Page 28 of Corrupt Princess

“Nothing you need to be watching.”

“Damn, Miss Andrews, that’s—”

“Going to get me fired?” I interrupt.

“What? No, never. The boss practically owns Knight’s Ridge. He’d never let Middleton kick you out for something as trivial as fucking Nico in the library.”

“Trivial?” I blurt. “We’re not two students going at it in a moment of passion. I’m his fucking teacher.”

“Nah.” Alex waves it off as if it’s nothing. “It’ll be cool, Bri. Don’t even sweat it.”

“This is my job. Literally, the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do and—”

“Nothing is going to happen, Brianna,” Theo assures me. “You will finish your training at Knight’s Ridge without any issues, no matter how hard Nico tries to make your life.”

“Great,” I mutter. “Maybe I should just defer the rest of my training to next year.” Even as I say the words, disappointment floods me. I don’t want to do that. I want to be working my first real job in September, not still training. But with everything that’s happened, and now this accident, I can’t help but wonder if it’s what’s going to have to happen.

“Don’t talk shit. We’ll make sure you pass no matter what happens.”

“Oh no,” I say, staring dead into Theo’s eyes. “I’m not accepting any easy ride just because my best friend is fucking one of you.”

“I’m not offering you a free ride, and if I were, it wouldn’t be because of Toby and Jodie. You’re one of us now, Brianna.”

“But—”

“I don’t give a fuck about what’s going on with you and Nico. That will sort itself out one way or another. But you’re not going anywhere anytime soon, so you’d better get used to it.”

My lips open and close like a fish as I stare back at the enigma that is Theo Cirillo before I concede on this argument and whisper, “Thank you.”

“Not necessary. We look after our own, Brianna. Now, we’re going to let you get some rest. If you need anything, even if it’s to get rid of that idiot in the middle of the night, call us, yeah?” he says, nodding to my phone on the table beside me.

“Okay,” I agree.

“Hey, is the video of the two of you—”

“Shut the fuck up, Deimos,” Theo snaps, reaching out and dragging him to the door by his arm.

“See you soon, Bri.”

* * *

I’m pretty sure that the second the door closed after the guys, I passed straight out.

When I come back to again, it’s dark out and my room is quiet, although there is evidence that Stella and Emmie have been here like the guys promised.

Sitting on my table is a whole array of chocolates, sweets and other treats along with a ripped-out page of a sketchbook. At the top it says, ‘flowers die but ink lasts forever’. Beneath it is the most stunning black pen drawing of lilies and roses, along with a pretty small flower I can’t name. There are skulls, crowns, and what I think is snake skin all intertwined and the words, ‘Be fierce. Be unstoppable. Be you’, laced through it.

My eyes are glued to it for the longest time, picking out all the intricate details. It’s incredible. Emmie’s definitely inherited her father’s talent and is going to make a fantastic artist one day—if she’s not too busy popping out little Cirillo heirs, that is.

I’m busy chuckling to myself as I picture Emmie as a doting housewife and mother when the door opens and a nurse I’m yet to meet invites herself in.

“Hi, Brianna. I’m Marie. I’ve come to change your dressing.”

I fall quiet, still clutching Emmie’s drawing in my hand as she goes about what she needs to do.

I tell myself not to look when she’s lowered my gown and pulled the dressing from my shoulder and upper arm, but I can’t help myself.

My gasp of shock rings through the room and Marie’s eyes instantly shoot to mine.

---