The Sinners - Ruby Vincent Page 0,63
drawing every eye to her. A few steps behind, a sulky Julian trailed his mom holding her purse.
“Julian,” Hart said. “Look, love. Royal’s here.”
Julian grimaced like she said, “Look, there’s dog shit on the carpet.”
“Say hello.” My headmistress reared her head in the force of her order.
“Hi,” Julian bit out. “Hey, Ember.”
Royal wasn’t speaking. He wasn’t moving at all.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” I said.
“I don’t usually,” she admitted. “The school keeps me busy and I have a tradition of carving the turkey for our students who remain on campus.” Hart swept the hair back from her son’s furrowed brow. “This year Julian’s father and I decided it would be good for him if we came as a family.”
“Mom,” Julian hissed.
I bet your ex is here. No wonder you’re dressed fit to cause a mass swooning.
She gripped his chin and planted a smooch on his cheek. Julian glowed neon red. “Go on inside, love. I’ll be right in.”
He left before she ended her sentence.
“Gail?”
Hart peered over her shoulder. “Oh, Sarah.” She stepped aside, gesturing to a younger, shorter Gail Hart. Or at least that’s what I thought as I took in the gorgeous woman wrapped in silk coming toward us. “Ember, this is my sister, Sarah,” she introduced. “Sarah, this is one of my students, Ember—”
“Bancroft,” she said. “I’ve seen the news. And the dent in my bank account from that missing million dollars.”
I had lifted my hand to shake. It fell to my side. “Nice to meet you too.”
She dismissed me in a blink, fixing on Royal. “What are you doing here?”
The snap took me aback.
“Sarah,” Gail cried.
“We’re here for the party,” I said, bristling.
“Are you?” Sarah spoke to me but looked at Royal. “I think you’ll find you’re not on the guest list.”
“Sarah!” barked Gail. “Go.”
Her sister sniffed. “Come with me, Gail.” She walked a few feet and stopped, waiting for her sister to obey the order.
Gail sighed. Her smile was soft as she gazed at Royal. “You stay and have a good time. You’re always welcome.”
My eyes bugged as she grasped Royal’s chin and kissed his cheek much like she did Julian.
“Gail!”
The headmistress walked away, leaving me staring in her wake. “What was that? Can she do that? What if someone—?”
Royal ripped out of my hold. I stumbled, calling his name.
“Royal? Royal!”
He stormed up the stairs. Racing after him, I topped the landing as Royal burst into an empty room.
“Royal, what’s wrong?” I raced inside, locking us in. “What—”
“Argh!”
Royal seized an armchair. I screamed as he sent it flying across the room, splintering into wooden pieces and shredded upholstery.
“What are you doing?! Royal!”
He picked up another chair.
I ran to him, grabbing him from the back. “Royal, please!”
He stopped, breaths coming in harsh, ragged bursts.
“Just tell me what’s wrong,” I cried. “What’s up with that woman? Why was she acting like that?”
“That woman. Sarah Joan Ellison nee Hart. That woman is my mother, princess.” The second chair crashed into the wall, denting the plaster. “She’s my fucking mother!”
I rocked back, shock wiping my mind blank.
Royal dove for another chair.
“No.” I dug my heels in, yanking him back.
Growling, Royal pried me off and tossed me on the couch. I bounced off and flew at him, slamming into his chest and bringing us both down.
Royal grabbed my arms, ready to toss me to the side.
“I’m here!” I screamed. “I’m right here.”
He stilled—face screwed up in rage, lips peeled back.
I touched his face and he jerked away, snarling.
“It’s okay,” I soothed. “I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. Talk to me.”
I repeated that as I peeled his fingers off and sat next to him. Gently, I placed his head on my lap, dropping kisses on his temple. “It’s okay, baby,” I said. “It’s just you and me.”
Slowly his muscles uncoiled, relaxing in the time it took a wild predator to know he was safe. He lay on my lap, breaths easing, and held my hand. His eyes closed as he listened to my voice.
We stayed for a long time. Hours after the party ended.
ROYAL’S SILENT STREAK continued on the drive to his apartment. I tried a few times to get him to talk about anything. School. The key. The last movie he watched.
Royal looked straight ahead and didn’t utter a word. It’d be easier to ask the president for nuclear launch codes than it is to make Royal talk when he doesn’t want to.
We were a few streets away from his apartment when he spoke.
“I’ll give you the money for