“Darce, are you really okay to go back?” she asks as soon as the door is closed.
“If you can keep me from being tortured by my fiancé, then yes.”
“That little bastard isn’t laying a hand on you,” Matt says, practically growling.
“Well, unless she wants him to. He is pretty handsome.”
“I’m right here, Rei. Remember me, your husband?”
“How could I forget,” she says with a smile. It doesn’t reach her eyes, though, and I know that she has her own shit to deal with. She shouldn’t have to deal with mine.
“We should get down to business. I’m sure Matt can entertain himself somewhere,” Helen says.
“Matt’s not going anywhere,” Reina tells her.
“This is Society business, not Corrigan.”
“Matt—along with Nate, Aiden, and Jake—have helped us all in immeasurable ways. They are part of the Society, whether it’s official or not.”
“We didn’t agree to that. There’s been no vote.”
“I’m in charge now, Mallory, and while I welcome input from everyone, this is ultimately my decision.”
They stare each other down, and I’m honestly a little scared. After neither one of them looks away for over a minute, Matt speaks up. “I’m going to go.”
“You don’t have to,” Reina assures him.
“Thank you,” he tells her, cupping her face tenderly. He leans in for a soft kiss before pulling back to smile at her. “Just fill me in later. I need to call Nate and let him know Darcy’s okay anyway. He already wants to get on a plane over here.”
“We may need him later.”
“He wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Thank you for coming, Matt,” I say, letting him hug me tight enough to almost crush my lungs. “Please tell Nate I’m good. He needs to stay with Jade—or she might marry that pony instead of him one day.”
“It is a possibility. But just remember, DC, we’ll always be here for you. Always.”
I laugh as he walks away. The guys started calling me DC because I love superheroes so much. They thought it fit since I can climb like a cat, and I was once a cat burglar. It stands for Darcy Cat, which makes me think of the man who makes my pulse race when he calls me Cat. He’s the one I need to concentrate on right now, and not just because I’m attracted to him. I turn back to Reina.
“What’s the plan, Rei?”
“I spoke to the queen alone, and advised her that the only way you’re going to Cyndryann is if we have access to all of their security feeds and are allowed to place additional personnel on site.”
“If they know who we place, won’t they be able to immobilize them if Brayden doesn’t back off.”
She smirks at me. “That’s why we’ll be sending a few other people later if we have to.”
“They won’t stand out? I mean, the country is smaller than Manhattan.”
“Oh they’ll stand out alright, but the locals will love it. Trust me.”
“I always do.”
“Can you tell me what he wants from you?”
“No. I really can’t.”
Reina nods. “I understand. I do. It’s just making things more difficult for me and the team.”
“If it’s any consolation, she won’t tell me, either,” Mallory says.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of ‘won’t. She’d tell us if she could.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“We’ve been together through all of this for several years now. We’re not best friends, but I think I know you quite well. I also believe that I’m a good judge of character. You wouldn’t ever jeopardize us, so you’re owed the right to your secrets.”
“I would never knowingly do anything to put anyone from the Society in extra danger.”
“I believe you. You also need to know that what Matt said, goes for me and everyone else. That cocky little bastard may be a prince, but if he touches you in a way you don’t want, or has someone else do it, he’s a dead man. Make no mistake about that.”
I know she means it, and I also know I don’t deserve it. I won’t turn down the backup, though. “I guess I have to go back tonight, huh?”
“You do have to go back, but I want to make them sweat a little. I’m thinking you should meet Brayden alone first to feel him out. He’s promised to behave, and he was very convincing. I’d like to see how you feel with him, though. If you think anything is off, we’re going to draw out the separation a little longer.”
“I appreciate that. There’s an Italian restaurant in the mall that looked good. It’s called Quindici.”
“Perfect. I’ll have him meet you there at 7.”
“I should probably change. I got a couple of other things at the mall.”
“No, Darce. You need to go as you are. Don’t put out any extra effort for that ass.”
I bite my lip before replying. “I kind of liked him before he threatened me. We already kissed and made out a little.”
“If he wants you, it shouldn’t matter what you’re wearing. I’m with Reina. Be you,” Mallory tells me before giving me a hug and leaving.
Reina and I go over a few more details, and I have to smile when she tells me who’s going undercover. Especially the second team that Brayden and his mom don’t know about. I definitely feel safer now than I did last night. I just don’t know if it will be enough to keep me alive—or who will want the first shot. The man who orchestrated this all, Brayden, or the Society. I also don’t know which would be worse.
* * *
Brayden
My palms are sweating as I wait for Darcy in this festive Italian place. My palms never sweat. Just another thing to add in the “only Darcy can make me feel this way” list I’ve started in my head. I have a feeling that it’s going to be pretty fucking long by the time we part ways.
