Princess of Darkness (The Dark Prince #3)

by Autumn Winchester

  “Staying safe,” Summer said, looking Fayth dead in the eye.

  “What do you mean by that?” she demanded.

  “Just that. I’m here to stay safe. There are people after me, Fayth. I can’t be with him, and I can’t know where he’s at. And vice versa,” Summer said, tears falling from her eyes. She loathed being emotional.

  “Grace,” Fayth sighed, not sure what to say. Her voice and stance were filled with despair. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s life,” Summer said, fiercely wiping away tears. “I’ll meet up with him when it’s safe.”

  “Will it ever be safe? Someone, whoever it is that drives you, has been within eyesight, but there’s no one here now?” she questioned, handing Summer a tissue.

  “Maybe,” Summer said, taking the offered tissue. “But I can handle myself now if something were to happen.”

  “Okay,” Fayth responded after a moment of thought, not sure she wanted to know more on that answer. “Good thing I keep a Kel-Tec PF 9 then.” She lifted up her shirt slightly, showing Summer what she meant. At the nod that was received, Fayth let her shirt drop back down. “A gift from Bash a few months back.”

  “How do you know him?” Summer asked through a sniffle.

  “My parents knew him, as they had worked together before. No idea what they did, but he was in and out a lot as I grew up. He taught me how to use this handy thing, and gave me money on all my birthdays. He was gone for a number of years, then showed back up here, asking me to get a place he bought cleaned and set up for him and his niece, who would later join him,” she answered truthfully.

  “I was happy to help and saw how he talked about you, even before I knew who you were. He never said what your name was, only that things weren’t working as he had hoped, and needed to make sure you had an out if ever needed.

  “I didn’t ask questions but saw how much he cared for you. Heck, I never even knew he had a family.”

  “He’s private,” Summer said with a smile. “But loyal.”

  “Yes, he is,” Fayth said, returning the smile. “But, why are people after you?”

  “Heck if I know,” Summer shrugged hard. “I’m me? The Devil hates me, so therefore so does everyone else.”

  “I don’t hate you, Grace,” Fayth said, her voice soft. “A lot of people care about you. What about the rest of your family?”

  “They don’t know where I am either. And my father is dead,” Summer said, her look hardened at the thought of that scumbag.

  “Daddy issues?” Fayth asked, cocking her head to the side.

  “Nope,” Sebastian said, making his presence known, scaring both girls. Fayth screeched loudly, while Summer’s heart skipped a beat, freezing her in place for a moment. “He’s dead as roadkill.”

  “Don’t sneak up like that!” Fayth shouted, throwing a pen at the man, hitting him in the arm.

  “I didn’t sneak,” he said. “I walked in. Which that door should be locked. It was way too easy to come in here.”

  “That’s the way to let the dogs out to pee,” Fayth said, glaring at the man. “Not an entrance!”

  “Didn’t want to risk parking out front,” Sebastian shrugged.

  “He’s still there?” Fayth asked, turning around and pulling up the camera that showed the parking lot.

  “Yep,” Sebastian said, making sure he stayed out of view of the front door, just in case.

  “Damn,” Fayth said. “Must be bored.”

  “Probably,” Summer said. “I’m not all that exciting.”

  “I beg to differ,” Fayth muttered quietly. “So, will you be leaving, then?”

  “Yes,” Sebastian answered. “She can come back if she’d like.”

  “Of course I would,” Summer said with a laugh. “I didn’t even get to visit the dogs yet!”

  “Tomorrow?” Fayth asked, hopeful.

  “Should work,” Sebastian said. “And get this girl some lessons on that system. She can even update it for you.”

  “I'm good with computers,” Summer shrugged with a blush. “How will we get him to leave?” she asked about the stalker.

  “He’ll get a phone call once we leave,” Sebastian said with a smirk. “Then we can go get some lunch.”

  “I am starving,” Summer noted, almost as though she forgot about food until that very moment.

  “You are eating for two now,” Fayth piped up.

  “So you know?” Sebastian asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He wasn’t thrilled but knew the girl could be trusted. He couldn’t let Summer be here now, or at all for that matter if he didn’t trust the redhead.

  “Yeah,” Fayth replied. “She’s emotional, and missing her lovely man. It didn’t take much to put two and two together.”

  “Guess not,” Sebastian said, knowing there was more between the two girls.

  “I don’t know much,” Fayth said, picking up the vibe. “And I won’t. Grace needs a friend, Bash. You trusted my parents with whatever you guys were up to. You can trust me.”

  “I know I can,” Sebastian responded, his posture relaxed. “And she can tell you what she’d like. Just don’t make her upset.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it,” Fayth said with a sweet smile, knowing that things would be different. Better too. She’d be there for the sweet girl if she needed a shoulder to cry on, or a friend to confide in.

  "Now how about some lunch, would you like to join us Fayth?" he asked as he looked over at Summer.

