Page 76 of Tarnished Crown (Gravestone Elite 2)

“We need to find you a dress for the Coglio,” she says as we sit at the breakfast counter.

“You know, I still can’t believe it. My baby, Cade Kingsley’s prosapia.” Pride washes over her, and it makes my stomach lurch.

She’s so blinded by the town’s ways. I wonder what she’d say if I told her the truth.

But I don’t.

Maybe out of fear that she won’t care, or maybe because I’m too ashamed to admit what Cade has done to me. Either way, I sit there, stuffing down the truth and playing the role of quiet, meek daughter.

“I’ll book an appointment at Stella’s.” Stella owns a boutique downtown. She’s verus like us.

“Sure, Mom.”

“What is it, sweetheart? What’s wrong?” Her brows furrow.

“Nothing, Mom.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” She reaches across and pats my hand. “You’re feeling nervous about the union ceremony. It’s completely normal, Mia. But Cade is a fine young man. You’ll be in good hands.”

I manage to force out some garbled reply, and her frown deepens.

“Mia, did something happen? You can tell me, sweetheart. You can tell me anything.”

But the sad fact is, I can’t.

And that kills a little piece of my heart.

A piece I know I’ll never get back.

21

Bexley

The guys still aren't back when I pull up at the house with my head spinning later that evening.

I hated leaving Mia while she looked so confused by everything we'd learned tonight.

Gregory Kingsley was killed by Q.

Does Cade know this?

I shake my head at my stupid thought. Of course Cade knows. Cade knows everything.

"Fucking hell," I groan, slamming my hands down on the wheel of my BMW in frustration.

Is this all karma for the way I fucked up in Sterling Bay? I know I screwed things up with Remi, pushed her when she didn't want it, but fuck, I'm not sure what I did back then deserves me ending up here and right in the middle of this shitshow.

Sucking in a breath, I force everything to the back of my mind and swing my door open, walking toward the colossal house.

I miss the dorms.

I miss my small bedroom, my twin bed and my tiny closet and old bathroom.

This play, this luxury… it's not me.

; I hated all the pretense in Sterling Bay, how my parents lorded it over everyone because they had more than almost everyone else, and I hate it even more here. Maybe because now I've had a chance to live differently, to see things from a different perspective.