AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This is what he wanted to give to me that night. The gift was in his hand when he took my wrists, and I demanded he show me his face. But the words are the same ones Reid said the night at the hotel. He must have switched or whatever.
It doesn’t matter to me because I love the good and the crazy. The sane and insane parts.
“You’re a Riordan now.”
I jump when I hear Veronica’s voice and almost drop the paper and the box in my arms.
“You scared me.”
“I didn’t mean to. You know he’s dead right?”
I nod and watch as she swipes her finger like she is checking for dust on the empty desk.
“How do you know I’m legally a Riordan.”
She smiles, her red lipstick so perfectly applied that you wonder if she has it tattooed across her lips.
“Everyone in the Order knows of his choice, and they blessed whatever that choice was, including taking out your problem. They send the officiate to the next meeting after you sign. I came to say congratulations. You’re a very lucky woman but I honestly think it is the other way around. He’s the lucky one.”
“Thank you, I think. What about you? Who do you have to marry or whatever.”
She places her blonde hair over her shoulder. “I’m tarnished. I’m whatever they think I am.”
“There must be someone you might consider. You have to, or they will get rid of you.”
Veronica is no saint, but she isn’t all that bad. She attempts to smile but fails miserably. If she doesn’t marry before graduation as the rule states, Gia told me they will get rid of her by marrying her off to a monster that needs a wife.
“I have dealt with worse.” She sighs. “There was someone once that now judges me like everyone else. He isn’t fond of me anymore. After Alicia died, I wasn’t the same person. I lost my best friend. We were never after power, even though we had it as the only women of the Order that would take over as head of our respective families.
“Who?” I ask curiously.
“You would think I was crazy if I told you. I respect your husband, even though he doesn’t understand me. He is as ruthless as he is dangerous. He loves watching me suffer for what I have done to save others from the same fate as Alicia. They misunderstand my motives. They don’t know what I know and they don’t see what I see.”
“He can’t be that bad. You’re…you. And you are beautiful. You can change his mind. There is still time left.”
She shakes her head. “No, Jess. There isn’t time for someone like me. I ask that you forgive me for what I did to you freshman year, but you now understand why I did it. I promised Alicia I would make sure her brother was happy if something happened to her. But then I saw how he looked at you and it reminded me of how someone looked at me once.”
“I forgive you, Veronica.”
“He’s waiting outside for you. Please, don’t tell him I was here.”
“Okay, I won’t. Will I see you around?”
She shrugs. “Yes, until my father marries me off to a monster.”
“Who was he?” She knows I’m asking her who her mystery man was. but she looks away.
I watch her leave, noticing for the first time, the sadness she carries in her eyes. I can recognize a tortured soul when I see one. She pauses at the threshold and turns. “His name is Alaric Riordan, and he was my first love. I thought he loved me but it was all a lie.”
I hope you liked Gia and Jess’s story. Thank you for reading. The Prey series will continue with Veronica’s story in Forgive Me For I have Sinned coming 9/28/2023.
Pre order Forgive Me For I Have Sinned (Standalone) on my website at www.carmenrosales.com or on Amazon and B&N.
Did you know I have specially priced signed copies of all my books on my website in my bookshop? I will also have book boxes available real soon for all my bookish readers that love extra goodies.
Scan the QR code to Preorder Forgive For I Have Sinned and for all links.
Want a sneak peek at He Loves Me Not
