Page 16 of Deviant Princess (Knight's Ridge Empire 5)

THEO

After finding Emmie’s house key in her handbag, I locked up the flat and headed out.

Driving across town was the last thing I wanted to be doing. All I could think about as my fingers gripped the wheel on the way here was crawling onto her bed, pulling her into my arms and falling asleep.

But that’s not how life is with us anymore.

It's all my fault. I’m more than aware of that fact, but it doesn't mean I don’t wish she could forget everything just for a couple of hours and let me hold her once more.

Thankfully, there’s no alarm or anything in the way of security on her father’s house, so after pushing the key in the lock, I step right in.

It’s the first time I’ve properly been inside. I’ve only ever stepped foot in her bedroom before, and that wasn’t exactly by invitation.

I take my time checking out each room. I study the photographs that line the mantlepiece and shelves. I open drawers and have a quick look through them. I have no idea what I’m expecting to find. It’s not like Dawson is going to have hard evidence of what his daughter may or may not have been involved with, but I look nonetheless.

It’s not until I get to her bedroom that I really start paying attention.

I don’t leave an inch of that room unturned. Part of me wants to find something. A wad of cash, a stash of blow, or worse. Something, anything, that will make her look guilty and give me a reason to punish her, to force her out of my system, because right now, all I want to do is comfort her. And although my gut is telling me she deserves it, my brain is erring on the side of caution.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, I drop my head into my hands.

I’m surrounded by the things I’ve packed for her, but I’ve found nothing incriminating.

My entire body aches with exhaustion, and the temptation to just lie down and fall asleep is almost too much to deny. Being surrounded by her scent is almost as good as being next to the real thing… right?

But in the end, I force myself to get up, throw her duffle bag over my shoulder, grab her school bag, laptop and everything else she requested, and head back downstairs—just as confused about this whole thing as I was before I entered.

One of the phones buzzes in my pocket as I sit in my car outside her house, willing myself to start the engine and drive home.

Pulling them out, I find it’s Emmie’s with another message from Stella asking if she’s alive yet again.

Unlocking it, I quickly tap out a reply, hoping like hell I make a convincing girl.

Emmie: Yes, I’m alive. We’ve had a busy weekend ;)

She starts typing immediately.

Stella: About fucking time you two bumped uglies. I want all the deets. Coffee tomorrow? Assuming you can walk!

The thought of fucking Emmie until she can’t walk makes my cock stir. It’s pointless, though. It’s not like it’s going to be seeing any action for a while. Or ever.

My balls still ache from the knee they took earlier. Next time, I doubt she’ll be so impulsive about it. She’ll probably have a weapon ready to cut them off.

With a sigh, I tap out a quick reply, wondering how the hell I’m going to get out of this.

Emmie: I think Theo mentioned going out tomorrow. I’ll let you know our plans.

Stella: Wow, you two really are taking this seriously all of a sudden.

You have no fucking idea, Stella.

The dots start bouncing and I wait for what she might have to say.

Stella: Be careful, Em. I know that Theo is a good guy deep down but… I dunno. Got a bad feeling.

My heart slams against my ribs and my stomach knots. The last fucking thing I need is Stella getting involved. She’ll be like a dog with a fucking bone if she senses something is up.

“Fuck,” I hiss, contemplating what to send back.