Page 55 of A Queen and HER Bad Boy (Spies and Royals #4)

That’s what she was afraid of. “No! You stupid, stubborn… Captain Cod!”

Too late, she saw the dark, self-deprecating smile curve his lips. “That’s exactly what I am,” he said softly.

Of course, he’d agree with her! This was getting out of hand.

Her gaze traveled across the ballroom where she spied a cruelly handsome face.

The Earl was a devil, and he’d devour her soul slowly.

There would be no gentleness from him, no tenderness like she’d found with Achilles. Could she really stomach that?

The music began to fade, the final notes of the waltz dying away as she turned to find Achilles watching her with an intensity that made her breath catch. The Earl would never look at her like—like what? Love? Was this truly love?

Her throat tightened as confusion crashed over her. She’d been so sure that Achilles felt nothing beyond duty for her, but new doubt crept in, which made everything infinitely worse. He was so unpredictable when his heart was involved. What made her think that she could ever control a man like him?

“Let me fix this,” he whispered. “Just give me tonight.”

“Tonight?” She hardly knew what he wanted her to agree to, but in response to his steady, unwavering gaze, she nodded. “I think…” Her father was going to lose it if he ever found out about this, “I think, yes, Achilles, I’ll give you one night.”

Relief flooded his features. He squeezed her hand.

As the final chord of their song echoed through the ballroom, she tore her eyes away, scarcely believing that he’d talked her into…

what? What could he possibly do? Charge into the underworld like Orpheus seeking his lost love?

She broke from him then. Her skirts sliding across the polished marble as she approached the platform where her father waited with the ancient crown of Tirreoy, its weight of centuries pressing down on her before it even touched her head.

Why had she given Achilles tonight of all nights! When she’d be crowned queen and everything was slated to be perfect. She didn’t know what her father was capable of anymore—but he could very well murder them all for this!

A hand touched her arm. Subtle, possessive, experienced in not drawing attention.

“My dear Princess,” the familiar, malicious voice poured over her in a sugary soup.

“You look absolutely radiant tonight. Though perhaps a bit… melancholy?” Every nerve in her body recoiled.

Swinging on her heel, she found herself face to face with the monster from her nightmares.

He’d picked the wrong fight at the wrong time.

The Earl’s handsome features were marred by an expression of bored cruelty. “Allow me to cheer you up.”

She straightened, steel replacing the fear in her spine. Achilles wasn’t the only one who could be brave, and the anger over her father’s poor treatment these past few days only fueled her. “I’m sorry, my lord, but I don’t recall asking for your help!”

His chiseled jaw lifted. “So proud, so untouchable… but will you remain so after tonight’s revelations? Your father seemed so eager for my assistance to destroy the enemies of our people…”

Had they been discussing Achilles? They wouldn’t hurt him, would they? With difficulty, she tried to keep the alarm from her face. “I’m not sure I follow your meaning?”

“Do you not? There has been talk that the Myrdons have mobilized on the Island of Aeaea. A certain political prisoner is being held there… someone your father is quite content to let rot in obscurity.”

Her blood turned to ice. “Aggie Mnon.” So that is where they’d hidden the psychopath.

The Earl neither confirmed nor denied her guess. “I told him that I would help him organize military operations in that area, put the rebels in their place, so that we don’t have another incident—I’m sure you would agree. Your brush with your cousin wasn’t pleasant, so I’ve heard.”

So, he wanted war, just like he’d hinted at the last time he’d cornered her in the library.

The man was dying to stain his hands in the blood of innocent people to drill on that island.

“Your father, of course, wants to show his gratitude for my cooperation,” he said.

“We’ve been discussing arrangements that concern you . ”

She stiffened, her skin crawling at what sort of plans her father had made behind her back.

“I am quite pleased with our negotiations,” The Earl said.

Not a surprise, the snake! If they weren’t surrounded by Tirreoy’s glittering elite, she’d show him exactly how she felt. “You’d better spit out what you’re saying, Dimitri. I have no time for these word games.”

He blinked, looking only mildly surprised at her sudden show of spirit.

“Only that you have been lonely as of late…” She gasped in return, though he didn’t confirm her worst fears of being forced into a marriage of inconvenience with him, he had a way of beating her over the head with his disgusting threats.

“Don’t expect any help from your present husband in these matters. He seems… happy.”

Following his gaze, she turned and felt her heart sink to her toes.

There, spinning gracefully across the dance floor, was Achilles with Charisse in his arms .

Oh c’mon, Achilles, you sure didn’t waste any time!

The first notes of a waltz had only just started, and he held the blonde American heiress close, showing the world exactly how little his promises meant to his fiery wife.

Despair crashed over her.

Why did Charisse have to look like such an angel?

She practically floated away in a gown of flowing blue silk—all while keeping perfect posture.

Those cornflower blue eyes gazed up at Achilles with obvious adoration, and he was actually smiling at her—that was the smile he used on Bris when he wanted something.

She seethed. Everything in her wanted to tear those wings off Charisse’s perfect shoulders… and the woman had information about his father.

“Just give me tonight.”

Achilles had asked her to trust him—could she not do that for one night? Bris couldn’t trust anyone! Her own father had turned on her time and time again.

“Don’t fret,” the Earl said. “I haven’t forgotten you. I will protect you from these circling vultures.”

“Why?” she snapped. Not having Achilles in front of her, she directed her wrath on him instead.

“I’m not going to support your wars against Aeaea.

If that is what my father has promised you in return for caging up Aggie Mnon, then the deal is off.

Let me remind you that I will be Queen, not my father. ”

“I was led to understand…”

She cut him off, “Let me make one thing clear—we are never doing business, you and I.”

His shoulders lifted in shock, and it took him an awkwardly long moment to respond. “How unfortunate.” His lips quivered in rage so he could barely get the words out. “Accidents have been known to happen to those who refuse my… protection.”

Was he threatening her now? It was like the guy had never heard the word “no” in his life.

“There will come a time when you’ll beg for an alliance with me,” he said, “—and I do mean beg.”

Achilles hadn’t punched him, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t!

His threat had the opposite effect than what he’d intended, and it threw her into a blind rage.

“The only thing I’ll be begging for is the pleasure of watching you rot in a cell next to Aggie Mnon,” she said.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I am about to become your Queen. ”

The Earl’s face darkened with fury, but he stepped aside… barely as she shoved past him. She strode for one of the undercover guards positioned strategically near the exit. “Escort that man out!” She pointed, and her orders were followed with satisfying speed.

“Unhand me!” Dimitri twisted away from the men who surrounded him, his face red with fury.

“I will see my way out.” He smoothed his fine ivory jacket, uselessly attempting to regain his pride and failing miserably.

“Frankly, it isn’t as if her reign will last long, not after her favorite Myrdon turns on her. ”

Bris spun away from him. Her fists clenched as she marched to her next battle.