by C. Morgan
“Teyela?” he asked.
My mind whirled. Settling down meant taking up the mantle of charity and social work that my mother did so well. Settling down meant one day taking my place as Queen while my husband ruled over an island I felt I could rule better. Settling down meant giving up the rest of my youth. The rest of my twenties. The rest of what made youth worth living.
And as my eyes met Collin’s, the truth slapped me across the face.
Because this wasn’t about fun for him.
“Teyela, can you hear me?” he asked.
My eyes ran down his figure. Taking in the rumbling valleys of his muscles. The thick rings around his abs. Those beautiful pointers I wanted to trace with my tongue. His thighs bulged with veins I wanted to kiss. His chest swelled with muscles I wanted to fall against. He was so intense. All the time. And I felt how much he liked me in his kiss.
In his touch.
In the way he looked at me while taking my body as his own.
Are you really ready for that kind of seriousness? Isn’t that what I am trying to avoid with Ratu?
“Yes, sorry,” I said.
“No need to be,” he said.
I closed my eyes. I needed to stop staring at his defined body. Everything about him called to me. Called to my gut. My fingers. My body. My skin. I drew in a deep breath and found myself tasting him. Memorizing his scent. Being reminded of his heat.
I felt goosebumps rush across my skin.
“What do you need?” Collin asked.
My eyes ripped open. “A bath.”
“I can go draw you o—”
“No!”
I stood up and wrapped my comforter around me. This wasn’t right. Collin was a ruse and nothing more. I needed to keep things that way. For his sake.
“I can run my own bath,” I said.
And when he stared me down, I knew our relationship had fundamentally changed. Things would never go back to the way they were after this. After Ratu was gone, if my plan worked.
“As you wish,” Collin said, with a defeated tone that broke my heart.
Chapter 9
Collin
As I walked toward King Teyelu’s office, I centered my mind. Ever since Teyela left me in her bedroom to take a bath yesterday, I’d felt out of sorts. She hadn’t dismissed me. Did she expect me to stay? Stand there naked? For her viewing pleasure? She didn’t strike me as that type of girl. If anything, she seemed rattled after our encounter.
Almost like she regretted it.
Fuck.
Tried as I might have to cover up my feelings, something told me I didn’t do a good job of it yesterday. My feelings for her ran deep, and I worried that she wasn’t taking it well. I didn’t blame her, either. Teyela was still young. Very beautiful. She could have anything and anyone she wanted. Maybe I was a fool for thinking she could be interested in a real relationship with me.
I’ll never forget the connection we shared though. Last night.
It’s a memory I’ll always cherish.
His chamber doors opened, and I saw him standing with his back to me. His hands clasped behind his back. And by the redness of his hands, I knew he was in a foul mood. I walked in just as the doors slammed behind me, and I clasped my own hands behind my back. Surrendering myself to whatever punishment would befall me for my actions toward the Prime Minister.
Then, without turning around, the King spoke.
“I never thought this day would come, you know?”
I kept myself silent, though it didn’t sound good.
“Ever since I hired you, Collin, I never once regretted it. It almost made sense, after you helped keep my wife’s brother safe from that extortionist. I respected you. In some ways, even idolized you.”
I remembered that well. Only a few days after I’d moved myself to the island, I contracted work with the Anuwana Police Force in an attempt to try and make money for myself when I first got here. And very quickly, I started being asked to head up investigations. One of them being an investigation into a group of individuals attempting to blackmail Queen Serefa’s only brother.
My hiring came shortly after that case.
“But,” the King said as he turned around, “now I have to fire you. As much as I don’t want to, I have to.”
I nodded but stayed silent.
“You’ve crossed a line with my daughter, Collin. A line you were never privy to. And after your behavior with Prime Minister Ratu yesterday, I cannot overlook things any longer. You’re to collect your things, appoint someone to assume your duties temporarily, and be out of this palace within the hour.”
You might as well speak up. You don’t have much to lose now. “You’re making a mistake, tying your only child to Ratu,” I said.
“I’m not interested in your opinions. I hired you to protect my daughter. Not defile her.”
“There’s something that isn’t right about him. I have men—”
“You no longer have men in this palace, as far as I’m concerned. You’ll be escorted to your rooms, your office, and then out the doors. Guards!”
“King Teyelu, I really need you to listen to me right now.”
“One more word, and I’ll toss you out and burn your things in the palace furnace,” he hissed.
I glared at the King before I felt one of his guards take my arm. I wrenched away from him, then cast my eyes back at Teyelu one last time. He turned his back to me again, his temples throbbing in anger. And quickly, I was hustled to my rooms. Forced to pack my things. Practically shoved into my office where I collected my few essentials. My men stared at me in horror as the guards escorted me down what we called “red-line lane.” A line no one ever came back from, after they were fired.
And as we turned down the last hallway, I saw a familiar face coming through the massive double doors. Nor.
“Collin?” she asked.
“Keep moving,” the guard said.
“Collin, what’s going on?”
