Page 60 of The Royal Flame
A while later, I awake as the car jostles to a atop. When I peel my eyes open, I find that we’re parked in front of a lavish glass walled building that has a golden sign that glistens even against the night.
“What is this place?” I ask, sitting up and rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hands.
“The bank.” River removes his arm from around my shoulder. “I want you to come in with me. I don’t like the idea of you being out here alone, even if your bodyguard is nearby.”
“Okay.”
We climb out then and make our way into the bank. Back in north side, backs were small and the front desk had barred windows on it. The place was usually crowded with chaos. It also wasn’t open at this late of an hour. This place is the exact opposite, brightly lit, open space, a quiet atmosphere. Not to mention everything from the trim on the walls to the chandelier lighting is made gold.
I wrap my arms around myself. “I feel like I’m getting this place dirty just by existing in it,” I mumble as I take everything in.
“Just relax. Everything’s fine.” River takes my hand, kisses my knuckles then threads our fingers together as he steers me across the marbled floor room. “You’re perfect.,” he adds quietly under his breath.
I narrow my eyes at him, but he ignores me, instead heading for an arched doorway located at the back of the room.
“Where is everyone?” I ask as we enter a small sitting area with leather sofas and a coffee table.
“I have to buzz someone down,” River explains as he makes his way over to what resembles a massive computer.
It’s a touch screen and he begins punching in information. I fiddle with the leather band on my wrist as I wait for him to finish up. Once he does, we take a seat and wait.
“This seems like a lot just to withdraw cash,” I tell him. “Do you guys not have ATMs in the Royal City?”
“We do, but I don’t want my father knowing about this transaction because I don’t want him to find out what it’s paying for,” he explains as he leans back and stretches his arm out behind me.
“Smart thinking.” I smirk at him. “Guess you’re not just a pretty face.”
He narrows his eyes at me, but the corners of his lips quirk. “I’d take that as an insult, but you just called me pretty.”
“Yeah, so? I think you know you’re pretty.”
“Maybe. But I like hearing that you think I’m pretty.” He plays with strands of my hair. “You’re pretty too.”
“You say that too much.” I resist squirming, but the way he’s looking at me, with such centered intensity, makes it difficult to sit still.
“You squirm whenever I say that,” he remarks, sweeping my hair off my shoulder. “It makes me sad. But one day, I hope that changes. In fact, I’m going to make it my mission to erase that reaction, even if it takes a decade.”
He says it so mater of factly, but it’s anything but that.
A decade?
Does he think we’re going to be together in a decade?
“River.” A woman steps into the room and greets him with a smile. “It’s so nice to see you again.” She’s in her forties and is wearing a pinstriped suit with her hair pulled up and her nametag reads:Jane. When she notes me, her smile falters a smidgeon. “Oh, I only granted you access to your fault. Do you need me to add another person? If so, I just need her ID and for you to sign a permission slip.”
I start to protest, because it seems weird to go into a vault with him where he keeps money, but River answers before I get the opportunity.
“I’d like to grant her access,” he tells Jane then turns to me. “Do you have your ID on you?”
I nod. “But you don’t have to let me go with you. I can sit here.”
Shaking his head, he sticks out his hand. “I’d feel better if you came in with me.”
Feeling beyond uncomfortable, I retrieve my ID from my bag and hand it to him. He gives it to Jane and then she sets him up on the computer with forms to digitally sign. I wait nervously, chewing on my bottom lip.
Why does he trust me so much? I mean, I know he likes me, but he knows where I come from and that the people that raised me were cons. Doesn’t he worry that I’m conning him?
I decide to verbalize this after he sits down and he responds with a stunned sort of look.
