Page 15 of The Royal Flame (The Royal Academy #3)

RIVER

S aying I’m distracted today might be the understatement of the year. My brain is a fog of a mess, laced with worry over Maddy’s safety and also her mental health.

But a tiny part of my mind is centered on what transpired between us in her room.

How warm she felt against my fingers, the look on her face when she came apart, the way it felt when she drew me to the edge and made me come undone.

I had always believed these experience would happen after I was married to Isla, and that it would feel so plastic.

I never believe it was possible to happen on my own with the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen who makes me feel like I’m fully alive for the first time in my life.

I just wish I could find a way to protect her.

I’m unsure how to do that yet, but I am going to look into this society our mothers may have belonged to because I think getting some answers about it could help me protect Maddy. And also perhaps we can find out what happen to our moms.

When I wander into my dorm room to take a shower before I go to class, Finn is eating eggs and bacon at the table. He glances up at me as I toss my water bottle onto the table.

“Did you sleep here last night?” he asks as he stuffs a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

“Yeah, I just got up early.” I wander over to the fridge to grab a bottle of juice.

“To go running with Maddy, I’m assuming.” He sets the fork down and rotates in the chair to face me. “How’s she doing?”

I shut the fridge door and unscrew the cap on the bottle of juice. “I think she’s pretending to be more okay than she is.”

He arches his brows. “So, she’s basically like you?”

I take a swig of the juice while processing his question. “She might be. I don’t like that she is, though.”

“I don’t like that you’re like that either.” He reaches for a cup that’s on the table. “Have you thought anymore to what you’re going to do about dad?”

“I’ve thought a lot about it, but haven’t come up with anything yet… Lily said you and her talked about being okay with losing his financial support.”

“We did. And we both agreed we don’t need it. We have our own money, and honestly, I’d be glad to get rid of that string dad has attached to all of us.” He takes a sip from his cup then sets it back down. “Speaking of mom, I got a call from the detective this morning.”

I straighten. “What did he say?”

“That they believe that mom took off on her own free will so they’re no longer going to look for her.”

“They might be right, but still… It’s weird Dad would allow them to stop looking for her. Not when it could make our family look bad.”

“He encouraged them too. In fact, I think after the interview with him caused them to make the decision.”

“Really? Shit, I didn’t know he did that.” I exhale a breath of frustration. “To me, that makes him more suspicious.”

“Agreed.” Finn collects his fork. “Have you found out anything else about this society you think her and Maddy’s biological mother belonged to?”

“Not yet, but Maddy and I are going to talk to some people after class that might give us some sort of starting point on where to look.” I put the bottle back on my juice. “I’ll keep you updated, okay?”

He nods then I go into my room to take a shower.

But as I’m stripping off my clothes, my phone rings.

The call is from my father. I’m not even sure I want to answer it.

But ultimately, I decide it’s better to be aware of where his mind set is than in the dark; that way if he tries anything, he won’t have the element of surprise.

I tie a towel around my waist before answering. “Hello?”

“You made it back to school, I take it?” he asks, but it’s not really a question.

“Yeah, it reopened a few days ago.” I make my way back into my room and sink down on the bed. “Have you heard anything about Mom at all?”

“No. And I doubt I will. Your mother will be found when she wants to be found.” Annoyance rings in his voice. “That’s not why I called anyway. I called because according to the Royal City Tabloid, my son is dating the whore from north side after I specifically told him not to.”

“Don’t called her that,” I warn, opening and flexing my hands. “And I’ll see whoever I want to see. I’ve made the decision not to let you control my life anymore and use me as pawn to make you more powerful and wealthier than you already are.”

He lets out a condescending laugh. “Look at you trying to be a man and stand up to me. Too bad you have no clue how much I actually control you.”

“If you’re talking about using Lily and Finn to control me, you should know that we already discuss it and agreed that no one gives a shit if you cut us off financially.”

“Who said I was referring to that? Although, you talk a lot of talk for someone who’s always had wealth in their life. You have no idea how brutal life can be without it.”

“Like you do.” I’m getting close to hanging up on him.

He’s so annoying and having a conversation with him is pointless.

“You know nothing about me son because that’s how I wanted,” he replies. “And as for my threat, tell me, does you little whore currently have a bodyguard that’s supposed to be keeping an eye on her?”

I stiffen, my back going ramrod straight. “Why would you ask that? She’s north side.” I feign dumb, but I’m worried.

Something isn’t right.

“River, River, River,” he tsks me. “When will you learn that you can’t keep anything from me?

Now, if you want to keep Maddy safe, you’ll end any sort of relationship with her.

