She opens her mouth to stop me, but I dart off toward the bathroom. I catch Amber’s eyes and tap my wrist to indicate it’s time to wrap it up. We’ve been here too long, and we’re going to get caught if we don't get a move on soon. It’s harder to dodge a couple of princes than one would think. Even when you’re not in their country anymore.
She nods, and I roll my eyes as I watch her pick the man’s wallet when he goes to spin her around again. I know she’ll only toss it, but it’s all about the thrill for her. For both of us really. We don’t have a reason to steal anymore, but some habits die hard.
Now we have more money than we know what to do with, and we’re at a loss. It was fun at first because we didn’t have to think about where our next meal might come from. There’s freedom in being ungodly wealthy, but there’s also been an emptiness about it.
We were just after a thrill, but now we’re in a game of cat and mouse with a pair of brothers that are either sending us to prison or the altar. We got in over our heads this time, and I don’t know how this will end.
I sneak down the hallway to wait for my sister, and I hate that we’re not saying goodbye. Lindsey and Darian are going to murder us, but it’s what we have to do.
The problem with running from royalty is that not only are they just as wealthy as we are with access to private planes and hotel bookings under assumed names, but they’re powerful. They have access to anything and everything, even things they shouldn’t.
I tap my shoe, waiting for Amber to hurry up, and then suddenly I’m trying to scream as a hand comes down over my mouth. An arm wraps snuggly around my waist, and I’m pulled against the large, hard body at my back. I know it’s Magnus right away just from the feel of him. Why was it me that drew his attention? Out of the two Strand brothers, he’s by far the meaner-looking one. From my understanding he lives up to that, and if anything he’s a better fit for my sister. Why isn't he chasing after her? A weird jealousy fills me at the thought, but I don’t have time to dwell on it as he moves his lips up my neck.
“My little bird. I think it’s time to clip those wings,” he whispers, and his warm breath fans against my skin before he presses a kiss to the shell of my ear.
His lips spur me into action, and I scream against his hand. I try to fight, but my strength quickly drains, and I know it’s over.
I belong to him now.
Chapter 2
Magnus
“Stop fighting,” I growl as I carry Allison out of the back door to the waiting car. The driver has the door open and doesn’t say a word as I clearly kidnap her from the event against her will. “The airport,” I bark as I slam the door.
“No! We can’t leave, Amber is still in there,” she pleads, and her eyes widen as the driver speeds away.
“Not for long,” I say and straighten my suit. “Henrik has another car waiting.”
Her eyes widen in realization, and she slumps against her seat. “Why are you doing this?”
“I allowed you to attend your sister's wedding and even let you enjoy most of the reception. But my good graces are over, and I’m coming to claim what’s owed.”
“You can’t be serious.” A strand of dark hair falls out of her perfectly styled bun, and my fingers itch to tuck it behind her ears.
My face is dark as I lean in close, and she tries and fails to put distance between us. “I never joke about my possessions.”
“It was a stupid card game, Magnus. You can’t come to the other side of the world and kidnap me.”
“Who was that man you were dancing with?” My scowl is so intense it narrows my vision. “Why did you let him touch you? To make me jealous?”
She crosses her arms and looks out the window as she raises her chin defiantly. “I’m not answering any questions until I talk to my sister.”
“Then it will be a silent trip home.”
When she turns to face me, her eyes widen once more. “To Norway?”
“Ja.” I answer in Norwegian, and her mouth falls open.
My brother Henrik and I were on vacation in the Greek Islands after a year of nonstop work since we’d taken the throne. We lost our mother, the pillar of our royal family, the year before, and since then we’d taken over duties. Henrik and I decided to forgo tradition and share the responsibility even though I was the eldest and next in line. It was balked at by others in line, but we didn’t care. Our mother raised us to forge our own path, and so we did.