Page 102 of Underground Prince

We exited, and Kai was at the front entrance, wringing his hands. As soon as he caught sight of us, he ran over.

“Scarlet!” He grabbed me by the shoulders, looking me up and down. Theo’s hand dropped from my waist. “What happened?”

“I really don’t know,” I said, dazed.

“You failed her, is what happened.”

Theo’s tone had Kai releasing me instantly.

“She was under your protection, and you let her go,” Theo said.

“No, I—I thought it wasyouasking to see her. As soon as I realized you were still seated, I sounded the alarm. You know I did. How could I have known Trace was going to—”

“Kai, I’m in a reallyshitty mood and your excuses are about to send me into arage. Go. I’m taking her home now.”

“Scarlet,” Kai said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know, I really didn’t…”

Theo laid his across my back and we headed to an open limo. “It’s all right,” I said to Kai, but his expression wasn’t convinced as he stood there, and continued standing, long after the car door shut and we pulled away.

22

RUNNING SCARED

Silence.

Not even a car radio to break through the blanket of tension that suffocated Theo and me as we lurched with the limo’s movement, Brodie at the wheel.

I wondered what was spinning in his mind as he stared into the leather seats in front of us. What he could be thinking with his brows pulled so low, his lips almost disappearing and becoming the color of his skin.

And then there was me, beside him but not, far enough away to avoid brushing against him when we turned left, with my hands clasped tight, my teeth digging into my lower lip, pretending interest in the outside streets.

After ten minutes of this, I caved. “Theo, I…”

I had nothing. My voice broke the silence but couldn’t do anything about the unrest. Trace was still the centerpoint in my mind.

“Thank you,” I said, saying it more to my hands than to Theo.

“That shouldn’t have happened.”

At his voice, I angled my head, but didn’t glance over.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Theo said. “I don’t condone what Trace did. I never do. But he has a patent desire for control. With what we do, he refuses to take any chances.”

“He scared the shit out of me.”

I meant to be strong, but my statement came out as a wet heave.

Theo nodded. “I was supposed to be the one to question you. My father must’ve said something to Trace once they caught sight of you at the fundraiser. Ward asked me something. I lost sight of you for mere seconds. My mother, she was the one who saw Kai waving, and brought to my attention you were being spoken to.”

“Spoken to,” I repeated, wondering what the hell this family considered “speaking” to entail.

“It was not my intention. If I had any clue Trace would pull you aside and threaten you, I’d’ve thrown him off the stage first. But he acted so disinterested in the fact that you witnessed the transfer, mentioning that it was my problem to control and then moving on to more important matters. I should’ve known.” He paused. “I should’ve fucking known.”

“Your brother’s a serpent.” I was okay saying it, considering Theo described nothing but his brother’s devious nature so far. “I can see, even after growing up with him, how his intentions could still elude you.”

His hand lifted, but he pulled back before it landed on mine.

The movement saddened me, because I could’ve used the comfort. Theo might not realize it, but his executions were much in line with his brother’s. Nothing he did was without thought, including the motive to soothe.

---