If you choose not to then you better make sure her bodyguard has eye on her twenty-four-seven, because right now, he’s merely monitoring the campus, which leaves Maddy all alone. ”

“Screw you,” I growl out, rising to my feet. Panic is soaring through me as I snatch up a pair of pants from off my bed and tug them on. I put my phone on speaker phone then toss it onto the bed. “You better not do anything to her. I swear to god?—”

“You’ll what?” he cuts me off with a sneer. “You can’t do anything to me,. River. I’m a goddamn king in this city which makes me untouchable.”

“No one is untouchable,” I warn in a low tone. “Everyone has a weakness.”

“Is that a threat?” he questions, his voice chilling. “It sure as hell better not be.”

I hang up on him, partly because I’m tired of hearing his voice and partly because I can move faster without having to worry about keeping my phone pressed to my ear.

I shove the phone in my pocket then run out of my dorm room.

A few students are wandering around and they stare at me as I sprint down the corridor.

I round the corner so fast that I almost slip, but I manage to keep my feet under me.

When I arrive at Maddison’s dorm room door, I bang on it.

“Maddy,” I say loudly with fear in my voice. “Maddy, open up?—”

Lily yanks the door open. “Bro, what’re you doing?”

I push past her and stride toward Maddison’s bedroom. Her door is shut so I knock loudly. A few moments later, she opens the door, blinking confusedly. She’s wearing nothing but a towel and her hair is damp. She looks hot as hell, but I can barely fixate on that right now.

“Can you call you father and ask if can get into contact with your bodyguard?” I ask as I close the door so Lily won’t overhear the conversation.

She’s mid-question when I do and I can hear her cursing me out even when the door clicks shut.

“Why?” Maddy asks. “What’s going on? You look freaked out.”

I tug my fingers through my hair. “My father called and said something that implied he knows everything .” I give her a pressing look.

“He also acted like your bodyguard wasn’t keeping an eye on you and that because of that, my father was going to do something to do you.

I don’t know if it’s just a threat, but I also don’t know how the hell he learned you have a bodyguard keeping an eye on you. ”

“Shit, yeah, let me call Grey.” She holds the towel against her chest as she rushes over to the nightstand beside her bed and collects her phone. She dials Grey’s number then chews on her bottom lip as she waits for him to answer.

While she’s making the call, I wander over to the window to peer outside at the campus yard.

The football team is out on the field, practicing, and Finn is probably amongst them.

A few runners on the track, and the parking lot is filling up.

Everything appears to be normal, but the view gets blocked by the woods.

And just through them are houses that belong to frats, sororities, and also the society.

“Everything’s okay,” Maddy says, interrupting my thoughts. “Grey checked and the bodyguard is still nearby.”

I twist to face her. “So my father was messing with me.”

She nods, stepping toward me. “Although, how did he find out I have a bodyguard. Grey’s worried about that, because that means your father might know who I am.”

I hesitate. “I’m pretty sure he does.”

The corners of her pouty lips tug downward. “Why do you think that?”

“Because he implied that he does. And that he can’t bull shit his way through.” My chest feels tight as I utter my next words, “I think we—you and I—I think we need to break up.”

Instead of responding verbally, she glares at me.

I swallow hard. “I know we weren’t like official, but I just think you’ll be safer if we’re not together.” God, my chest aches so badly that I’m struggling to get air into my lungs.

Please don’t have a panic attack right now.

“Not official,” she repeats in a low tone. Shaking her head, she steps aside. “Get out of my room now.”

“Maddy,” I start to say.

But she cuts me off. “No, I think we’re done here. I thought considering what we just did like an hour ago that you’d understand that we were official, but whatever.”

My chest constricts. “I just want you safe. That’s all. Maddy, I care about you. I really do.”

She lets out a dry laugh. “You have a strange way of showing that, River.” My lips part, but she shakes her head. “No, we’re done here. I need some space to think for a while.” She hugs her arms around herself and fixes her attention on the floor, waiting for me to leave.

Part of me doesn’t want to.

Part of me wants to beg for her to understand why I’m doing this.

Because I care about her so desperately that idea of anyone hurting her makes me want to die.

I want her to be safe.

I want her, but know I can’t have her.

It’s what I have to do.

I should’ve known things would always lead to this.

Because my father always wins.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper as I walk toward the doorway.

What I really want to say is: I think I might love you.

Which is why I have to go.

I’ll always protect the people I love, even if it means heartbreak.

I think love will always mean heartbreak for me, so maybe it’s better if I avoid it altogether.