by Katee Robert
Static blossomed in his head, a roaring he couldn’t mute. Luca spun on his heel, ignoring Ryu’s curse, and stalked through the crowd toward the little lamb wandering to the slaughter. People got out of his way, but they didn’t move far, too intent on watching this little drama play out.
They could keep waiting.
He plucked the champagne flute from her hand, shoved it at a nearby server, and then planted his palm on the small of her back. Christ, she was so tiny, he could practically bracket her waist with his hands if he wanted to. What the fuck was Amarante thinking to invite this little girl come play, let alone this year of all years?
Camilla let out a little exhale of surprise, but she didn’t resist as he all but shoved her through the room and out the door, careful to keep his body between her and the rest of the guests. That sweet submissiveness died the second the door closed behind them.
She stepped away from him, twisting in a move that was as graceful as it seemed second nature. As if she spent a lot of time avoiding men touching her. Fury rose at the thought, fury he had no right to. “What the fuck are you doing here, little girl?”
She swept her dress away from his feet and somehow managed to look down her nose at him despite his having a good foot on her. Fucking royals. They were all the same. The few times in the past that Amarante had allowed them on the island, he’d chosen to make himself scarce. This was different. She might have the snooty thing going for her, but she was as shiny as a new penny.
And as likely to be tossed away by the men in the room behind them.
“I asked you a question.”
“I’m deciding if I feel like answering.” She eyed him, obviously trying to place him with the rest of them. Luca knew what he looked like. A bruiser who just happened to fill out a tux. Dark hair a little too long, scruff on his jaw where he hadn’t bothered to shave, nothing but shadows in his dark eyes. Dangerous.
Because that’s exactly what he was. He made no claims otherwise.
So why wasn’t she quivering in fear and wilting beneath his gaze?
“You don’t get a choice about answering me.”
“Don’t I?” Her pointed chin rose another notch, her blue eyes flashing. “I have my invitation, the same as the others.” Without looking away, she dipped her hand into her tiny purse and fished out a gold embossed invitation with her name scrawled across the front of it.
Princess Camilla Fitzcharles
Goddamn it. Luca barely bit back a growl. He was going to kick Amarante’s ass for this. “I don’t give a fuck about the invitation. You’re leaving. Now.”
“That line of intimidation may work with other representatives that Thalania has sent. It won’t work with me.” She gave him a carefully constructed smile, false and polite. “I’m staying, and I’m competing.”
That’s what he was afraid of.
* * *
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Acknowledgments
A huge thank you to Tessa Bailey and Alexa Riley for including this book in the Read Me Romance podcast. It’s been a wonderful experience and I was so excited for a chance to tell Isaac and Noemi’s story.
Thank you as always to Piper, Asa, and Lauren for being sounding boards, motivators, and always there for a chat when I need it. I don’t deserve you!
And, of course, last but never least, thank you to the readers for taking this journey with me. I hope we share many more stories together!
About the Author
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it 'a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension." When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.
www.kateerobert.com
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