Page 27 of The Royal Flame (The Royal Academy #3)

“River.” A woman steps into the room and greets him with a smile.

“It’s so nice to see you again.” She’s in her forties and is wearing a pinstriped suit with her hair pulled up and her nametag reads: Jane .

When she notes me, her smile falters a smidgeon.

“Oh, I only granted you access to your fault. Do you need me to add another person? If so, I just need her ID and for you to sign a permission slip.”

I start to protest, because it seems weird to go into a vault with him where he keeps money, but River answers before I get the opportunity.

“I’d like to grant her access,” he tells Jane then turns to me. “Do you have your ID on you?”

I nod. “But you don’t have to let me go with you. I can sit here.”

Shaking his head, he sticks out his hand. “I’d feel better if you came in with me.”

Feeling beyond uncomfortable, I retrieve my ID from my bag and hand it to him. He gives it to Jane and then she sets him up on the computer with forms to digitally sign. I wait nervously, chewing on my bottom lip.

Why does he trust me so much? I mean, I know he likes me, but he knows where I come from and that the people that raised me were cons. Doesn’t he worry that I’m conning him?

I decide to verbalize this after he sits down and he responds with a stunned sort of look.

“Why would I ever think that about you?” he continues to gape at me. “Yoi’re the most trustworthy, loyal person I know.”

“River,” I begin to protest, but he silences me with a chaste kiss.

“From the moment I met you, I knew you were someone that I wanted to get to know. That’s never happened to me before.”

“You met me in jail,” I remind him. “Does that make you a tad bit wary of me.”

“Again, with the lack of confidence,” he whispers softly. “If only you could see what I do. Then I think you’d get it.”

Unsure how to respond to that, I fall silent. Worry stirs in his expression, as if he’s afraid he’s pushed me too far. He hasn’t. I’m simply confused.

Thankfully, Jane returns and offers us a distraction. She returns my ID, then guides us down a hallway lit up with bright lighting and pale blue walls. Framed photos decorate the space along with a handful of columns.

At the end of the hallway is where we come to a stop, in front of a thick metal safe-like door. Jane scans a ID, punches in a code, runs her fingerprint, then mine and Rivers before the door clicks open.

Inside is a vault that contains security deposits boxes, one of which she retrieves and sets down on a table in the middle of the room.

“I’ll give you a moment,” she tells River then exits the vault, her heels click against the floor.

River scans his fingerprint on a small screen located on the side of the box. It clicks open and he lifts up the top. Inside is a stack of money along with some jewelry, and a small collection of what appears to be rare coins.

“What are those coins?” I wonder as he collects some cash.

“Those are Finn’s—we share this.” He picks a coin up.

“A long time ago, the Royal City was run by these.” He shows me the coin that has a crown engraved on the back.

“I’m not sure why Finn has these, or where he got them from—they’re really rare, though.

” He momentarily examines the coin before placing it back into the box.

Then he lowers the lid and the scanner beeps.

Jane returns at this precise moment. “Did you get everything you needed?”

River nods, pocketing the cash. “I did. Thanks, Jane.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiles warmly at him, but is it real?

Or merely for show because of who River is? I feel bad for him in that way, that he never can quite be certain of peoples’ intentions.

Jane returns the box and then we leave the vault. Once she seals it shut, we start back up the hallway. We remain quiet for most of the journey, but then Jane says something right before we exit the hallway that sends a chill down my spine.

“Oh, I was wondering if you could an ID that she left here after she visited her safety deposit box,” she says as we return to the sitting area. “I’ve tried to call her and left messages but she hasn’t responded.”

River missteps. “When did she leave the ID?”

“Yesterday.” She heads for a desk that’s across the room.

“It’s my fault. She had an acquaintance with her and it’s the acquaintance’s ID.

I forgot to return it to her. It was a really busy day and too many things were going on.

” She opens the desk drawer. “Not that that’s an excuse. I should have remembered.”

“It’s fine.” River and I trade a look. “You said she was here yesterday?”

She nods as she rounds the desk. “I read an article the other day that said she was missing, but when she showed up here, I realized that was tabloid gossip.” She gives River the ID. “I should’ve known better than to believe anything in The Royal City Secret Express.”

