Page 15 of Royal Bargain

Me: Let me send you a link to my Soundcloud.

Twenty minutes later, Ingrid texts me back.

Ingrid: I want to meet with you. Tomorrow.

Me: How about The Gilded Cage? It’s in the Financial District.

Ingrid: Perfect. Be there at 2:15.

I’m vibrating with nerves the rest of the day, trying to figure out how I’m going to break the news to Liam. To be honest, I’m so excited that I can hardly contain myself, and as soon as he walks through the door, I’m spilling the entire thing.

Liam’s expression grows darker as I recount my story, and by the time I’m done, I feel my excitement quickly waning.

Crossing his arms, he curls his lip, crowding into my space. “How could you even think about going? You’d be putting yourself in so much danger! You’re supposed to be lying low right now! Have you forgotten that your father already knows that you’re here with me?”

My lip trembles, but I force myself to remain calm, refusing to let him take this away from me. “I have thought about it,” I tell him. “And this is what I need to do.”

“Unbelievable.” He shakes his head. “You’re so reckless, Ana. Have you even thought about what going out would mean? It would mean leaving Lily here, behind. Do you even care?”

I had thought about that, but reasoned to myself that it would be safer to leave her with Liam than to bring her with me. I figured it was for the best this way. I need to secure our future, and this was the way to do it.

“I know that,” I tell him, getting snippy. “But I’m still going. It would be an amazing opportunity for me. I’d get to meet with theheadof Arctic Records, Liam.”

His voice is a low snarl when he says, “You’re not going. And that’s final.” My hands tremble. I wish I didn’t have to do this—but I won’t be caged again.

I’m shaking as I advance toward him, jabbing at his chest with my finger to emphasize my words.

“If you think I’m trading one control-freak for another, you have a whole other thought coming, Liam Brannagan. I’m doing this, andthat’sfinal.”

Liam glances at Lily, who is playing with the mobile above her carrier. She stops long enough to flash him a wide, beaming smile before going back to babbling at the soft, crinkly sun over her head.

“Fine,” he says through clenched teeth. “I see that I can’t stop you, but if you’re going out, you’re going in disguise. I don’t needyour father’s men bearing down on you the minute you walk out this door.”

I breathe out slowly, nodding at his request. “Thank you.”

“And another thing. You’re taking one of the Brannagan guards with you as backup.”

God he’s insufferable.

7

LIAM

As the front door closes, I already feel my anxiety rising. The quiet stretches out before me and I rub my hands down my face, staring at the space Ana just left.

I have Shane with her, and yes, I trust him. He’s been with the family for years. Great under pressure, perfect aim, loyal, the whole shebang.

So why does it still feel like I’ve sent her out into a war zone wearing nothing but a paper bag?

At least I convinced her to wear a disguise. The dark wig covers her fiery red hair, and her sunglasses hide those big, green eyes that always give her away.

She even dressed in a more muted palate, cool tones of beige and gray that dulled her shine.

It should have made me relaxed, should have placated my fears.

Instead, I’m cursing myself for being a food, and watching her walk away with a pit in my stomach. I couldn’t even enjoy how sexy she looked in her disguise, like a supermodel about to conquer the runway.

I shake my head,trying to push the image out of my mind before it turns into a whole situation. “Focus,” I mutter to myself. “She’s safe. Shane’s with her. She’ll be fine.”