Page 21 of Heartless Prince

“It’s not easy, trust me. It’ll be really hard for me to get into Dad’s office and figure out his laptop password. I might not even be able to do it at all.”

“Oh, right.” I nodded slowly. “Well, if you can, that would be amazing. Seriously.”

“I’ll do my best. I think the ceremony is in three weeks, so I’ve got a while to try.”

“Cool.” I nibbled the inside of my cheek and frowned as something occurred to me. “Is it really the best idea to put my real name in your dad’s spreadsheet, though? If he’s going through and double-checking it, won’t he get suspicious that your best friend happens to be an actress he supposedly hired and forgot all about?”

“Oh, jeez. Good point. I’ll put a fake name and address. I know of a few houses in town that are empty at the moment,” she replied. “Ooh, and I can wait there with you on the night and make sure it all goes to plan.”

“If it doesn’t, and they catch me and want to know how I found out their secrets, I’ll tell them I received anonymous tips from a member, okay? That way they’ll never suspect it was you who told me anything, and your family will have no reason to be pissed at you.”

She smiled. “Great idea. Thanks.”

I grinned back at her. “If this actually works, it’s gonna be so awesome.”

Mellie winked. “Let’s just hope it does, then. And hey, if the journalism thing doesn’t work out for you, you could try being an undercover cop. We both could.”

I laughed. One of my favorite movies was actually about an undercover detective. Several of my favorite books, too. The idea of slipping into a world I didn’t belong in filled me with heady anticipation and rushing adrenaline.

I guess it was a way of finding excitement in the undercover aspect of my own drab existence. After all, I was currently sitting in a world I didn’t truly belong in. This elite private college, these richer-than-God people, this high-class culture. I wasn’t raised like most of them; wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth.

I was painfully aware of the fact that I didn’t dress ‘properly’, I didn’t always know which spoon to use at fancy dinner tables, and I didn’t understand a lot of the inside jokes and references so many of them spouted. I didn’t fit in. But with my Roden scholarship, I was allowed inside. I was allowed a seat at the table.

I might never trulybe one of them, but at least I had an opportunity to see what it was all about. My very own undercover mission. At least that’s what it felt like most of the time.

Now, I had a chance to venture even deeper into the everyday existence of America’s elite. I was so excited that thrilling shivers were already racing up and down my spine, making goosebumps rise on my skin.

Watch out, Crown and Dagger. I’m coming for you.

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