23
THAYER
After my security team informed me that Blue Jay just landed, I left right away. Yeah, that was Kennedy’s code name—it fit perfectly for her.
Usually, I’d stay for a while during my official engagements, but not today. It took every ounce in my power to remain calm as I marched towards the waiting car.
“She’s pissed.” Those were the first words I heard from the other line. It was understandable, considering what Ash and Lud just did to her.
“Who wouldn’t be? But I’ll make up to her,” I said to Ash.
“She’s pissed at me. She kicked Lud’s shin and shouted at us the entire flight.”
“I’ll apologize for her on your behalf.” I didn’t usually apologize, but I wanted her to trust them again, and I intended to gain it back as well.
“I don’t know. Even if you give her the moon, Your Highness. She’s different today. And it bleeds my heart that she cried because of what we did.”
I froze. “I’m sorry. She did what?”
“I told you, she might not be able to forgive me. I can’t—I don’t know if I will be able to see or work with her again. I’m sorry, T. I’m just talking shit. My apology.”
“Let me handle this. It’s all my fault. None of this is yours. In just a short time I’ve known Kennedy, she has a soft spot on both of you. Just give her some time because I need her to trust both of you again. I’m on my way.”
“Have a safe ride home, Your Highness.”
I hung up the call and dialed her number. The same thing as yesterday or a day before—it went directly to her voicemail. Now that I had her with me, I would show her how much I cared—not the prince she despised, but the man she would learn to love.
It did not take long, I arrived at the manor. Sighing, I climbed out of the car. My mother was supposed to welcome her back since I had an engagement to attend.
She beamed the moment she saw me approaching. I kissed her on the cheek. “She’s here?”
“Yes. Give Kennedy some time to adjust.”
I raked my fingers through my hair. “She’s upset.”
My mother nodded glumly. “You could say that, considering the choice you made of fixing things.”
“Desperate times.”
“You kidnapped your girlfriend, honey. An independent American woman. What if she escapes and goes to her Embassy? You would be creating an international incident.” It was an understatement.
“You’re exaggerating it, Mother.”
“I wasn’t when she arrived.” She looked amused.
“I’ll make things right. I promise.”
“You need a lot of groveling to do.” She chuckled.
“You know, we don’t grovel, mother.”
“Oh, you need to with this one, honey. She was only very polite earlier. When she arrived, and I wasn’t around, you might find this manor nothing but ashes. She’s a spitfire, and I like her already. You finally find your match, Thayer.” She patted my arm.
“I’m pleased you like her, mum.”
“I see myself in her when I was her age, but I know you’re not interested in listening to my story. Go ahead. She just climbed upstairs.” She kissed me on my cheek. “I’m happy, honey.”
My heart continued to race as I took a step at a time, rehearsing my speech. I held my breath and knocked on the door. When I heard nothing, I did it again.
“Kennedy, it’s me. May I enter?” Again, I heard nothing. I opened the door. The first thing that came to my sight was her lying on her side in bed. She must have been exhausted during her flight. She literally traveled back in less than a day.
My pulse quickened. The same warmth and tingles reignited as she was an arm’s length. Yet, she was unreachable.
“Get out.”
I froze. “Darling.”
“I said get out,” she said firmly.
“Please?”
“You violated my trust. I’m here because I have no chance of escaping. I have only once demand, though, since I’m here without my consent.”
“Name it.” I bit my tongue as those words came out of my mouth because I could feel that I was not going to like it.
“You won’t come to see me again.”
Fuck. ”I can’t do that. You demand other things, but not that.”
She still didn’t turn nor look at me, and it broke my heart. “I’ll stay here as long as you want, but that’s all. I can’t trust you anymore. Not again.”
“I’m not doing this shit. You’re here because I wanna make things right with you.”
She snorted. “Makes things right? How would you do that if you started with mistakes and lies in the first place?”
“Then give me another chance.”
“No. You give me my demand, or I won’t forgive you for lying to me and dragging me all the way here.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You know I will get what I want, Kennedy. I’m a royal. I don’t beg to get what I want.”
