Shattered Fate by VM Rheault

Author:VM Rheault [Rheault, VM]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Coffee & Kisses Press
Published: 2025-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Zarah

Gage rattling around the kitchen wakes me up. It’s black as pitch outside, but that’s normal for November in Minnesota. Baby lays next to me chasing squirrels in her dreams. Arya and Sansa don’t sleep with me—they have crates in the mudroom. Zane says if I want a pet, I should adopt a pet. Arya and Sansa were trained to be guard dogs at the governor’s mansion, and he won’t let me or Stella, soften them up. I know it’s a good idea to keep them alert, but I like the thought of having a dog sleep with me like Baby is.

I dig my fingers into her fur, and she snorts in her sleep.

Gage’s sheets are made of flannel, and after numerous washings, they feel soft against my skin.

He didn’t come in to wish me a last goodnight, and I’m on the fence as to how I feel about that. I can tell him what I want, but he knows I’m too scared to take it. He’s nine years older than me, older than Zane, and his wisdom, street smarts, and common sense are fascinating. He didn’t let me give him any shit, and he’s not intimidated by my money.

Somehow, I think Gage would like me even more if I didn’t have any. If I were a barista like that woman, Sierra. Stella made a choice to live like she isn’t the fiancée of a billionaire. What would my life be like if I lived like I didn’t have money? I could ask Zane for a job, earn a paycheck. I don’t have my driver’s license and I could ask Gage to teach me how to drive. If I passed my test, I could buy a car and not depend on Douglas to give me a ride anywhere I needed to go.

The freedom feels like a big, shiny apple. Come, take a bite, it says. But after I do, I’ll realize it’s full of poison. I’m not ready to be on my own, am I? Or am I hiding behind my fear? Maybe Jerricka’s right. Maybe I should go to school. It doesn’t matter if everyone knows who I am, I’ll never be anyone different.

Gage drops something in the kitchen, and Baby jumps out of bed.

“Traitor,” I call after her.

“Food will always win,” Gage says, appearing in the doorway. He’s been up for a little while now, and his hair is damp. If he came into his room for clothes, I didn’t hear him, and he’s dressed to go to work in dark blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and a plaid flannel shirt unbuttoned over it. He’s already wearing boots. No lazing around in bed today.

He wants to drop me off at home as soon as possible. Get rid of me.

I’m so much trouble.

Dirty.

I sigh and sit up, bunching the comforter over my legs.

“I don’t want to do the ‘here’s your hat what’s your hurry’ drill, but it’s after seven and I have to swing by the office as soon as I can.

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