by Jade, Ashley
Jace gives me a pointed look, as if he can see right through the bullshit in that way only the people who truly care about you can. “I figured as much.” He takes a seat on the edge of my bed. “What did you guys fight about?”
I’m not sure how to answer that. I can’t tell him about asking our father to get Stone into the pre-med program because Jace already paints Stone in a bad light and I don’t want to add fuel to the fire.
I, can, however, give him part of the truth.
The part that matters.
“Stone got accepted into the pre-med program at Duke’s Heart,” I begin. “And since I got into Duke’s Heart, too, I brought up the possibility of us moving into a co-ed dorm, so we’d be able to see each other more. However, Stone said his financial aid doesn’t cover dorms.” I draw in a deep breath. “So, I simply mentioned that Dad’s company gives out grants and I could get him one…but then he freaked out and accused me of making him a charity case.”
Jace rubs his chin, appearing lost in thought before he speaks. “Well, as much as I want to take your side…I can also see where he’s coming from.”
To say I’m surprised—and a little offended—would be an understatement. “You’re kidding, right? What’s the big deal about him taking the grant money?”
Especially if it enables us to see each other more. Because isn’t that what matters most at the end of the day?
Jace laughs. “Because men have a little something called pride.” His expression turns serious. “We want to take care of our girl and support her…not the other way around.”
He’s got to be kidding me. “Wow, that’s a little sexist.”
“It’s not sexist,” he argues. “Men are biologically wired to take care of ourselves and take care of what’s ours. It’s just the way we love.” His brows draw tight. “And while Stone might not be my favorite person in the world, I do respect his strong work ethic.” He winces. “That said—it’s gotta be a pretty big blow to the ego if you’re struggling financially, and your girl suggests that her rich daddy swoop in to fix everything because you’re not able to give her what she wants…even though she meant well.”
I never really thought about it like that, although I probably should have. Stone’s all about taking care of the people he loves.
It’s just one of the reasons I love him.
I get off my bed. “I’m gonna go downstairs and talk to him.”
Jace starts to say something, but I don’t hear him because I make a mad dash for the staircase.
I find Stone standing by the front door, looking so sad and hurt, my heart recoils.
“I’m sorry,” we both say at the same time.
A lump rises in my throat. “I didn’t mean—”
“No. I was the one who was wrong,” Stone interjects. “I lashed out when you were only trying to help me.” He takes a step in my direction. “But the moment you left I realized something important…something I won’t ever forget.”
My heart kicks up a notch as he takes another step. “What?”
“The love I have for you is more important than anything…including my pride.” A determined note enters his voice. “Because I can’t lose you, Bianca. I refuse to.”
“I don’t want to lose you either.”
“Good.” The groove in his forehead deepens. “I’m not taking that grant money, but if you really want to dorm on campus, I won’t stop you.” He tilts my chin. “Because I want you to have everything you want.”
I meet his eyes, my heart skipping a beat. “What I want is you.”
He closes the distance between us, kissing me with so much adoration my knees go weak.
“Promise me you’re mine,” he whispers against my lips. “Promise me you’ll always be mine and that we’ll get through anything life throws at us.”
As usual, Stone has this way of making me feel like I’m going to miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime if I don’t go along for the ride.
But I want this.
I peer up at him. “I promise.”
Because when you love someone—really love them—you can’t see a future without them.
Even if you can’t remember your past.
Epilogue
Three Months Later…
“Ready to graduate?” Jace asks from the entryway of my bedroom.
I give myself one final look in the mirror. “One second.”
Picking up a tube of red lipstick on my vanity, I apply some.
Not for me, but for old Bianca. She worked hard for this moment, and this is my small way of sharing it with her.
“Man, it’s so weird seeing you in that thing,” Cole comments, standing next to Jace.
I turn to look at him. “My cap and gown?”
“No.” He sweeps a hand up and down. “A red cap and gown instead of the blue ones we wore.”
“We’re still proud of you, though,” Jace says while staring at his watch. “But hurry the fuck up because Dad, Sawyer, and Dylan are waiting in the car and we’re already five minutes late.”
I quickly blot my lips with a tissue. “Ready.”
“Hold on,” Cole says. “I gotta get the gun out of the safe.”
My mouth drops open. “What? Why?”
He blinks as if the answer should be obvious. “For protection.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Jace mutters while pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’re not bringing a gun to Bianca’s graduation.”