I have no delusions that we’ll be together forever, but I need to exercise more finesse from now on. The car ride yesterday proved that I want more than information from my beautiful fiancée, which Noah has continued to remind me is a very bad idea. But the cock wants what it wants, and mine wants Darcy.
I look up, and it’s as if my thoughts conjured her. Only it’s much better. She’s dressed the way I think she must look when my mother isn’t insisting on “future princess” outfits. The black leather pants look like they’re painted on her, but the baggy superhero t-shirt takes down the sex appeal. Or at least I think that’s what she was going for. It’s not working on me. I think she looks hotter than I’ve ever seen her.
I stand, straightening my jacket. I should’ve known she’d go casual, but I let my vanity get the best of me. A full designer suit with a skinny tie are what I chose for our date in a mall. No one ever said I was a rocket scientist, and they probably never will.
“You never let down your guard with me,” Darcy tells me when she gets to the table.
“You’ve got your armor on, too.”
“Touché.”
“You look beautiful.”
“Just sit down, and turn off the charm would ya. I’ve told you before that it won’t work on me.”
“I wasn’t saying that to be charming. I mean it, Cat. I like you in fancy clothes, but you shine in what you’re wearing right now,” I tell her honestly.
“Thank you. I’m much more comfortable dressing down.”
“You can wear them when we’re at the house—and the castle—if you want.”
She shakes her head. “Your mother said I need to look the part for the staff.”
“Make it part of your conditions for coming back.”
“Good idea,” she says with a smile.
“I have one every ten years or so.”
“You have to dress down then, too.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You want me in leather pants?”
“Is that what you wear when you want to be comfortable?”
“No. I’m actually most comfortable in a suit.”
“I’ve
seen you in jeans.”
“Been looking at pictures of me, have you?”
“Obviously I had to investigate you before I started this mission.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I did,” she says, tossing her napkin at me.
“I’ll wear jeans for you. What else do I need to do?”
She looks down, but I see the vulnerability in her eyes before she does. I hate that I put it there, even while I know it was necessary. Is necessary. I can’t let her sway me, and I won’t let whatever security Reina Corrigan is putting in our castle stop me. I’m not going to threaten her again, but I need the info she has, and I’m going to get it.
“You threatened me, Brayden.”
“Yes.”
“I need to know that you won’t throw me in your dungeon once we get to your palace.”
“I won’t. Besides, won’t you have people there to protect you?”
She ignores my question, and continues on. “My life isn’t a joke to me.”
“I never said I’d take your life.”
“Let me rephrase, then. My body isn’t a joke.”
No. It’s not. “I’m well aware of that.”
“You’re an idiot,” she says, getting up to go before we’ve even ordered drinks. “I’m leaving. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Before I can even think about what I’m doing, I practically jump out of my seat. I pull a startled Darcy into my arms, and kiss her softly. “I am an idiot, but I’ll try to be less of one when I’m around you. Please stay and have dinner, a real date, with me.”
“You can’t just keep kissing me whenever you want.”
“I can’t?” I ask with a smile.
“Not unless I can do it back,” she says, leaning forward to take my lips.
This kiss isn’t soft, but it’s not like our time in the car, either. We’re both aware that we’re in a public restaurant so we keep it G-rated. I pull away after a couple of minutes, and hold her face in my hands.
“You can do that anytime you want. Any fucking time.”
“I shouldn’t like kissing you so much, but I do. I probably shouldn’t admit it, either, but if we’re going to pretend to be engaged, I want to enjoy myself.”
“Speaking of our engagement,” I tell her as I drop my hands, “you need this.”
I pull the ring out of my pocket and reach for her hand. She hesitates, but then lets me take it. I slide the ring back on her finger, and then kiss her hand. The restaurant erupts in cheers. It takes a moment for me to register it, and then I can’t help but smile. They think I just asked her to marry me. I look at Darcy, and she shrugs.
“We should just go with it.”
I nod, before addressing our audience. “Thanks everyone.”
I give her one more hard kiss, and then we sit down. The meal is great, but the company is even better. We laugh and tease each other while sharing our pasta. This is without a doubt the best date I’ve ever had. I don’t want it to end, but I know it has to. I walk her to her little hotel, and kiss her outside.
“Thanks for dinner, Brayden.”
“It was my pleasure, Cat.”
“I can’t invite you up tonight.”
“But you want to?”
“I don’t know. I can’t just forget what you did.”
“I really am sorry for scaring you. And hurting you.”
“But you’re not going to stop, are you? Even though you promised Reina, and you act like you like me.”
“I do like you, but I need that information.”
“Goodnight.”
“Darcy.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I want to say more, or pull her back into my arms, but I can’t. I have to watch her walk away from me, knowing that she’s someone I would want to really be engaged to and marry. If circumstances were different, I would move heaven and earth to make that happen. Unfortunately, I have to save all of my energy for pulling that secret from her while trying not to destroy her. I can’t promise that, though. Not at all.
