Page 40 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

Jackson considered her for a moment. Then he shook his head as he relaxed his arm, the gun moving away from Emily’s head.

Rhett leapt out from his hiding spot at the same moment Emily reached for a hammer on the workbench. They came at Jackson from both sides. Emily swung at him first, the hammer cracking into the side of his head. Rhett swung at his face and was able to land a punch before he slipped to the ground.

Emily nearly collapsed, herself. She reached out a steadying hand to grip the workbench.

Rhett ran to her and lifted her into his arms. He ran back into the house, cradling her all the way to the front room, where he placed her on the couch. Then he called in the security.

The house was filled with running feet, but Rhett focused on Emily. With his hands on either side of her face, he studied her. She looked tired. “Are you okay?”

She started to nod and then shook her head, her lips trembling. “No.” She leaned forward and pressed her face into his shirt and cried.

And he held her.

Someone showed him Emily’s father on the phone, and he nodded. But he said nothing and just held his best friend, the woman he loved, the one he’d promised to always stay a part of her life.

After a moment, her crying eased and the men cleared out—Jackson had been taken out through the garage. They were sitting alone in a quiet house.

He held her in silence until he heard a quiet sigh. “Nice place,” he said.

She laughed. A small little chuckle. He joined in, and soon they were both laughing together.

Wiping her eyes, she leaned back. “How did you get here?”

“I wanted to see you.”

“You can do that now, just leave Aegira?”

“I am the king.”

“But—”

“I know. Last time I was also the king. But I’ve made some decisions, and one is that some things are more important than my country or my crown.”

“What?” Her eyes widened, and she looked as though she might disagree with him.

“You, for example.”

She swallowed, considering him as her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know what to say. Does this mean you forgive me?”

“Forgive you? Of course. You were just doing everything you could to save your family legacy.”

“Yes, but I am sorry I wasn’t more upfront about it. I hadn’t seen you, or any of the guys, in years. But once I realized everyone was still the same, that our friendship was still strong, and that you and I were, well, whatever we are, I should have spoken up.”

“Let’s not worry about that now. Jackson is gone. Lily is safe at school. Your parents have been notified. So now we just need to decide what you need most. Food or a hot bath?”

“What do I need most?” Her expression took on a sly slant. “You are here.” She rested a hand on the side of his face and sat up on her knees in front of him. “And the house is empty.”

“Oh, is it?”

She nodded and inched closer.

“Then we’d best make use of this opportunity.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. Cradling her in his lap on the couch, he studied her face. “I feel like the most important thing in my life is right here in front of me. And at an elementary school nearby.”

Her eyes welled with tears again.

“Oh, no more tears. I can’t see you in tears.” He kissed away the moisture from each eye.

“Even if they’re happy tears?”

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