Page 54 of Regally Binding

There was no point asking what Pickle Park was, but curiosity still danced across her skin, causing her to shiver.

“Cold?” Bear asked, his focus on her even when looking out the window.

“No,” Liss replied. Tension snapped at her chest, tightening as they neared the palace gates. She gripped her clutch bag as if holding it was like touching the heart talisman.

“Anxious?” he asked, and his eyes softened as he gazed at her through the rear-view mirror.

As she nodded, Steve nudged her. “You need this.” He fumbled in his pocket and got out a vodka miniature. “It will calm your nerves.”

“Is that wise?” Bear growled. “She needs to be at her best, and she’s on painkillers.”

Steve’s face soured as he rolled his eyes. “It’s two shots. Give her a break.” He squeezed Liss’s good hand. “It’s worked all those times before, eh?”

On the rare nights when Steve joined Liss and Isla on a night out, their ritual was to down a double vodka. It took the edge off the nerves. Tonight was just another night out, albeit at a palace surrounded by royalty and their friends. She reached for the bottle.

“I’d rather she’s alert for tonight.” Bear glared at her. “Don’t drink that.”

Fear and anger threatened to turn her trembles into shakes. She downed the vodka. As the spirit burnt her throat and fired her insides, she prayed for relief.

Bear brought the car to a stop and jumped out as Strike pulled up behind them.

“It’s okay, Liss. You’re so beautiful that everyone will want to speak to you. But don’t worry. I won’t let you out of my sight,” Steve added. Bear yanked open the door, reached for her bag, and offered his hand to help her.

“Next time I advise you not to do something, don’t do it. I’m trying to keep you safe,” Bear said in Liss’s ear as her shoes hit the red carpet.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” she replied between clenched teeth. Bear’s demands and Steve’s intensity added to the tension that resembled pins stabbing her belly.

Bear muttered, “Fine. I’ll keep you safe, but if you want to make a tit of yourself, go ahead, Princess.”

“Let’s have some fun,” Steve proclaimed as he jumped out of the car. Bear dropped her arm and gave her her bag as Steve grabbed her other hand. She’d gone sling-free, but it still hurt from the fall, even after the painkillers. She winced, but Steve didn’t notice as he waltzed her up the carpet to the palace with a laugh.

“There you are,” Marianne said brusquely beneath the dancing lights of the silver chandelier. It was bigger than Liss’s shower cubicle at home. Crystal dripped from each holder. Similar structures of beaming lights hung delicately throughout the room. Paintings of cherubs and boats daubed the ceiling.

“Yep,” Liss replied. Marianne’s mouth twisted sourly, but Bear held Liss’s attention. He’d positioned himself so no matter which stranger she spoke to, he was in her eyeline. Even with Bear’s professional stance, his clenched jaw suggested he was seething. They’d only been at the event for twenty minutes, and he’d grimaced each time she’d sipped her champagne. It was the only way to get through the night.

Her mum barely touched alcohol, apart from the odd glass of prosecco at Christmas, but Nana swore by it. Her nana would have been at home here, so maybe it was time to emulate the confidence and attitude that served her well at her soirées.

“You’re not listening,” Marianne huffed.

Liss hadn’t realised the future queen was talking, so distracted by Bear’s glare as she lifted her thin, stemmed glass to her lips. Bubbles danced against her nose as Steve gave her a nudge. He hadn’t left her side, which she should have appreciated, but she wanted space. She was never the centre of attention and didn’t want to be. Usually, at parties, she’d watch people from a corner or find a job to do, so she faded into the background, but this party was for her.

Liss stared at Marianne over the top of a glass that probably cost more than a month worth of takings at the pub. “Sorry,” Liss mumbled. Not that she meant it.

Marianne snorted, and Liss pushed down the giggle that rose in her throat. The combination of strong painkillers and a lack of food meant the alcohol hit harder, especially with anxiety owning her body. She tucked her bag under her arm, reminding herself why she was there.

“As I said, the first hour tonight will involve Alexander or me introducing you to guests.”

“How many guests are there?”

“Two hundred,” Steve announced.

“At least someone was listening.” Marianne nodded to Steve, who smiled back. Liss was nearly a foot shorter than the rest of the group, and they talked over her.

“Why are you so distracted, Liss?” he asked, squeezing her hip. Liss chanced a glance at Bear. His jaw twitched.

“Who are these two hundred people?” Liss asked before taking another sip of her champagne. It was slipping down so easily that she was nearing the end of her glass. “The King said it was close friends and family tonight.”

“Steve, please catch your girlfriend up,” Marianne guffawed.

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