CHAPTER SEVEN

I knew Royce was a good guy. Despite his possession of illegal liquor, I knew he was a good guy. He was no boozehound. He was sweet and caring and didn’t have a dark side to him, I knew that.

Royce even escorted me home and my mother practically flew off the handle from the hallway, screaming and demanding to where I had been, but when she saw Royce she seemed to have forgotten everything. That made him the perfect gentlemen, right?

Before he left that night to go back home, I asked him when we could see each other again—to try and deter him from the liquor. He told me he had a lot of responsibilities with work and I didn’t want to know what work he meant. So like a good fiancee I nodded and pretended that everything was okay and that everything was going to be alright. He kissed the corner of my mouth and I could taste the alcohol. He waved at my mother and shut the door softly behind him.

My mother demanded every detail of what happened with Royce and I, and I think she wanted me to tell her we had made love. But we didn’t. When it came to Royce though, I think all morals were forgotten by my mother.

My mother kept telling me just how perfect Royce was that I soon stopped believing it. I didn’t tell her about Royce’s new business, because I knew it would break her heart. Instead, I listened and agreed, laughed when I needed to, and spoke when the time came. She wanted to talk for hours, but I told her I was tired and wanted to go to sleep. My mother let me, which surprised even me.

Before I went inside my room, I went to Tom and Nate’s. Tom had one of this lamp lights on and was reading a book, while Nate was sound asleep. I didn’t think he noticed me yet.

“Can’t sleep, Tom?” I asked from the doorway, and he looked up, slightly surprised. I lock my hands behind my back an wondered why I was worried. This was Tom, yet he always surprised me. Nate was so easy to read because he was so carefree, but Tom took care into everything he did and said.

“Nope,” he told me and I knew he was lying. His voice was low and lethargic and I swore he almost yawned but stopped himself in time.

I laugh a bit to myself but I knew he could hear me. I let him. I asked him if I could say and he didn’t say anything so I took it as a yes. I sat on the edge of his bed and watched as he put his book away and straightened himself. He just sat there for a few seconds before asking, “Yes, Rosalie?”

Now that I was in Tom and Nate’s room, I couldn’t comprehend why I was even there.

“Why are you here?” he asked me, and I he said it in such a way that wasn’t even insulting. Now I felt bad for coming in and stopping him from reading what could have been a good book. I looked around his room and no matter how much I’ve been inside, it always seemed to change. Clothes were strewn about in the most random places and there were books on the floor that I didn’t even know he had. It’s warm though. Everything’s comfortable and messy that it looked like an organized mess.

His room was small, so when I had nowhere else to look I looked back at Tom.

“I’m engaged,” I told him, showing him the ring.

“I know,” he said. Of course he knew I was engaged, he was there after Royce had proposed.

I didn’t know what else to say so I sat there. I wanted to tell Tom abut Royce but didn’t even know how I could start to tell him.

“Are you happy?” Tom asked and I was taken aback. Something about his tone couldn’t have made me lie to him. I knew I was about to make a fool of myself for telling him the truth, but I couldn’t hold back. I weighed my options of what I could say, but just decided to tell him the truth:

“I don’t know,” I whispered to him, as if I knew someone was listening through the walls.

Tom nodded, and didn’t say anything else.

“But I love him,” I added quickly. I knew I did. I loved Royce King, I just didn’t know if what he did was... right, and of course liquor didn’t make me happy. Especially if he was making money off doing something illegally.

I turned away from Tom and decided to just say what I wanted to say and not hold back. I didn’t want to think about it. I opened my mouth but hesitated. There I was, already stopping myself. Tom seemed to be patient though. Or he fell asleep and I just didn’t know. I turned to look at him and saw that he started to read again. Of course he would. He must’ve been growing impatient.

I take the book from his hands and throw it across the room. Gently though, to not wake up Nate. Tom was about to probably yell at me, but I cover his mouth with my hand.

