Page 3 of It Takes a Thief (Ring of Thieves #2)

G rasping at my throat, fighting to pull in a breath, it feels like I’m suffocating as I storm off the edge of the veranda and run. Run from it all—my demanding parents, my overwhelming responsibilities and, most of all, from a life I don’t want.

Running, running, running. Lately, that’s all I seem to be doing, and I’m getting so very tired.

Hot tears stream down my face, ruining my makeup, but I don’t care.

I’m exhausted from always trying to be perfect.

I yank my chignon loose, shaking my hair free, and abruptly stop when I reach the rocky edge of the jasmine-covered cliff.

There’s nowhere left to run. I’m trapped, out of options, and this literal metaphor is not lost on me as my world comes crashing down, causing a cacophony of distress in the depths of my soul.

Far below, I hear the Mediterranean Sea battering the rocks, its angry roar commiserating with me. I drop my head back and let out a frustrated cry, knowing this is mostly my own damn fault. All because I made a promise when I was eighteen that I never thought I’d have to keep.

I’ve never felt so confined, and the walls are closing in fast. If I don’t find a way to escape within the next couple of weeks, I’ll be completely crushed, forced to marry a man I don’t love and expected to take on the heavy weight of an entire kingdom.

Clenching my fists, squeezing my eyes shut, I collapse on a small patch of grass and swipe away the tears. Why is nothing ever easy? I wonder.

Nearly five years ago, I made a deal with my parents: if they allowed me to attend college in New York City, I’d return home after graduation and embrace my royal responsibilities, which include getting married and producing heirs.

I was the one who stupidly mentioned Jeffrey Dumas as a potential partner because our families are old friends, and I knew they’d approve of the match.

Ever since his name slipped out of my mouth, I’ve regretted it.

I chalk it up to desperation because I wanted to leave Arcadia and experience a new, faraway world different from where I’d grown up.

Now that my time is almost up and I’ve tasted freedom, I realize it was a foolish bargain to make.

Ironically, I’ve dug my own grave. But, at the time, I would’ve promised anything to escape.

Because in the back of my mind, I was never returning except to visit.

My romantic heart planned on finding a man to fall in love with and eventually marry.

If that happened, I knew my parents would allow me to travel back and forth between the States and Arcadia, and we’d figure out a way to lighten my royal duties.

They agreed to my proposition and graciously allowed me to leave.

Living in NYC was the best four years of my life.

Unlike so many royals, no one knew who I really was, and it’s where I met my best friend, Charity.

Time flew by and the idea of leaving after graduation left me bereft. I begged for another year.

And because my parents really do love me and were still both perfectly capable of ruling their kingdom without me, they gave me more time and we made a new deal.

If I met someone special, fell in love and got engaged during those three hundred and sixty-five days, they would give me conditional approval to live wherever I wanted with my husband.

Then, when they stepped down, I would officially take over as ruler.

But, if I didn’t find anyone, I would leave the States, return home and assume my royal responsibilities.

And along with that would be an engagement to Jeffrey Dumas.

The idea of calling an arrogant, pompous ass like Jeffrey my husband leaves me feeling cold and dead inside.

He’s been trying to court me for years, but I get the feeling he’s more enamored with the palace, wealth and the idea of royalty than me.

For the sake of propriety, I’m polite and nice enough, but I have no real interest in him.

I merely used him as a bargaining chip before running off to NYC.

And now that they acquiesced and gave me what I asked for, my parents are expecting me to honor my promise. I’d rather pluck my eyeballs out.

Sighing, I pluck a few blades of grass instead. Sometimes I wonder if I’m being ungrateful. But money, royalty and power don’t interest me. All I’ve ever wanted is to be normal, to fit in, to be like everyone else.

To find someone who will love me for myself. A man who will love Merritt the woman, not Merritt the Royal Princess of Arcadia. Who wants a relationship with me, not a crown.

Now I have exactly fourteen days until our deal expires, and the panic has set in hard. A bone-deep dread that caused this breakdown. Normally, I’m so composed, so accommodating, so—

“Are you okay?” a deep voice asks.

Startled, I jump, but immediately calm when I recognize Linc’s voice. It possesses elements of strength and authority, and it does funny things to my insides. “Not really,” I admit, staring out at the black sea and sky.

A slight rustling sound fills the warm air as he moves closer and sits down beside me.

His presence can’t be ignored—it’s larger than life and radiates power.

As much as Lincoln Decker might fascinate me, I don’t want him seeing me right now.

