Enticing Liam (Big Sky Royal 2)

“I’m her security,” I confirm and wonder where the hell Phillip is. “And I’m telling you to leave now or be escorted out in front of the cameras for everyone to see.”

“You wouldn’t do that, you worthless piece of shite.”

“I need backup,” Phillip says behind me, and I watch as he takes Beau’s elbow in his hand and drags him from the hallway. “This is the last time I escort you away from the princess, arsehole.”

They disappear, and I turn back to Ellie. I’m full of anger, and I feel helpless. At Ellie’s request, I didn’t bring my weapon with me tonight.

Because I wasn’t on duty.

I could have easily beaten the piss out of that asshole, but that’s not the point. I can’t be with her and protect her at the same time.

“I’m so sorry you had to see that,” she says. “I didn’t know he would be here this evening.”

“Let’s go.”

“I can’t.” She frowns at me. “Liam, I’m hosting this fundraiser. I can’t leave until it’s over.”

“Fine. I’m going back. I’ll see you when you’re finished here.”

“You’re seriously leaving me here? I didn’t do anything wrong with Beau. Nothing happened.”

Frustration bubbles through me. I shake my head and push my hand through my hair.

“I know that. But I can’t stay here any longer, El. I’m sorry. Enjoy the rest of the party, and I’ll see you in a little while.”

I wait for Phillip to return to her side, and then I leave, taking a cab back to the palace.

* * *

“That’s not how it’s done here,” Ellie says as soon as she walks into her apartment and toes off her shoes, losing at least five inches of height. “You don’t attend an event with me and then leave without me. You were my escort, Liam.”

I drag my hand down my face in frustration.

“Ellie—”

“You embarrassed me,” she continues, fuming as she stomps around the living space. “Gretchen and Vivienne had a marvelous time talking behind their hands and laughing at me all night.”

“What do you care?” I roar, finally fed up with it all. “Why do you give a shit what those prissy bitches think of you? They’re not your friends or your family.”

“They’ll talk,” she says. “They’ll spread rumors and talk to the press. I’ll be dragged through the media.”

“Because I left an hour early?”

“Yes!” She throws her hands in the air. “Yes, because you left me there alone, without an escort. Liam, this wasn’t a birthday party for a child, or a private dinner with friends. It was a fundraising gala for a cause that I feel strongly about. I was asking those people to donate money. And you left.”

“You’re damn right I left, Eleanor. I was miserable there. Those people don’t give a shit about the children’s hospital. They care about being seen and having their photos taken and talking about stupid, frivolous garbage that no one cares about. I don’t know how you can stand to be around those people.”

She stops and stares at me. “I am those people, Liam.”

“Tonight, you were,” I agree, hating every word coming out of my mouth. This isn’t how this was supposed to go. We were supposed to have a calm conversation. “I don’t recognize you. I didn’t last week at the state dinner, either. Princess Eleanor is a very different woman from Ellie. I’m so fucking in love with Ellie that I can’t breathe without it hurting.

“Princess Eleanor? The jury’s out on that one. Because what I’ve seen of her is very different from Ellie.”

“What are you even talking about?” she asks, pacing the space. “Do you know how crazy you sound right now? I am Princess Eleanor.”

“Well, then we have a problem.”

She swallows hard, and just when I think she’s going to cry, her cheeks redden with anger. “If you can’t stand the sight of me doing the job I’ve been groomed for since the bloody day I was born, then you’re right, Liam. We have a problem. I can’t be the carefree, on-holiday woman you saw in Montana all of the time. I have a job. One that I rather like, actually.”

I nod and walk into the closet, fetching the bag I packed as I waited for her to return from the gala.

Ellie’s eyes widen when she sees me walk out again. The color that brightened her cheeks fades.

“Liam, we need to discuss this.”

“It’s always going to boil down to this, El. I. Don’t. Fit. In. Here. It isn’t your fault, or mine for that matter, we just come from two very different worlds. I can’t do this. I’m sorry.”

I walk to her and press my lips to her forehead, and then, while my feet can still carry me, I walk out of her apartment and text security to ask for a ride to the airport.

Chapter 18

~Ellie~

I rush from the room, running after Liam with my heart beating out of my chest, blood rushing through my ears. I don’t know which way he went, but I swing the entrance door open and frantically search up and down the dimly lit hallway.