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My heart races, and I hate that it’s taking so long.
A couple of minutes later, Måns arrives, and his scowl prepares me for another showdown. Malena’s brother has been after me since the day of Alex’s official arrival celebration.
“Go home,” Måns orders once he steps up to my car.
“I have an appointment with Mr. Winters,” I blurt out. “They’re expecting me at the Cross residence.”
“No, they’re not,” Måns replies in a clipped tone, cutting my open wounds and spitting on them to poison me. “Get off the property.”
“Please, call Jordan,” I beg. My hands clasp the steering wheel with urgency. I’m shaking all over, and I just want to feel safe. Hugh is here to take me back, and I can’t deal with it. “I’m supposed to have dinner with him.”
“Nobody enters the palace tonight. Go home, and don’t come back,” Måns says, staring me down. Briefly, I consider speeding into the palace since the gates are not barricaded, but I know that such an action would only cause more drama.
“Thank you for your service, Måns. I hope your sister’s proud of you,” I hiss at him, and I turn on the engine of my car.
He calls after me, “She’s very proud of me. I’m doing my job well, unlike some other people.”
I throw my phone out of the window, right at his feet. He can get rid of it. I won’t be tracked by Hugh. My car’s old, and it can’t connect to the internet, so it’s safe.
I’ve run out of energy, and I can barely keep an eye open, but I don’t go back home. I ride until the sun comes up, and I must go to work.
Unfortunately, I’m in heels and a black dress for work, but it’ll do. I wash my face in the bathroom before entering my office.
My safety can wait, my patients not.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
JORDAN
Dinner’s a mess.My sister and her help produced a four-course meal from an hors d’oeuvre to dessert. The dishes were exquisite, but the seat next to me remained empty. Kamila handed me Kendrick the moment it became clear that Ivy wasn’t going to show.
My grandson has been sleeping with his head on my chest for over an hour now while Felicita and Kamila hold a conversation about my unborn grandchild in Kamila’s belly. My son glowers at the innocent empty plates before him while Fylox focuses on his phone, presumably sending out more death threats.
I didn’t expect the night to turn out like this.
Kendrick’s calm breathing against my chest calms me down, distracting me from the vile thoughts in my head. I rock back and forth with the baby in my arm while my sister sneakily glances at me in pity. I sit and think of the souls I’ve murdered cold-bloodedly, and suddenly, I’m not eager for my grandson to grow up and judge me. This dinner needs to be over already.
“I have some things to do in the city,” I announce abruptly. Kendrick twitches in my hold, but he doesn’t wake. “We should call it a night.”
“Is anyone going to address the fact that Ivy didn’t show?” Alex comments. His stiff posture makes me uncomfortable. “What does it mean? Did you imagine your relationship? Is she playing hard to get?”
“Enough,” Kamila intervenes before Alex can reveal more of his honest thoughts. “We had a nice family dinner.”
“It wasn’t nice, and you know it,” I say. We don’t raise our voices. We’re murmuring at each other, trying not to wake Kendrick.
“Alex has been here for over a week, and you haven’t shown up to one family dinner,” Kamila argues. She doesn’t wear make-up when pregnant, and her oily skin reddens at her eruption. “All of a sudden, you have a girlfriend. I’m trying my best to welcome her, but this is unacceptable behavior. I didn’t think Ivy was one to stand us up without reason. You only agreed to a joint dinner because she was coming. Do you know how that makes us feel?”
“How does it make you feel, Kamila?” I ask, my fuse short.
My sister pleads, “Jordan, please. Think about Kendrick.”
“That’s what I always do. I think about all of you,” I state. I don’t have to raise my voice. There’s no need. They’re all listening. “You’re my priority. I never once step back and think about the consequences for me. I didn’t force you to come to this dinner, Kamila. You asked to come. I haven’t had time to meet you for family dinners because I have a country to keep safe. In the five years that I’ve been on Katantia, I haven’t done anything but serve you and this screwed-up country.”
“Don’t talk to her that way when you’re the one who can’t let go. We don’t force you to do anything,” Alex sneers at me. “I’m right here. Say it to my face.”
“My son’s in another continent, working in the public eye. He’s in constant danger because of his affiliation with you. I never complain. Instead, I figure out solutions for shit. I run his security team, although he thinks I don’t. I have eyes and soldiers everywhere. So, no, I don’t know how it makes you feel that I missed a couple of dinners because I was keeping you and your family safe, and quite frankly, I couldn’t give a shit.” For once, Fylox doesn’t flinch at the curse words. “You’re alive to mess around with my son and his best friend, who are mindlessly fighting because of his future in this family. Be grateful.”
Kamila’s eyes widen. “Thank you for that elaborate speech.”
