Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

“So? I don’t want to stay here anymore. Let’s go. Who cares about the time?”

I pushed away from the table, squeaking the chair against the polished floor.

“We have an early morning. You’re scheduled to make your comeback appearance at the library.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to think about the library. I just want to get out of here.”

“It’s a craving, isn’t it?” she asked. “I’m not doing a very good job.”

I looked at her. “It’s not a drink I need a distraction from,” I admitted.

She looked confused. “I don’t understand. I thought that’s what this was about. You wanted me to keep you from drinking. I’ve failed.”

“No, Kenley. That’s not it at all. I don’t need a babysitter.” I gritted my teeth.

I hadn’t told anyone. But it suddenly made sense that the first person I told should be Kenley. I’d been holding that letter close to my chest for almost two months. She had handled every scandal with precision. She had an innate ability to piece together a solution no matter how badly I fucked something up. And why wouldn’t I trust her with this now? I could have trusted her with it all along if I had been sober enough to come up with a plan.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to say.” She threw her hands in the air. “This isn’t normal. I don’t know what to do when we aren’t operating inside normal.”

I blinked. What in the hell was she talking about?

“What’s normal? When I’m drunk?”

Her breath caught. “That’s not what I meant. I would never say something like that. I think it’s getting late and we should get some sleep. Everything has to be perfect tomorrow. I’ll be back at seven.”

My hand caught her wrist as she tried to wiggle past me. “Wait.”

There was something in her eyes that burned right through me. Fuck, what was happening tonight?

Her eyes dropped to where my hand gripped her skin before lifting them to mine. “What is it, sir?” she whispered.

I dropped her arm as quickly as I had grabbed it. “Nothing.” I shook my head. “You can go.”

She ran out of the apartment, using the staff tunnel. The door clicked in place behind her. It was as loud as the gate clanging on a prison cell.

I wasn’t going to be trapped here. I wouldn’t let myself feel like a caged tiger.

I picked up the phone. “Yes, sir?” One of the aides in the downstairs operations office answered my call.

“I need a car.”

“What time, your majesty?” he asked.

“Now.” I realized it was after midnight. I didn’t give a shit. I had to get out of here.

“I believe Georgan is available. I will have him meet you at the royal entrance immediately.”

“Thank you.” I hung up and grabbed my jacket, rolling my sleeves in place as I took the elevator to the first floor.

The long black car was running when I walked outside. Georgan greeted me as I ducked into the backseat.

“Where are we going tonight, your majesty?” he asked.

I wasn’t going to let regret move in already. Sure, I had lied to Kenley, but it wasn’t the first time. I couldn’t be expected to change all my habits at once.

I cleared my throat. “The Titan.”

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