Page 14 of Kings & Queen

I still couldn’t believe she called him that. I shook my head.

“What are you doing in here?” he asked, smiling at the nickname.

“It’s Ivan’s night, or it would be if he were here and still loved me,” she sobbed, looking lost and so fucking small on his enormous bed.

Sebastian and I exchanged another look. Her heartbreak spoke volumes. Whatever had happened between them was bad.

“Sebastian brought you some clothes, although if you want to wear Ivan’s T-shirt, you’re more than welcome to. Dinner’s almost done, and we’d really love it if you’d join us.” Several emotions ran across her face as she contemplated my words.

“I promise no questions tonight. Just dinner with friends. I’d like to think we’re all friends here,” I said, trying to put her mind at ease.

“Okay.” She gave off a small sniffle and took a deep breath.

“How about if we leave these bags here for you, and you can get dressed and join us?” Sebastian asked, setting the bags down in Ivan’s room.

She nodded and pushed her hair behind her ear. We left her alone and waited out in the hall for her. A few minutes later, she emerged wearing a pair of baggy shorts, despite Sebastian’s attempt to get the right fit, and Ivan’s shirt still adorned her small frame. It would have swallowed her whole if she hadn’t cleverly secured it through a single loophole on the shorts.

The staff had gathered inside the large dining room, and all greeted her warmly when we walked in. She instinctively moved closer to Sebastian and me, but by the time she got to Holly, she was more relaxed.

“Ms. Taylor, if you have any special requests for food, please let me know, and I’ll ensure we have it for you. I’ve heard you bake some amazing treats. The kitchen is available for your use at any time.” Holly offered her a warm smile.

“Thank you, that’s very kind,” she said as I waved her to an empty seat.

Throughout the meal, she was reserved and pushed the food around on her plate, not eating much.

“We’ll give you the official tour after dinner. But do you think you could eat a little something for us first?” I asked.

“Yes, Sir.” Her voice was so soft we had to strain to hear her. She took small bites, looking at us for approval after several of them.

“Good girl,” Sebastian remarked instinctively, causing her to take another.

We kept the conversation light and didn’t mention that the gentlemen were due home in a little over a week and a half. I was hoping there would be enough time to prepare her.

Chapter 8

Kinsley

Where To Begin?

Following Sebastian and Marcelinto the drawing room, I took a seat opposite them. I pulled my knees up, laid my head down on them, and waited. Seeing Marcel earlier today was such a relief to my soul that I wanted to pour out everything, and I’d spent some time during dinner deciding how I was going to do this.

It was imperative that I share my story without involving the other girls. While we experienced it together, their story was not mine to tell, and I’d already concluded I’d never see them again. Not when my only option was to disappear off the face of the earth.

I had foolishly put off what I should have done the moment I awoke from the fire. If I had told the fire chief to take me to town, there would have been nothing the Kings could have done to stop me. Instead, I selfishly tried to ride it out, and all it did was backfire.

Now Marcel would get the truth of what happened during the two years I went missing. It just wouldn’t involve my season sisters on any level. I would pretend I was alone. Hell, with the strict way we weren’t allowed to communicate or connect, I may as well have been.

So the story would be truth mixed with lies—the lies being the fake schedule of my forced performances. I could make it work. It was a simple matter of changing the language fromusandwetoIandme.

I took a deep breath. “Dr. Marcel, can we talk for a bit?”

Shock registered on his handsome face. “Of course we can. What would you like to talk about?” he tentatively added.

Sebastian got up to leave, but I stopped him. “Please stay. I’ll save the really tough stuff for later, but I need to tell you both something, and it’s important.” The two of them exchanged a look while Sebastian sat back down. “I think Iam—” I started and then took a deep breath to rephrase it. “I’m in danger, and being involved with me comes at a cost. One that no one is responsible for paying but me.”

“Why don’t you let us be the judge on the cost of being involved with you,” Marcel said.

“I promise to tell you everything. I meant what I said about being ready, and once I tell you, I’ll need your help. I left something in Skagit that is very valuable to me and my future.”