“What’s your name?” I ask, wondering if she’ll be reluctant to share, like the little girl was.
“Lareina.”
Her prompt response sends a ripple of disappointment. Of course it’s nother. How would she have made it to Vegas or be in the predicament Lareina is in? She wasn’t the kind of person you’d lock up for money. Hell, she wasn’t even confined—she roamed freely in the forest.
“You?” Lareina says.
“Ares.”
Her eyes sparkle. The light chips away at my general reluctance to get involved. “Like the god of war.”
“Like that.” I haven’t done anything to pay for the kindness Queen showed me because I wasn’t able to find her. So maybe I should pay it forward by helping Lareina out, just this once. After tucking a wayward tendril behind her ear, I step closer to the door. “Have the guards seen you in the dress?”
“Don’t think so. My aunt wouldn’t have put me in it until after she checked in. Too attention-grabbing.”
“Okay, good. Now. Play along.”
She nods.
“What do you mean, you’rerethinking our marriage? Everyone’s here already, including my grandfather! His heartwon’t be able to handle the stress!” I raise my voice enough that even if the people outside won’t be able to make out what we’re saying, they’ll know we’re arguing.
She covers her mouth, her eyes wide.
“I don’t give a shit if you still have feelings for Ethan!” I add.
“Who’s Ethan?” she whispers.
I give her a look.
“Right.” She nods. “Just wondering, since you said it with such fury. It sounded very real.” She pats me on the shoulder and gives two thumbs up.
“Pay attention,” I say, then raise my voice. “We’re going to the chapel even if I have to drag you naked!” That should be enough theatrics if anybody’s listening.
Mischief twinkles in Lareina’s eyes. “Now what? Do I strip?”
The idea of her nude body heats the tips of my ears, although I know she’s just messing around. “No.” I bend down and, as gently as I can, toss her over my shoulder. She gasps, then presses her hands on my back. Her palms brand me, sending a warm tingle to my stomach. I clench my teeth.
“Wow. This is just like a movie,” she whispers.
“Act like you’re angry. Resist and don’t let anybody see your face,” I direct her, more to ignore the fiery sensation of her touch on my back than because I believe she needs instructions. Then I throw the door to the suite open and walk out.
There are a couple of men in black suits outside the door next to mine. Their earpieces say they’re hired guards. Probably decent quality. They stare.
Lareina flails and squeals without saying anything. Smart girl. If those men had any interaction with her, they’d recognize her voice.
“What are you looking at?” I spit tersely, letting my aggression show.
“She’s blonde,” one of them whispers to the other.
“Never seen a blonde before, dickhead?” I raise my voice, not even bothering to be civilized. Everyone in my family says I have a resting asshole face, and when I let my temper go, I apparently look like a sociopath.
They flinch, then glance away.
I hit the button for the elevator, which thankfully opens quickly. An elderly couple is inside. “Eloping?” the man asks.
“Something like that,” I say. Lareina keeps quiet, but quits moving her arms and legs. Probably to save energy.
The elderly lady opens her mouth, probably to probe. I give her my least friendly expression, the kind I reserve for the opposing counsel I plan to eviscerate before the day is over. She closes her mouth and looks away. No small talk. Perfect.