I look like a hot mess, not the put-together princess he and the rest of the world normally see.

“I’d like to be alone, please.” I strive to sound authoritative, but even I can’t miss the slight tremor in my voice.

“Sorry, but I’m not going anywhere.” His voice has a gruff, raspy edge to it that I find insanely appealing. If I’m being honest, there’s a lot about Linc I find appealing. “I’m on bodyguard duty, remember?”

How could I forget?

Glancing over, I look up at him. His face isn’t classically handsome, but more rugged, with serious, dark brown eyes that always seem to be assessing the situation.

Just the right amount of stubble covers his angular jaw, making it sexy as hell.

My gaze drifts down to his broad chest and over to his huge biceps.

I bet he could crack coconuts with them.

The sleeves of his fitted T-shirt look about ready to split, causing a spike of heat to arrow straight down and zap my core.

Lincoln Decker is hard, primal and powerful. Rough around the edges. Tough as nails. His wildness attracts me, and he possesses a fierceness that should put me on edge. Instead, it’s making me more curious.

Smoothing my hair back, I attempt to pull myself together. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m a terrible brat.”

He arches a thick, dark eyebrow. “I’m not sure I have enough information to make that assessment. And I really don’t know the full story here of what just happened. But my job is to keep you safe, so I think we should remedy that.”

“You don’t want to hear my problems.”

“Try me.”

Pulling my knees up to my chest, I wrap my arms around myself, and pull in a deep, shaky breath. Maybe opening up to someone other than Charity, to an outsider with no real loyalties, will help.

Guess it’s worth a shot, I decide, and begin to tell Linc about the deal I made with my parents and how my time is almost up.

He listens quietly, full attention on me, and I find myself sharing more than I initially intended.

Like how I’m scared I’m about to be forced into a loveless marriage and a future that will slowly destroy me.

Once I’ve babbled on and on for at least ten minutes—probably more like twenty—my shoulders sag and, surprisingly, I feel a little lighter.

“Better?” he asks.

“A little. You’re a good listener.”

“You have an interesting story, Princess.”

“Oh, please, don’t call me that.” A sigh escapes my lips. I don’t want to be reminded of my fate or status, and I’d rather have someone see the real me. “I have a name, and I’d much prefer you call me Merritt.”

He gives me a slight nod. “Merritt, then.”

The sound of my name on his lips sends a tingle through me, and the breeze catches his scent, musk and spice, and it teases my nose.

An unusual shyness washes over me. Why am I suddenly wondering what he’d look like shirtless?

All those hard, sleek, bulging muscles on display.

I lower my legs to the side and press my thighs together.

Don’t go there, Mer. I’m the reluctant princess with a reluctant bodyguard, and all this will be over soon. He was hired as a temporary protector—just until I’m safely ensconced back in the royal palace. I know he didn’t want to take the job—I overheard his team talking—but here we are.

“I suppose the good news is you’ll be rid of me shortly.”

Again, he arches that brow. “Why is that good?” he rumbles.

“Isn’t it?” I ask softly, searching his dark, unreadable expression. “I’m sure you have better things to do than babysit me all day.”

“Nothing too pressing.”

Looking into his eyes, hearing the honesty in his words and seeing the way he looks back at me without expectations, the craziest idea I’ve ever had hits me. It’s completely and utterly bonkers, but…

A kernel of hope begins to take shape as I study Linc. It could actually work , a little voice whispers.

“Why’re you looking at me like that?” he asks, shifting his heavy bulk on the grass, suddenly wary.

Of lil ol’ me?

“Like what?” I innocently ask, carefully smoothing my dress over my thighs.

“Like a piece of meat,” he bluntly responds.

I flush. “I’m not.”

Swallowing down my nerves, I figure it’s now or never. Time is running out fast and it’s imperative to be bold.

“I, ah, just had an idea. Completely crazy, but something that would allow me to stay in New York and escape here.”

“Oh?”

Dammit, he isn’t going to make this easy. Clearing my throat, I meet his curious, but wary, eyes and go for broke. “If I can convince my parents I’ve met someone special and fallen in love, I can stay in the States.”

“Uh huh.”

“At this point, it doesn’t even have to be real. I just need a temporary pretend fiancé.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

“Just someone who they’d believe I’d be attracted to and who would be attracted to me.”

“Yep.”

“Someone they wouldn’t think was merely after my money or the throne.”

“Sure.”

“So, I was thinking maybe you might possibly be up for the job?” I bat my lashes, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.