Page 76 of Bitter Queen (Advantage Play 4)

I just wanted to bury myself inside of Q then fall asleep with her in my arms. Instead, I got front row seats to more than I can handle.

Hearing enough of their shitty conversation, I slip out the back door and pace in the yard.

Hallmark guy? She wants a fucking Hallmark guy? I never thought I’d be jealous of a fictional character. But she doesn’t get it. They aren’t real. They don’t exist. They can’t give her what I can. What I’ve been trying to give her.

Shit!

Tangling my fingers into my hair, I tug at the roots and pull until the bite of pain spreads across my scalp.

What have I been to her? A fun way to pass the time until Kingston gives the okay for her to leave?

I just…can’t deal with this shit right now.

“She doesn’t need your anger,” a gentle voice calls.

My hackles rise as I turn to the culprit. “You shouldn’t have stuck your nose where it doesn’t belong, Ace.”

“You have a right to know if she’s sticking around, D.”

“I don’t care what she does. She’s just a fuck.”

“Bull crap,” she calls me out as calm as a damn cucumber. “You know that’s not true, and so do I.”

Dropping my hand to my side, I scan the distance and try to get my emotions in check. I just can’t stop hearing the silence. The hesitation in her voice when Ace asked how she felt about me. If she would want to stay.

Shaking my head, I turn back to Ace. “How did you know I was out here?”

“Because I saw you eavesdropping,” she answers with a knowing smile. “You’re sneaky, but you’re not that sneaky.”

Sometimes I forget this girl wasn’t born into our world. She accepted it so seamlessly. Why can’t Q be the same?

“Why did you stay with King?”

“Because I love him.” Her voice is soft and sweet. Just like her.

“He doesn’t deserve it.”

She calls me out. “Lie. He deserves my love just as much as you deserve Q’s.”

I scoff and start pacing again like a caged beast.

“Try to be patient with her. She’ll get there.”

“And if she doesn’t?” I grit out with my gaze on the stamped concrete patio.

“She will.”

My heels dig into the ground as I turn and face her again. I’d give anything to have Kingston’s knack for spotting a lie right now. “But what if she doesn’t?” I reiterate. The pain in my chest is excruciating.

“Then, you get rid of Sei and let her go.”

“And if I can’t do that?”

“Then you’re just as bad as Sei.”

Fuck.

She’s telling the truth.