Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(48)

“I do okay, but I’m no secret spy chick.”

“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Trust me on that.”

We talk a little longer before I head inside to grab my bag. I’m leaving behind all of the clothes Brayden’s mother bought me, except for what I wore the day of the picnic. That afternoon was magical and romantic. My sloth and iguana are going home with me, too. I wish I could bring back the gaming systems from my room, but I can’t exactly walk into the castle and ask for them. I’ll have my memories to remind me of all those nights where Brayden tried to play for me.

“You’re not leaving without a proper goodbye, are you?”

I turn to smile at Jen. “No. I was just grabbing my bag.”

“Did you and Noah have a good talk?”

“We did. Thank you for letting him stay here until he gets an apartment.”

“He could stay here forever if he wanted to. Even after he marries that girl from the village.”

“You noticed too, huh?”

“Oh yeah.” We both laugh.

“Thank you for everything. For being there for him when I couldn’t, and for not hating us even though we lied to you.”

“You lied to protect my family, and me in particular. I know that. I also know that you never lied about your feelings, and neither did Noah.”

“We didn’t. I hope we can stay in touch, Jen.”

“I’d like that.”

We hug goodbye and then I leave the house with my friends. We pile into SUVs and drive to the airport. I can’t help but look at the castle as we drive by. Nate reaches over, and squeezes my hand.

“He’s an idiot. I know, because I used to be one, too.”

“It’s okay. I’m okay.”

“No you’re not. But you’re also not alone.”

“Thank you,” I say as I lean over and kiss his cheek.

* * *

Brayden

I stand in the shadow of the gates, and watch the SUVs drive by. I fight the urge to run after them and beg Darcy to give me another chance. I know that’s not possible, but God, I wish it was. In the light of day, I can admit to myself that I was an ass last night. Yes, she lied to me, but she also loved me. I don’t doubt that now. I really didn’t then, either. I just couldn’t see past the betrayal.

“You’re going to just stand there and watch her go?” Jen asks, pulling her car up next to me.

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe we’re even related.”

“Because I don’t go chasing after some girl like a love-sick fool. Kings don’t do that.”

“No, they just convince a girl with more honor in her little pinky than most people have in their entire bodies, to swear an oath to them. One that will put her life in danger while they sit back and relax.”

“You’re mad at my dead father?”

“Yes, and my living one, too.”

“They protected our line.”

“At the expense of the man they called their best friend, and his wife and children.”

“They weren’t forced to help us.”

“Are you even listening to yourself? You’ll make a great king, that’s for sure.”

“I’m choosing to take that as a compliment.”

“You shouldn’t.”

She drives on through the gates and parks. I hear her car door slam and then the front door does the same. I can’t help replaying her words in my head, but I won’t allow myself to believe them. My father and uncle did what they had to do in order to protect us. That can’t be wrong. Would I do the same thing? Probably. Maybe. I don’t really know. I’ve never been faced with that kind of decision, and I don’t really think it’s something you can prepare for.

Just like I couldn’t prepare myself for falling in love. I love Darcy, and I know that no one will ever come close to replacing her. It’s just not possible. I do have to choose a wife, though, and I’ve arranged for the first candidate to come by this afternoon. Her family happily put her on a plane the moment my mother had her lady in waiting place the call.

I walk back inside and decide that I have time to take a nap before our guest arrives. I think I’m going to need to be well rested for this whole thing. Just the thought of picking one of these women makes me feel ill. I shouldn’t be settling for good enough when I could’ve had the best.

It’s a few hours later, and I’m standing in the foyer, waiting for the woman who could possibly be my future bride. I purposely dressed in the most formal of my suits, and I’ve styled my hair into submission, making sure not a single strand is out of place. I also made sure to shave for the second time today, because Darcy always loved it when I had a little stubble to rub over her skin. Dammit, I need to stop thinking about her, especially right now.

“Welcome,” I say with a smile I’m not feeling, as the door opens.

The woman who walks through the door is exactly what I was expecting, and everything my heart doesn’t want. She has long, straight black hair and is dressed to within an inch of her life. She screams “money” and “designer” and I want to run.

“Hello, Brayden,” she says, batting her eyes. Honestly, she just batted her eyes at me.