”
He looks away. “I’ll be there to cook Zoey pancakes.”
“Does she like pancakes?”
He looks to the floor. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll stop, get a chocolate sprinkle donut and maple bar, huh? She can pick which she likes better?” He gives a small smile.
I nod. “I got twenty dollars on the maple bar.”
He gives a small chuckle, looks to Captain then spins for the door.
“Don’t tell him about my mom,” I rush out.
Royce’s entire body tenses, his hand freezing on the door.
Tears fill my eyes, but I don’t blink, forcing them to dry where they sit.
After a minute his head drops, and he gives a regretful nod.
He found him.
As soon as he exits, I let out a harsh breath, my hands flying to my temples.
“You should be careful.”
I whip around at the nurse’s soft words, my eyes narrowing.
Fuck, I’d forgotten she was in here.
“What the fuck did you say?”
Her face drains of its color.
“I wasn’t... I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to—”
“To threaten me?”
Her eyes widen. “That’s not what I was doing, I swear Mrs. Brayshaw. I only meant the anxiety. You have a lot going on, more than I’m aware of, I’m sure. High levels of stress can cause many problems.”
With a roll of my eyes, I look away, heading for the door. “Trust me, this is nothing new.”
“Raven,” she calls before I can exit fully.
I glance over my shoulder.
“This wing was built on Bray donations. This is essentially yours, as are the staff within it. We are very good with discretion.” She offers a small smile.
“It’s Rae, and I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about, lady.”
I push past the door, spotting Victoria the second I round the corner.
She pops from her seat, meeting me halfway. “Hey.”
“He woke up again, I think he was awake for a while before I even realized.”
A sharp exhale leaves her. “That’s awesome.”
“I don’t think he’ll go in and out so much anymore. Pretty sure it was the pain meds that knocked this time.”
She eyes me, nodding lightly. “Royce said he’d be back later.”
I nod, dropping onto the sofa she was on, and she moves to sit beside me again. “He knows where Maddoc is.”
Her eyes widen. “And you’re sitting here?”
“He didn’t tell me, I guessed.”
“And still... you’re sitting here?” she draws out.
“What am I supposed to do?” My eyes slide to hers. “Go find him, beg him to come home, yell at him for lying to me and saying if I married his brother, he wouldn’t leave them only to leave the same fucking day he found out I did what he said he wanted, what he begged me to do?”
“That’s exactly what you do,” she snaps.
I shake my head, dropping it back on the couch. “Then what, Vee? He comes home and is forced