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“You’re not working right now. Go back upstairs. I want to be alone,” I tell him, never showing my face. If I want to go back upstairs, I’ll have to freshen up. I can’t be seen crying in public.
“You’re obviously hurt.” He ponders his words for a moment. “Mr. Winters asked for you in the group chat, and… The party’s underway. The guests are having an amazing time. You should come and see it for yourself.”
“Thank you for informing me. I need some time alone,” I insist.
“Show me your face,” he demands, and I flinch at his sudden harshness. When I don’t move, he grips the arms that hide my face, and he pulls them out of the way. His fingers wrap around my jaw, and I let him.
I’m used to being pushed around, aren’t I?
Måns notices the moment I let go. He drops me like I’m a nasty fly, distancing himself from me.
After a moment of quiet, he finally asks, “Can I comfort you in any way? I don’t want to be intrusive.”
“You. Already. Are,” I say, gritting my teeth.
“Can I hug you?”
“What? No.” I shift in my seat on the floor, ruining my daughter’s dress.
“One hug, and I’ll leave you to it. We can see you through the cameras, you know. Give me one hug, and I’ll delete the footage. He won’t see you crying, and I’ll leave you alone if that’s your wish,” he offers gently.
“Is that all? One hug?” I can think of a bigger price, but I forget that I’m not a whore anymore. The king is dead, and I’m regular and plain Felicita now. Widow. Mother. Grandmother. Babysitter for the royal babies.
Måns nods firmly.
“I can do that.” Before I can position myself for a hug, Måns hoists me up from the floor. He’s in my private space, and I momentarily regret my consent to the hug. The cameras are watching. If I need to get out, I’ll shriek and knee him where it hurts. Jordan has practiced the move with me.
When he wraps his arms around me, it’s not sexual. It’s a platonic hug full of sorrow. He doesn’t press his cock against me. Carefully, he just holds me, and I whimper into his embrace.
“I delete the feeds when I see you crying,” Måns informs me. His cologne is musky, full of man. He’s a gentle soul inside, though. “I figure you would appreciate the privacy.”
“I do. Thank you,” I say against his shirt. We’re both breathing hard, overwhelmed with my breakdown. “I’m sorry for the extra work—”
Måns’ hand caresses my hair, cupping the back of my head. He massages the tense knots there, and I relax into the embrace.
All good things come to an end. The hug is over before I can fully grasp what’s happening.
“You need to get back out there,” Måns suggests. He tugs at the lapels of his suit jacket, stretching his neck. The sight is wonderful. His neck is thick and veiny, matching his strong shoulders. “It’s a beautiful world.”
“Not through these eyes,” I reply. His steel-blue eyes gleam in the night. Hope’s palpable for a young man like Måns, right there and ready.
For me, hope is a bitch that has been trying to kill me for decades.
One of these days, it might catch up to me.
I hope I’m strong enough to withstand it.
CHAPTERFOUR
JORDAN
“OH MY GOD,”Valentina cries out when she sees me walk down the stairs of her childhood home. She’s not dressed to go out, but she’s as fashionable as ever in her comfy clothes of silk. She’s got my sister’s fierce attitude, height, and Travis’s dark hair paired with dark eyes. “I have the hottest uncle on earth. ARIS! Look at him.”
Aris is busy with Penelope Jade, fixing her green coat. She’s tall for her age, thanks to Aris. 24/7, this family looks like it’s ready to catwalk. He manages to spare me a glance. “Oh shit. You’ll get tons of pussy tonight, for sure.”
“Hey,” I warn him, and the fucker smirks, his gray eyes sparkling. “Not in front of the kids.”
“I don’t use that word,” Penelope Jade claims proudly. She’s a sweet little thing, always dressing up like the Joker, though. She’s obsessed with comic books. “Mom says it’s only for grownups.”
