“That’s because you two think you can threaten her or snap your fingers and she’ll just do what you say. That shit wouldn’t work on you, so why would it work on her?” I stand, ready to make some changes around here. I might work for K, but he’s not the boss of me when it comes to Dove, and this time he needs someone else to help him get out of his own way.
“What are you going to do?” he asks, more curious than I expected. He has to see the shit he and Kasen are trying is useless. She’s too unhinged to respond to their threats. It just makes her angrier.
I smile to myself. “Give her a little sugar, maybe she will open up.”
Bodhi shakes his head. “It’s your funeral, bro.”
I chuckle, not worried one bit. Deep down she loves me, I know it. She just hasn’t realized yet.
Ten minutes later, balancing a coffee and a plate, I tap at her door and wait. She only thinks she hates us because things have changed, once she realizes that under all this wealth, we’re the same boys she used to know, she will come round and fall for all of us again, I know it.
“Go away,” she murmurs, her voice groggy from sleep.
With no intention of going anywhere until she decides she’s one of us again, I push open the door. There she is lying in the massive bed, all tucked up with the fluffy blankets around her like the princess we all know she really is. The tats and piercings don’t fool me. The bed dwarfs her small body, and the pile of pillows under her mass of silver hair almost looks ridiculous it’s stacked so damn high. I can’t help butsmile to myself. Fuck, she’s beautiful, and with her eyes closed, she looks sweet, almost. “Brought you some breakfast.”
With a grumpy moan she rolls onto her side, her eyes fluttering open. She blinks a few times, I think surprised to see me and not one of the others. “I’m not hungry,” she grumbles before grabbing a pillow and tossing it over her face dramatically.
“Come on now, we both know you are.” I move into the room, placing the mug of coffee on her bedside table. “It’s a chocolate croissant, I know you can’t resist these.”
She rolls over and sits up, crossing her legs in front of her, considering me as she runs her fingers through her long hair like a comb. I get swept up in everything Dove, the softness of her skin, the way she tilts her head. How her tiny sleep shorts ride all the way up to show off her long legs, and the oversized T-shirt she’s wearing swallowing her small frame. I can’t help but smile when I realize the shirt is one from The Beach Bar. Well, that’s a bit cute.
Still watching me like she doesn’t trust me, she collects up the coffee, having a large sip, her hungry eyes looking over the croissant greedily. “Is it the real deal?” she whispers.
My lips tug into an all-out grin. I still know the way to my baby’s heart. “You know it is, baby, all warmed up and gooey in the center and all. Would I bring you some second-rate variety?”
As I hold the plate out for her, she goes to snatch it up, but as she does, our fingers brush, and she pauses, her eyes locking with mine just for a second. I offer her a smile. It’s not the charming one I save for patrons at the bar or girls I’m trying to pick up, it’s warm and real, and honestly, it feels like it’s been so long since I have wanted to just be myself with anyone it almost feels unreal. But I need her to trust me, to feel comfortable around me. She’s in a shitty situation, and I can’t stand to think of all the awful things she’s been through. But her timehere doesn’t have to be unpleasant. In fact, we could make it quite fun if she’s up for it. I know I am.
She places the plate on her lap and takes a bite into the buttery goodness, groaning like she’s in heaven, then devours another bite just as quickly. “Thought with all the progress, the patisserie wouldn’t have survived,” she says round her mouthful.
“They are twice as big. Not all progress has been bad. Maybe I need to take you into town, give you a proper look around so you can see what we have achieved,” I suggest, dangling the carrot I so desperately need her to take.
“No, thanks.” She sighs dramatically. I know she hates the development and blames us for destroying her town, but this is life. Progress will happen if you’re a part of it or not, so why not get rich in the process.
“Nothing stays the same forever, Dove.”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t I know it.”
“You remember when Antonio opened up the patisserie?”
Her eyes twinkle with menace, and I know she’s right back there with me. “He gave us treats at four o’clock in the morning.” She laughs, remembering the night we all had a little too much to drink and ended up tapping on his door, the smell of pastry and fresh bread such a temptation. “He was good to you, wasn’t he.”
“Sure was. Fed us on the daily.” My hand brushes her thigh. Sitting this close, it’s impossible not to touch her, and to my surprise, she doesn’t shy away from me.
She glances up, licking the chocolate from her plump lips. There is so much pain in the depths of her soul, but deep down, I’m sure she wants what we all do. To see the people we care about living their best lives possible. She thinks Throne Enterprises is rotten to the core, and yeah, it’s got some dodgier sides to it, but we have done some goodas well. People who looked after us when we were dirt poor, they got their good karma. “So, what, you expect me to believe you lot helped him or something?”
I smirk. “As soon as we had the money, we helped him expand. He’s now supplying bread to all the local restaurants and eateries and employs thirty staff. It’s pretty awesome, don’t you think?”
She rolls her lip, her teeth sinking into it. “I know what you’re trying to do, Riv, but it’s not going to work.”
I grin back at her. God, she’s stubborn. “What am I trying to do, Dove?”
“Make me hate you guys less.” She sighs.
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. “Nah, I don’t care if you hate us. But I got you eating and talking, so I’ll take that as a win for this morning.”
Her forehead creases, and she scowls. It makes her look cute as hell and not scary bitch from hell, if that was even what she was going for.
“Babe, I know Bodhi and K have a strange way of showing it, but you know the four of us go way back. They can’t stand seeing how badly you’re hurting. It’s killing them. Killing all of us. You’re one of us. We only want the best for you.”