Chapter 5
Darcy
I’m back in one of my “costumes” as I head to the airport to meet Brayden. Well, Brayden and the thirty other people we’re traveling to Cyndryann with. I’m thankful again that this isn’t a real engagement, because I seriously couldn’t handle all these people around me for the rest of my life. I love the other Society girls—and of course my boys Nate, Aiden, and Matt—but that’s about all I can handle. I grew up in a close-knit family, but I was a lone wolf for the three years before I joined the Society, and old habits die hard.
I get out of the car and head up the steps of the small plane, as my many bags are loaded up. I’m still not completely comfortable with Brayden, but I’ve spent the last two days with him and his mother going over the list of things I need to feel safe. Brayden agreed to everything, but his mother didn’t. Well, not at first. Once she thought I would walk—which I couldn’t, but she didn’t need to know that—she gave in.
“Darcy, there you are.”
“Yes, Your Highness, here I am. Where else would I possibly be?”
Her smile slips, but only slightly. She is, after all, a queen. “Please have a seat wherever you’d like.”
I look around and take in my options. My first instinct is to move to the back of the plane with the staff, but I know I can’t. It’s my second choice that scares me a little, but I go with it. Brayden looks up in surprise—and more than a little annoyance—as I settle onto the couch with him. Feeling stupid for sitting next to him, I start to stand up, when he places his hand on my arm.
“Don’t go.”
“You don’t seem to want me next to you.”
“I want you too much. That’s part of the problem.”
“I’m having the same problem.”
“Maybe we should just give in.”
“Maybe.”
I let him take my hand as we smile at each other. I know getting involved with him is a horrible idea, but I’m more drawn to him than I have ever been to anyone else. When he leans into me, I ignore my brain and move towards him as well. Our lips are less than an inch away when we’re interrupted.
“That’s my seat,” Noah says with more than a little anger in his voice.
“Find another one,” Brayden tells him, never taking his eyes from mine.
“Really? So that’s how it is? You don’t have enough chicks to choose from?”
“Watch it, Noah.”
“I’ve been watching ‘it’—you—for years now. You use the girls who want to fuck a prince, and then cast them aside.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? You’re going to say that in front of the girl I’m trying to kiss? Whose side are you on?”
“Mine.”
I see the hurt mixing with the anger in Noah’s eyes, and it nearly does me in. I won’t come between him and his best friend. “I’ll move.”
“What? No.”
“Yes. He’s your best friend, Brayden. It’s just one plane ride.”
“I get a rain check, though, right?”
“Maybe.”
“Thank you.”
I smile in response, and stand up. Noah is glaring at me, but I ignore him. I understand that he’s worried—and protective of his friend. I won’t engage him. At least not right now.
I choose an empty window seat and spend the short flight responding to emails from my team back at the Corrigan & Co. Foundation. They’re working on a few projects with local women and have been doing a great job while I’ve been gone. I never thought I’d be someone’s boss, but it’s not as scary as I thought. Probably because we’re doing important things—helping women who really want to help themselves, but haven’t been given the chance they needed to make it happen. I’m proud to be part of an organization that works to empower and teach, rather than just trying to put a temporary band aid on the problem.
I’m given five minutes when we land to touch up my hair and makeup. Once the plane door opens,
I can hear the cheering. I panic for a moment, but then Brayden has his hand in mine again, and I feel a little better. He starts whispering ridiculous things in my ear, and I can’t help but smile.
“In your dreams, Crown.”
“Crown?”
“I thought you’d appreciate it more than ‘Donkey.’”
“Well, when you put it that way, Crown it is. And yes, I do dream about those things with you.”
I bite my lip to try and hide my smile. My pulse is racing, because I’ve dreamed of them, too. Not all of them, because yes, a few are outside of my comfort zone, but most of them have filled my nights over the last few days. I’m not quite ready to admit that to him, with his threats still front and center in my brain, despite what the rest of my body craves.
“It’s time,” one of the monarchy’s press people tells us.
Brayden squeezes my hand and smiles, before pulling me along to the door. As the prince, he walks out first, but he never lets go of me as I exit behind him. We stand at the top of the stairs and smile for several photos, and then we gracefully descend to the waiting luxury car below. Once we’re inside, I exhale.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“It was okay,” I tell him truthfully.
“You’ll get used to it.”
“Maybe she won’t,” Noah says as he climbs in, forcing me to scoot all the way to the opposite door.
“Cut the attitude, Noah. It’s getting old.”
“Seriously? This is a fake engagement. You both need to remember that.”
I try to diffuse the situation even though I really just want to punch him. “We remember, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun while it lasts.”
“Fun?”
“Yes, fun, Noah. I’m sure you have some on occasion.”
Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 7) Page 4
