Page 61 of The Royal Flame
“Why would I ever think that about you?” he continues to gape at me. “Yoi’re the most trustworthy, loyal person I know.”
“River,” I begin to protest, but he silences me with a chaste kiss.
“From the moment I met you, I knew you were someone that I wanted to get to know. That’s never happened to me before.”
“You met me in jail,” I remind him. “Does that make you a tad bit wary of me.”
“Again, with the lack of confidence,” he whispers softly. “If only you could see what I do. Then I think you’d get it.”
Unsure how to respond to that, I fall silent. Worry stirs in his expression, as if he’s afraid he’s pushed me too far. He hasn’t. I’m simply confused.
Thankfully, Jane returns and offers us a distraction. She returns my ID, then guides us down a hallway lit up with bright lighting and pale blue walls. Framed photos decorate the space along with a handful of columns.
At the end of the hallway is where we come to a stop, in front of a thick metal safe-like door. Jane scans a ID, punches in a code, runs her fingerprint, then mine and Rivers before the door clicks open.
Inside is a vault that contains security deposits boxes, one of which she retrieves and sets down on a table in the middle of the room.
“I’ll give you a moment,” she tells River then exits the vault, her heels click against the floor.
River scans his fingerprint on a small screen located on the side of the box. It clicks open and he lifts up the top. Inside is a stack of money along with some jewelry, and a small collection of what appears to be rare coins.
“What are those coins?” I wonder as he collects some cash.
“Those are Finn’s—we share this.” He picks a coin up. “A long time ago, the Royal City was run by these.” He shows me the coin that has a crown engraved on the back. “I’m not sure why Finn has these, or where he got them from—they’re really rare, though.” He momentarily examines the coin before placing it back into the box.
Then he lowers the lid and the scanner beeps.
Jane returns at this precise moment. “Did you get everything you needed?”
River nods, pocketing the cash. “I did. Thanks, Jane.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiles warmly at him, but is it real?
Or merely for show because of who River is? I feel bad for him in that way, that he never can quite be certain of peoples’ intentions.
Jane returns the box and then we leave the vault. Once she seals it shut, we start back up the hallway. We remain quiet for most of the journey, but then Jane says something right before we exit the hallway that sends a chill down my spine.
“Oh, I was wondering if you could an ID that she left here after she visited her safety deposit box,” she says as we return to the sitting area. “I’ve tried to call her and left messages but she hasn’t responded.”
River missteps. “When did she leave the ID?”
“Yesterday.” She heads for a desk that’s across the room. “It’s my fault. She had an acquaintance with her and it’s the acquaintance’s ID. I forgot to return it to her. It was a really busyday and too many things were going on.” She opens the desk drawer. “Not that that’s an excuse. I should have remembered.”
“It’s fine.” River and I trade a look. “You said she was here yesterday?”
She nods as she rounds the desk. “I read an article the other day that said she was missing, but when she showed up here, I realized that was tabloid gossip.” She gives River the ID. “I should’ve known better than to believe anything in The Royal City Secret Express.”
River rubs his lips together as he glances at the card. Then his face goes pale. When I lean over and look, I develop heart palpitations. Because the ID belongs to Ellie.
My heart is like thunder in my chest, begging to unleash. Ellie was here, after ignoring me for weeks? It’s good to hear she’s alive, but still, with all the shit going on in my life, it hurts that she hasn’t contacted me.
“Jane, I know this will sound odd, and I know it’s probably against all protocols, but is there any way I can look at the security footage of when my mother visited?” River asks, clutching Ellie’s ID.
Wariness floods Jane’s expression. “I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. It’s against every security protocol we have.”
River briefly considers this. “I understand that, but that article you read wasn’t gossip. My mother has been missing. If she was here yesterday, I’m worried she might be in trouble.”
Jane nervously fidgets with the gold necklace around her neck, moving the teardrop shaped pendant back and forth. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I wish I could help, but I’d lose my job. If it helps, she seemed like she was friends with the woman she was with.”
