Down the hall paparazzi were being shuffled in by staff, getting ready for Gemma’s birthday party, one of the bigger parties this summer. It wasn’t uncommon for them to be in Crowne Hall, and I chewed my bottom lip.
Theo’s eyes narrowed on my lip right before I lunged at him, pressing my lips to his. Theo was stone beneath me, just like he’d been the night I’d kissed him, the night before he left.
He shoved me off, and I stumbled back.
Hurt ricocheted inside my ribs.
“I love when you tell me how hard you’re going to fuck me,” I yelled, eyeing the paparazzi.
Our eyes locked, the flashing of cameras reflecting in his glare, and then Theo gripped my wrist, yanking me out of their view into the ornate hall. I let him tug me down the hallway, our footsteps echoing.
The exterior of Crowne Hall was famous for its inky black shingles and castle-like spires; inside it was pearly white with gold trim. It was a darkly romantic aesthetic, black railings and white, matte walls with intricately cut molding, the occasional gilded accoutrement, and the inescapable smell of salt air.
“Grandpa will fire you when he sees the photos,” I said with a smile, masking my hurt in triumph.
I couldn’t let him know how much power he still had.
Theo drew his thumb across his lush bottom lip, dragging it out in a distracting way, before ending on an exhale.
“Spoiled little princess… you know better. House paparazzi don’t publish anything without written approval.”
Hurt welled in my chest.
Where was my Theo? Did he ever exist? This heavy-lidded, gaunt, square-jawed imposter was just like everyone else now, seeing only my scars.
His pale eyes narrowed. “You have a party to get ready for, Ms. Crowne.”
He said my name with such venom it slid inside my blood and burned; then he grabbed my arm, tugging me toward my wing.
Gemma’s birthday party had been planned months before, but I couldn’t help but wonder, Would I meet my fiancé tonight?
“I can—” I yanked myself free. “I can walk.”
My chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, and his eyes dropped to the movement before sliding back up my neck. There was no heat in his gaze, just ice, and it burned in a different, more painful way. He raised a brow, slightly tilting his head toward the wing. I summoned all of my imperial, God-given Crowne right to raise my chin, and I walked past him.
Even though everything in me wanted to crumble.
Especially as I felt him behind me, like a hot, heavy shadow.
Theo Hound wasn’t like the other bodyguards in my grandfather’s employ. Once upon a time, he was mine. We were just teenagers then, but I found Theo. I kept Theo. I almost gave him my heart, but like everyone else, he chose my sister.
If you love bully, bodyguard, enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, revenge, and second chance romance, you need Heartless Hero. This story bled from me! Click the title and find out why this story had me labeled “an emotional terrorist.” Remember, it’s in KU and on sale for a limited time for 99c!
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Up Next In Crowne Point!
Hey love!
I hope you enjoyed the final installment in Gray & Story’s journey. Thank you again for being so patient and understanding with my absence. This book was insanely difficult to write, like I had a giant thorn in my heart that I was slowly pulling out.
BUTOMMGG
I am going to miss these two!!
xo
MC
aka your Reaper of Hearts
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Books by Mary Catherine Gebhard
Crowne Point Universe
Heartless Hero
Stolen Soulmate (Grayson + Story)
Forbidden Fate (Grayson + Story)
Destroyed Destiny (Grayson + Story) —coming to KU ON RELEASE
Coming to Crowne Point
Gemma & Grim (#Gremma)
The St. Germaines
Lottie & Jack
The Hate Story Duet
Beast: A Hate Story, The Beginning
Beauty: A Hate Story, The End
Standalones
Dirty Law
Patchwork House
Skater Boy (Patchwork House #1)
Patchwork House #2
Patchwork House #3
Patchwork House #4
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Acknowledgments
Oh, wow! I can’t believe Gray and Story’s saga has come to an end. Those I’m forever thankful to for helping me bring Destroyed Destiny out into the world includes, but isn’t limited to:
The readers! Those of you who trusted me to finish their story, who waited so I could write it the way it needed to be written, who shared their story with their friends, and who just read their story—thank you!
My street team, Team Reaper. Ya’ll are my rock. You make the best graphics, take the best photos, and, most importantly, you’re a genuine sisterhood. You’re my favorite group of people. I know I can always count on you!
The bloggers, readers, and bookstagrammers. Thank you for devoting your free time to Story and Gray. For giving me your passion and dedication! I’m so grateful to all of you.
Aundi & Paramita “Pipa.” Thank you for letting me use your names, you are two of the best women I know and are very much nothing like women in this book.
My dream team of PAs. Mel and Amber! I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you guys. You are not just an essential part of Team Reaper, you the best kind of people, and my close friends.
My betas. Sonal, Aundi, Nicki, & Amber. Thank you for reading the rough, crazy sleep-deprived version of Destroyed Destiny and giving me great feedback.
My editors. Erica Russikoff with Erica’s Edits you totally saved my ass! Rumi, and Ellie with My Brother’s Editor, you gave me excellent proofs and so quickly, thank you! Special shout out to Team Reaper gal, Sarah P., whose keen eye also helped polish Destroyed Destiny.
My promo team. Jen with Wildfire Marketing & Candi Kane! Thank you for your imperative role in making this wild and chaotic release so wonderful.
My cover designer. Hang Le, you captured the soul of Grayson, Story, and West perfectly.
My reader group, GetHard.
The authors in this community.
My husband, family, and my friends.
And to everyone and in-between…I love you!
If you’ve read my books before, you know I would love if you write your name in down here. Whether it’s in ink in your paperback or a highlight on an ebook…
Because I am so grateful to YOU for helping me on this journey and continuing to support me.
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Destroyed Destiny (Crowne Point Book 4) Page 42
