Page 22 of Heavy Crown

I’m not sure how I’m supposed to take that, but can I ask? Alex is my rescuer and now my employer, but that’s it. I don’t exactly have the right to dig into his family dynamics. Despite the familiarity between us, we’ve only just met.

We walk across the fields, and Julia peppers me with polite, unobtrusive questions about Canada and my college experience. By the time we get to the front entranceway, the anxiety Desmond produced in me earlier is dried up and replaced by affection for Julia Jensen.

“You must be very good at your job,” I say when she uses an internal phone line to call for a car and some guards.

She smiles. “Why’s that?”

“I’ve been feeling very, I don’t know, out of place? But you’re just so warm and kind.” My mind is drawn to all the photos of her and Prince Nicholas I’ve seen the last few months. If this is real then that must be real too. I’m dying to ask her a bunch of intensely private questions, but they might kick me off the estate if I seem too curious.

“I grew up in this, but I can imagine it’s intimidating to stumble into.”

Shoes slap against the tiled floor in the entranceway, and Alex appears dressed in a suit that emphasizes his wide shoulders and trim waist. He looks every inch the prince.

“What’s this I hear about a trip to the grocery store?” There’s a crease in his brow and annoyance radiates off him.

A shot of awareness zips through me, and I scold myself again for being the least bit turned on by his frustration. Yesterday, I was dating and living with someone else, and today my body is responding to my rescuer as though we’ve been engaged in some hot affair. There’s nothing rational about my attraction to him, but I can’t deny its existence either. Nothing will come of it, so there’s no point in dwelling on whatever is drawing me to him.

“She needs groceries. She’d like to go shopping.” Julia gives him a pointed look. “She’s not our prisoner, and she’s not even an employee yet.”

For the first time, the idea of not receiving a paycheck causes a cool sweat to break out under my arms, and the dull throbbing in my temple returns. If Derrick makes me pay my half of this month’s rent at the apartment, I’ll barely be able to afford groceries until I’m allowed to start work here. Dr. Bennett said it would be a few weeks before he cleared me—minimum.

He searches my face, ignoring Julia, and his gaze narrows. “What’s wrong?”

“I just realized Derrick might expect half of this month’s rent, and if I’m not working anywhere…” I glance at Julia because even though she’s nice, I don’t want her thinking I’m begging for money. Alex asked me what was wrong, and for some reason, I’ve got no filter with him. He asks, and words just flow out of my mouth.

He grunts and then turns to Julia. “Ask Desmond to clear my afternoon.”

“Alex.” Jules groans. “You can’t keep seesawing today about whether you’re working or you’re taking the day off. You’re half the reason poor Aurora got the brunt of Desmond’s frustration.”

Alex’s gaze pings back to me. “He wasn’t nice to you?”

I shift my feet. “He wasn’t not nice.”

“Never mind, Jules. I’ll tell Desmond to clear my schedule myself.”

“Alex.” Julia’s voice radiates with caution.

He’s already walking away. “Thank you for getting Aurora’s things from the police station. Rory, do not leave without me.” Then he’s gone out of sight down some corridor.

“Is he—”

“Always like this?” Julia chuckles. “Yes, yes, he is. Intense. Focused. It’s just usually those things are on work.” She eyes me.

“I was going to say coming grocery shopping with me.” I shift my purse to my other arm. This isn’t how he always behaves? Authoritative. Take charge. Does what he wants when he wants?

Julia’s phone vibrates in her hand. “I have to run to a meeting about a project I’m putting together in Tanzania. You’re okay to wait here until Alex gets back?” She’s already walking backward toward the hall Alex disappeared down. “Kane and Torres should be here in a minute—they’re your guards.”

“Yeah,” I say, feeling small and insignificant in the sprawling entranceway. “No problem.”

eleven

Alex

When I reach the front entrance to meet Rory, I half expect her to have already left. She’s proving to not be very good at taking directions. It’s no wonder I found her in a car crash on West Shore Road at night when it’s famously foggy. Decision-making cannot be a strength.

I waltz through the main foyer and wave my hand toward her. “With me. The car is outside. Kane and Torres are waiting.”

She follows wide-eyed without a word.