AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then why did you take me?” Sophia asks, her chestnut eyes shimmering in the bedroom light.
“Because I wanted to.”
Because I needed to.
My heart stirs at that thought.
After all of this time together, I’m finally starting to understand what drove me to steal that sad little princess from her gilded cage. It wasn’t pity. It wasn’t lust, or pride or fury.
It was because she’s special—and not just because she’s a queen. But because she’s mine.
Somehow, I knew she was mine before I even really knew who she was.
Still, I’m stubborn enough that I haven’t brought up the prospect of another marriage pact. She’ll have to suggest that. Until then, I’m strictly exploring other paths forward.
“Did you want to have innocent blood on your hands?” Sophia asks. “Because I’m sure my men wouldn’t have resorted to this shit if you hadn’t taken me. We were supposed to be fighting you, and that’s it.”
Picking up my clothes from the floor, I slowly start to get dressed. Something tells me that I’ll be getting that call from Ray very soon. And as much as I want to keep this honeymoon going with Sophia, conversations like this remind me that I’m going to have to take action if anything is going to get done.
“What would have happened if you had actually married me, would they have still fought in your name?” I ask, slipping on a t-shirt.
“I don’t know anymore…”
“But you thought they would when you agreed to go along with Retsos’ plan?”
“No. I wasn’t sure then either. I was just trying to save my friend.”
“So, then this whole thing has always been a mess. It’s not my fault.”
“We’re all to blame.”
“And that’s exactly how the feds are going to look at it if this comes to light. I can’t let that happen, Sophia. There’s too much at stake.”
“… But what do we do?”
Right on time, my phone starts to buzz.
“You think of ways to talk your men off the edge of this cliff. I’ll think of ways to get you an audience with them. Now, stay here and rest up. I want you fresh when I get back.”
“Where are you going?” Sophia asks, as I turn and walk towards the bedroom door.
“To do my part. Now, it’s time for you to think of how to do yours too.”
Stepping out into the hall, I leave the bedroom door open as I answer Ray’s call.
“Tell me you have good news.”
“I have good news!” he jokes. “… But I also have bad news. What do you want to hear first?”
“The good news.”
“… I’ve found him.”
I was expecting him to say that. Still, the revelation stops me in my tracks.
“Castor Manolas?”
“The one and the only.”
