52

Leanna Avery

It takes me three days to recover.

Maya is a constant presence in my home, refusing to leave me by myself. “What if you fall over in the bathroom or something else happens to you? Jerry told me your insides are still healing. No, I’m not going anywhere.”

Maya and Jerry are not the only ones keeping an eye on me. Cedric has stationed himself outside my house, in the large park across the road. He doesn’t try to come inside like I expected he would, though. It’s more like he’s watching over us.

“Hmm. I thought he would force his way in, like last time,” Maya muses over breakfast. “By the way, he’s the one who kicked that hole in your door. How’d you get it fixed so fast?”

I shrug. “I have a contact. They replaced the whole thing last night while you were in the shower.”

Maya studies me, eating her muesli. “Is it just me or are you a little too calm about your ex stalking you like this? I’d be blowing a gasket and calling the police. And then there’s all the meat he keeps dropping off at your doorstep. Those are expensive brands.”

“I’m more surprised he knows the brands,” I mutter. “And there’s nothing the police can do. He is a king, after all. And no matter what Erik says, he’s not going to let anything happen to Cedric.”

“A king.” Maya blinks. “You’re royalty, huh? I always wondered how you had such elegant table manners. Now I know.”

“I’m royalty by association, I guess.” I sip my coffee. “Anyway, it’s better he’s out there than in here. I don’t want to see him.”

Maya waggles her fork in the air. “You’re going to have to at some point. Why not just nip it in the bud?”

“Because he’s not going to let me nip anything in any bud,” I say irritably. “I don’t think Cedric knows what the word ‘no’ means.” I glance at her. “In any case, I have to go to the palace today. Shouldn’t you be getting to work?”

Maya makes a face. “Don’t remind me. I’m going to start looking for a new job.”

Surprised, I set down my cup and stare at her. “I thought you just got a promotion with a pay raise?”

“I’m a researcher, Leanna. I like to get my hands dirty. I like to discover and solve things, not sit behind a desk writing reports. That’s what the new promotion means. I’ve talked to my boss about going back to my old position, but he won’t hear it. At this rate, I’m going to end up smacking him in the face with my resignation letter. The whole reason he doesn’t want me in the lab is because his wife and I don’t get along. Hustling me to another department using a promotion is just another way to cover up her many mistakes in the lab.”

“Sounds like you need a vacation.”

“I need a new job, with fewer people breathing down my neck,” she complains. Maya lowers her head down to the kitchen table. “Why can’t I get what I want? I just want to work. I like my work. Why won’t they let me work?”

I roll up my newspaper and reach across the table to pat her head with it. “There, there. Life sucks.”

“It does,” she moans.

“Let’s get some ice cream after work and watch that reality show you’ve been recording here.”

Her head pops up, guilt in her eyes. “You know about that?”

“Finn isn’t good at keeping secrets. And since you’ve been having him save the episodes for you, it hasn’t exactly missed my notice.”

Maya gives me a wry grin. “Sorry.”

“Have some more coffee and cheer up. I’ll help you look for a new job if you want.”

I pour her another cup, and she rests her cheek on her palm. “I can’t decide whose life sucks more right now. Although, considering you nearly got killed, practically disemboweled, and your ex is back in your life like a stalker, I think you’re winning.”

“Thanks,” I say dryly. “That’s very reassuring. Go get Finn dressed, will you? We have to leave in an hour.”

“Why do I have to do it?” she protests.

“You just have to make sure he doesn’t put on something ridiculous, Maya. And because you deleted the interview I wanted to watch.”

My friend grimaces before draining her coffee and heading up the steps, grumbling, “Interview, my ass. I bet it was p**n.”

I chuckle. “It could have been. It’s my word against yours, isn’t it?”

She mutters something else under her breath, and I ignore it. As long as she makes sure Finn doesn’t put his underwear on his head like one of those ridiculous superheroes he’s so fond of, I don’t care what she says.

As I move toward the sink, I wince at the ache in my belly. I’ve healed, but not entirely.

Glancing out the kitchen window, I know today isn’t going to be easy by any means. Cedric may be giving me space right now, but for how long?

 

  

I’m proven right when I exit the house and see Cedric waiting in the driveway for me.

“Leanna—”

“Get in the car, Finn,” I order. Without another word to Cedric, I make sure my son is safely buckled up and then drive off.

Did I really think that would be enough to get rid of him? Imagine my irritation when I see Cedric reach the palace entrance just before we do.

As soon as I exit the car, he approaches me. My jaw tenses, and I pick Finn up in my arms.

“Mom!” My son never protests being carried. It’s still his favorite mode of transportation. But when he sees Cedric, his face turns bright red, and he begins wriggling in my arms. “Mom, put me down!”

“Let the boy get down, Leanna,” Cedric says disapprovingly. “He’s seven. Stop treating him like an infant.”

I bristle. “He’s my son. If I want to carry him, that’s up to me. Stay out of it.”

But Cedric has never been one to listen. He plucks Finn out of my arms and sets him down on the ground. Before I can pick the boy up again, he moves away from me.

“Mom, stop. I don’t want to be carried. I can walk.”

“But—”