Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(56)

“There’s something,” Reina says with a smile.

Ainsley pushes some buttons on her tablet, and the wall-sized TV in my office comes to life. I see the Cyndryann Parliament building in the background, and it looks like a press conference is about to begin.

“What’s going on?”

“Just watch,” Nate tells me.

Brayden walks out of the building with Steven, and steps up to the microphone. “Thank you all for coming out here so early this morning. I’ve just met with Parliament, and I have an important announcement to make.”

“Are you asking them to change the law about you marrying a commoner? Is Darcy coming back?” the reporters ask him.

“No. I don’t have the support I’d need to change the law. So sometimes Crown has to give up everything he thought he wanted to be with Cat.”

“That doesn’t make sense, Your Highness.”

“It will to the person who matters. For everyone else, all you need to know is that I’ve asked Parliament to let me pass the throne to my uncle. He will be a much better leader than I could ever be. Especially because I would never be happy without the woman I love at my side.”

The reporters are firing more questions at him. But he just runs down the steps into a waiting car, and is whisked away. Steven speaks for a few minutes, and then the screen goes black. I think I may be in shock.

“Did that just happen? He gave up the throne for me?” I ask as those damn tears run down my face again.

“Well, it happened several hours ago, but yes, he did. And f*ck if it wasn’t romantic,” Stella tells me.

“Several hours ago? That’s why I didn’t have TV or internet access?”

“Yes. He asked that we keep from you until he arrived,” Ainsley says.

“He’s here? Where?”

“Right now he’s meeting with Matt about taking the opening he has for an International Consultant,” Reina tells me.

“I-I have to see him. I can go to him, right?”

“Yes. Matt’s fully expecting you to barge into his interview. Brayden has another surprise for you, so be warned. It’s kind of crazy romantic, but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

“Cryptic much?”

“I am the head of a secret spy agency, so the answer to that would have to be yes.”

I stick out my tongue at her, and then practically run to the elevators. Once I’m on Matt’s floor, I blow past his secretary, who expects me to be stopped by his door, but Ainsley’s got my back, and it opens for me.

I walk in and see Brayden sitting in a chair in front of Matt’s desk. “What took you so long?” Matt asks with a smirk.

I ignore him and go to Brayden, who stands up and pulls me into his arms. “You gave up the throne for me?”

“Yes. I shouldn’t have even taken it, knowing I couldn’t have you if I did.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“But I do. I need to talk to you about some things. Can I come to your office once I’m done here?”

“Of course. Reina says I won’t like what you have to tell me, so maybe you want to rethink it, and just kiss me.”

“Reina’s probably right,” he tells me with a chuckle. “But I need to stick to my plan if I’m going to be worthy of you.”

“You gave up your kingdom for me. How much more worthy do you think you need to be?”

“A lot. Now go on. I know Matt was expecting you, but it’s not nice to keep my new boss waiting.”

“You got the job?” I ask, loud enough for Matt to hear.

“Of course he got the job. Who better to consult for me on international matters than a former king with a fancy degree from a European university?”

“I’m going to work hard, Matt.”

“I know, Brayden.”

“I’ll see you soon,” I tell him. “Someone will show you to my office.”

“I’ll take him,” Matt says.

“Thanks.”

I lean up and give Brayden a quick peck on the mouth before practically skipping back to my office. I'm a little worried about him thinking he has to prove his worth, but it can’t be that bad, right?

I find out an hour later, that yes, it can indeed be even worse than I’d imagined. Brayden comes into my office and smiles at all of the games. I introduce him to my team, and he laughs in amusement when I tell him they’re all reformed con men or cat burglars like me. Why wouldn’t I hire them? They can spot a con a mile away, and that’s what we do—look for people who are exploiting others through cons, and test out Ainsley’s security systems.

“Okay, so here’s the deal, Darcy,” Brayden begins once we’re sitting in my office. “I made a mistake when I let you go. I regretted it immediately, but I didn’t think I was strong enough to fix it. I’d always dreamed of being king, and yet, when you left, it meant nothing to me anymore. I approached the Parliament members outside of the Cathedral, and they told me they wouldn’t support me if I tried to change the law. I thought my only options at that point were to just give you up, or send my country into a war with itself. One between those who supported us being together, and those who valued tradition over love. Neither option was acceptable to me.”