Cole sulks. “Fine. But don’t bitch to me when someone threatens to bust a cap in your ass.”
I can’t help but laugh because my family is crazy.
But I love them.
* * *
My phone vibrates with an incoming text the moment my butt hits the seat.
Stone: You looked beautiful up there.
A smile stretches across my lips as I text him back.
Bianca: So did you.
Stone: You know you’re the best thing that ever happened to me, right?
My pulse kicks up a few notches. Stone can be so sweet sometimes he takes my breath away.
Bianca: I’m pretty sure it’s the other way around.
I watch dots form at the bottom of my screen before they disappear completely.
Bianca: Come on, DaSilva. Don’t hold out on me. What’s on your mind?
Stone: You.
My cheeks heat as I look down the row.
Tilting his head ever-so-slightly, he looks my way.
I’m not sure what to make of his expression, but he seems nervous, which of course puts me on edge.
I quickly type out my next text.
Bianca: Good things, I hope.
Stone: Always.
Relief flows through me and I’m about to respond, but my phone vibrates with another text.
Stone: I can’t believe we graduated.
A bittersweet twist goes through my chest.
Bianca: I know. Even though I can’t remember the last four years, it’s crazy to know it’s all over.
The announcer at the podium motions for us to stand so we can move our tassels.
I quickly push to my feet, my thumbs still hovering over the keyboard of my phone.
Bianca: It feels like the end of something huge.
Joining my classmates, I switch my tassel to the other side of my cap.
A moment later we throw them in the air and everyone cheers.
“Or is it the beginning?” Stone says behind me.
I quickly turn around. “What—”
My heart’s in my throat as Stone pulls out what looks like a jewelry box…right before he gets down on one knee.
“Bianca Covington, will you marry me?”
Bonus Epilogue
Dylan
Warning: Proceed with caution.
I rub my sweaty palms on my jeans as I take a seat on the other side of the glass and wait for them to bring him out.
The sound of the heavy door creaking open makes my nerves jump like hot oil in a p
an.
I really don’t want to be the one to tell him this…but he has a right to know.
My stomach bottoms out when I see him shuffle through the door in his orange jumpsuit.
His hair is a little longer, and the stubble on his face is at least a week old…but it’s his eyes that send a pang of sorrow through my heart.
They’re dimmer…like being in this place sucked the life right out of them.
Out of him.
And what I’m about to say will only make his misery worse.
But I can’t not tell him.
He picks up the phone on his end and brings it to his ear as he sits down. “I told you not to come.” His voice is a broken rasp, much like he is. “I don’t want you seeing me here.”
You’d think he’d know me better than that.
“And I told you we were family, Oakley.”
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Preorder Broken Kingdom today!
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Royal Hearts Academy
Series Order:
Cruel Prince (Jace’s Book)
Ruthless Knight (Cole’s Book)
Wicked Princess (Bianca’s Book)
Broken Kingdom
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About the Author
Want to be notified about my upcoming releases?https://goo.gl/n5Azwv
Ashley Jade craves tackling different genres and tropes within romance. Her first loves are New Adult Romance and Romantic Suspense, but she also writes everything in between including: contemporary romance, erotica, and dark romance.
Her characters are flawed and complex, and chances are you will hate them before you fall head over heels in love with them.
She's a die-hard lover of oxford commas, em dashes, music, coffee, and anything thought provoking...except for math.
Books make her heart beat faster and writing makes her soul come alive. She's always read books growing up and scribbled stories in her journal, and after having a strange dream one night; she decided to just go for it and publish her first series.
It was the best decision she ever made.
If she's not paying off student loan debt, working, or writing a novel—you can usually find her listening to music, hanging out with her readers online, and pondering the meaning of life.
Check out her social media pages for future novels.
She recently became hip and joined Twitter, so you can find her there, too.
She loves connecting with her readers—they make her world go round'.
~Happy Reading~
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Feel free to email her with any questions / comments: [email protected]
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Other Books Written By Ashley Jade
The Devil’s Playground Duet (Books 1 & 2)
Complicated Parts - Series (Books 1 & 2 Out Now)
Complicated Hearts - Duet (Books 1 & 2)
Blame It on the Shame - Trilogy (Parts 1-3)
Blame It on the Pain - Standalone
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Thanks for Reading!
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<3 Ashley Jade
