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He threw her a huge smile. And there it was. The Alex Montesi charm fully turned on her for the first time ever. She actually had to blink as his face lit up, highlighting that sculpted bone structure, the high cheekbones, straight nose and square jaw. His full lips were curved, revealing perfect teeth. He had every physical advantage and played them well. His brown eyes were so rich it was impossible to tell where pupil ended and iris began. A woman could lose all track of time if she looked into them too long, which was why Tilly looked down and snatched a breath. It didn’t help.

‘Come on, Tilly, let’s give them something to really talk about.’

As if they were suddenly a team in a game? She’d spent her entire life as a pawn in someone else’s desperate game. It was why she existed.

You were supposed to bring us together, instead you tore us apart.

She was the pawn who’d failed to repair her parents’ relationship…

I wish I’d never had you.

Yet her mother had still had the audacity to demand Tilly’s damned gratitude.

You should be grateful to me.

Grateful for depriving Tilly of time with her father? Grateful for leaving her behind? For never wanting, never loving her? For never letting her feel safe, indeed leaving her to fend for herself?

Look at everything I’ve done for you.

King Domenico had echoed those exact words—trying to manipulate her, to guilt her into doing what he wanted. Into agreeing to his terms. Everything was always on someone else’s terms. Anger and hurt reverberated within her. Even now Alex thought he was using her. Not this time. She would use him. She’d let him think he’d got what he wanted, then flip it and figure out a better plan. She only needed him now to get out of the palace. Then he’d come to his senses and ensure she got much further away.

‘Hurry up and decide.’ He made a show of looking at his absurdly expensive watch. He always adjusted it as if he had no time for her. ‘Come with me now or stay here forever.’

She clenched her fists. How typical that he was in a stupid hurry for his answer. Honestly, worst case she’d just steal that fancy watch and hock it.

‘If we marry, it’s for one month max,’ she said stiffly, playing along.

‘Two.’

‘On paper only. I’m not sleeping with you.’

‘Obviously not.’ His nostrils flared.

‘Good.’

This wouldn’t be real in any way—this wedding wouldn’t even actually happen—but she could use Alex’s petulant, reckless spontaneity as a stepping stone to secure her liberty.

‘What are you saying, Tilly?’

‘Fine.’ She flung up her head. ‘I’ll marry you.’

Chapter Four

He’d frozen. Worse, the stunned look in his eyes startled her. Oh, hell. He’d not meant it. He was probably about to laugh and say fooled you.

She shrank back. ‘Forget—’

‘Let’s go.’ He grabbed her hand and started walking.

She hop-skipped to keep up with his massive strides out of Erik’s apartment but her pulse skipped faster. Okay, she was getting out of here. Right call. But he didn’t need to walk quite this fast. She tugged his hand as he turned down the corridor. ‘I need to get a few things—’

‘Text your maid to pack whatever and take it to the helipad.’

‘I don’t have a maid.’ The guy really didn’t get that she was basically staff herself. ‘It’ll only take me a moment to—’

His grip tightened and he kept walking but with his free hand he pulled out his phone, thumbed the screen and lifted it to his ear. ‘Go to Princess Matilde’s room and pack her clothes for a few days on Zaffira.’ He shot her a querying glance. ‘Anything in particular—meds you can’t live without?’

She shook her head. Couldn’t they pause by her room for two minutes?