Page 11 of Royally Tempted

“Okay, fine.”

We waited a full fifteen minutes, the taxi driver tapping the wheel annoyingly, until suddenly, a black limo pulled back out through the gates.

“There.” I nodded, swallowing quickly. “Follow that one.”

“You want me to follow a damn limo coming out of the royal palace? Have you lost your fuckin’ mind?”

“You can charge me double, okay? Please?”

He glared at me through the rear-view mirror.

“Fine. But you pull any weird shit, and I’ve got nothing to do with it.”

We were on the highway for a few miles, but soon pulled off into the countryside around the capital. The limo took old scenic roads, past farms and past idyllic forest groves. Late evening turned to night, and it was dark by the time I watched the car pull up to a big wrought iron gate. I lifted my eyes, and felt my breath catch as I took in the enormous old brick mansion sitting off across a manicured lawn behind the gates.

Just a work thing, huh?

“Right here is great, thanks.” I passed the driver some money.

“Here? Lady this is the middle of nowhere. You going to that house? I’ll drive you to the front—”

“Right here is fine, thanks.”

He shrugged. “Hey, whatever you say.”

I watched him drive away before I slunk off the road and into some bushes near the big fence. Through a gap in the hedges, I peered through and watched as the sleek black limo pulled up the front of the lavish home. The door opened, and my heart jumped into my throat as I watched who stepped out.

She was wearing a black mask over her eyes, but I’d know my friend anywhere. Istaredas three gorgeous looking men — also in masks — stepped out of the limo after her, escorting her to the front door.

Three men. One woman. A huge old mansion out in the middle of nowhere, and black masks.

I was pretty sure I’d just discovered the biggest secret in the royal world.

My hands shook as I reached into my bag and dialed Simone’s number.

* * *

“You goingto tell me what this is about?”

I shook my head.

“Not yet. But I will.”

She frowned. “This seems dangerous, Em. We’re in the middle of damn nowhere out here. What on earth are you going to need all this for?”

“I’ll explain later, I promise. There’s a story here, I just need the right attire to get in the front door.”

“The front door ofwhere?”

I’d purposely given my friend driving directions to a spot about half a mile away from where the cab had let me out, out of sight from the mansion at a crossroads. Simonewasjustified in thinking I was insane, since to her, I’d had her bring me a cocktail dress and heels to a dark country road in the middle of nowhere.

“I really will explain later, okay? Trust me?”

She bit her lip, glancing around before she nodded. “Only because I know you can take care of yourself. But you fuckingcall meif anything happens okay? You promise?”

“I promise.”

“Oh, before I forget.”

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