Page 66 of Monsters Wear Crowns (Crowned Monsters Duet #1)

ADELA

The sheets were cold when I woke the next morning in an empty bed.

For a long moment, I lay still, listening to the quiet hush of my apartment.

There was no sound of the shower running, no low murmur of his voice on a phone call, no weight of his arm across my waist, holding me down even in his sleep.

He was gone.

A dull, hollow ache struck my chest. I told myself it was better this way. Rafe Vaughan had been too dangerous from the start, and now…now I knew exactly how much power he had to destroy me. I fucking hated that.

But my body didn’t seem to care about logic.

My skin still tingled where his hands had been.

My lips were swollen from his kiss, and my muscles ached in a way that made heat flare through me.

I squeezed my eyes shut against the memories–the rush of wind, the laughter on the rooftop, the way he whispered my name. And…he’d told me he loved me.

Je t’aime.

God, I was so stupid.

I pushed the covers back and forced myself out of bed.

The cool air prickled over my skin, and I wrapped my silk robe tighter around me as I crossed the room.

My reflection in the mirror stopped me. There were shadows under my eyes.

My mouth was still red and a little swollen.

I looked…undone. And not just from la ck of sleep.

I tore my eyes away and headed for the bathroom. Maybe a hot shower would wash him off me. Or at least the lingering ache he left behind.

It didn’t.

A sharp and unexpected knock came at my door as I was fixing my coffee. My pulse jumped. I set the mug that I nearly tipped over down and crossed the room, reaching for the knife I kept tucked in a drawer by the door, but when I opened it, the hallway was empty.

Except for the box.

It was small, sleek, and black. I stared at it for a long moment, every instinct telling me I shouldn’t touch it.

But my hand was already reaching, my heart already pounding.

I brought it inside and set it on the counter, slowly lifting the lid.

The bracelet inside was delicate and dazzling–a string of diamonds and black stones woven into an intricate, stunning design.

It was expensive, lavish, and more beautiful than any piece of jewelry I’d ever owned.

And as I turned it, I noted a tiny diamond crown laid into it.

But it was the card that stole my breath.

I’d never let you fall.

I pressed a hand to my chest, where my heart was suddenly pounding too hard. It wasn’t fair. The way he knew exactly how to reach inside me and twist. His words still had the power to make my knees go weak, even after everything he’d done.

I slipped the bracelet back into the box and snapped the lid shut.

If I kept it, I wouldn’t take it off. And that was the last thing I needed.

But I didn’t throw it away either. I just…

stood there. Staring at the box. Knowing I was already losing this fight.

And maybe I never really stood a chance.

How could a girl escape the Dark Monster of New York City, anyway?

I stared at the box for too long. My fingers brushed over the surface, and I contemplated what it meant. I set it down and stepped back as if putting a few inches between us would clear my head. It didn’t.

The memory of last night was still seared into my skin–the way his hands had gripped my waist, his breath hot against my throat, the roughness and tenderness battling in every kiss.

The way he’d whispered my name like a goddamn prayer and a curse.

My body still ached in places I didn’t want to think about.

Every part of his body molded into mine perfectly…

as if we were fucking made for each other.

And my heart…my heart was the real problem. No matter how many times I told myself I shouldn’t, I did still love him. I loved him so much that it felt like a sickness.

But love didn’t erase what he’d done.

It didn’t erase the terror in my throat when his hands had pinned me down–when the word we’d both agreed would mean stop had meant nothing.

It didn’t erase the bruises, fading now, but still there.

Still a reminder. And it didn’t erase the doubt that had wormed its way inside me, whispering that maybe I really was becoming my mother–a Sinclair woman destroyed by a Vaughan man.

He’d done it once, perhaps he’d do it again?

I squeezed my eyes shut and dragged in a breath, fighting the ache rising in my chest. There was a reason I hadn’t wanted to see him last night. A reason I’d been trying so hard to put space between us. But when he’d shown up on that rooftop…when he’d said he loved me…

I hadn’t been strong enough.

I never was when it came to him.

