Page 57 of Royally Drawn (Resplendent Royals #3)

No Escape

KEIR

“ S he wants to go to Kentucky, Keir,” Betty said.

“Who?”

“The woman you’ve been staring at all night,” Lars said. “Ingrid. She wants to go to Kentucky to compete.”

“With Cici?” I asked. “She should go.”

“She has very little time. If only she knew a pilot with a jet that could get her there…” Betty said.

“Betty, the last thing either of us want is to be trapped in the thing over the Atlantic when she’s not even speaking to me.”

“Maybe that’s what you need to get the move on,” Betty said.

“Betty—”

Ingrid entered the room, followed by her sisters. They’d disappeared somewhere while the rest of us sat around trying to talk politely about the monster who imprisoned the four of them. The idea of it made me sick. I couldn’t even drink to forget how it all made me feel, either. I had to fly back to Norway in the morning. I couldn’t very well get pissed. I was being the good boy.

“Ingy!” Betty said, waving her arms at Ingrid.

“Are you trying to land Air Force One?” Ingrid asked, walking up .

“We’re going to Kentucky tomorrow,” Betty said.

“Betty, there’s a lot that needs to happen. Alex hasn’t even told me if she will pay for the flight.”

“We have a jet ready,” Betty said.

“Indeed,” Lars said. “We’re set.”

“Are we?” I asked.

“Okay. Uh… when do we leave?” Ingrid perked up.

Betty was right. All she wanted was to compete. They were throwing me a bone rather than throwing me under the bus.

Lars and Betty looked in my direction.

“I need eight hours,” I said. “And to file a flight plan. I can do that. But you have to let me do that, Betty.”

“Oh, no, no,” Ingrid’s face fell. “I didn’t think… no. This is?—”

She began to stalk off.

“Get your woman!” Betty said. “Are you going to let it just end?”

“Fuck,” I groaned. I hopped up, chasing her down the hallway. I grabbed her arm and pulled her towards me.

“Ingrid, please... please, can we call a truce?”

“Why? By trapping me in a plane. For what? What if the plane like… went down or…”

“I would die. My sister would die. Lars would die. And you would die. So, would that be the plan? Killing three people that I love?”

She looked like she was fighting tears. She said quietly, “Two people and me,”

“Three people,” I said. “Three people, including you, Velcro.”

She softened.

“I love you, Ingrid. I am sorry I was such a knob. I know I broke your heart. I never meant… I never should have said what I said. Because it’s… it’s not true?—”

“Rid-Rid! Can I have a lolly?” Christophe interrupted us.

“Give me a moment, darling,” Ingrid answered. “Or go find your Papa.”

“But I can’t find Papa!”

“Find your Mama.”

“She won’t give me a lolly!”

I knelt. “I promise I will scour the land to find you a lolly if you just give me a few minutes to talk to your aunt.”

He glared, looking very much like his mother, then left.

“Keir, you don’t have to fly me to America?—”

“You love a grand gesture, Ingrid.”

She rolled her eyes. “Stop being charming.”

It was working.

“Was this your whole idea?”

“I am pretty sure my aunt and your brother-in-law somehow conspired. Betty masterminded the transportation plans against my will,” I said. “Well, my will originally. I would love to transport you now if you trust me not to kill you.”

She looked down and let out a long sigh.

“I know it may take ages to get back in your good graces, but Ingrid, I want to. I have missed you every day since our last meeting. I love you.”

“Fine. You can fly me to Kentucky,” Ingrid said. But mind yourself. This is no funny business. I’m not playing copilot. I’m sleeping because I must perform when I get there.”

“You do your job. I do mine, princess. Got it,” I said.

This wasn’t over—it was just beginning. I had an in, and I wasn’t about to lose it. Betty may be the best schemer known to man.