Page 38 of Take My Throne

“Oh, yeah?” Archer raises an eyebrow. “Sounds intriguing.”

“Yeah, well, it’s Ally, so I don’t know if I can trust her, but I figured I could run it past Milly and see what she thinks. I mean, she’s had to deal with Ally for years. If anyone knows whether it’s worth making a deal with her or not, it’ll be Mills.”

“After the way Ally’s treated Milly, I think I can predict what the answer will be,” Archer says.

“Me too,” I agree, “but I still want to talk about it with her. Besides, I told Lucas I was coming here to see her, so I should at least say hi before I head home to deal with my father. I don’t know what time he’s due back, so I probably shouldn’t stay out too long. You know what he’s like if I’m not there to jump the second he clicks his fingers.”

Archer nods sympathetically.

The coffee is just what I need, the jolt of caffeine chasing away the final remnants of my hangover. Sitting there at the table with Archer is a reminder of what life might have been like if I hadn’t been forced into marrying Lucas. He tries hard to make things nice, and he is considerate, but we simply don’t have the connection I have with the boys. I can never fully relax around him because I can’t quite trust him. Not the way I trust Archer with my life.

“Thanks for that.” I lean over and kiss him. He tastes of coffee and the promise of sex. “Mmm, you are way too tempting, Archer Knight. You make me want to get naked all over again.”

“I’m not stopping you,” he points out.

“No,” I sigh. “Much as I’d love to, I’ve got to see Milly and get home. If I walk in stinking of you I think my father will go nuts. As it is, since they suspect you are the one that’s been snooping around, I’m going to have to tread carefully to make sure they think they have nothing to worry about. If they think I was with you instead of your sister, my father will probably call in the interrogators. He’s made it very clear that just because I’m his daughter doesn’t mean I can expect any special treatment.”

“That’s Solomon for you.” Archer walks me to his door. “If he crosses the line, call me. I don’t care where you are. I’ll burn down the house to get to you if I have to.”

“Thanks, Archer. I appreciate it.” We kiss one last time and I get on my bike to travel the short distance to Milly’s house.

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