Another sudden knock at my door made me jump. My heart leapt into my throat, and for one awful, hopeful second, I thought maybe–

No . I pushed the thought down. I needed to push it down. But when I opened the door, my disappointment must have been obvious.

Laura raised a perfectly sculpted brow. “Wow. You look thrilled to see me. ”

I forced a smile. “Sorry. Long night.”

Her eyes narrowed, scanning me like she could see right through my paper-thin attempt at casual.

And knowing Laura, she probably could. “Uh-huh.” She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, heels clicking against the floor as she headed straight for my kitchen.

“I figured you might need coffee. Or alcohol. Or both.” She pulled a bottle of cold brew from the fridge and shot me a look.

“So. Are you going to tell me what’s going on? ”

I sighed, closing the door behind me. “It’s…complicated.”

“ Please .” She popped the lid on the coffee and took a swig straight from the bottle. “It’s always complicated with you.”

My face scrunched in disgust. “How could you drink coffee without creamer?”

She paused, glaring at me. “How could you fuck your stalker?”

Touché .

I hesitated. I wanted to tell her. But saying it out loud would make it real. And I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. Deciding whether or not I wanted the man in my life was difficult enough, especially after last night with my dumbass.

But Laura just kept looking at me, more perceptive than anyone had a right to be. And maybe I needed someone to tell me I wasn’t crazy.

“I slept with him,” I said finally, the words tasting like both confession and defeat. “Last night.”

Laura didn’t blink. “Of course you did.”

That startled a laugh out of me. “You’re not even going to pretend to be shocked?”

“Babe, I love you. But I’m not blind .” She set the bottle down and folded her arms. “You’ve been half in love with that man since the night you met him.”

“Not half ,” I muttered.

Laura’s expression softened. “Okay. So you slept with him. Now tell me the part where you’re clearly spiraling about it. Because you look fine to me. Other than perhaps some more sleep.”

I shot her a glare. “I don’t know if I can forgive him,” I whispered. “For hurting me.”

Laura’s face went cold, her sharp features going lethal in an instant. “Words are one thing, but if that man laid his hands on you–”

“It’s not…like that.” But my voice shook, and she heard it.

“Adela.”

I looked away, folding my arms tightly across my chest. “It wasn’t supposed to happen like that.

He… lost control. And I thought I could handle it.

But when a monster loses control, it’s not just painful.

..it’s devastating.” I forced a bitter laugh.

“He’s a possessive psychopath who kills people.

I guess I should’ve known he wasn’t the sweet, bring-him-home-to-mom kind of guy. ”

Laura closed the distance between us, her hands settling on my shoulders. “He raped you,” she said, her voice deadly soft. Her saying it out loud made my stomach clench. “And you still love him.”

I nodded, hating how weak it made me feel. How absolutely fucked up it was. I kept making excuses for him.

Laura’s eyes flashed. “Your heart is going to destroy you. You know that.”

“I know,” I whispered.

***

Running was supposed to help. The rhythmic pounding of my feet against the pavement, the burn in my muscles, the steady drag of air into my lungs.

..it was supposed to clear my head. The city was so beautiful at night, reminding me just why it was referred to as “the city that never sleeps.” Being in love with one of the most ruthless criminals I had ever known scattered my fucking mind.

I wanted so badly to mute the roaring at any given moment.

But nothing could drown him out.

Rafe’s hands on my skin. His voice in my ear.

His weight, his heat, his goddamn presence wrapped around me like a demon trailing his favorite angel.

I pushed harder, cutting through the quiet side streets where the city hadn’t fully woken.

Luckily, I didn’t see Kieran’s car when I slipped into my black leggings and favorite periwinkle hoodie.

Being constantly monitored was a little fucking weird for me.

As I rounded another corner, a strange chill ghosted down my spine, yanking me violently back from my wandering thoughts. The rhythm of my footsteps faltered, and goosebumps prickled across my skin. Something was wrong. It was too quiet–just my breathing and my heartbeat.

Tires screamed.

I skidded to a stop, eyes whipping toward the sound. A black limo came out of nowhere, roaring around the bend and screeching to a halt inches from the curb. The doors flung open before the vehicle had fully stopped.