Tarnished Crown (Gravestone Elite #2) by Caitlyn Dare (books like beach read TXT) 📕

feels like I’m uncovering something though, the threads of this puzzle slowly untangling and revealing themselves.

“Who is he?”

“Ace Jagger’s dad. They live in Sterling Bay, but the Jaggers were originally from Gravestone. But Lilly, Marcus’ sister…she fled back in the day after falling in love with the wrong man.”

“So you’re related?”

“Yeah… James is my uncle, I think. Or my cousin? Fuck if I know, it all confuses the shit out of me.”

“Oh my God,” I breathe.

“Yeah, something tells me it’s only the tip of the iceberg.”

“Do you think you can take me to see him? James Jagger, I mean?”

“Shit, Mia. I don’t know. Kingsley is watching my every move. Sneaking here is one thing. But if we just up and disappear to go to Sterling Bay…”

He has a point, but there has to be a way.

“We can ask Channing and Sasha to cover for us.”

“Whoa, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Concern glitters in his eyes. “I don’t want to do anything that puts you at risk.”

“I’m already at risk,” I implore. “Every minute I’m with Cade…”

“Fuck, don’t,” he grits out. “Just don’t. If I could take you away from here, I would. You know that, right? We could get in my car and just go.”

“You can’t run from Quinctus.” I give him a sad smile. “That’s not how it works.”

“But Hadley did. She got out.”

“Wait a minute, Hadley Rexford? You know Hadley Rexford?”

“Yeah. She lives in the Bay. My mom said it’s like a safe haven or something. To be honest, I was so pissed when I saw her, nothing really made sense.”

“Is she okay?”

“Who, my mom?”

“No, Hadley.”

“Yeah, she’s good. She and her boyfriend are at Colton U now, living their best lives.”

This new information has blown my mind. There are so many moving pieces, I don’t know which one to latch on to first.

“We have to speak to James Jagger,” I say.

“Mouse…”

“No, Bexley, this is too important. If I’m going to find a way to get out of the Coglio with Cade,”—and I have to—“then we need to figure out how all this fits together.”

And why Quinctus are so set on me being his prosapia.

“Okay, okay. But you let me figure out how and when.” I frown, and his brow quirks up. “I mean it, Mia. I need to know you’re safe. As safe as you can be. No more taking unnecessary risks.”

I press my lips together, because I’m not sure that’s a promise I can keep.

“Mouse, I need to hear you say it.”

I kiss him instead—hot, wet kisses that leave us both panting for more.

“You’re not playing fair.” Bexley rolls me underneath him and runs his hand along my jaw and down to my throat. “In fact, I’d call it cheating.” He smirks, running his tongue along my neck. “And do you know what cheaters get?”

“What?” I ask breathlessly.

He rolls his hips, letting his hard cock slide against my slick pussy before slamming inside me.

“Punished.”

I wake with a knot in my stomach. In Bexley’s arms, I’d felt safe and cherished. But in the harsh light of day, I’m reminded that being with him is a fantasy. My reality is much darker.

He left after loving my body again. It had been slow and sensual and intense. I came so hard my entire body quivered beneath him.

I have fallen head over heels for Bexley Easton, and I know now it was foolish to think I could ever switch off my feelings for him. I didn’t promise him I wouldn’t keep searching for answers though, and he didn’t ask me again.

I think, deep down, he understands I have to do this.

Pushing back the covers, I start getting ready for classes. I’m almost dressed when my cell vibrates. A smile lifts the corner of my lips at Bexley’s message… but it’s quickly chased away when I realize it’s not Bexley at all. It’s Cade.

Cade: Meet me outside in five. And wear comfy shoes.

I quickly text him back.

Mia: I have classes.

Cade: Are you telling me no?

I want to. I want to tell him I’m going nowhere with him, but a little voice in my head tells me to play the game.

Mia: Fine. I’ll be right out.

Cade: Good. And wear something sexy.

I can just picture his smug smirk. Ugh. Just then, my cell vibrates again, and I dread to think what else he has to say. But this time my heart leaps.

Cat: I can still taste you.

I fight a smile as I text Bexley back. I tell him that I won’t be in class and not to worry and then silence my cell phone and slip it into my bag.

Taking a deep breath, I shove my feet into my sneakers and grab a jacket and scarf and slip out of my dorm room. The last thing I want to do is spend the day with Cade, but after last night, I need to appease him.

I need to protect Bexley.

Cade is waiting for me, leaning against his car looking like he just stepped off a runway. His eyes drink me in as I approach him.

“You look… good enough to eat.” His lip curves into a wolfish grin as he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me into his strong body. My hands go to his chest, trying to keep a safe distance between us, but he forces me closer. “I missed you last night.”

I tense for a second but quickly brush it off, meeting his steely gaze. “I had to study.”

“You do know all this,” he glances toward campus, “means nothing? Once you graduate, you’ll never want for anything ever again.”

“If you think for a second I’m going to be some trophy wife who sits at home all day while my husband goes out to work, you are sorely mistaken.”

His brow rises. It’s the first time I’ve referred to our future.

“I like those words on your lips. Say them again…”

I roll my eyes. “Where are we going anyway?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Cade…”

“Relax, I just want to spend the