Page 79 of Deviant Princess (Knight's Ridge Empire 5)

EMMIE

I barely get any sleep. Between the comforting, yet slightly irritating feeling that I was being watched and the constant spinning of my head as I considered over and over if I did the right thing or not, I barely rested.

I lie awake as the winter sun begins to illuminate the room as a new day, a new year, starts.

I let out a long sigh. What a fucking way to start a new year.

I have no clue what I’m meant to do now.

My planning got me as far as escaping the fucked-up clutches of Damien Cirillo and his equally psychotic son.

But now I’m here with Cruz, I have no idea what’s next.

I can’t just go home. Theo is probably already there, sitting on my bed, waiting for me.

Well, I’m not planning on making this quite that easy for him.

I refuse to walk back into a trap.

I’m no longer his puppet.

“Things can only get better from here on out, kid,” a deep, rumbling voice says from behind me.

“You’d hope so, right?” I push up the bed until I’m resting back against the headboard with my arms wrapped around my knees.

I’m wearing a pair of pyjamas Cruz had picked up for me. They’re nice. Black, obviously. But they’re not his shirt.

Nostalgia sits heavy in my chest as I think back over some of our better times together. Hell, even some of our worst times.

When we’re together, something just feels so right, despite the fact that everything is so fucking wrong.

“Want me to order breakfast?” Cruz offers.

Glancing over, I can’t help the guilt that hits me when I find him sitting in a chair, the bed beside mine unused.

“You didn’t sleep?” I ask, my brows pinching.

“I was too keyed up and waiting for the mafia to storm the place.”

I sit bolt upright. “They don’t know where we are, right?”

“That’s the plan, but those fuckers seem to know everything.”

“Yeah, don’t they just,” I mutter under my breath. “I can’t believe I’m actually related to them.”

“You’re not the only one,” Cruz says, scrubbing at his rough chin.

“I know I said it last night, but thank you for ruining your New Year’s plans to rescue me.”

“You don’t need to thank me. You need me, I’m always there.”

I smile sadly at him. He’s a good guy, he really is. I just wish Dad would give him a chance to prove it.

“I’m gonna freshen up. Order double of whatever you fancy.”

I pee and then stand in front of the mirror, staring at my pale, exhausted face.

Everything about this feels so… wrong, and I hate that I’m questioning my decision when I know it was what needed to happen.