Page 43 of Ruthless Prince

Thank god for that. It’s just a first step, but getting Ellie out of her father’s house will save her. Mr. Moore is willing to kill her if I don’t kill Nico, but how can I kill my own father when I haven’t even had the chance to get to know him yet?

If Ellie is here, she’ll be safe.

The tricky part will be getting her here. Mr. Moore won't give up that easily.

“I have to go actually,” I tell Aurora. “But I’ll be back later. If … that’s all right?”

“Vincent, you may be my son, but you’re an adult. You can come and go as you please.”

I offer her a smile then leave.

AURORA

“You just let him leave?” Nico asks after I tell him Vincent went somewhere.

“Well … yes. He’s our son, not our prisoner.”

Nico sighs, running his hand along the back of his neck. “The problem is, Aurora, that we don’t know if we can trust him. Hewas raised by the enemy. Just because we’re his real parents, doesn’t mean he …”

“He what? That he’ll try to kill us?”

“Maybe. All I’m saying is we need to keep an eye on him.”

“He’s a grown adult, Nico. A married man. He’s going to introduce us to his wife. We can't control him. All we can do is hope Igor didn’t screw him up too badly. He cried in my arms. That has to mean something.”

Nico hesitates then nods. “You’re right. It does. But I’m still going to keep an eye on him for the time being.”

I want to object, but I know my husband—he won’t change his mind for anything.

ELLIE

Vincent arrives back home in a fluster. “Ellie, we need to leave now.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask as I get up from the couch and slowly approach him.

“Ok. Listen. Nico is my father. His wife, Aurora, is my mother.”

I blink. It takes me a long time to process what he says. “Really?”

“Yes. I did a paternity test. I took some of Nico’s hairs without him knowing. They’re my parents, Ellie. And they’re offering to let me live with them. You can come, too. This is how I can get you away from your father.”

My heart leaps at the chance to live a life with Vincent. “But my father?—”

“He’s not god, Ellie. Besides, my own father is Nico Mancini now. He’ll help protect you. Let’s go now. You don’t have timeto pack. If you want your freedom, then you need to come with me.” He offers me his hand.

And I don’t hesitate to take it.

“Ok, let’s go,” I say breathlessly.

Vincent and I rush outside, heading to his car, when someone intercepts us on the sidewalk.

VINCENT

It’s a man with a long scar across his nose.

I remember him—he tried to kill Ellie and me once before.

The assassin is back.

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