Page 113 of Royally Rivalled

ASTRID

“We are going.I am forcing you!”

Amara waved at me, ushering me from my bedroom.

Thelastthing I wanted to do was attend a white-tie fundraiser for a politician while grieving the end of my relationship with Parker. I’d gone to his place the day before—hoping to talk—but he was already gone in Devon. He’d run off—done with me.

“You look lovely, and I look a mess,” I said.

“You look beautiful, and your tits look great!”

I’d doubted this choice of dress for that reason alone. It seemed too revealing for this occasion, but Amara insisted.

We entered the car.

“It feels soearly. We’re leaving at five for this?”

“I told you they wanted us there for pre-dinner drinks.”

“But doesn’t dinner start at eight?”

“My mother is strange. I don’t know.”

We climbed into the waiting car—a luxurious Bentley. That was odd. Amara’s parents were well-off but notthiswell-off.

“Champagne?” Amara asked as we got on the motorway.

“We’re going to be in London in an hour. Am I not pre-gaming? And who sprung for this car?”

Amara winced. “The car is a gift from Niall.”

“Why would Niall?—”

“We’re not going to London,” Amara said.

“What?”

“I’m ditching my parents.”

“What?” I was so confused. “They’ll be livid!”

“They will get over it. I got a tongue-lashing, but… it will all be worth it in a few hours.”

“Where are we going? And why the kidnapping plot?” I asked, annoyed.

“First, it is for your own good. Second, we’re off to Devon.”

“No, no, no!” I said. “I am not?—”

“You are. Hence, leaving so early.”

“Parker doesn’t want me there. I can assure you?—”

“Niall has been there since morning,” Amara said. “And he says Parker is broken without you. We are putting you back together.”

“You hope.”

“I know, darling. This is for you.”

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