AllFreeNovel
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I grit my teeth, then brace myself before throwing a punch into my own eye. Pain explodes, making me go blind for a moment and I let out a groan. Going down on my haunches, I smash my knuckles into the concrete, waiting for them to crack.
Once they do, I get up, then tug at my clothes and my hair to make myself look disheveled before walking out of the alley. The beach house is nearby and it takes less than five minutes until I get home.
Charlotte’s still not here and everything feels worse when she’s not around.
My thoughts are dark, my feelings even worse and I topple into the kitchen. Yanking a bottle of beer out of the fridge, I gulp it down but a flash of rage goes off in me and I smash the bottle into the sink.
Glass breaks everywhere.
I’m tempted to leave it, but I don’t want Charlotte trying to clean up and cutting herself so I end up doing it anyway. Once every little shard is in the trashcan, I glance at the clock. How long is she going to stay there?
What is she doing there anyway, comforting Robbie?
Swallowing, I tell myself that I’m not a monster. I’m not going to force Charlotte. She’s free to choose who she wants to be with. As long as she chooses me. I let out a curse, walk into the living room and sit on the couch.
I don’t turn on the TV, but stare at my own reflection in the black screen. My features look muted.Twisted. They definitely don’t belong on a prince, but on his enemy, the one who is in the story because he’s there to corrupt the princess.
I’m not insane. I know that attempting to kill your cousin isn’t a normal reaction, but no extraordinary love story is possible if no extraordinary measures are taken.
I did it for us. For Charlotte and I.
Heaving a breath, I rub my nape when I hear the key turning. My heart starts pounding, shivers raking down my spine and Charlotte softly calls out to me. There’s hesitation in the way she says my name, as if she doesn’t really know me and I rise, rubbing my hands down my denims.
“Hey,” Charlotte murmurs, taking off her jacket, “that took a while I know, but Robbie’s parents wanted me to stay and chat for a while and...,” she turns the lights on then jolts at the sight of me. Clasping her hand over her mouth, she breathes, “What happened to you?”
“This?” I lean against the doorway, shrugging. “Just a couple of scratches, an alley cat attacked me out of nowhere...”
Charlotte swallows. “Very funny.” She walks over to me. “You have to tell me, who did this...,” she inspects my black eye, then my knuckles and her eyes fill with tears, “Baby, who did this to you?” she whimpers. “You look like you’ve been battered.”
When I don’t reply, she reaches for her phone. “I’m calling the cops.”
I grab the phone in my palm, stopping her. “Don’t. I don’t want Robbie behind bars.”
Surprise floods her eyes. “Robbie? But...”
“He sent a couple of guys after me. I was walking through an alley, when they jumped me. They threatened me, said you’re Robbie’s girl and that I need to stay away.”
Swaying, Charlotte bumps into the wall and her eyes dart. Her mouth opens and closes as if she doesn’t know what to say, or think. “He...he accused you of pushing him earlier...”
“Because he wants you to be scared of me so that he can save you, he wants you all to himself and doesn’t care how he goes about it.” Clasping Charlotte’s face in my hands, I rasp, “Don’t you understand? He’s obsessed with you.”
She gasps and shock causes her lower lip to tremble.
“O...obsessed?”
“Some men are crazy like that and it makes them do crazy things. I’m sorry about this.” I stroke her jawline with my thumb. “I know you saw him as a friend, and I can only imagine how betrayed you must feel.”
Her head moves in a confused nod. “I just can’t believe...he’s been living with me all this time...”
“You lost one of your bras some weeks or months ago. A flimsy one with little flowers?”
Stunned, Charlotte gawks. “How did you know?”
“I found it underneath Robbie’s matrass. Don’t worry, I put it back in your drawer because I didn’t want you to get creeped out.” I drag a breath. “His behavior, it’s...it’s, fuck I’m ashamed we share the same blood.”
I look off into the distance, pretending to be mortified but she firmly clasps my face.
“Don’t be ashamed. You should be angry.” Tears stream down her cheeks. “Look at what he’s done to you.” Anger strains her perfect features. “If he goes near you ever again, I’ll kill him myself.”
