Page 44 of When You Stayed
What was he getting at?
Jameson spoke up next. “Yet you stayed.”
“My family is here, I?—”
“We’re Connor’s family too, and Royce washis. He still left,” Jameson added, cutting me off.
I internally bristled at his comment, carefully ensuring it didn’t show on my face.
“Connor had his own plans,” I defended, but I knew it would fall flat because fuck, I had mine too.
Killian finally spoke again, anger still lacing his words. “Tell me the honest reason why you pissed away your entire future, and I’ll shake your hand right now and give you my blessing.”
My heart dropped to my stomach, but I wasn’t ready to have this conversation.
“I don’t need your blessing, Killian. I need your loyalty. Either give it to me or fuck off and leave. I’m not tolerating this shit.”
There was a beat of silence before my dad spoke up again.
“He’s right, Killian. You need to table this or come to a decision. He needs your support.”
Blazing green eyes would strip the skin directly from my bones if they could, but Killian dipped his face. “Fine.”
Right as I was about to leave, Johnson popped his head into the office.
“The men wanna know why the Wi-Fi is off?”
My gaze flicked quickly to the three men in the room before I cleared my throat. I couldn’t pretend this was Killian’s order, although I knew he’d back it.
“Stays off until we can get the video down.”
My second in command seemed to realize what I was referring to, and with a quick nod of his head, he exited the room as quickly as he’d entered.
My dad let out the first laugh, then Jameson. Killian didn’t join. He blew out a breath and ran his hand through his hair before muttering something that sounded a lot like, “You better not break her fucking heart.”
I left the three of them in the office and slammed the door behind me.
I was a glutton for punishment as I sat exactly where I had the previous night. Right where Royce had tossed her laptop bag, her purse, and her jacket. If anything, she should thank me for keeping her shit safe. I was also keeping her safe though, which was a large part of why I was here again.
Royce had yet to emerge from the back curtain where she washelping a band set up. This one was all women, which made me feel less stressed. Charlie, the bartender, set two drinks in front of me. I didn’t particularly like the sugary lavender drink that Royce ordered the night before, but I would drink it because it made her smile, and tonight that was all I was aiming for.
Finally, she slid out from behind the curtain and darted down the side stairs as the lights in the room began lowering. Purple replaced the overhead house lights, casting the room into a dark, moody vibe. Once the first string of the electric guitar was plucked, a deep red instantly invaded and replaced the violet tones. The heavy bass filled the air next, and a smooth, soulful voice began singing.
The band was incredible, but my gaze was fixed on the woman cutting through a thick crowd, making her way toward me. She was wearing fishnet stockings and a tight minidress paired with combat boots. My breathing hitched as Royce drew closer, and I saw she hadn’t spotted me yet, which was why those pink lips were slung up into that gorgeous smile. The second she faltered in place, white-tipped nails clutching the iPad to her chest, I knew she’d realized I had returned.
She needed a second before she seemed to blow out a huff of air that tossed the strands around her face away. Advancing, she set the tablet down and aptly ignored me.
The band was loud, so I placed my boot on the floor so that I was elevated. “Hi.”
Her gaze remained on the screen. No response.
I slowly slid her drink in front of her. “I ordered this for you.”
Still no response other than her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. This would not work for me.
Abandoning the stool, I moved until I was behind Royce and caged her in with both arms against the bar.
“What’s it going to take for you to talk to me?”