  “I would like to,” Fayth said with a happy smile. “But I have to let the dogs out for their breaks. I hate cleaning up dog messes.”

  “So glad I get out of that,” Summer laughed, throwing a smile at Fayth for good measure, who simply stuck her tongue out in return.

  Sebastian just shook his head; these girls would be the death of him.

  Chapter 14

  Once sitting in a small, but busy, restaurant in the middle of Red Feathers Lake, Sebastian and Summer sat across from one another, looking over the menu. Sebastian wasn’t sure how to deal with the man that was taking out the town looking for Summer. It wasn’t like the unknown man was doing any harm, yet. Sebastian wasn’t going to let it get that far, either.

  He also knew that the man would, given time, do something that could put Summer in danger.

  “So,” he began, glancing over the top of his menu. “Gabriel told me something you would probably like to know.”

  “And what is that?” Summer asked, lifting her eyes from her own menu that laid out on the table top.

  This place was cute with a homey feel to it. Dark walls with bright colored pictures, giving the establishment a zap of color. The booths and tables were dark red, just a tad lighter than the leather-like walls.

  “About your husband,” Sebastian said, keeping his eyes on her, waiting for her reaction.

  “I already know,” Summer said, returning her eyes on her food options, but a smile graced her lips. She was relieved to know he was alive.

  “I had to pull it out of him, and you knew already?” Sebastian asked, surprised. His voice was teasing, too.

  “You didn’t hurt him, did you?” Summer asked, concerned that Gabriel had been hurt. He had seemed to want to keep the topic low key and wasn’t sure if Sebastian would be let up to date on it.

  “No,” he replied slowly, blinking his eyes. “Not too much.”

  “Bash,” Summer said, drawing out his name and looking at him like a mother would a child when they confessed to doing something they knew they shouldn’t have done.

  “I won,” he shrugged, not sure how to take Summer’s look. She never looked at him like that before. Actually, no one had that he could recall. “I challenged him to take me down, and I would demand answers if he couldn’t get me down before I got him. He lost.”

  “Did you hurt him?” Summer asked in a tone that meant she wasn’t going to let him get out of answering.

  “Not really. Only his ego,” he replied softly. “I wouldn’t hurt him on purpos
e. I’m the nice brother.”

  “Hmm,” Summer said, not entirely believing the man before her. Although, he never had given her a reason to not trust his words. She slumped her shoulders, knowing he was telling the truth.

  Shortly after a waiter came and took their orders and menus, leaving a glass of water and a promise to have their food out shortly, Sebastian returned his attention to Summer.

  “So, what all does Fayth know?” he asked, changing the subject and leaning back in his seat.

  “Only that I’m pregnant,” Summer answered. “But she does seem to know there’s more to the story.”

  “She’s smart,” Sebastian stated with a small smile. “And can be trusted. I wouldn’t have let you be alone with her otherwise.”

  “I’m not sure if I want to drag her into all this," she replied, almost too quietly for Sebastian to hear. “It’s not something to be taken lightly, by anyone.”

  “I’ll leave it up to you, child,” Sebastian said as their food was placed in front of them. Summer was smart, and she’d do the right thing, either by telling her new friend who she really was or keeping it a secret. Sebastian was prepared for both cases. It was the least of his worries.

  Also, he knew Fayth was pulled into the family issue, just because she was now friends with the Princess. It wasn’t either girl’s fault; there was really nothing that Sebastian could do about it now. Not that he wanted to, either.

  Summer dug into her plate of food, which consisted of Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Corn on the cob, all thoughts of Fayth and her past gone for the time being. The food was filling, and just what her body had craved.

  With being pregnant, Summer didn’t eat more than usual, but she made sure to eat at least three meals a day, and sometimes small snacks. During meals, she didn’t eat a lot, but for a change, she was gaining back the weight she had lost. She also took prenatal vitamins, helping to keep her energy up. She was still tired, but it wasn’t that bad considering how tired she had once been.

  “Oh, I picked up a pregnancy book for you,” Sebastian said between bites. “Gabriel demanded you needed one that was a bit more updated that the one he got at a yard sale somewhere.”

  “Thanks,” she replied. Summer didn’t feel like she needed it but was thankful anyways. Who knows, maybe she would learn something from it.

  Sebastian nodded, returning to his food, a medium cooked Ribeye Steak with a side of ranch seasoned French fries.

  “How do you like it here?” Sebastian asked, wanting to know through words how Summer was liking this small town. She seemed to be taking to it okay, but he still worried. He would always worry about her; he couldn’t help it.

  “I like it,” Summer said with a smile. “Small and quiet. No one knows me here, so that helps a lot.”

  “I had worried you wouldn’t like it,” he confessed. “I had other places ready for us to go to if that was the case.”

