Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(52)

“I can’t.”

“Good luck, then. The people want to see her.”

I make it through another round of grilling, and then retire to my rooms without even bothering with dinner. I’m too exhausted to even think about what’s going on. I thought I was making a choice for my people, but now they’ve basically told me that I’ve made a mistake. They want Darcy, and if I’m being honest with myself, so do I.





Chapter 20


Brayden

Tonight is my last night as a prince, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. The ball is starting in a half hour, and I’m going alone. In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to take someone who wasn’t Darcy. It didn’t feel right, especially now that I know my people feel the same way I do.

“You need to see this,” Jen says, coming into my room with Noah. I nod at him, wanting to say more, but I know now is not the time.

Jen turns on the giant TV and I see a private plane landing at the island’s airstrip. The Corrigan & Co. logo is on the side, and my heart starts to beat faster. It can’t be, can it? The reporter starts to speak, and I…well, I’m speechless.

“Reporting live from the airfield, and there she is. Darcy is here! Thousands of emails and electronic cards were sent to her by the people of Cyndryann, and she’s answered our call!”

I grip the chair in front of me as I watch her walk down the steps of the plane. She’s wearing a long white dress that’s sexy, sinful, and all her. It has a Peter Pan collar at the top, but then it’s sheer down the middle, almost to her belly button, exposing the swells of her delicious breasts. Black butterflies cover the front, spilling over onto the sleeves. There’s also a swath of fabric extending from one side that looks like a cape. Perfect for the village heroine. Her hair is up and she has very little makeup and no jewelry on. She’s gorgeous. So f*cking gorgeous. I have to stop myself from reaching out to touch the screen.

None of us say a word as we watch her walk to the edge of the airfield where it looks like the entire village is waiting for her. The children surround her, giving her more flowers than she could ever carry. She passes them off to Nate and Aiden who are obviously here as her bodyguards. She pulls up her skirt a little as she takes the hands of the two children next to her and begins to walk with them.

More and more people gather behind her as she makes her way to the castle. I stay rooted to this spot until she makes it to the palace gates, and I see them denying her entrance. It’s then that I run down the stairs and out the front door.

“Let her in. Open the gates and let her in,” I yell.

The guards don’t hesitate to do as I’ve instructed. She walks through, as everyone streams in around her. I stop in front of her, cup her face in my hands, and kiss her. The people cheer, and clap, but I don’t let her go. Not yet. Not until her hands finally dive into my hair. I pull back just enough to look into her eyes.

“Well hello, Your Highness.”

“Hi, Darcy.”

“Your people begged me to come.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“We can take a few pictures, and then I’ll go if you want. I know I’ve been banished from the island, and I’d prefer not to spend any time in the dungeon.”

“Please stay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I was stupid to send you away, and I want you to be there tomorrow. I didn’t know how to ask you after I was such an ass, but it would mean everything to me for you to be there when I’m crowned.”

“I heard you were interviewing princesses.”

“I was.”

“Shouldn’t one of them be there with you?”

“Probably, but they’re not you.”

“Are you going to fight the law?”

I want to tell her yes, but I don’t want more lies between us. “I don’t know.”

“I won’t sleep with you tonight. I want to, but I can’t handle it.”

“Just let me kiss you a few times?”

“Yes, and then I’ll leave after the ceremony.”

“Night by night, Cat.”

“Kiss by kiss, Crown.”

We pose for what seems like hours. The other guests arrive while we’re still outside, and the princesses all glare at me as they walk by. Darcy smiles at their dirty looks and gives me a kiss for every single one. All of those boring dinners may have just been worth it.

I don’t leave her side for the entire night. My mother is sending me death glares as I refuse to dance with anyone else. I don’t really care. The woman I love is here with me for one more night, and I’m going to hold onto every moment I can with her.

Long after the rest of the guests have left, I’m making out with Darcy on the couch in her game room. I never changed anything in here. I couldn’t. My hand is palming one of her tits over her dress while she has her hands down my pants. I start to unzip her dress, but she pulls back, stopping me.

“I-I can’t. I meant what I said about not sleeping with you.”

“We won’t sleep,” I promise her, leaning in to nibble at her neck.

“No.”

I immediately let her go and stand up. “Okay. Yeah, I understand. I shouldn’t have pushed.”