Don't Promise (Don't 3)

“Hey, it’s ok. It doesn’t have to go that fast.”

I shook my head. “But it already has. I’m scared to death that I can feel something like this for him so quickly. But it’s like the more I try to fight it, the more he has a hold on me. I’m in so deep.”

She smiled. “I’m happy for you. Try to enjoy it. Even if there is an evil queen. What fairy tale doesn’t have one of those?”

We both laughed.

“Oh shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.” Brooklyn’s face turned white and her laughter ceased.

“What is it?”

She cowered in the corner, trying to hide behind me.

“Him.”

“Who?”

“From the gala, him.”

I thought she was talking about the MC. “Yeah, I know. He’s the royal announcer apparently. Don’t worry. He’s not going to say anything.”

She shook her head. “Not the old

guy. Him.” She pointed carefully. “Sebastian Roux. The duke. He was the one.”

“The one you went home with at the gala?” I questioned.

“Yes,” she eked. “Shit. What if he sees me?”

“Is that bad?”

I still had no idea what happened with her the night of the gala. On the rare occasions we had seen each other since, we were so short on time it wasn’t discussed. I assumed I would get the details eventually, but not like this in a room full of hundreds of people.

“It’s terrible.”

I looked at Brooklyn. “Did he do something?” I was worried. “Did he hurt you?”

“Oh God no. Nothing like that. No, he wasn’t like that.” She gulped. “He saw me. He’s coming over.”

There was no point in trying to conceal her. Brooklyn was tall. She was stunning and men always noticed her. I saw the man she was talking about and he was on a mission. He was headed straight for us.

33

Damon

“You realize this is beneath you.” I stared at my mother. She hadn’t softened in the years since she left Freychon.

“It’s certainly beneath you,” she snapped. “She’s not crown material. You know that. She will disgrace your father’s legacy.”

I leaned toward her as if I was going to kiss her cheek and smiled. “I am my father’s legacy. And I have chosen her.”

“American?” I heard the disdain in her voice. “Not an ounce of royal blood.”

“That’s enough.”

I took a step back. There were too many ears in the vicinity. Too many bullshitters who would eavesdrop and gloat over our family squabble. Happy that we were broken since my father died. One more sign the House of Sauvage should hand over the royal reins to another family.

My mother clicked her tongue. “Looks like Sebastian has the same taste you do.”