I spoke quickly. “Tell the princess I’ve been fired by her father. Tell her I’ve appointed the only man I trust to keep watch over her. Tell her that it won’t stop me from my mission to end this union between her and th—”
“Keep moving,” the guard said curtly.
Then he shoved me. Stumbling me forward as I balanced my things in my hands.
I looked back at Nor as they pushed me toward the exit doors. She looked on in shock, and my only hope was that she delivered the message. The doors slammed closed behind me, and I sighed, gazing out upon the beauty of Anuwana.
Then I started out toward the main road.
After almost two hours of walking, with my body drenched in sweat, I checked into the first hotel I came to. Thank fuck, I was frugal with my money. Because the hotels on this island were expensive. I asked for their cheapest room. A room that didn’t even have a window. A room they usually kept reserved for those who worked the front desk and had to stay behind because of storms or monsoons.
And it still cost me eight bucks a night.
“Fuck,” I groaned.
I dropped my shit and walked over to a chair in the corner. I collapsed against it, then let my head fall back. I closed my eyes. I screwed them shut really. I’d fucked up royally, and now I wasn’t there to personally keep Teyela safe from that rat. From that conniving little shit.
He’s dead, as far as I’m concerned.
My cell phone rang, and I pulled it from my pocket. I pressed the button without even looking at who it was. Because I knew who it was. No one ever called me. I had no one to call me.
Except Patrick.
“Tell me you’ve got something,” I said.
“You mean, tell you that I’ve got a pretty good notion of Ratu’s corruption, but no hard proof because he’s covering his tracks?”
I sat up. “Tell me what you came across.”
“I think exposing this man’s going to be easier than coming up with proof. Because he’s good at what he does.”
; “You’re better, though.”
“Still, that’s our best bet for maximum damage in such a short amount of time. We can set up a sting operation if you want. See if the P.M. takes the bait.”
I closed my eyes. “Okay, uh… give me a second…”
“You good?”
“I’m grand,” I said flatly.
“Everything okay?”
Then an idea came to mind. “I’ll be in touch soon. Let me solidify some things on my end. Because if we can prove to King Teyelu that Ratu is corrupt, he won’t let that marriage happen. Hopefully.”
“Marriage? What marriage?”
“Gotta go. Talk soon.”
Then I hung up the phone and got to work.
Chapter 10
Teyela
“Tey-Tey. Get up. Now.”
My eyes popped open, and the sun beaming down against my skin no longer mattered. Nor flopped down between my legs on the lounge chair of my bedroom balcony. I slid my sunglasses down, trying to figure out why she was in such a tizzy.
“Nor, what’s wrong?”
“Collin was just led out of the palace. Walking the red line.”
I paused. “What?”
“Yeah. Your father fired him. Flat out.”
The world came to a grinding halt. Everything changed. I didn’t think my father would go to this kind of length to make this marriage happen. But now I was alone. Collin wouldn’t be there to keep me safe. Hell, as far as I knew, I’d never see him again.
That realization hurt more than it should have.
“I have to go speak with my father,” I said.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“My father’s clearly trying to pave the way for Ratu. That isn’t happening.”
Nor stood with me. “Which is why laying low and staying off the King’s radar might be better than getting in his face.”
I rushed into my room and quickly disrobed. I threw on the closest outfit I had and stormed out of my bedroom. I felt strangely naked still. I looked behind me and saw Nor rushing after me, instead of Collin hovering where he always stood.
I didn’t like that.
“Tey-Tey, will you wait?” Nor asked.
I shook my head. “I’m not waiting any longer. I refuse to have all my decisions made for me. I refuse to be a pawn. A silent party in my father’s dealings. This stops now, no matter what it costs me.”
“Is there anything I can say to stop you?”
“You should already know the answer to that,” I spat.
“Well, after the King’s done ripping you a new one, you can find me on your balcony. Enjoying the sunshine and levelheadedness of the day!”
I turned the corner and left her in my dust. I marched straight to my father’s office and past his guards. While they tried stopping me, I stormed on in. Throwing the doors open so hard they crashed against the walls.
Interrupting Ratu and my father laughing in the presence of one another.
“Ah, Teyela,” my father said.
“Don’t you dare,” I glowered.
“Princess, you look outstandingly radiant today,” Ratu said. “Is the sunbathing soothing you much?”
I glared at him before turning my eyes toward my father. “I demand you reinstate Collin and recognize our engagement,” I said.
“Your bodyguard?” Ratu asked.
Father waved his hand in the air. “You’re behaving like a child. Don’t you have some shopping to do with your mother?”
“I don’t enjoy being marginalized, and I won’t let you do it a second longer.”
Ratu chuckled. He walked over to me as he slipped his hand in his pocket. He pulled out three rolls of cash, wrapped up in a golden rubber band. Then, he wrapped his grip around my wrist and opened my palm.
“Don’t you dare,” I hissed.
“Go buy yourself something special for the wedding night,” he said, grinning.
