Page 89 of Heartbreaker

I need to get us out of here before something goes wrong.

We don’t have security.

And the greedy eyes of the people tracking us…

It’s making my lungs tighten, my vision shrink.

“Royal?” Her stride falters, and she looks up at me. “Are you okay?”

I nod tightly. “I’m great.Thisis great.”

“Why do I feel like a but is coming?”

“Look around, Shortcake.”

She frowns but dutifully glances from side to side. “I know the shops aren’t as nice as the ones in L.A., but?—”

“No.” I squeeze her hand, ignoring that it’s my bad hand, that the sensation is wrong.

Thatallof this is wrong.

“Look around,baby.”

Her throat works. Then she sighs and drags her stare away from me, pointing it back out to the street.

And another falter in her stride tells me she sees it then.

“Fiddlesticks,” she whispers.

“We need to go.”

Her eyes come back to mine, and she nods. “We need to go.”

We start to turn around when I hear it.

“Jade?”

The child’s voice has us both freezing and pivoting back. And there she is, an adorable little girl who’s maybe a couple of years older than Frankie. Her parents are behind her, wide smiles on their faces.

“Yes,” she says, crouching down and extending her hand. “I’m Jade. What’s your name?”

“Calle.”

“Hi, Calle.” She shakes her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Can you sign this for me?”

I’m watching the interaction, smiling slightly as I watch Jade sign a T-shirt that looks to have been bought from one of the nearby shops. But even as I do that, I’m aware of more people closing in.

The tightness in my lungs increases.

Calle’s parents snap a picture then wave goodbye. But before I can get Jade out of there, a few other fans come forward. They’re respectful and the interactions are brief, so I just stand by as she signs a couple more autographs and takes a few more photos.

But the worry in my stomach is growing.

Weneedto go.

Finally, Jade finishes with the last of her fans, and I move close to her side. “Time to go, Shortcake.”

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