“I’ve got to tell you something, so listen.” Tom didn’t move so I removed my hand. “I love Royce, but I don’t love what he’s doing. He’s doing something really, really bad... but making a lot of money. And... I don’t know, he could get in a lot of trouble. The kind of trouble that could land him in the can.”

Tom was quiet for a while before saying, “What does lover boy do? Don’t tell me he’s a button man!”

“Of course he’s not a killer, he’s too sweet!”

“Well, then what does he do?”

I sighed. “He sells liquor.”

“What?” Tom almost yelled, taken aback.

“I know. I found out today when I was at his house. He wasn’t expecting me.”

“You can’t stay with him, Rose! One second he’ll be selling liquor, the next he’ll be bumping off people if he doesn’t get the money he wants. It’s a dangerous thing, Rose, you can’t be seen with him?”

Tom came on so strongly that I didn’t know what to think of it. Instantly, I got defensive. “I can’t leave him, Tom! Look, I know what he’s doing is bad, but when this Depression is over with he’ll have the bank and he won’t have to sell liquor anymore, okay? Besides, mother, father, and you and Nate need me. Without Royce we’re not going to have any money and we’re all probably going to just die! Royce is going to provide so much, and telling mother would kill her. Trust me on this, okay? I love him, just not what he’s doing, but I know he’ll stop—he said himself that the Depression looks like it’s letting up itself. I just needed someone to talk to, okay?” I was rambling now, but I couldn’t stop. I just kept going and going, and not once did Tom tell me to stop. He just sat there as I talked and when I was done he said:

“Okay, Rose. Just don’t let him take advantage of you, and don’t be a bunny. You may be my big sister, but sometimes you aren’t that much of a wise head.”

I couldn’t grasp his humour as much as I wanted to, and just gave out a slightly strangled laugh. I got up from his bed and mumbled thanks before retrieving his book and giving it back to him. He shut off his lamp and I heard the covers move as he put it over his head.

Tom was smart. He knew what to say and he believed whatever he was saying. He spoke through his head and his heart, and held little to no boundaries. I loved him, I really, really did. I just didn’t think he understood how much I loved Royce either.

When I woke up in the morning I wanted to go back to sleep. Forever. I didn’t want to face Tom. I didn’t know what I was thinking when I told him everything about Royce yesterday. I must’ve got drunk through the liquor fumes I inhaled yesterday that made me so carefree.

I sit up and rubbed my eyes. Light was barely coming through the window, but it was enough to almost blind me. Swinging my legs over my bed and turned my neck back and forth. It did nothing. I wasn’t expecting it to. I sat on my bed trying to think everything through about yesterday again and it was giving me a headache. Soon I just concluded that I loved Royce, so that was all that mattered, no matter what anyone said—even Tom.

When I get into the kitchen, all blurry and tired eyed, I didn’t expect to see Royce there. He had been showing up a lot lately. Well, of course, since he was my fiance, I tried to tell myself.

He was sitting there and fresh and proper like I knew, and was talking animatedly to my mother, who was red in the cheeks and flustered. Royce had a way with words. I smiled a small smile.

“Rosalie, good morning! Look who stopped by!” my mother exclaimed, finally noticing me. Royce turned his head and smiled at me so softly and sweet, like the Royce I saw yesterday was just a pigment of my imagination. I liked to believe it was. I tried to convince myself it was all night. I still wasn’t sure if I believed it.

I smiled at Royce and he came up to me. He held my hand and kissed it and my mother squealed. I noticed my father, who was usually up just as early as my mother, was not around.

“Where’s father?” I asked my mother as Royce still held my hand.

I felt Royce’s chuckle on my hand before he straightened himself and looked right at me. “Why, he’s meeting with my father right now. It seems like your family’s almost in debt. Don’t worry, though. As my future wife, it is my responsibility to take care of you and your family.” He smiled so sweetly it was almost sickening. I gave him a tight-lipped smile back and looked away and at my mother, who was smiling so brightly.

“You should have seen it, your father was so happy! I know you two lovebirds were meant for each other!” And I knew behind those words she was glad I was able to get Royce to give us some money.

