Page 26 of Royal Bargain

A giddy laugh escapes me, uninvited. “They did seem to like it.”

“They didn’t like it. They loved it.” She leans in, lowering her voice. “You just earned yourself a real shot, Annika. I’m thinking local interviews. Some live clips for social media. Maybe even a podcast appearance.”

I nod, the buzz starting to fade beneath the weight of her words. This is real. It’s really happening.

She’s still talking—something about her assistant reaching out tomorrow, maybe a feature spot in an upcoming showcase—but my attention is elsewhere. I feel the hairs on the back of my neck prickle and I realize something isn’t right.

Someone’s watching me.

At the far end of the theater, just inside the main exit, a man stands in the shadows. His attention is laser-focused on where I’m standing.

My heart stutters in my chest.

His arms are folded, posture too rigid, too still. There’s something in the way he holds himself that buzz across my skin like a low volt of electricity.

I know that stance.

I’ve seen it at family dinners. At “business” meetings behind closed doors. At my father’s side.

He's one of ours. One of my father’s men.

Ingrid’s voice fades into a distant murmur as my stomach turns to knots. The man tilts his head slightly, just enough for the light to catch the sharp edge of his jaw, the slicked-back hair, the faint scar above his right brow. And I recognize him. It’s Pavel.

One of my father’s most loyal lieutenants.

I tear my gaze away, swallowing hard, the rush of victory bleeding out of my body like someone popped a balloon. My hands start to shake.

“Annika?” Ingrid’s voice cuts back in, sharp with concern. “Are you alright?”

I paste on a smile that feels as fake as her nails.

“Yeah,” I lie. “Just a little lightheaded.”

I try to breathe through it.

Just nerves. Just adrenaline. It’s fine. Just…

“Hey.” Liam’s voice breaks through the fog.

I whip around, startled, trying to keep my expression neutral as he approaches. He’s already slipping his phone back into his pocket, his brow creased with worry.

“That was Burns,” he says. “He wants to meet. Now.”

My mouth opens. “What? Why?”

“He didn’t say—just that it’s urgent.” Liam sighs, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “I’m sorry, Ana. I wouldn’t leave if it wasn’t important.”

My heart sinks. I glance over his shoulder—Pavel is gone.

The exit door swings shut behind a lingering staff member, but there’s no sign of him. No proof I wasn’t imagining things.

“Liam, I—” I start, but he’s already moving in close, brushing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

“I’m having Mac escort you home,” he says softly. “Don’t argue. Just do me a favor and stick close to him, okay?”

I nod, swallowing back the lump rising in my throat.

Liam squeezes my arm, lingering just long enough for me to wish he’d stay. Then he’s gone—disappearing into the night with long strides and too much weight on his shoulders.