Page 111 of Deviant Princess (Knight's Ridge Empire 5)

A smile lights up his face and I can’t help but feel grateful that I’ve got him on my side.

He might be Theo’s best friend, but something tells me he really would take him down for this.

“You got it, cous.” He winks.

“Oh God,” I groan. “I’m one of you.”

“You sure are, Princess,” he mocks. “Straighten that crown, because when you walk back onto Knight’s Ridge soil next week, you’ll be there as royalty.”

“Because everyone doesn't already hate me enough.” I briefly think of the stupid bitches who I’m sure are only going to up their effort in making my life hell at school.

Although with those guys backing me up, maybe, just maybe, something good will come out of this.

Reaching up, I fiddle with the ring that’s now around my neck.

Piper gave me a chain to put it on. She seemed to understand my need to keep it close, but also my desire not to actually have it on my finger.

This seems like a good compromise.

“No one will hurt you again, Emmie. Especially not Theo.”

“We’ll see,” I mutter, not sharing his confidence.

“You know where we are if you need us.”

Before I get a chance to say anything, he slips from my room, and I can only assume by the fact that there’s no shouting that he manages to get out of the house unnoticed.

I don’t put too much thought into how he manages it. Instead, I slip down into the sheets and let my mind go where I’ve refused to allow it all day.

Theo.

Dad and Cruz went to see him. But what did they do? What did they say? And do I even really want to know?