Page 107 of A Girl and HER Prince
Clysta’s lips firmed. “I wish I could believe that.”
“Where’s Achilles?” Livvy asked.
His mother turned to leave. “He’ll be coming with us, of course.”
No! Both Livvy and Deedee shot to their feet. Venice would be heartbroken, and Achilles’s life would be left in shambles like the temple ruins on this Greek island.
“Get down!” Clysta hissed. Her hands pressed down on Livvy and Deedee’s shoulders to force them behind the trees and bushes.
A cluster of Myrdons rushed through the courtyard. They carried heavy black rifles. “Those are with me,” Clysta whispered to Livvy and Deedee. “Listen to me, girls. Do not follow me and stay low until help comes for you. Donotlet yourself be seen. I wish luck to you both.”
Patting their cheeks, Clysta straightened and hurried through the archways with the gold and silver dogs guarding the way. Livvy could hear the arguing past the golden gates. Pushing aside leaves and peering through the slats of the elegant barricade, Livvy caught sight of Achilles with his stepfather as the Myrdons packed up the helicopter with supplies.
They were moments before takeoff. It was a strange sight in a courtyard meant for elegant get-togethers and parties. Tiki torches were thrust into the ground near pillars, some of them fallen to the ground in the gusts of wind.
Atreus Mnon was still talking through his earpiece as he headed down the stairs. “Turner, pick up! Get over here.”
“We don’t need the girl,” Achilles shouted. “Let’s go.”
“Ha?” Atreus Mnon sneered at him. “You thinkyouare enough of a bargaining chip? Some hostage you would make. You might have grown up with these people, but they care nothing for you. They aren’t your family.Iam.”
Achilles let out a scoff. “You’re not my family.”
Atreus Mnon slammed the butt of his gun into his stepson’s gut for his insolence.
Clysta’s screams echoed over her son as he collapsed to his knees. Achilles let out a grunt, his hand clenching into a fist.
“Get in that helicopter!” Atreus Mnon shouted at them. His pilot pushed into the driver’s seat.
“Dear heart!” Clysta’s fingers ran down her son’s shoulders. “He didn’t mean it.” Her gentle touch on Achilles got him to uncurl his fist. He turned tortured eyes on her—and at that moment, he looked more like his mother than Livvy could bear. “Let’s go, hon,” she told him. “We’ll figure this out later.” She bent her head against his. Her cheek slid past his expressive brows. “You’ll see,” she said. “We’ll be so happy.”
“Mother?” His voice strangled over a heart-wrenching sound of despair. “You’renot happy.”
Clysta’s gaze sought Atreus Mnon’s. “That girl’s not coming, Atreus. Let’s go!”
“Turner’s got her!” he snarled at his wife. He pointed to his men. “Get my worthless stepson into that helicopter.”
“Atreus. Stop!” Venice ran into the clearing, breathing hard. Livvy covered her mouth at seeing him. He was a filthy mess, and he’d never looked so sure of himself and… princely. He wasn’t facing down his uncle alone. Bris’s bodyguards were with him, as well as Steve. With the exception of the donkey, his backup carried heavy artillery. “What happened to our spot of tea?” Venice asked.
Atreus Mnon froze. His own men picked up their guns in a standoff. If any of them fired, there would be casualties on both sides. The cocky smile lifting the lips of the arrogant Myrdon leader showed that he didn’t care if anyone on his side was killed. “As you can see, we’re on our way out with ourbounty… unless you can give us a bargain we can’t refuse.”
His uncle was pretending to already have Livvy in his clutches. Before she could figure out a way to barrel from her hiding place without setting off a firestorm, Venice lifted his hand. “You’re the one who gave the terms,” he said.
“And I accept!” Bris stepped out from behind the men. Her white summery shirt flowed over her tight blue jeans. That same wind caught at her dark ponytail. “I accept Achilles’s kind offer of marriage.”
Her bold aristocratic nose tilted as she met eyes with the man she’d squabbled with since they’d been children.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Bris had no intention of going through with this proposal, which Achilles would be relieved to hear… if they could ever get him alone to explain the insanity hijacking their minds. They were stalling for more backup.
Even now, Achilles’s astonished gaze met the princess’s stormy one. Bris had declared stubbornly she was doing this for the stupid duke. None of them wanted Achilles to be taken away against his will. And Venice was desperate to stop Atreus Mnon from ripping the love of his life from his arms.
Where is Livvy?
Even now he tried to figure out where they’d stashed her. She wasn’t in the helicopter. A slow grin crossed Atreus Mnon’s smug face as he studied Venice’s defiant sister. “I like this treaty.”
“Show me that Livvy’s safe,” Venice said.
