Royally Not Ready(16)

Grumbling under the covers, I push at them and slowly slide out from the foot of the bed where I’ve been sleeping all night. I pull the covers around my head like a cloak and roll into a warm cocoon while I stare up at the ceiling, blurry-eyed. “Call me Lilly.”

“Lilly, did you sleep like that all night?”

I take in my surroundings and then rest my head back down. “Yes, I felt that it would be harder for the ghosts to penetrate my soul if I was fully immersed in my blankets. Seems as though it worked. I’m alive and well this morning. How did you sleep?”

“Great, thank you. Brimar hogged the bed only slightly, but he kept me warm.”

“Must be nice working with your boyfriend.”

“It has its pluses and minuses. Given our line of work, there are always concerns, but I can assure you about something, Lilly, there are no ghosts in this castle.”

“Ha! Okay, Lara, it’s nice that you’re trying to assure me, but I know the truth.” I let out a long yawn. “What time is it?”

“Six in the morning.”

“Six?” I say, popping up. “Why the hell are you waking me up at six? The only people I know that wake up at six are overachievers who like to get a workout in before the day starts. And trust me, Lara, I am not one of those people.”

“Ah, so . . . that might make this morning’s activities a bit of a challenge.” She winces. “Brimar and Keller are waiting downstairs with their running shoes on.”

Running shoes? She can’t possibly be serious.

“Hold on.” I swipe my blonde locks out of my face. “Are you trying to tell me that you’re in my room at six in the morning, knocking on my sheets because we’re going on a run?”

“Yes. It’s the protocol that as bodyguards, we go on a run in the morning to keep up with our fitness. Keller joins us, and given the circumstances, you can’t be left alone. Therefore, you will need to join us.”

She must have lost her mind. Me? Run?

At six in the morning?

“You have got to be kidding me. What circumstances?”

“I’m not at liberty to say.”

“Isn’t that convenient?” I whisper. “So, what you’re telling me is that you’d like me to join you this morning.”

“I’m afraid you don’t have an option. If we are out of the castle, so are you. You’re required to go on the run.”

Isn’t that just rich?

“Jesus Christ,” I say, flinging my covers off me. Of course it’s a requirement. Freaking Torskethorpe and their healthy bodyguards and whatever the hell Keller is. Maybe instead of running, they just eat a banana. That’s healthy. I hop off my bed in a fit of irritation, only for my leg to get caught in one of the sheets, causing me to tip forward and land flat on the stone surface below me. “Mother . . . fucker,” I groan.

“Lilly, are you okay?”

I hold up my hand. “Fine. Fine.” I shake my foot free of the sheet and stand. “I’m going to assume you purchased workout clothes and shoes?”

Once again, she winces. “I did.” She gestures toward the dresser. “I actually laid them out for you before I woke you up.”

“Well, that was kind of you.” I move past her, scoop the clothes off the dresser, and then head to the bathroom. “Let me get ready.”

“Okay, and, uh, Keller told me to tell you to not take too long. There’s a schedule for the day.”

There’s a schedule for the day—that was said in a very immature, mocking voice.

Deep breaths, Lilly.

She’s just the messenger. No need to lash out at her.

“Thank you, Lara.” I smile and then slip into the bathroom.

Not take too long . . . where does he get off?

And forcing me to work out? Timmy is going to drop dead when I tell him I went for a run. Running is not my thing. I’m more of a Pilates kind of girl—you know, a little ab work here and there. Nothing too strenuous. Nothing that’s going to force me to gasp for air.

But it seems that attitude doesn’t work for today’s schedule.

Irritated and bitter—a whole lot of bitter—I take care of my business on the tiny toilet, brush my teeth with the freezing cold jiggling-pipe water, and then slip my clothes on and throw my hair up into a ponytail.

I stare at my reflection and say, “This is the best they’re going to get.”

Lucky for me, the clothes and shoes fit amazingly, and Lara was smart to include a long-sleeved workout shirt for me. Given how cold my room is this morning, I can only imagine what it’s going to be like when I step outside.

I head down the stairs to the entryway of the house, where Brimar, Lara, and Keller are all standing, waiting for me.

With a fake smile plastered across my face, I sarcastically say, “Lovely morning for a run, isn’t it?”

“Good morning, Miss Campbell,” Brimar says.

“Lilly, for the love of God, please, all of you, call me Lilly,” I nearly screech and then realize the tone of my voice. When I reach the bottom stair, I grip the banister and take a deep breath. “I apologize for that outburst. I’m not much of a morning person, nor do I tend to run for fun. So, I’m slightly on edge at the moment. But, please, call me Lilly.”