Royce then took a step back. “That reminds me,” he started, and headed for a box at the foot of the table. He held onto it for a moment before handing it to me. When I took it from his hands, I just stared at it, unsure. He was only smiling at me though, and my mother was looking at me expectantly, biting her tongue from demanding me to open the gift.

“What’s this for, Royce?”I couldn’t help but ask.

“Open it.”

It wasn’t wrapped in anything, so I opened the box. My mouth was agape as I placed the box on the table and pulled the garment from inside. Inside was a fur coat with brass buttons that instantly reminded me of Mae West. I heard my mother gasp behind me, but I was in too much awe to really notice.

But as much as I was impressed with the coat, I couldn’t help but wonder how he afforded it. What money did he use to buy this: his dwindling business at the bank, or his booming business with the illegal liquor?

“Royce, how did you afford this?”

He seemed to know what I was implying, so he took my hand and took me aside.

“Rose, I don’t understand why you’re so angry. It is illegal, but look how much money I’m making.” To prove it, he pulled out a wad of cash from his suit. Then he continued, “And with all this money, I can buy you more jackets like that or even pretty dresses I know lookers like you like.” His and was now on my hair as he wrapped his fingers around my blond tresses. My hair was long—a lot of women cut it short for their hats bu I loved my hair the way it was.

Despite what Royce did to make money, I couldn’t help but be okay with it. It made money for my family, and for me. The fur coat looked absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t help but love it even though I knew what he did to get it. Closing my eyes, I said, “Okay.”

Royce smiled and took the coat from my hands and helped put it on me. I twirled around in it for him and he was smiling. He brought me back to my mother who went on how she adored it.

Then Royce turned to my mother and asked her, “May I borrow her for a while? I want to take her to my house and show what a lovely fiancee I have.”

My mother didn’t mind (of course), and asked for Royce to bring me back, to which he agreed wholeheartedly. He grabbed my hand and began to lead me to his house, the house that held all his liquor.

He seemed to know what I was thinking, so he turned to me and said, “Darling, don’t be angry. With all the money I’m making we’ll buy a nice house and a lot of beautiful dresses for you. Your family won’t ever have to worry too. That’s what you want for them, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. And I’m not angry... just, worried. Be careful, okay?” I asked of him, looking into his eyes with such focus.

He chuckled and told me I didn’t have to worry. I didn’t know if I believed him.

Soon enough we reached his house, and some of his friends were already inside. I recognized one of them, but I for all I knew the rest could have been at his house yesterday, I just didn’t pay them much attention.

“Gentlemen, you didn’t really get to see her yesterday, but this is my beautiful fiancee Rosalie,” Royce explained to everyone, and I couldn’t help but feel proud to soon be his wife. His friends were jealous of him, and there was lust in all of their eyes. Except one.

He was standing to the side, beside many, but somehow all alone at the same time. He was staring straight at me, but there was nothing in his eyes. They were completely blank. I noticed him as the carpenter I saw a long time ago. I looked away. I tried to not pay attention to the bronze hair and rough hands. I didn’t need him to look at me like the rest of the men did. He was just one person. I knew he found me attractive. I knew he thought I was beautiful. I didn’t know his name.

Why did I want to know his name?

Trying to be as nonchalant as possible, I asked Royce, “Why don’t you introduce me to all your friends?”

Royce looked taken aback for a moment, but quickly corrected himself. “Uh, well, that’s Owen”—I recognized him and didn’t bother to look at him—“Robert, James, William...” I didn’t pay much attention to them, just waiting for what I knew would be the last name. “...and that’s Edward. He’s not really a friend just yet, he just wanted to see what this business was about, didn’t you?”

Edward.

“Yes, I wanted to see how all you gentlemen make such a great amount of money,” he said, very smoothly. His voice was rich and low, but full of strength. He didn’t once flinch as he talked, his voice steady. His eyes were on me the entire time, but since Royce was right beside me, he could have believed they were trained on him.

