Page 76 of Royal Trouble

“You’re sorry?” His mouth took on a cruel edge she’d never seen before, and she had to remind herself that despite his pain, this was still the same man she’d fallen in love with. The article changed nothing between them, even if his anger was overwhelming him at the moment. She couldn’t even fault him. She wasn’t sure what she’d say or do if their positions were reversed, but the realization held little comfort. Not when he was hurting. “Don’t you think it’s a little fucking late for apologies?”

“What?” Her brain scrambled to catch up. Did he blame her for the results leaking? He had to know she’d only wanted to help, that she’d done everything she could think of to keep the test secret. She would never hurt him intentionally.

“How could you bloody do this to me?” he asked, voice low, eyes hard as he leveled his gaze at her.

Everly faltered, the accusation and hurt in his eyes crushing her like an avalanche. How had it come to this? Things had been going so well. She’d thought they were on the same page. He’d said he wanted to be with her. But now he was looking at her like nothing they’d shared mattered. Like she was…nothing.

When she finally spoke, her voice wavered, hurt and anger warring for dominance. “You really think I did this?”

…

The sight of Everly standing on his porch in a colorful sundress, hair blowing in the summer breeze, was like a knife to the gut. Sharp and lethal. How could she show up looking so sweet and innocent when she’d betrayed him so spectacularly? Did she really think he wouldn’t figure it out?

Probably.

The worst part? Despite the anger and humiliation, he still loved her.

Fuck.

He loved her. Loved a woman who’d sold him out to the tabloids for a quick payday. What did that even say about him? He’d known she was strapped for cash, and he’d have gladly offered to help, but he knew she wouldn’t accept. She had too much pride. Hell, her independent nature was one of the things he admired most about her, but it had never occurred to him that she’d do something like this.

Which, apparently, made him the perfect bloody target.

Had it all been a game to her from the very beginning? Had she been planning this from the moment she’d locked them in the bathroom at Max and Lucy’s wedding? If so, he had to give her credit, because he’d fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. He’d known she had a history of writing tabloid exposés, and he’d still welcomed her into his life, sharing his darkest, most painful secrets.

All because she told him she’d changed.

Christ.

“You really think I did this?” Everly repeated, jaw set in defiance. Talk about insult to injury. Even angry she was beautiful, her blue eyes flashing in the afternoon light and her cheeks flushed with indignation.

“What else am I supposed to think?” he countered. He wasn’t going to fall for this act again. The damage might be done, but he still had his pride. Whatever shreds of it were left. “You’re the one who pushed me to have the test done, and you’re the only one who knew about it.” Her eyes flashed with hurt, and he pushed his sympathy aside. He couldn’t afford to feel sorry for her; otherwise he might do something rash like go ahead and forgive her. But he didn’t have that luxury, not when his family and the Blue and Gold Foundation were on the line. “You used me to get a bloody fucking story, and now everything I’ve worked for is at risk.”

Molten lava coursed through his veins, the searing heat fueling his anger. He was going to lose it all. The Blue and Gold Foundation would be ripped from his fingertips, and he would fail the New Brighton families. Just as he’d failed his brothers and sisters at arms.

Fuck.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“How could you ever believe I’d do this?” she asked, voice shaking as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“How could I not?” he shot back, hating himself even as the words passed his lips. “It’s kind of your specialty, isn’t it? Bollocks.” He raked his fingers through his hair, frustration getting the better of him. “I can’t believe I trusted you and the whole time you were using me to get a bloody fucking story. Now everything I’ve worked for is in jeopardy, but I guess that’s okay because you’ll get your big advance, right?” he sneered. “What was it you said, you wanted top dollar?”

Everly’s eyes grew wide, and she took a step back. “You were spying on me?”

He snorted. “I wasn’t spying on you. The apartment’s soundproofing is non-existent, but it’s hardly the point.”

“You’re right,” she said, nodding as she glared daggers at him. “It doesn’t matter what you think you heard because I should’ve expected this reaction. No matter what I do and no matter how hard I try, I will never fit into this world.”

He shrugged, steeling his resolve. A clean break would be best, no matter how much it hurt. “A week ago, I would have disagreed, but now…”

His words hit their mark, and hurt flashed across her face, but it was gone in a blink, replaced with cold indifference as she jabbed a finger at him. “This is exactly why I swore I’d never come back here. I thought you were different, but you’re just like the rest of them.” Her cheeks were red, and she was breathing hard now, just getting fired up, apparently. “An entitled, arrogant prick.”

She put extra emphasis on that last bit, and though it stung, he wouldn’t let her see how her words pierced his heart. She thought he was an entitled, arrogant prick? He’d give her an entitled, arrogant prick.

It was a role he knew well.

“At least we can agree on that much,” he said smoothly, arranging his features in a mask of boredom. It wasn’t easy, not when he was so damn angry at himself for letting his guard down and putting the foundation at risk. He’d have to find a way to fix this nightmare, but he didn’t have a clue where to start. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have business to attend.”