Page 131 of Hell Hath No Fury
THE MUSE
BELLA MATTHEWS
CHAPTER ONE
Aurora
The country of Ellwyn has bid to host the Winter Olympics as long as the bidding process has been in place. When we were told we’d be hosting the games this year, our small country was overjoyed with what the event could do for our economy.
The tourists.
The publicity.
Ellwyn has long been a playground for the ultra-wealthy during the winter months, but this event had the power to bring in a completely new level of tourism, giving us the much-needed economic boost we’d been hoping for.
To say the entire country has been celebrating since the athletes began arriving a month ago is an understatement. The capital city, which serves as the epicenter for the games and the Olympic Village, has bustled with excitement throughout the events. And during the final event earlier tonight, we all watched with bated breath as the US beat out their opponents to win the gold.
Of course, I had official duties during the games, but not tonight. I’ve fulfilled my public obligations, and now, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. “Rory, stop.” My best friend, Willa, tugs me back.
“What?” I turn and can’t miss Ben, my security detail, glaring at me. He’s been told to blend in. Not that he ever listens. At least, not to me. If my brothers or sister said it, he’d have no problem doing what he’s told.
Willa reaches up and adjusts my wig. “Girl, I don’t care how much you spent on this thing or how real it looks. If it’s crooked, it won’t work.”
“Thanks.” I run my damp palms over my tight jeans, then link my arm through hers. “What am I going to do when you go back to America? Aren’t our law schools good enough for you?”
“Come on, Rory. We have six more months before I go back. That’s plenty of time to convince you to come with me.” She shrugs and grins, giving me a quick side-glance. “Or for you to get into enough trouble here to be sent on a sabbatical.” Her brown eyes glow with mischief as we walk through the door of The Four Thieves. This pub became a favorite of ours after we celebrated my twenty-first birthday here last year and has been the favored spot for my family for generations as well.
Willa and I came with both my brothers on my birthday, and I learned how it felt to really let my hair down. There’s a “no paparazzi” rule within these walls. It says so in a conspicuously large, framed statement by the door, and it’s an unwritten rule to leave the royal family alone while we’re here. Luckily, my eldest brother’s best friend’s family owns the pub and looks out for us too.
As Willa and I walk up to the bar, I turn and point at Ben. “You promised to give me space.”
“Prin—”
I grab his arm, effectively cutting him off, and he quickly closes his mouth as his eye twitches.
I know that tick.
We’ve been here less than five minutes, and he’s already growing frustrated.
“Give me an hour...” He grinds his teeth, and I push harder, “Maybe two. I promise not to do anything stupid.” Okay, he doesn’t need to know I’m totally crossing my fingers behind my back like a schoolgirl.
No sooner do the words leave my lips than Willa grabs my hand. “We’re going to dance, Benny boy. Don’t worry. I’ll be the only one touching our girl.”
Unfortunately for me, she’s probably right.
We laugh, finding our way to the dance floor. Familiar faces mix with a few unknowns filling the pub tonight. For the most part, the tourists steer clear of this place. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, and they opt for the sleeker, higher-class establishments. But when my brother Asher joins Willa and me, handing us each a beer, there’s no other place I’d rather be.
CHAPTER TWO
Jack
Theo and I left the rest of the band back at the hotel a few hours ago to wander around the city. Since our band blew up last year, we’re recognized everywhere back home in the States. But here... I’m not sure whether anyone knows who we are or if they just don’t care.
Either way, it’s been a nice change of pace.
Our European tour starts in two days, and we thought it would be fun to cheer on a friend at the Olympics before we head to our first venue. We’re getting on a plane tomorrow, which will effectively change our lives. But tonight, we get to stay under the radar.
Snow is starting to coat the cobblestone street when I stop in front of a pub capping off a row of shops that look like they belong in eighteenth-century Europe. A wooden sign hangs above the door. “The Four Thieves” is carved above the image of four cloaked men on horseback. “Let’s check this place out.”
