Page 64 of The Royal Art of Revenge

I swallow.

Is that right?

Do I want to believe Rosalyn isn’t a bad person? That she truly had nothing to do with my life being ruined?

Then again, maybe it’s just a general thing. The idea that anyone could arrange for a child to be kidnapped merely to ensure their own daughter’s future is so evil that I can’t comprehend it.

Although, I suppose I don’t need to understand it.

“You can be angry,” Rafayel continues. “Just please, don’t put yourself in danger. Ryan will never let me hear the end of it.”

This time, my smile is genuine. “Don’t worry. I promise, I’ll be careful.”

“Good.” He checks his watch. “I hate to do this, but I have a meeting in fifteen minutes. You can stay here longer if you’d like.”

“No, I have another commitment this afternoon.” I mirror him by checking the time. “In fact, my transportation will be here any minute, so I should get going.”

“Want me to walk you down?”

“No, you prepare for your meeting.” I stand up and pull my laptop out of my bag. I slide the folder into my closed laptop, then put it back and haul the strap over my shoulder. “Thanks… for handing this over. I know you don’t like it when we start digging.”

Rafayel sighs, linking his fingers and stretching his hands up over his head. “I don’t, but it isn’t my place to tell you to stop. Whatever the two of you went through… Well, if you can find answers, you deserve at least that much. If being your messenger boy makes that safer, then I’ll do it.”

“Oh, boohoo—the multimillionaire business owner and heir is reduced to being a little postman. However will you cope in your glass tower here?”

He grins. “I don’t know, but you’ll have to make it up to me one day.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I wave him off as I walk to the door. “Don’t worry,” I say with a smile. “I’ll make it up to you in ways you can only dream of.”

He clutches his chest. “Stop, or I’ll think you’re flirting with me.”

“There’s only one man I flirt with, thank you very much.”

“Ah, your mystery man. I live for the day I can finally meet him.”

I toss a smile over my shoulder. “It might be coming sooner than you think.”

“Wait!”

“See you!” I throw my hand up in a hurried wave and rush away, leaving him gaping after me very unprofessionally.

Honestly, we’re at his office. Doesn’t he have anything better to do than stare after me as if I’ve just spoilt the ending of his favourite movie franchise?

The thought makes me suppress a giggle, and I make my way to the ground floor of the building. A red car is waiting outside, and I walk up to the driver’s side. Thankfully, Finn has arranged for the same person to pick me up every day even if the cars change, so I recognise the man in the seat and get into the back.

“Good afternoon,” Sophia says brightly. “You’re a bit late.”

“Sorry, my meeting ran a little over.” I close the door behind me, and after she nods to the driver, he pulls away. “Can you tell me what’s on the schedule for today?”

“I can, but His Royal Highness told me you probably aren’t going to like it, so I think I’ll wait.”

My head snaps around so I can glare at her, and she deliberately looks out of the window. “Sophia…”

“Sorry,” she says with a wince. “I think it’s best he tell you. For me, that is. It’s best for me.”

***

“An interview?” The words squeak out of me, and I blink aimlessly at Finn. “A fricking live interview? Have you lost your mind?”