Page 26 of Reckless Princess (Knight's Ridge Empire 8)

“Tracked me?” I screech.

“What? We need to keep track of our valuable assets,” he murmurs, cupping Sara’s face with his giant inked hands as she steps right up to him. She looks like a mouse who’s about to be mauled by a lion. “Isn’t that right, baby?”

“Hmm… I always know where you are. I stalk your arse daily.”

“Yeah, because you care. The only reason he wants me is for revenge. Don’t you think he’s already caused enough damage?”

“You think he doesn’t care?” Jesse asks, his eyes meeting mine over the top of Sara’s head.

“It was all an act. Fake. He played the part of the perfect boyfriend to make me fall. None of it was real,” I scoff, anger beginning to lick at my insides as I remember all the good times we had that have now been poisoned by the truth.

“If you say so.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “What do you know that I don’t?” I hiss, getting irritated with his vague statements.

“Nothing. Just a feeling.”

“You haven’t even seen us together. How would you even know what was between us?”

“You’re right. I don’t. Probably better if I butt out.”

Sara squeals as he grabs her arse and lifts her, switching their positions and wrapping her legs around his waist.

“Missed you, Care Bear,” he says before claiming her lips in a kiss that makes jealousy burn red-hot inside me.

Fuck. I had that. Even if it was for the briefest time and a complete lie, I still felt like I had found something special.

It’s what makes it hurt so much. In all my darkness, I really thought I had found just a little bit of light.

Sara is crying out Jesse’s name even before I get to her studio, telling me that I really need to go out.

The thought sends a shiver of fear down my spine, but I know it needs to happen.

Bri only got me out of starting work at Foxes for a week, and I haven’t forgotten that I promised Courtney I’d get a wax and visit a hairdresser before I started.

Dragging on a pair of leggings, a sports bra and hoodie, I tie my hair up and grab my phone and headphones.

“I’m going out for a run,” I call, although I’m not sure why I bother. From the banging, grunting and groaning coming from the kitchen, they’re more than a little preoccupied. Good for them. Sara should make the most of that Adonis as often as physically possible.

“Bye,” I call a beat before slamming the door and jogging down the stairs. I suck in a deep breath of fresh air as I step out onto the street. But I don’t let myself enjoy it for more than a second as Jesse’s words from the kitchen come back to me.

My eyes scan the street, searching for his less than inconspicuous car.

He should be at school right now. I should be safe. But I already know that he’s not one to follow the rules.

When I don’t see anything that raises my suspicions, I put my headphones in and take off.

I don’t know Lovell all that well, but I know where the main high street is, so I head in that direction, hoping the run is long enough to give my body the exercise it craves.

I come to a stop at the end of the main stretch of shops and rest back against a wall. I give myself a minute to catch my breath before pushing open the door of the salon next to me with a fake smile plastered on my face.

By some kind of miracle, I manage to book appointments in that first place for everything I need, and I walk out with the first step of my new life complete. Now, I’ve just got to figure out the rest.

My stomach growls, reminding me that I’ve only had coffee since getting woken before dawn, and the second I look up, I find a pasty shop.

Being brave and trying to pretend that I’m tackling some of my demons by even being out of the house, I follow a sign for a park with my paper bags of goodies in my hand and set about finding a bench.

I come to a stop overlooking a playground that’s filled with preschool kids and mostly their mums.