Page 55 of Royally Benevolent

Mary stared in disbelief.

“I stopped eating animals a bit ago. I love them too much. It’s a personal thing. My sister loves meat and thinks I’m ridiculous sometimes, but it’s important to me. Don’t worry. I’m not here to judge those who eat meat, but I don’t want to eat it.”

“That’s fair. I’ve dated enough vegetarians and vegans at this point. Nothing phases me,” Mary said. “Wyatt loves a steak.”

“I can handle vegetables,” I protested, annoyed.

“Grieg got some steak. That’s my dog,” Odette said. “He’s back in my room.”

“That’s fucking adorable,” Mary said.

She’d torture me about this in the future. I just knew it. Yes, she was obsessed with her dog and didn’t eat meat because she had a bleeding heart for animals, but Odette was a sweet soul. I could manage more vegetables and pets if it earned me a smile.

32

THE STORM

ODETTE

The rain picked up as we left Cologne. Cooling, it turned to a mix of rain and late-spring frozen glaze. A quiet fell over the car as it slowly continued in the motorcade carrying us. I’d wanted Wyatt to kiss me all day, but we’d been on best behaviour. I felt like a hopeless schoolgirl chasing her crush around. I wanted him to make out with me, but I had to calm myself. It wasn’t professional.

The driver lowered the partition.

“Ma’am, given the freezing rain, we are struggling with this road. The lead car is asking if we can go south. They believe it might be better.”

“How much longer will it take?”

“Another hour.”

Wyatt checked his watch, concerned. I had nothing but time. He had a child to return to.

“Let’s wait it out,” I said. “Can we just go a bit further?”

“It’s a sort of now-or-never situation about ten miles up if we want to stick to motorways.”

Wyatt stared out the window, nervous and disappointed.

“I’d like to try to stay on our current route rather than double the time. There’s no guarantee we will make it otherwise. Is it thatbad?”

“It’s the rain and slick roads. We don’t know, but we have a better chance going south.”

I winced and took a minute to think. If we had a few more minutes, I could ask Wyatt his thoughts. I contemplated the change, but looking at his face, I knew the direct route was better.

“Let’s just?—”

But before I could say anything, the car fishtailed. I watched in horror as Grieg flew to the floor. That was it. For a moment, I panicked and came back to reality with my body restrained by my seatbelt, airbags deployed to my right. Wyatt was on the other side of the car, panicking and suspended by his seatbelt. Grieg hopped onto my lap, shaking, but otherwise, he was okay. Once more, I was grateful.

“Ma’am, stay still,” the driver said. “We’re in the ditch. Are you alright for now?”

I saw his face poking through the partition, frightened.

“I am. Wyatt, are you?”

“I am alive.”

“I will go get help!” The driver departed into the storm.

“I…” he was in a trance. “I cannot get out of here.”

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