Page 197 of Bride By Coronation

What am I doing?

It's not his fault.

He should have told me.

I return to my bedroom, open my desk drawer, and remove the stack of unopened letters. I turn over the first one, staring at his seal, then break it. I pull out the note.

One by one, I read his letters, sobbing through them as he professes his love for me, makes me laugh with little statements, and begs me to speak with him. By the time I'm done, his pain is so sharp it competes with mine.

I've never missed anyone like this or truly loved any other man.

We have to get through this.

He didn't tell me to protect me.

I stare at the stack of tearstained letters and decide there's only one answer on how to move forward.

I need to talk to him.

I need to go home.

He's on the yacht.

The harbor isn't far.

I leave my room and go to the garage. I scan the row of keys hanging on the wall and grab the set to my Land Rover. I slide into the SUV, open the garage door, and turn the engine on. I accelerate out of the garage and drive toward the gate. It opens, and I speed through it.

For several miles, I'm alone on the road. Then, a loud honk blares from behind me.

I glance in my rearview mirror. The hairs on my arms rise. Several SUVs are behind me. I slow down so they can pass, but one gets in front of me and doesn't go faster. Another slides up beside me, and I'm surrounded. The front SUV slows, and I can't do anything but stop.

I reach for my phone but realize I don't have it.

"Shit," I curse, and a cold sweat forms on my forehead.

Men in expensive suits step out of the SUVs, and my fear heightens. They circle my vehicle.

What am I going to do?

A man opens the back door of the SUV next to mine. Jytte steps out and tries to open my door, but it's locked. She orders, "Fiona, open the door."

I release an anxious breath, then open the door, reprimanding, "You scared the crap out of me!"

She narrows her eyes. "We have business matters to attend to, and you're late."

A wave of panic hits me. I know the rules. You're not allowed to be late to an Underworld summons, even if you're the queen.

"Why aren't you answering your phone?" she questions.

"It-it's been off," I reply, realizing how irresponsible I've been. The pit in my stomach grows. No matter what happens in my personal life, I have duties I'm obligated to fulfill.

Jytte insists, "Time is running out. Orders are pressing. Come with me, Fiona."

"What about my car? I can't just leave it in the middle of the road," I point out.

She rolls her eyes. "You're the queen. It'll be taken care of, so don't worry. Now, let's go."

My chest tightens.

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