Bitter Truths: A Twisted Arranged Marriage Romance (Crimson Falls Duet Book 2) by Dani René (best fiction novels to read .txt) 📗

seemed too young, but when she opened her mouth that night, I was blown away by just how grown up she truly was.

Having her under my roof changed things. For both of us. I’m not sure it would’ve been the same had I agreed to allow her to live with her parents until we wed. But I’m glad I stepped up the moment I heard about her father’s deal. The bastard would’ve given her to a vile piece of shit who would’ve truly hurt her.

I asked Darius to keep an eye on Miles, even though he’s no longer a threat, I always like to know where my enemies are. Darius has The Kovenant MC keeping close tabs on him, watching his every move. He’s turned into a hermit they tell me.

My thoughts flit back to the conversation I had with my brother.

Setting the tumbler on the table, I focus on Darius. I’ve put this conversation off long enough, but now that we’re alone, he needs to come clean. I have to know why my brother shot me just to take Scarlett.

“To new beginnings. And making sure history doesn’t repeat itself,” I lift my drink, watching as my brother clinks his glass with mine.

“Jealousy was always something I’d struggled with. Even as the older brother, it always felt like dad favored you. I mean, you were the one set to take over Shaw Industries, so I got that, but my gut didn’t. Those feelings don’t just disappear when you tell them to.”

“So, you shot me?” I arch a brow in question, knowing that’s not the reason. There has to be more. “I mean, if you wanted money, you didn’t have to kill me and take my wife.”

Perhaps I’m toying with the hunter here, but I need to know.

Darius’s gaze lifts to mine and he shakes his head. “I’ve lived my life in awe of you, Lycan. How much control you had wasn’t because you were born that way, you learned it. When I saw you moving on without me, learning that I may actually not be your brother, it led to anger. You know I’m one to shoot first, ask questions later,” he tells me, honesty lacing his words. I can see the pain he holds, even under all the layers of violence and cockiness, he’s still the broken teenager who wants what his brother had—Dad’s attention.

“To be honest,” I start, “having father’s attention wasn’t something I wanted. Yes, I am business minded, but only because he made me that way.”

“But you always did everything with him, while they left me to fend for myself.”

“We were hardly poor,” I throw back, annoyance taking hold of me.

Darius sighs. “I know. I mean… He never once looked at me as if I was his. At least it never felt that way, and I wondered if he hated me because I wasn’t Grace’s.” He sips the alcohol, and I don’t take my eyes off him. I can’t imagine what it would feel like not knowing who you are.

“So, why my wedding day?”

“I wanted to take everything from you, I felt as if everything was taken from me.”

“So, you wanted me to suffer like you did,” I say with an understanding nod. I get it. I do. Lifting my glass, I tip it toward him. “This is our fresh start.”

“You’re not going to shoot me?” This time, he arches a brow at me, and I chuckle. “I mean, I can take it if you want to.”

“Oh, I know you can. But you see, where you’re the impulsive one, I’m the level-headed one. This is why we work so well together when we’re on the same page.”

He shrugs. “I guess so.” This time, he smiles. “I won’t stay in Crimson Falls,” he informs me, but I knew this. He’s not cut out to live in a small town. My brother loves the city, and that’s where he belongs. Hell, sometimes I wonder if I should stay in New York. But then I remember Scarlett, she should be the one to choose where we end up.

Perhaps, once she’s opened her business, she’ll choose the Big Apple instead of Crimson Falls. I’ll do anything for her. And she knows it. I smile at my brother, happy to finally have some semblance of a family. It’s been a long time coming. Far too long.

“To the Shaws,” Darius says, and we clink our glasses to that. Scarlett and our children will bear the Shaw name, and maybe one day when they’re older, my wife can tell them about the Bardots. But until then, we’ll make sure it’s nothing more than a distant memory.

I never believed in fairy tales and true love. It was a myth I was happy to allow to pass me by. My life had been filled with work, with scenes at Heaven which if I even try to recall now, don’t even come close to what I’ve found — happiness.

There were days I thought about myself as a father and almost laughed it off. I couldn’t do it. I glance out the window to find the kids settled on a blanket while Scarlett pours them some juice. And I smile. At least, I thought I couldn’t be a dad.

I watch them for a long while, and when I finally rise from my desk, I realize I’m smiling. I do that a lot lately. At first, Scarlett pointed it out, telling me that something had changed in me. Granted, I am still the bastard she loves, but with Kadence and Kailee running around, I’ve softened. Not entirely, because I still put Scarlett through her paces, and she enjoys every moment of my domineering self. But there are times she’ll smile wistfully at me.

She glances up to the window where I’m now standing and gives me a wave. The kids follow suit, excitedly jumping up and down on the grass as they wave both hands in the air. I respond with one of my own, and the shrieks of