Page 152 of In Love with a Ruthless Man

But he couldn’t make himself say it.

Looking at her, all the prince could think of was,I need more time with her.

A month, a week, a day—-

Even an eternity felt too short.

And yet, it was what life asked of him.

“Prince?” Concern underlined her soft tone.

Before the prince could answer, the door opened, Keanne poking her head inside and exclaiming, “There you are!” Pushing the door wide open, she gestured to them, saying, “We’ve been looking all over for you two. The waltz’s about to start, and we need you guys to be in position.” Winking at Fawn, she asked teasingly, “Are you excited about getting to dance with Reid?”

Fawn turned red. “Of c-course not.”

Keanne released a tinkling laugh. “C’est mignon!”

Her cheeks reddening even more at Keanne’s obvious amusement, Fawn moved away from the prince, mumbling, “I mean it. I’mnotexcited at all.” At the other girl’s knowing stare, Fawn couldn’t stop herself.

She started to babble.

“It’s true. I think it’s yucky—-”

The prince jerked, and Keanne gaped.

“He’s too, err, elegant, he’s probably going to be too stiff when we dance—-”

Fawn caught sight of the prince’s murderous glance.

Eep.

Shutting up, she started backing away from the prince, but when he took a threatening step towards her, she panicked and hurriedly hid herself behind a laughing Keanne. “Umm, I think I need to go look for Grant—-”

The prince growled, prompting her to babble mindlessly again.

“For work,” she stammered. “I need to talk to Grant because of work and not because, you know, he’s a real macho man—-”

The prince said coldly, “I’m going to kill you.”

“I, uh, really have to, uh, bye!”

Keanne doubled over in her laughter as she watched Fawn scurry away without looking back. As the prince stepped outside the room, Keanne remarked lightly, “Elle t’aime, oui?”She loves you, yes?

When Reid didn’t answer, she continued in a softer tone, “I know how much you’re helping us. And Jason told me what you’re willing to sacrifice, but—-” She took a deep breath. “I don’t agree with it. I’d rather Jason and I face kidnap attempts every day than—-”

“I appreciate the sentiments—-” The prince turned to Keanne, a corner of his lip turning up in a faint smile, saying very, very gently, “But it’s not your decision to make.”

Hearing it, Keanne knew there was nothing she or anyone else could say or do to change Reid’s mind.

Or at least anyone else but Fawn, Keanne thought.

And for both their sakes, she hoped, she prayed that the other girl would be able to change Reid’s mind.

AS THE PRINCE JOINEDthe frantic rush behind the scenes, he caught a glimpse of Grant Bennett talking to Fawn, their heads bent, just before the two started to walk away.

Ah.

An ironic smile touched his lips.Why would you do something like this, Fawn?Didn’t she know that she was giving him an opportunity to dump her?

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