Page 92 of Princess Broken

“We didn’t go to the Rec Center,” Blade interjects, quickly. “We went to the boxing ring instead.” He steps toward Ana, who looks up at him with what looks like relief in her eyes.

“We bashed each others brains for a while,” Phil adds, chuckling. “Boxing’s not bad for tension relief. Although not as good as blowing shit up—or fucking.” Pumping his hips, he looks directly at Ana, and she turns her gaze toward the floor.

Phil’s being unnecessarily crude, but drawing attention to his behavior won’t help anything right now. And I remember what Ana was saying before we were interrupted. I got so caught up in fighting my feelings, I ignored her words.

“Did I understand you correctly?” I ask Ana. “Just before the others returned, I thought you said your mate didn’t die.” The trauma must be messing with her memories. We all saw the stake through his heart. The stake I put there. “Didn’t you see he was dead?”

She looks down as a wave of grief hits her. “I know Timur is dead. That’s not what I meant.” She draws in a long breath, and I’m nearly crushed by an overwhelming urge to put my arms around her.

“I saw the stake in his chest,” she says softly, “the blank look in his eyes confirming it had struck through his heart.”

Blade beats me to Ana’s side, sliding his arm over her slender shoulders, and she leans against him for a moment before straightening herself and raising her chin like she’s made some kind of decision.

“Whoever killed Timur must pay,” she says clearly and calmly.

I stagger back as her words slam crushing guilt straight to my gut.

Phil looks at me, but I look away from him, turning back toward Ana. Blade’s arm is still over her shoulders.

“What kind of revenge are you looking for?” Phil asks her. “How exactly would you punish the one who wielded the stake? Do you even know who it was?” Does Phil know? I’m not certain.

“No.” She shakes her head. “I don’t. But it doesn’t matter who wielded the stake. Mariano is responsible. He’s the one who must pay.”

I swallow hard, pushing deeper my confession, a massive stone in my throat.

“You sure you got enough info from her?” Phil says gruffly. “How about I give it a go?” He leers at Ana with a nasty combination of lust and vindictiveness. “I won’t need long alone with her to get her to spill.”

She presses herself against Blade.

“Leave her alone.” Blade pulls out a knife and directs it at Phil.

“No need for that.” I step between them.

Phil is goading Ana, but it’s all an act. I know he’d never hurt her. Not while we’re duty bound to protect her.

“Ana,” I say and she lifts her gaze toward me, looking more defiant than frightened. Good for her. Perhaps she can see through Phil too. “Can you give my brothers and I a few moments to talk?” I nod toward her bedroom door.

A wide smile explodes on her face. “Of course. I could use a walk. I think I’ll head to the square.”

I shake my head. “Not alone. You can’t go anywhere alone.”

“Even down here?” She looks at me defiantly.

“Yes,” I say firmly. “That’s part of what I want to discuss with my brothers.”

Frowning, she crosses her arms over her chest. “You keep claiming I’m not a prisoner, but you treat me like one.”

I widen my stance. “It’s for your own safety. Our meeting won’t be long. And then two of us will take you wherever inside Freetown you want.”

“Two of you?”

“Yes.” I shake my head. “And I’ve just realized we don’t need a private meeting.” I glance at each of my brothers, all paying way too much attention to Ana. “I guess it’s best you hear, in any case.”

“Oh! Our apologies.” Maria and Pierre enter the room. “We’ll come back later.”

“No,” I tell our stewards. “Now is fine. But perhaps you can start in another room?” Maria is carrying the gown Ana was wearing when we met her.

“Oh, that looks as good as new,” Ana says to Maria. “Thank you.”

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