He placed the money in my hand, and I wrenched away from him. I gripped the wads, throwing them at him. They pummeled his face. I heard my father calling after me. No, not calling. Bellowing. He told me to get back to his office. To come and stand before him at once.
“Fuck off, Father!” I exclaimed.
I vibrated with frustration as I made my way back to my room. By the time I got there, I’d been in a dead sprint. Ready to get away from everyone and everything. I threw my bedroom doors open and rushed for my bed. I threw myself against my mattress as tears sprang to my eyes. I felt hopeless. Lost. I felt like nothing but a trinket for men to enjoy and my father to barter me off with.
“How did it go?” Nor asked. She sat down beside me, rubbing her hand along my back as I cried into my pillow.
“Maybe we should figure out a real plan to get you out of this?” she asked.
I sniffled. “What?”
“A real plan. You know, not the one you haphazardly threw together, only to result in someone getting fired?”
I shot her a look. “You finished?”
“You ready to get to work?”
I sat up. “Do you really have a plan?”
“If you’ll dry those eyes and find me the headstrong Teyela I know, yes.”
Chapter 11
Collin
“How’d you find me?” I asked.
“How’d you know it was me?”
Nor’s voice emanated behind me as I downed the rest of my second drink. I looked at the mirror framing the liquors of the hotel’s shoddy bar. And when our eyes connected, Nor smiled.
“Can we talk?” she asked.
“Nothing stopping you from sitting,” I murmured.
I motioned for a third glass as she slid into a seat next to me. The bartender slid me the whiskey twist, and I took a large pull of it. I felt Nor’s eyes on me. I wondered why she was here.
“So, how’d you find me?” I asked again.
“You stick out on the island. It wasn’t hard. Plus, my father owns over half the hotels on this island. Doesn’t take many phone calls to place you.”
“Why are you here?”
“I’ve been talking with the princess about her little problem.”
I snickered. “Yeah.”
“We’ve come up with a plan.”
My eyes slowly rose to the bartender, and I pulled out my wallet. I slipped three twenties out and placed them on the bar. Then, I waved at him to go away. He scooped up the money and nodded, then made himself scarce. Shooing away a couple of people sitting at the bar alongside me.
And once we were alone, I sighed.
“Keep your voice down,” I murmured.
Nor nodded. “The best thing we’ve got is to smuggle her off the island until we can think of something else to get her out of this mess.”
My eyes slowly found hers. “Are you fucking out of your mind?”
“At least she’d be out of her father’s grasp that way. Maybe, if she’s out of sight, this whole thing will blow over once Ratu goes back to the hole he crawled out of.”
“Not his biggest fan?”
“Trust me. No one is.”
“Shocker.”
“We need to get Tey-Tey away from her father. This is all we’ve got.”
“I’ve got a way to expose Ratu for the evil he is, but it’s going to take time,” I said.
“And you’ve got that time. I’ll buy you however much you need, so long as you help us get her off this fucking island.”
My eyebrows rose. “Keep. It. Down.”
She sighed. “Sorry. Sorry. Wait, did you say ‘expose Ratu’?”
“Yep.”
“How?”
I shrugged. “Got a hacker friend who owes me a favor.”
“What is the plan?”
“A sting operation.”
“Let me help,” she said.
“No.”
“I’ve got a cousin who’s a real-estate developer. I’m sure I can convince him to help with the sting. Help set you guys up in a place somewhere.”
> “You don’t even know the plan. And the last thing we need is your father’s rich last name in on this somehow.”
She scoffed. “My cousin’s got a different last name, jackass.”
“Could’ve led with that.”
“Do you have a plan for the sting operation yet?”
“I’m working on it.”
“Well, tell me what you’ve got.”
I snickered. “Nothing substantial.”
“Might I suggest something, then?”
“Fine.”
“What if we set up a place with microphones or something and plan some sort of a deal? A state deal, where he gets some sort of incentive for doing something bad?”
I paused. “A kickback sting?”
“Is that what you call it? I’ve only ever seen it on TV”
I sighed. “God, I’m gonna need help.”
“It’ll work though, right?”
I paused. “It might. If we do it right and can get it set up in time.”
“Wanna pitch the idea to your hacker friend who owes you one?”
She was a spitfire. I’d give her that. But she was onto something. As much as I hated to admit it. I pulled my phone out and got Patrick. We ran down our rudimentary plan. Complete with the theory of sneaking the princess out of the castle for now to keep her safe.
It was simple: her cousin loans us a house, we set it up with devices, then we arrange a meeting between Ratu and—well, someone—to go over an incentives deal that would provide him with a great deal of personal kickback in exchange for screwing over the King.
“Whoever this girl is, I like her style,” Patrick said.
“I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that,” Nor said, giggling.
“Or you can pretend you did hear it and take all the credit. Because it’s a great plan.”
I rolled my eyes. “You done flirting, Patrick?”
“And what if he isn’t?” Nor asked.
“I like her. Keep her around.”
I grinned. “Start putting the wheels in motion. Get that dirt to the surface. We’ll work on the house and the deal on our end.”