“Not with me!” She jolted to sit up, glaring at me. Anger, pain, and distrust brewed in those beautiful eyes.
I wanted to see those fierce, gorgeous, and wild again, but not these.
“Darling.” I just told her that I wouldn’t beg, but my voice just betrayed me.
“Not while I’m still breathing. You won’t get it! Do you understand me? This is a violation of my human rights. And don’t lay your royal-ass-bullshit-card on me.”
“I’m sorry if you feel this way.” My heart was crushing. I wished I could pull her in my arms and tell her that everything was going to be okay, but that would be a lie again. And one lie was more than enough.
“You don’t know how I feel. You never did, and never will.”
“That’s not entirely true.”
She laid back to the same position as I came in. “This conversation is over.”
If she was fierce, then I was resilient. I sat on the end of the bed. I raised my hand to touch her on her arm as it itched since I found out from Ash that they had her.
“Don’t ever touch me.”
My hand hung in the air.
“Or I would hate you for the rest of my life if you ever try.”
***
I’d gone mad. I moved around the room, unable to sleep. I got myself drunk, hoping I could get some rest, but I didn’t get a blink until the sun rose from the horizon. I was still wide awake.
I put on my running shoes and ran around the parameters. Two hours later, I was fetched by one of the guards. The temptation of checking her was strong. I couldn’t think straight, but my mother, maybe was right, that I had to give Kennedy some time.
I took a shower and prepare for another appearance today.
I stopped dead in my tracks. My heart hammered hearing that familiar rich laugh.
“Oh my, God.” It was Kennedy. Jealousy twisted in the pit of my belly. How could she laugh like that with someone while she was avoiding me like I had leprosy?
“I told him to put me down.” Oh shit. She was with my mother. “My rear could be seen by people who might recognize us. He carried like I was a sack of potato.”
“Did he put you down?” she asked. Her curiosity put a smile on my lips.
Lud tsked. “That must be hard.”
I groaned. “Go away.”
“Let me know when you’re done eavesdropping.” He grinned before he left.
“Asshole.”
“I was hitting his bottom. Once we got to the car. We laughed out loud like lunatics.”
“Wait? What?” The image of her twinkling eyes sprung in my mind.
“We’re in love, but my father had another royal chosen for me.”
“Your date?”
“Yes. But I love Thayer’s father. So we planned that he should kidnap me.”
“Oh, my God. What happened then?”
My mother cleared her throat. “Honey? What did I tell about listening to other’s conversations?”
Shit.
“Busted.” I had no excuse but to show up. I was expecting Kennedy’s reaction would be dismayed upon seeing me, and I was right. Her face turned sour the moment our gazes met. “Actually, I was just leaving.” I looked at Mother while stealing a glance at Kennedy. “My car is waiting.”
“And?” Mom’s perfect brow arched.
“Sorry?”
“Be polite, honey.”
I chuckled inwardly. What was she doing? I looked like a ten-year-old kid in front of Kennedy. “That’s why I’m here. I want to say that I’m leaving for work.”
“Just talk to Kennedy and pretend that I’m not around.” She picked her teacup and sipped it.
I faced her. “I won’t come until tonight.”
“I know. Your mom already told me.” I knew she was just being polite in front of my mother. I could bet my life she would not talk to me if it was just the two of us. She made it clear last night.
Damn it. I just couldn’t do something right. I sighed in frustration. “Alright then.”
The look on my mother was not impressed.
“You’re free tomorrow. You can take Kennedy to the castle in Burkhese. Your secretary will arrange everything.”
“Um, Your Royal Highness. I apologize, but I don’t feel like going out.”
“Are you sure? It’s really nice there if you like scenery.”
“I thought you like to travel and explore—”
“That was weeks ago. Since I failed with my assignment, I won’t be able to get my promotion. And now I lost everything.” She rose from her seat. “Your Royal Highness, if you’ll excuse me.” She left.
She just left.
