Page 41 of Forbidden Bastard
She shrugged. “The nuns were good to my mother.”
The women who'd left him to die? The memory of being abandoned as they'd hopped on a train without him replayed in his mind.
People were screaming, gun shots had been fired, and he'd been terrified. Crying.
Until Clara.
As he confronted Francesca, an old, frigid rage that wanted to burn down the small villa and punish the nuns now that he was strong and sure of himself threatened to surface. “They weren’t to me.”
She rolled her eyes and said, “That’s not my concern. My girls are.”
Yet his half-sister had come to him. Clearly without consulting Francesca. Not that it mattered. He squared his shoulders. “Who I speak to also isn’t your concern.”
Her mouth opened to argue but then she bowed her head.
Sandi curtsied. He turned and saw Queen Anna Camilla in her blue and gold gown with the tiara on her head stop next to him. “Charles, Francesca does not speak for the Aussas. Please don’t leave the party.”
Yet the air was stuffy.
He couldn’t breathe.
He swallowed and bowed, forgetting all protocol as he stepped away. “Highness, I just need a moment.”
“Of course.” The queen patted him on the back. “His Highness, your father, will want to see you before you leave.”
Another person who might stir up pain.
His skin pricked like he bled all over the floor which wasn’t good. No one needed to see him weak.
Sandi excused them both, then walked him out the closest glass doors. He followed blindly. As they stepped on white marble, he realized they were on the patio. He still saw red. Sandi massaged his back and said, “I’m sorry for that. Francesca is horrible.”
Sandi had stood by him. He’d push up the wedding. If he lost Sandi too, he’d be that little boy again. And he’d vowed to never be that, though he ignored the tension in his body and focused on her beauty. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
She pressed her forehead to his like they were a real couple. “Neither did you. Don’t let her get under your skin, okay?”
His arms wrapped around Sandi. Yes. She was his and he’d never let her go, ever again. Charles nodded. “All I have is you here.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” She smiled at him.
“Then let’s get out of here. I’ll talk to the king later.”
“I told you I’m ready to go whenever you are.”
Sandi was perfection in a red dress. She wasn't close enough. He tugged her to him and kissed her. She was his life raft and he’d never let her go.
Her kiss was the closest thing to heaven he’d ever know.
Chapter 13
Sandi felt the warm sun on her skin and bright light surrounding her.
She’d come home when the sun had started to rise.
And she thought Charles had wanted to sleep, but the bed beside her was cold.
So was his pillow. She yawned and blinked though her body was still all achy.
If she never wore heels again, it would be fine with her.
