Page 28 of His Beloved Princess
Electra
Isnuggled closer to Bastian in the back seat of his limousine while he was typing ferociously on his phone. I read the words on the screen, suppressing a giggle. Andreas’ responses to Bastian’s questions were highly inappropriate for an adult person.
“Sometimes he’s like an overgrown child,” Bastian groaned, hiding the device in the inner pocket of his jacket and pulling me closer.
“He is an amazing lawyer,” I pointed out, remembering reading about Andreas’ huge success. He won a big case against a worldwide corporation that was covering up for the fact that the water near the factory was infected with lead, and people died or suffered horrible consequences because of the poisoning.
His face was everywhere. He was a hero. It took him two years to accomplish his goal. Forty lawyers and investigators worked under him, and eventually, they succeeded. They won one billion dollars as compensation for the families who had lost their loved ones or their health.
“That doesn’t change the fact that he’s an annoying person with terrible quirks,” Bastian grumbled, frowning at me. I didn’t comment on his words; this brother wasn’t my problem. I had enough thinking about his other sibling to do.
“Are you nervous?” he asked, entwining our fingers, and I grimaced. I was tenser because of Peter sitting in the other car than because of the speech.
“Probably,” I replied. He lifted one eyebrow at me, and I smiled. “I’ll be fine,” I added when he didn’t stop studying my face. “Just don’t laugh if I stutter.”
“Never,” he stated firmly. “And I’ll extinguish the existence of every human on the planet who would ever mock you.”
“I feel much better knowing that.” A wide grin spread across my face, and he kissed my brow, his expression softening. But then his phone buzzed, and an exasperated sigh left his mouth when he looked at the screen. It was Andreas.
I ignored their conversation because they mostly discussed stuff I didn’t understand. Instead, I was staring out of the window because we’d just passed the vast gate, and in front of us, a magnificent, at least forty-story building appeared out of nowhere. We passed smaller buildings, which looked very ordinary compared to the main glass architectonic design.
I saw only the blueprints that leaked to the press a few years back when the whole thing started. The company, which should’ve had the base here, went bankrupt, and Thorn Enterprises bought the entire estate basically for peanuts. Since then, I’d heard speculation about Bastian’s plans from everywhere, yet no one knew for sure. Until a few months back when he proudly announced the fusion.
“Let’s go, princess.” His gentle voice broke me from my trance, and I exited the car. Instantly, reporters started to yell questions at us, and two huge bodyguards were pushing them to the side so we could pass.
Once inside, I finally took off my trench coat, and at least for a split second, I could enjoy Bastian’s heated gaze before some man interrupted us.
“Mr. Thorn, thank God. We have a situation,” he said quickly, shooting me a glance. Bastian frowned, opening his mouth to say something, but Peter, who had just walked by the main entrance, cut him off.
“Go. I’ll stay with her.” He winked at me, and I noticed Bastian’s hesitation, but the man needed him somewhere.
“I’ll be right back,” he promised, leaving us down the wide hallway.
“You look stunning, Electra,” Peter complimented me, and I rolled my eyes at him. I didn’t dress up for him to admire. Bastian picked the dress, and I had to admit that despite being very possessive, he liked to show me off, which boosted my confidence.
I wore a tight dark blue dress with a plunging neckline, which ended slightly above my knees. Thanks to the four-inch high heels, my legs looked amazing, but I feared losing balance and falling face-first on the floor. That would grant me “popularity" even in Antarctica, between the penguins.
“Where should we go?” I asked, ignoring Peter’s comment about my appearance. I didn’t want to talk to him more than was necessary, but he clearly had a different opinion.
“You didn’t tell him,” he pointed out, motioning for me to follow him to the tall double doors. It was odd that he knew where the opening ceremony should take place.
“No,” I replied flatly, adjusting the dress on my chest. I wasn’t wearing a bra, so I had to make sure nothing slipped out.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice sincere, but I didn’t care. All I felt was fear that somehow Bastian would find out about this little secret, and nothing would stop him from releasing me from our contract.
“I didn’t do that for you,” I spat, glaring at him. He stopped, frowning at me, the silent question on his face. “Don’t fuck this up, Peter,” I warned him, coming closer, not breaking eye contact. “Because if you screw up, I’ll drag you to Buthan myself.” I turned on my heels and entered the vast room with chairs and tables. I heard footsteps behind me, and Pete quickly appeared in my line of view.
“Why Buthan?” he inquired, staring at me like I told him to jump from the roof. That was all he remembered from my words. The name of a state in Asia! Seriously? “They would eat me for lunch there!”
Before I could give him some sarcastic reply, Bastian showed up with one of his bodyguards, smiling at me.
“That was quick,” Pete grinned, stepping away from my personal space. At least he didn’t intend to provoke his brother.
“It wasn’t as serious as it looked,” Bastian answered, curling his arm around my waist. “What were you two talking about?” he asked, drifting his gaze between Peter and me, who instantly plastered an innocent expression on his face.
“She is threatening me,” he complained, nodding his head. All that was missing was a very serious pout.
“I’m warning him,” I corrected, glaring at him through narrowed eyes. I knew he was enjoying my reactions and teasing me, but I couldn’t help it. He was getting on my nerves.
