Paper Princess (The Royals #1)(16)

“—but they win, and Astor likes to see its name in the paper next to the W.”

“Then why am I here?” I mutter under my breath.

But Savannah has superhero hearing because as she pushes open the front door, she says, “You’re a Royal of some sort. What kind of Royal remains to be seen. This school will eat you up if you’re weak, so my suggestion is to take advantage of everything the Royal name offers you, even if it means taking it by force.”

A car door slams and a very thin, platinum blonde in skintight jeans and sky-high stilettos totters towards us.

“Hello…um…” The stranger holds a hand to her forehead as if she’s shading her eyes from the sun, which is completely unnecessary given that she has enormous sunglasses covering her face.

My tour guide mutters softly. “That’s Callum Royal’s girlfriend. You don’t have to be nice to her. She’s just an extra.”

And with that last bit of sage advice, Savannah disappears, leaving me with this wisp of a woman.

“You must be Elaine. I’m Brooke, Callum’s friend. I’m here to take you shopping.” She claps her hands together as if this is the most exciting thing ever.

“Ella,” I correct.

“Oh, I’m sorry! I’m so terrible with names.” She beams at me. “We’re going to have so much fun today!”

I hesitate. “Um. We don’t have to go shopping. I’m good just hanging out here at the school until the bus comes.”

“Oh dear,” she titters. “There are no buses. Besides, Callum told me to take you shopping so that’s what we’re going to do.”

She grips my arm with surprising strength and drags me toward the Town Car. And inside is Durand. I’m beginning to love him.

“Hey, Durand.” I wave, before glancing back at Brooke. “How about I sit up front with Durand and let you relax in the back?” I offer.

“No. I want to get to know you.” She pushes me into the backseat and climbs in beside me. “Tell me everything.”

I stifle a sigh, not exactly looking forward to making small talk with Callum’s girlfriend. Then I chastise myself for it, because Brooke hasn’t done anything but be nice to me. I’m not usually so judgy, and I force myself to lower my guard a little. If anything, it sounds like Brooke is more my type than the Royals, if random classmates of the boys call her an extra.

She looks young, though. Really young. As in Callum could be her father young.

“There’s not much to tell,” I reply with a shrug. “I’m Ella Harper. Callum says that Steve O’Halloran is my father.”

Brooke nods. “Yes, he told me this morning. Isn’t that amazing? He told me how he found you just a few hours away and he was so upset to discover your mom had passed away.” She reaches for my hand, her bright smile dimming at the corners slightly. “My mother died when I was thirteen. A brain aneurysm. I was heartbroken, so I know just how you feel.”

When she squeezes my hand, I feel a lump develop in my throat. I have to swallow twice before I can answer. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Her eyelids flutter closed for a moment, as if she’s also struggling for control over her emotions. “Well, we’re both in a better place now, aren’t we? Callum saved me as well, you know.”

“You were stripping, too?” I blurt out.

Brooke’s eyes widen and a little laugh trips out before she can cover her mouth. “Is that what you were doing?”

“It wasn’t full nudity.” I cringe in the face of her giggles, wishing I never brought it up in the first place.

She composes herself and reaches out to pat my hand again. “I’m sorry I’m laughing. It’s not at you, but at Callum. He was probably mortified. He’s trying so hard to be a good father for his boys right now and I’m sure finding his young charge in a strip club had to be shocking.”

Flushed and embarrassed, I look out the window. This day couldn’t have gone worse. From the weird feelings Reed’s aggressive hate brought out, to the condescending tour guided by Savannah, to my embarrassing confession to Callum’s girlfriend. I hate feeling like I don’t belong. The first day at a new school. The first ride on a bus. The first—

A tap on my forehead interrupts my thoughts. “Hey, don’t get lost in there, sweetie.”

I glance over my shoulder at Brooke. “I’m not,” I tell her.

“Bullshit.” She speaks the curse word softly and tenderly. Her hand rises to cup my cheek. “I didn’t strip, but that’s because I chose to do worse things to get by. You get no judgment from me. None. The important thing is that you’re not there anymore and you won’t ever have to be again. If you play your cards right, you’ll be set for life.” Then she pulls her hand back and smacks me lightly. “Now, put on a smile because we’re going shopping.”

Not gonna lie, that sounds good to me. “How much will it cost?” I’ve been to the mall before. Things can add up fast, even if they’re on sale, but if I have a school uniform then I only need one or two items. Another pair of pants. Maybe a shirt or two. The beach is nearby so a swimsuit makes sense. I could part with a few hundred dollars.

Brooke’s face lights up. She pulls out a card and waves it in front of my face. “You’re asking the wrong question. This is all on Callum and trust me, no matter what he says about his business being in the toilet a few years ago, that man could buy and sell the entire shopping complex and still have enough left over to make even the most expensive hooker orgasm.”