Page 56 of Royal Bargain

“This is the business, Annika. It’s never safe. For anyone.” She pauses. “But you told me you wanted this. And right now, you have people’s attention. If we wait, they’ll forget. Or worse—associate your name with someone else’s crash and burn.”

Her voice is cool, calculated. But underneath, I catch the edge of something else. Urgency. Pressure. Maybe even fear.

Not for me, of course. For the brand.

I swallow hard, my eyes still fixed on the screen. The version of me up there looks so polished, so sure. Like she belongs. Like she knows exactly who she is and what she wants.

I wish I felt that certain now.

Ingrid watches me carefully, as if she’s waiting to see which way I’ll tip. I think about the gunshot still echoing in my memory. I should say no. I should ask for time.

But instead, I nod.

“Okay,” I say softly. “You’re right. We should… keep the momentum going.”

Ingrid’s expression doesn’t change, but something in her shoulders eases.

“I’ll have your next two appearances confirmed by the end of the day,” she says. “We’ll keep them invite-only for now, mostly industry eyes. The Summit Festival is still being finalized, but this—” she taps the tablet, “—this is exactly the kind of spark they want. Stay visible. Stay consistent. And I can sell you as the phoenix rising from the Volkov name.”

I manage a faint smile. “Thank you. For everything.”

“You’re welcome,” she says, eyes already back on her tablet. “Just don’t make me regret it.”

The door clicks shut behind me, and I clutch the folder tighter like it might disappear if I let go. Shane glances up from his phone but doesn’t say anything. Just nods once, like he knows better than to ask.

I stare down at the elevator floor as we ride, every flicker of movement in the chrome making my stomach churn.

This is what you wanted. This is what you asked for.

So why does it feel like I just made a mistake I can’t take back?

The car ridehome is quiet. Shane drives like always—steady, eyes forward—but there’s tension in the air. He doesn’t ask whathappened. I don’t offer. My fingers stay wrapped around the folder the whole time like it might fly open and spill everything.

I thought I’d feel proud. Relieved. Excited, even.

Instead, I feel like I just said yes to something that’s gonna cost more than I can afford.

When we pull into the garage, Shane finally glances over. “You alright?”

I nod, but it’s automatic. “Yeah. Thanks.”

He taps the steering wheel twice and stays in the car. Doesn’t follow.

The apartment’s dim when I walk in. The low hum of the TV drifts in from the living room. I pause in the entryway, folder clutched like a shield, and take one breath before stepping inside.

Liam looks up from the couch where he’s sitting with Lily asleep on his chest. He gives me a once-over—eyes flicking over my face, my posture, my silence—but doesn’t say anything right away.

“Hey,” I say.

“Hey.” He lowers the volume and gently shifts Lily into the crook of his arm. “How’d it go?”

I hesitate. “She wants me to start performing more. A few new venues. Possibly a festival.”

He nods, slow and unreadable.

I wait. No sigh. No sarcastic remark. No Are you kidding me, Annika, it’s not safe right now. Just… silence.

“You’re not going to argue?” I ask softly.