River rubs his lips together as he glances at the card. Then his face goes pale. When I lean over and look, I develop heart palpitations. Because the ID belongs to Ellie.

My heart is like thunder in my chest, begging to unleash. Ellie was here, after ignoring me for weeks? It’s good to hear she’s alive, but still, with all the shit going on in my life, it hurts that she hasn’t contacted me.

“Jane, I know this will sound odd, and I know it’s probably against all protocols, but is there any way I can look at the security footage of when my mother visited?” River asks, clutching Ellie’s ID.

Wariness floods Jane’s expression. “I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. It’s against every security protocol we have.”

River briefly considers this. “I understand that, but that article you read wasn’t gossip. My mother has been missing. If she was here yesterday, I’m worried she might be in trouble.”

Jane nervously fidgets with the gold necklace around her neck, moving the teardrop shaped pendant back and forth. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I wish I could help, but I’d lose my job. If it helps, she seemed like she was friends with the woman she was with.”

River presses his lips together contemplatively. I expect him to continue attempting to negotiate with her, but instead he says, “Thanks, Jane. I appreciate it.” Clutching onto my hand, he strides out of the room and toward the glass entrance doors.

When I cast a look over my shoulder, Jane is watching us walk away with worry radiating from her shifty demeanor.

River doesn’t utter a word until we’re safely back in the limo.

“Why would Elle and your mother come here when they’re both missing?” I sputter as the limo drives forward. “None of this makes sense.”

“I have no clue, but I’m going to find out.” He shoves up the sleeves of his shirt and slumps back in the leather bench seat.

“How are you going to do that?” I ask, but then it clicks. “You’re going to ask Noah to hack into the bank security system.”

“So pretty and so smart,” he mumbles, staring at my mouth.

I wonder if he’ll kiss me, but then he frowns.

“How are you feeling about what we just discovered?” he asks as he retrieves Ellie’s ID from his pocket.

He hands it to me, and I take it, examining her photo, which had to be taken at least five years ago, since her hair was blond in it.

“Honestly, I’m unsure how I feel. I’m glad she’s okay, but at the same time, why hasn’t she replied to any of the emails and messages I sent to her.

I know she said it was dangerous for us to be in contact, but with me finding out the truth—that she’s my mother—I just…

I don’t know why she hasn’t replied to me. ”

“Maybe she isn’t checking her messages. I feel like if she knew you found that out, she’d figure out a way to get a hold of you.”

“Maybe.” I study the ID for a moment before tucking it away in my purse. “Why are our mothers sneaking around in banks together? And what about the yacht they were on the other night?”

“I wish I knew… Hopefully your ex-mother will know something that can at least point us in the right directions. Until then,” he gets his phone from his pocket. “I’ll text Noah and tell him to get that security footage.” His fingers move as he types.

“You know, with all the favors he’s doing us, we should do something nice for him,” I say as I tuck my leg under my butt.

He pockets his phone. “Yeah, maybe.”

“No maybes. You guys were supposed to be working on your friendship anyway. Maybe you can have like a bro trip weekend.”

“Bro trip weekend,” he says with amusement.

I shrug. “What? I don’t know what guys do for fun.”

“You’re cute,” he tells me then sighs. “I’ll figure something out.”

“Promise?”

“Pinkie promise.” He hitches his pinkie with mine, his gaze searingly intense.

My heart does this stupid fluttering thing that’s only ever happened with him.

I may have kissed him, but the limo comes to a stop in front of the Royal City Park. And just like that my heartbeat goes from flutter to faltering.

I’m nervous. I loathe that I am. That this woman, who I believed to be my mother, has such an impact on me that she can control my moods. One day, I hope to break that reaction. But all I can do at the moment is remind myself to breathe.

“Just breathe,” River whispers, reading the anxiety flowing off of me. He captures my gaze. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait in the limo? I don’t like the idea of y9ou being alone in here, but I also don’t want to make you go out there either.” He nods his head in the direction of the park.

The limo is parked at the entrance that is a canopy woven with flowers and vines that dangle from wooden beams. On the other side is a path lined with rose bushes of various colors that can be seen even in the darkness of night because of the various lamppost gleaming across the grassy knolls.

“I’m going.” Squaring my shoulders, I reach to open the door.

But the driver beats me to it.

I get out, on edge and a bit chilly.