Recklessly Royal(77)

“Off with their heads!” Selene cackled.

I turned to look at her and couldn’t stop my own laughter. She was holding her chest, but otherwise looked happier than I had seen her in years.

David pulled me into his arms and rested his chin on top of my head. “Are you okay?”

“I think so.” I melted against him, glad that he was there to comfort me. “I wanted to beat her face in.”

“I could tell.” His chuckle vibrated in his chest under my cheek. “She deserved it.”

“Hell yes, she did.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe she sold those pictures. I can’t believe she was auctioning off interviews with me.”

“She was evil,” Selene said from her seat. She looked a little paler and had slumped in her seat. “I’m the one to blame. I hired her and thought she would match well with you when it was time for me to retire.”

“Are you okay?” I knelt down at her chair. “David, get the nurse.”

He disappeared in an instant.

“I’m fine. Just tired.” She shook her head slowly. “I made a very bad mistake.”

“It just means that you have to live forever and never retire.” I grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

“I’ll see what I can do.” She smiled at me.

“Time to get you in bed.” The nurses came out of the kitchen.

“Okay.” Selene let them help her out of the chair, and she wasn’t feeling well if she wasn’t complaining about being told what to do.

“Will you stay awhile?” I looked over at David.

“I’ll call Chadwick and let him know.” He smiled. “I told you, you’re not in this alone.”

“Thank you,” I whispered as I followed the nurses upstairs.

Selene collapsed in her bed and I sat next to her while the nurses checked her blood pressure and the incisions on her chest.

“Is she okay?”

“She’s fine, just worn out. I think you surprised the hell out of her.” The nurse winked at me before giving Selene some medicine. “Can’t say that I wouldn’t have done the same in your place.”

“I suppose that everyone heard that, huh?” I cringed.

“I didn’t hear anyone complaining.” The nurse winked at me. “I’m going to step outside for a few minutes, but Selene really does need to sleep.”

“I understand.”

“You did the right thing.” Selene’s fingers squeezed mine. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I shook my head. “I should have trusted my gut, but I thought I was just reacting to all of the change that was happening.”

“Well, we both learned some lessons this month.” She smiled at me. “Tell Chadwick what happened. He’ll get you taken care of until we find a replacement.”

“I think David is already on the phone with him.” I smiled.

“I like him.”

“Chadwick?” I laughed.

“David. He’s good for you. You’ve been so quiet and careful lately. It’s good to see you reach out to someone else.” Her eyes drifted shut slowly.

“I like him too.” I leaned over and kissed her head. “Get some rest. I’m willing to bet that Chadwick is already on his way here.”

Downstairs I found David on the phone, pacing in front of the fireplace.

“Yes, I will be in tomorrow.” His back was to me, so I didn’t disturb him. “Make sure the cages have all been cleaned and the birds have been fed. We don’t want the kiddies to see the blood.” He turned to look at me and smiled. “Listen, I have to go. No, don’t worry. I’ll be there tomorrow for the presentation. Yes. I’ll remember. Bye.”

He hung up his cell phone and stuck it in his pocket.

I frowned. “If you need to go, I understand.”

“No, there isn’t anything that they can’t handle without me today. Really, Sam could have left it all in their hands. I’m just a formality.”

“I saw how they paid attention to what you had to say.” I walked over to him. “They feel better having you there, and you have a lot to offer.”

“I’m proud of you.” He looked down at me and brushed some of the hair out of my eyes.

“Why?” I felt my eyebrows rise. I had lost my temper, screamed at an employee, and even cursed. My mother would be so disappointed. Oh God, my mother. She would know about the pictures.

“Because you stood up for yourself. You told her what you were really thinking and didn’t hold back.” He closed his mouth and chewed on the inside of his cheek for a moment. “I haven’t seen you do that when you’re being Princess Catherine. Today your two sides merged. It was something else.”