Royce turned to me. “Edward’s father is that doctor, Dr. Cullen. It took me by surprise when he wanted in. But he’s a trustworthy bird, don’t you think? Every man needs his alcohol fix and he’s no exception, aren’t you? Especially when a man has grands of money like he has.”

No, I didn’t. He kept to himself and had an angular nose, defined cheeks, square jaw. His es were dark and he looked almost feral. He was rough around the edges, but for some reason also seemed soft. I hated him already. He looked as if he didn’t care and hid his lust when I walked into the room. I already knew that I didn’t like him.

I tried to not pay attention to him as I stayed with Royce for the rest of the day. Royce immersed himself in his business that I sat on a chair in the corner of the room most of the time. He brought me here but didn’t pay much attention to me after the introduction he made. I watched Edward and every time I turned my eyes to him he seemed to know, and would look back at me. I glared at him and he didn’t turn away. He laughed a quiet laugh and I knew it was mocking. I would look away and watch Royce and the entire cycle would start again.

Edward talked with the others and bought a ton of liquor himself. He pulled an impressive amount of cash from his pocket and it didn’t match the way he looked. He had suspenders and his pants were dusty and dirty, contrasting with the men in suits around the room. He didn’t look like he cared. I didn’t think he knew, but that made him more appealing.

Royce put Edward’s liquor in a box that looked all too heavy, but he carried it over his shoulder with ease like it didn’t weigh a thing. The other men were surprised at his strength too, but didn’t pay it much attention when they looked at the amount of money he gave them. I watched him leave and my eyes lingered on the door long after he was gone.

When I looked back at Royce he was staring at me. I gave him a small smile and whispered to him that I loved him. Satisfied, he turned back to the money and I sighed, leaning back against the chair. I looked around the room and saw a few bottled lying around, evident that some of the men already drank some. Their entire supply of liquor was located in another room, away from the door or windows. For the rest of the day I watched as some men came inside the house—and sometimes leering at me—before leaving. Royce told the first couple of men to back off, but after a while, he stopped caring. He was probably tired.

I saw the bottles beside him and knew he had one too many drinks. When it got really late, all the men began to leave, saying they’d be back tomorrow. Royce’s back was to me for most of the day, but when all the men left he turned to me, a lazy smile on his lips.

“Rose, come here,” he beckoned.

I stood up, my legs stiff, and made my way to him. He grabbed onto my wrist and pulled me against him. I could smell the liquor on his breath and he noticed the disgust on my face.

His hand reached up and held my chin, bringing his lips onto mine. I could taste the alcohol, but endured, kissing hi back. His other hand traced along the side of my body, resting on my hip.

“You are so beautiful, I want you right now...” he murmured against my lips and I knew part of him wasn’t there. His hand dropped from my hip and his fingers were on the hem of my dress. Soon enough, his fingertips were brushing my leg and reaching higher. His touch felt cold on my warm skin.

Immediately, I broke the kiss and took a hold of his hands. “Royce...”

“What is it Rose?” he growled, breaking my hold and putting one of his hands at the top of my chest. He slid his hand down the centre of my body, but I took a hold of his hands once again.

“You’re drunk, Royce,” I told him.

But that didn’t stop him. He lifted my dress so it was resting on my hips, the other hand on top of my dress and on the underside of my breasts. He started to kiss me again and I hesitated. I never kissed him back.

Soon both hands were on my hips and I flinched, his touch cold. He held onto me though and started to rub my thighs, getting higher. I put the palms of my hands on his chest and said through our kiss, “Royce... not now.”

He paused briefly before continuing. I took a hold of his hands again and stepped back. I was having trouble breathing right. “You’re drunk,” I repeated.

“No Rose, you’re hesitating,” he said, his eyes lazy as he touched my leg again.

I took another step back and brought the dress back down to its full length. I sighed. “Just take me home,” I told him, my voice shaky.

Royce sighed and stood up, before coming close and staring right at me. Then, he said, “A beautiful girl like you shouldn’t wait forever.”

He didn’t wait for me as he left the room.