Page 31 of Royally Scr*wed

“Get down!” I yell over my shoulder and jump from the bed as our little mystery guest tumbles to the floor with a loud thud.

The doors to my bedchamber bursts open, lights come on and my guards rush in.

With the lights shining brightly, I’m finally face to face with the man who has eluded search efforts for long enough.

None other than Sebastian Fischer stares back at me with lifeless eyes. His gun lays inches away from where he’s bleeding all over my favorite rug.

I am not the least bit surprised, which would also explain how one was able to access my bedchamber both undetected and via the hidden entrance that allows access to the tunnels – and the dungeon where Anderson Levi is being held until his execution.

Ozzy rushes forward to apprehend him but I demand that he stops.

“Your Majesty, allow us to handle it,” Ozzy pleads.

“Jude!” Charlie yells.

Sebastian sneers at me with an evil laugh as he tries to reach for his own gun. “You always were a quick draw. What a shame the same could not be said about your grandfather.”

Ignoring everyone around me, I aim my gun at Sebastian’s head. “On behalf of the people of Herefirth and the entire Rexford family, may you rot in hell.”

Taking no chances and without a moment’s hesitation I fire off another shot, killing him instantly.

Adrenaline and determination course through my veins as I spin on my heels and head for the open hidden door where Sebastian snuck inside.

“Julius,” Ozzy warns, reading my mind and knowing exactly what I’m going to do next.

“Elias, get her out of here,” I bark. “Oscar, you’re with me.”

“Jude,” Charlie cries out.

I look at her but only briefly. “Let Elias get you out of here. I’ll be back.”

“Where are you going?” she questions.

“Doesn’t matter. I need to know you’re safe though. Go with Elias and wait for me.” I lock eyes with Elias. “Make damn sure that the rest of this place is not at risk and see to it that not a single hair on her head is out of place when I get back.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Elias replies, keeping Charlie wrapped tightly in the bedsheet, maintaining her dignity.

“I’m going with you. Wherever you’re going!” she tries to demand.

“Elias, remove her. Now!” I yell.

On my command, he tosses Charlie over his shoulder and carries her out of the room in spite of her protests and the pounding of her fists on his back.

Ozzy is hot on my heels as I charge through the hidden door and down the ancient stone stairs to the tunnels.

“Jude,” Ozzy hisses. “Stop for one Goddamn second!”

“What the fuck do you want, Oscar?”

He nearly runs into me as I stop in my tracks and turn around.

“You’re putting yourself at risk right now. The palace hasn’t been cleared,” he whispers. “We do not yet know how Sebastian managed to infiltrate your space undetected. What if there are others waiting? This could be an ambush.”

“Your job is to watch my back. We’ll discuss how the fuck Sebastian got past your radar later. Right now, I’m going to put an end to all of this.”

“You cannot go guns blazing, Jude. What will the people of Herefirth say if you take justice into your own hands?”

“They are never to know. I made a vow to protect them, and to protect my wife. I’m doing just that,” I remind him as I march forward to the dungeon where Anderson Levi is being held.

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