Page 18 of Bittersweet Revenge

I shook my head. “No, Benjamin. Nothing.” I grabbed a crispy croissant. “I’ll go now. Thank you for everything.”

“It’s my pleasure, Miss. Truly.”

I smiled at him and walked to the garage. I let my hand stroke the bodywork of the car before sitting on the beautiful black leather seats. I sat there for a few minutes just reeling over the luxury of this car, from the comfortable seat to the wooden dashboard full of electronics. I'd driven Luke’s old truck many times, but this was on a whole new level. I looked at myself in the rear-view mirror and despite the determination in my eyes, there was sadness there too – a sadness that had never been there before I’d left my poor life, a sadness that now seemed to be a permanent feature, a part of me.

I shook my head, then sent a quick text to Taylor telling her I was on my way and to wait for me at our usual place. I was actually pleased to see my friend again. I missed her and her sunny attitude. If anyone could get me out of the gloom it was her.

The drive to school was a dream and if it had been up to me, I would have driven it forever.

Taylor was waiting for me by the steps as I parked the car, her usual grin on her face, and even though she couldn’t see me through the tinted glass, I found myself grinning back.

“Damn girl, the psycho husband is generous,” she teased, walking toward me as I climbed out of the car.

“Psycho fiancé please,” I teased back. I looked around the lot, but Caleb’s car was not here. Archie’s Maserati was though.

“Archie is here?” I asked, already taking my phone out of my bag.

She rolled her eyes, hooking her arm with mine. “Yeah, he and Antoine are busy with King matters that nobody cares about – School Council and stuff.”

“Seems fascinating,” I replied with a small smile.

“I missed you.” She squeezed my arm, all humor now gone.

“I missed you too.”

“I need to tell you some stuff.” She grimaced. “We couldn’t really discuss this on the phone. I did something and–”

“Ah, the pauper princess is back from her trip to Paris. How did the attempt to make you a bit less trashy work out?”

I rolled my eyes at the aggravating voice of the girl who was quickly becoming my nemesis. I adjusted my hold on the leather strap of my bag and smoothed my face before turning around.

“Aleksandra. It was perfect. Thank you for asking.”

“Don’t worry, I kept your fiancé occupied while you were gone.”

I smiled. Caleb might have slept with her while I'd been away, but this was confirmation that he hadn’t gone to her yesterday and somehow it made me feel better.

She frowned, visibly displeased by my reaction. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she asked, “Why are you smiling, freak?”

“Because you were not good enough company.” I pointed to the Bugatti. “He missed me so much, he bought me this car after he asked me to move in with him.” I shrugged. “Maybe I should thank you.”

Aleksandra reddened with anger, her nostrils flaring as her two lapdogs did their best not to laugh at her.

I sighed. Turning around, I grabbed Taylor’s arm again. “So, where were we?” I asked, resuming our walk into the school.

Taylor threw me a side look, full of approval. “Damn girl, that was amazing. I think you’ll be just fine here.”

I waved my hand dismissively. “I have bigger things to deal with.”

She nodded, her face somber. “The reason for your return.”

I was scared to tell her everything, but not because I didn't trust her. After everything she had done for me, all the risks she had taken, I trusted her with my life, but if my mom’s murderer was still around here somewhere, I was terrified to put Taylor in harm’s way. However, at the same time, I knew she would try to find out what the issue was and put herself at more risk.

There was safety in numbers and all that.

“Yes, I need to explain it to you, but I’m not sure now is the time and place,” I added as the corridors started to slowly fill with students and I met my brother’s eyes as he and Antoine exited a room.

Archie looked so serious, his face tight. It made him look so much older. He might have been the prince of a dynasty, but the worry on his shoulders was so far beyond his years, and I couldn’t help but feel guilty about it as most of it was involuntarily my fault.

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