Page 11 of Royal Beast (Royals of the Underworld #1)

DARCY

T he steady hum of the engine does nothing to settle my nerves.

I’m driving without a plan. All of our things are still back at Kellan’s apartment.

My hands steer almost on their own toward the interstate exit that leads to my father’s house, but I slam on the brakes, pulling over just before I merge.

I can’t go to Max. He’s the one who pushed me into this mess, who forced my hand when he made promises he couldn’t keep. I haven’t forgiven him for that, or for endangering me and Rose.

I take a deep breath, thinking of anywhere else I can go. No family, no friends. Just me and my daughter. Finally, I turn back onto the road and head for the mall across town. It’s got an indoor playground where Rose can let loose. Maybe I can get my head on straight while she plays.

I’m either going to find a way to make this arrangement with Kellan work on my terms or walk away from him for good.

With a destination in mind, I feel a weight lift from my chest as I head to the mall.

The indoor playground is a child’s dream, with climbing equipment and slides and plenty of places to play and hide out.

Rose runs for the play area as I settle on one of the squishy benches around the outer edge, watching as my daughter launches herself onto a plastic slide shaped like a dinosaur, climbing with the kind of fervor only an excitable three-year-old can possess.

“Careful!” I say, watching as she almost elbows another child, a sandy-haired boy who grabs her arm, little teeth bared. I jump up at the same time as the woman sitting next to me. She flies forward, picking her child up before he can sink his teeth into Rose.

“I am so sorry!” she says to me. “AJ, we don’t bite other kids! Remember?”

Rose turns, putting her hands on her hips. “Yeah, no biting!” she states firmly. I hover nearby, making sure that Rose doesn’t try a counter-attack. I give the woman an apologetic smile.

“It happens,” I offer. “I’m sorry my daughter almost knocked him over.”

“I’m sorry too,” the woman says with a nervous-sounding chuckle. She turns and scolds the boy in a low voice before letting him scamper off again. Rose goes back to playing on the slide, troubles forgotten.

“I’m Darcy,” I offer as she settles back down next to me.

“Gigi,” she says, giving me a tight smile. “Sorry again about my son. AJ is learning not to bite other kids when he gets upset.”

“Kids go through phases,” I offer, waving it off. “Rose was a hair-puller for about a month. It was… interesting, to say the least.”

Gigi laughs, her shoulders relaxing as she watches AJ join Rose on the dinosaur slide.

“Parenthood is basically survival mode. I swear, half the time, I’m just grateful we make it through the day without a meltdown.

Alex, my husband, he’s a saint, honestly.

He can calm AJ down in a minute. The two of them are inseparable.

” Her eyes soften, and I can see just how much she adores her husband.

I nod, forcing a smile. It’s rare to see someone so happy in their marriage. She’s lucky. “You’re really close with him, huh?”

“Oh, absolutely,” she replies, her face lighting up. “He’s been my rock from day one. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had our ups and downs, but I know he’d do anything for us. And I’d do the same for him. You know how it is.”

I nod again, my throat tight. Hearing Gigi talk about her marriage is what I wanted, what I imagined a marriage should be—built on loyalty, love, and respect.

I glance back at Rose, watching her laugh as she tries to keep up with AJ, who’s scrambling up a foam ramp like it’s the top of Mount Everest.

A bitter thought forms, one I can’t ignore.

I married Kellan thinking I could handle his world and convinced myself that I was strong enough to make it work if it meant keeping Rose safe.

But seeing Gigi’s happiness and hearing how her husband brings out the best in her, how he supports her, makes me realize how rash, how utterly impulsive I was.

Kellan is dangerous. He operates by his own rules, and I’ve fallen right into his grip.

Agreeing to marry him could be the worst decision I’ve ever made. If I stay with him, I’m kidding myself to think it could ever look anything like Gigi’s life. I’m in over my head, trying to fit into a life that was never meant for me or Rose.

Gigi’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “So, are you married?” she asks, a friendly curiosity in her eyes.

I clear my throat, trying to sound casual. “Yes, just recently, actually.”

Her eyes light up. “Congratulations! That’s exciting.”

“Yeah… exciting,” I murmur, forcing a tight smile. “It was a little bit of a last-minute decision.”

“Oh, goodness!” Gigi says, then giggles. “That’s so romantic. Have you known each other long?”

“Four years,” I say, omitting the fact that the extent of our relationship was a one-night stand and a wedding that was nothing more than a business deal.

Gigi leans back, settling into a comfortable position as her eyes brighten. “Four years, huh? That’s a long time. How did you two meet?”

I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to go too deep into my own story. Instead, I force a smile, shrugging. “We met through work. You know, business connections and all that.”

