Page 93 of Unclaimed Bonds

“Hey! What the hell, man. I saw her first!” the guy protests.

Luke and Sodie hover over him, and Darwin and Stan stand in front of Jessica. She looks confused, like she doesn’t understand what’s happening right now. I make my way through the group, cracking my knuckles, causing the guy to widen his eyes and gradually retreat.

Sodie growls, “Get in the car, my friend.”

The guy looks at Sodie, me, Jessica, and then Luke. “Luke, holy crap. Tell them you know me. What the hell? I just want to talk to the pretty girl.”

Luke smiles. “She’s off-limits. Get back in the car before the guards break your jaw.”

His face reddens. “What? Why? She’s not even from here.”

Sodie growls again, stepping closer. “She’s the princess. Now get in the car.” His eyes dart back and forth between the recruits, his mouth opens ready for another protest. I crack my neck and stare him down.

He turns, runs, and jumps through the car window. “Go, go, go,” he shouts. The driver peels rubber and speeds out of town.

We all crack up and high five each other. But Jessica does not look amused. She rolls her eyes at Luke and shakes her head at me.

Sodie, still chuckling, says, “Aww, come on, Little One. You know that was funny. The guy practically pissed himself before he jumped through the window.”

She tries to hide her smile. “Please don’t tell me this is what I can expect when I start bringing dates to the house.” She stares at Stan and Darwin.

Darwin shrugs. “Depends. Is that how you’re going to dress on a date?”

She shrugs. “Maybe. Since my mother bought my clothes, I assumed this was perfectly acceptable attire.” Darwin and Stan laugh.

Dates? Over my fucking dead body.

Luke’s idiot friends cross the street as Shakti, Emily, and Sixes depart from one of the shops.

Shakti announces, “Well, I think we’ll call it a day.” We offer to carry their packages and escort them back to their car.

Jessica refuses to let me take her bags. Why is she being so difficult? She won’t even look at me. Wills approaches Jessica,but Emily maneuvers herself to block him. Darwin stands on her other side, and I walk behind them, leaving no room for anyone to reach her. Luke walks with his mother and Sixes in the front.

At the car, Elaine tries to invite herself back to the mansion. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Our rooms are quite full, and we have so many preparations to complete for the ball tomorrow. Perhaps another time.” Elaine is clearly upset with this response, but she smiles and graciously accepts the rejection.

Cassie bumps into me and whispers, “Text me, and I’ll sneak over tonight.”

“Not interested,” I respond. With my attention diverted, Wills manages to move next to Jessica.

“Hi. I’m Wills Powers, Luke’s best friend.” He holds out his hand. She glances at it but doesn’t move to shake it.

Yes, good girl.

“Never heard of you, Luke’s best friend,” she replies.

He laughs, ignoring her dry tone. “So, are you friends with one of Luke’s cousins?”

“Sure,” she deadpans.

“I mentioned that I am Luke’s best friend, right?” Luke winces at his second declaration. Wills is far from being his best friend. He’s just another one of those posers hanging on to Luke’s coat tails because of his royal status.

She narrows her eyes. “Is that supposed to earn you brownie points?”

He smirks and rubs the back of his neck. “I was hoping it would.”

Deciding to walk away instead of continuing the conversation, Jessica walks toward the car when Wills blocks her path. Her dark eyebrows raise. “Some words of advice. Dropping names doesn’t impress anyone.” She turns and notices Luke over the roof of the car. “Especially when someone’s notquite impressed with your best friend.” She pushes him out of the way and climbs into the car.

Wills smiles. “Noted,” he says, closing the door after her.