Stealing His Princess

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m going to bed, and when I wake up, I want the girl in the living room.”

“Yes, sir.”

I retire to my room, satisfied that my orders will be fulfilled. I am Sov Charmont, after all.

Chapter Ten

Mackenzie

“What am I doing?” I mutter to myself as I sit in the basement. How is this less scary than all the things over my head? A man who could break my heart and Milly who could break every bone in my body if she truly wanted to. I touch my now cold cheeks to make sure they are dry. The last thing I wanted to do was to run into someone and be called out for crying. It could get someone killed.

My phone vibrates in my purse, reminding me that I have a pocket in my dress. I quickly find it, seeing I have a text from Jewels. I see a bunch of laughing emojis. I bet if she knew where I was right now she wouldn’t be laughing at all.

Jewels: You should have seen the way Sov dismissed Milly. I’ll never forget the look on her face. It was so good. God, I wish you were there to see it. Don’t worry I plan on re-enacting it for you over and over again.

I read the text over a few times. That can’t be right. I’d seen how they were together. Well, I hadn’t really but I heard them. Crap. What had I truly heard? The words Karin had told me many years ago pop into my head. How I should never truly believe something I didn’t see with my own eyes. The only thing I can think of is that Milly somehow got Sov to change his mind.

Me: What are they doing now?

I chew on my bottom lip as I wait for Jewels to text me back. Thank God she’s a quick texter, and the bubbles are already showing.

Jewels: She’s pouting at the bar.

Me: Where is he?

Jewels: With you? He disappeared not long after you did. It looked as though he was chasing after you.

Well, heck. If he wanted an easy lay, Milly was there for the taking. Then again, men love what they can’t have. He likely thinks I’m playing hard to get. To be honest, I have no idea what exactly it is that I’m doing. I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head and heart around the things this man makes me feel after knowing him for only a short time. Still, I swear I heard a woman.

“There you are.” I jerk my head up to see a tall, beautiful woman staring down at me. I try to place her, but nothing comes. She is breathtaking. Going off the dress she’s wearing, I’m guessing she was also here for the celebration. She looks to be a handful of years older than me. More Sov’s age than mine. Why do all my thoughts keep circling back to that man? It’s as if he has some sort of invisible hold on me that I can’t explain.

“We’ve been looking for you. You’re quick in heels. Much quicker than I could ever be.” I lift my dress to show the stunning woman my flats.

“Who is looking for me?” I stand, suddenly feeling silly for sitting on some tool rack looking thing.

“Sov. You ran when we got off the elevator. You know women tend to run toward him, not in the other direction.” She lets out a laugh. It sounds a lot like the one I’d heard on the elevator earlier.

“I didn't know he had company so I left.” I pretend to smooth my dress down, realizing I must have lost a few of the jewels.

“I was saying hello as he headed to his room. He was ducking out early as he always does. We went to school together.” I begin to relax with each word she says.

“So you chased me?”

“He might have offered up a nice reward to whoever could catch the girl who had somehow caught his eye.” As she says it, her eyes rake over me from top to bottom. “You’re different from all the other Vieth Orphans.”

I don’t respond to her comment. There is no need for me to.

“Reward?” She piqued my interest with that. Why would he be offering a reward to find me?

“Or maybe you aren't so different.” She smirks. “I don’t want to split it, but…”

“I don’t want anything.” I shake my head.

“Hmm.” She taps her finger to her lips. Is she wondering how she is going to collect her reward?

“What do you have to do to get this reward? Kidnap me?” I joke, but she doesn't laugh.

“I guess I could call him.” She starts to reach for the bag that is hanging off her wrist.

“I’ll go with you.” I stop her. “But I want something in return.” She lifts her eyebrow at me. I don’t wait for her to reply. “All you have to do is agree to tell me about Sov. Things I can’t easily look up online.” I stick my hand out, waiting for her to shake on it. A smirk pulls at her red lips before she takes my hand.