Gigi’s smile widens, clearly excited to talk more.

“I love hearing about couples who have that kind of foundation. It’s so nice when you can build something solid together, you know?

Ironically, Alex and I met while I was on a bad blind date, but we didn’t start seeing each other right away.

” She laughs softly, shaking her head. “I didn’t think I’d end up with someone like him.

He’s so logical, so rational. I’m a bit more impulsive.

But I can’t imagine not having him by my side. Like I said, he’s my rock.”

Her words hit me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I try to hold it together, forcing a smile as I glance over at Rose, who’s chasing AJ around in circles.

I feel a sharp pang in my chest, realizing the weight of my decision to tie myself to Kellan. I’m not the impulsive type. I always think everything through so carefully. But now I’m married to him, married, permanently, to a man I barely know and don’t trust at all. And I can’t just walk away.

I glance over to see a big grin on Rose’s face as she gently taps AJ on the shoulder.

“Tag, you’re it!” she yells. AJ turns and chases after her.

If I stay with Kellan, is that what it will be like? An endless game of chase, of pushing and pulling against each other? Gigi must sense the shift in my mood because she nudges me.

“Are you okay?” she asks, her voice gentle.

Pasting a smile on my face, I nod. “I’m good. My husband is busy today. I think I just miss him,” I lie.

“Well, we need to head home, but it was nice chatting with you, Darcy,” Gigi says. “AJ, let’s get going!” she calls out.

AJ runs up to her and she scoops him up, settling him in his stroller. “Hope you have a good day,” she says, waving as they leave.

I let Rose play for a little longer before taking her to get an ice cream. “We’re going to go on a little trip,” I tell her, my mind made up. I’m going to get an apartment, away from Kellan, away from my father, and figure out how to pay back Max’s debts on my own.

No matter what I have to do, it’s better than being bound in chains to a man like Kellan.

We head for the parking lot, Rose’s ice cream dripping on the pavement as we walk. A couple of men are standing by the exit smoking cigarettes, so I pull Rose closer to me, making a face at the stench.

“Hey there, little rabbit,” one calls out.

I glance back and see a smirk on his face, an unsettling glint in his eyes. I roll my eyes, squeezing Rose’s hand tighter as I walk faster, irritation rippling through me.

Footfalls echo behind us and a flash of unease shoots through me. I glance over my shoulder, my stomach dropping when I see the men following. Three of them. All tall. Dark hair. Heavy lines on their faces. They look like men who’ve seen things and done things that I don’t want to know about.

Without thinking, I decide to veer left and head back into the building, hoping I can shake them. But before I can get more than a few steps, they’re already circling around me, cutting me off.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “Can I help you?” I ask, hoping my no-nonsense tone will show I’m not easily manipulated.

The man who spoke before steps closer, his grin widening as he sizes me up. “Word’s gotten out,” he says, voice low and smooth. “Kellan Brannagan’s got himself a new bride.” He looks me up and down like I’m a piece of meat, and it makes my skin crawl.

My stomach twists as I pull Rose closer, feeling her little body stiffen against my leg.

“We’ve got a message for your husband,” one of the other men says. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, his face hard like stone. His eyes flicker to Rose before locking back on me.

I try to steady my breath, but it’s hard with my heart pounding so loudly in my ears. I can’t breathe, ice-cold fear flooding my veins.

Unwilling to back down, I speak, injecting my voice with more confidence than I feel. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The third man steps forward, his eyes cold and calculating. “No need to play coy, sweetheart. We’re just here to make sure Kellan gets the message that he shouldn’t stick his nose where it doesn’t belong.”

I glance frantically around the parking lot, but there’s no one in sight. I’m alone with them. Suddenly, one of them grabs my arm, tugging me forward.

“Let go of me!” I snap, trying to pull away, but it’s no use. They’re too strong and they know exactly what they’re doing. One of the men reaches for Rose, trying to yank her from my leg. She clings tightly to me, her little voice trembling. “Mommy!”

I glance down at her, my heart breaking. I can’t let anything happen to her.

Just as I brace myself for the worst, the unmistakable sound of a car engine revs in the distance, followed by the screech of tires. A black SUV pulls up, its engine roaring like it’s been gunning for this very moment. The door flies open and to my surprise, Kellan steps out.

His eyes are wild, his jaw clenched in fury as he storms toward us, a deep growl of anger vibrating in his chest. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” His voice is like a whip, cutting through the air. The men freeze for a moment, the intensity of Kellan’s presence rattling them.

“Let her go. Now ,” he demands, each word dripping with menace.

I want to move, to breathe, but I can’t do anything but wait, heart racing, praying that we get out of this safely.