Page 4 of Take My Place

“Is that so?” I arch an eyebrow. “Why do I get the feeling that’s not quite how they put it?”

“It’s not my fault you have a suspicious mind,” Romy shrugs with a smile. “But if you don’t believe me, there’s one very easy way to find out what Declan and Archer think.”

“What?”

“Come back with me and see for yourself.”

I bite my lip. If I went back with him, my father would be way too close for comfort. It didn’t matter how many promises Romy made me. My father is a psychopath, and I didn’t want anything to do with him.

At the same time, I missed the heirs. The damn Kings of the Academy had made me fall for them, and I don’t see a way of clawing my heart from their hands. And it sounded like they’d thought through every angle.

“Go with him,” Katy urged. “If you don’t like what you see, you can always leave again. Romy’s told me everything, and it sounds like you’ve got unfinished business with your father. If nothing else, look at this as an opportunity to get closure. I really think you should accept Romy’s offer. What’s the worst that could happen?”

A lot, I thought. Whatever Romy told her, there’s no way it’s the full story.

Still, gazing at the hopeful expression on both their faces, I can see how much they both care about me and how they think this is the right thing to do.

“Fine,” I huff against my better judgement. “I guess I’m going back to King Town.”

“Yes!” Romy jumps up and fist pumps the air. “I knew you’d see sense.”

“Don’t get too excited,” I warn. “If I see anything, anything at all, which makes me feel uncomfortable, you won’t see me for dust. I won’t wait for money and I won’t wait for any explanation. I’ll be gone, and it doesn’t matter how good your private investigator is, you’ll never find me again. Okay?”

“Okay.” Romy agrees with a smug grin. Asshole.

Katy gets up and gives me a hug. “You’re doing the right thing, Ivy,” she says. “Now you’ve all had a chance to calm down, I think you’ll find going back to King Town is the best decision you’ve ever made.”

“Maybe.”

The truth is, the moment I was forced into King Town, it took my heart. And it won’t give it back.

The sad reality is…I’m not sure I want it back now.

Chapter Three

The drive back to King Town is quiet, the only sound is the quiet purr of Romy’s Mercedes. I am torn between questioning whether I am doing the right thing in going with him and being excited at the thought of seeing Declan and Archer again. To his credit, Romy seems to understand I need some time to think, so he doesn’t keep up his usual charm offensive, leaving me to think.

My heartbeat speeds up as we drive into King Town, the glossy and perfect sign not being honest about the sins that lie inside waiting.

“You okay?” Romy glances over, noticing I am getting a little agitated.

“Fine,” I lie.

“It’s me you’re talking to, remember?” Romy gently squeezes my knee. “I know you. You don’t have to be strong around me. If I were you, I’d be nervous right now. But I’m here for you. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Not your father, not the other Houses. You’re under Navarre protection now. You’re safe.”

“Thanks, Romy.”

But what if you’re the one I should be afraid of? What if you break my heart?

I wasn’t ready to talk to him. Not yet. So I turn away, gazing out of the window at the place I had sworn I would never come back to.

“Here we are,” Romy says, as he indicates to turn off the main road. “Home sweet home.”

He waves at the security guard sitting in a booth by the electric gate. The guard nods and opens the gate, as Romy slowly pulls forward to go up the drive. We make our way up the winding drive, going for a few more minutes before we finally catch our first sight of Navarre mansion.

I couldn’t help myself. My jaw drops.

Romy’s house is like something out ofDownton Abbey.Large and sprawling. From the outside it looks like I could have an entire wing to myself, let alone an apartment.

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