  “You didn’t have to go through so much work just for me, Bash,” Summer said, almost fondly. “I’m simple, which you should know by now.” She then reached over, stealing one of his fries and stuffing it into her mouth.

  “Yes, I know,” he stated, giving her a fond smile at the sight of her so comfortable. “But I want you to feel at home here. Since I have no idea how long we will be here . . .” he trailed off.

  She understood. There was no telling how long she would have to be here, or anywhere else. There was a huge possibility that they would have to pack up and leave at a moment’s notice; she was prepared for that. What wouldn’t happen, would be losing contact with her only friend that didn’t know where she came from. Sebastian wouldn’t ever expect her to give up on that so easily.

  Summer also knew that there was no point in asking how long they would be here, and when they’d most likely have to move to the next place. She lived one day at a time, not wanting to think too far into the future.

  “Excuse me,” spoke the waitress, drawing Sebastian’ attention. “There’s a man asking if anyone’s seen a brown haired girl around.”

  “I’ve seen a few of those around,” Sebastian said, not giving anything away. “Need more description than that.”

  “My man-manager told me to let you know, and to let you and your guest out through the back,” she said, fiddling with her apron, not keeping her eyes on Sebastian for more than a second at a time.

  “Thank you,” Sebastian said, knowing the owner of this restaurant well enough. Turning to Summer, he nodded his head and stood, a silent command to follow him. He was silently thankful that they both got to finish at least most of their meal.

  Summer followed, casually looking around the room, seeing a few guys that stood out more than the other normal customers. There were three men who stood at the front counter, talking to a few of the customers. Their stance was stiff and on edge with broad shoulders.

  “Come,” Sebastian said, talking ahold of Summer’s hand, gently dragging her behind him, and out through the kitchen to the back doors.

  Once outside, Sebastian told Summer to stay against the back wall while he went around the side, checking to see if the coast was clear. Summer’s heart was in her throat, not sure what to do. It seemed like someone figured out where she was, or hoping to draw her out.

  Sebastian took measured steps, knowing his shoes made no sound as he walked to the edge of the building, peeking around the corner. It was as he thought; his car was caged in; three cars blocking his way out. Looking around the busy parking lot, he noticed that there was one other man, sitting in a car on the other side of the lot, watching the car that Sebastian had driven. He had no idea who found them, but he had a good guess.

  He’d have to make it look like he disappeared for a few days, and the men would lose whatever track they were on.

  Sebastian then slipped back around, finding Summer pale as she leaned against the brick wall. Without a second thought, he pulled her into a light hug, pulling out his phone in the process.

  “Come pick us up, behind the Deli,” he said, ending the call as soon as he said what was needed.

  Summer was shaking, not sure why this, out of everything so far frightened her so much. Her heartbeat was too fast, and she worried about what was going to happen. She wasn’t as prepared as she thought she was.

  “Shh,” Sebastian said quietly, wrapping both arms around her.

  Summer held on to his coat, taking deep breaths to try to calm down, her forehead against his chest. She knew it wasn’t a good time to panic, nor was it good for the baby.

  “The car is bugged, and Fayth will be here in a few minutes to pick you up and take you back to the animal shelter. I’ll scare the men off and get the car to drop off somewhere. I’m sure they tagged it to follow me, but I have more cars, so that won’t be a concern,” Sebastian said, hoping that letting Summer know what would happen in the next hour was a good start to get her to calm down.

  “I would just leave it here, but I can’t risk them finding what I bought today. John cannot know you are pregnant, or he’ll demand you to be killed on sight,” he whispered. “I won’t let that happen. Ever.”

  “Promise?” Summer asked with tears streaming down her face, meeting his sorrowful eyes.

  “Always, Princess,” Sebastian answered, placing a kiss on her forehead.

  Right then, Summer knew Sebastian would keep her and the baby safe, and she also knew that Fayth would need to know the truth. There was no way around it. Summer was a Princess, and to stay calm, she had to know what was to come, what to expect. It would get her through, and Summer would see Chase in one piece, and John would pay for having his men come looking for her.

  She wasn’t ready, but she would be.

  Chapter 15

  With trembling hands, Summer slowly grasped the water bottle from Fayth, who had a look of worry on her face. Her lips were twisted slightly, the bottom corner being bitten by her teeth.

  Summer’s heartbeat was still pumping fast, a coat of cold sweat on her for
ehead. She had yet to figure out how to control her feelings about the whole thing.

  Fayth had shown up minutes after Sebastian had called. She hadn’t asked any questions, knowing Summer was not able to answer anything just by looking at the girl. She could wait for answers. Answers she would be sure to get before Summer left later. Fayth had this pressing need to know, and if Summer didn’t willingly answer, Sebastian would. One way or the other, Fayth would have her answers by the end of the day.

  Sebastian only said to keep the girl safe, and not let any harm to come to her. He’d show up later when the threat – whatever that was – was taken care of.