Page 21 of Engaged to the Mountain Man

“I have to get to her. We need to find a way into the palace,” I tell my friends.

“Calm down, Rambo,” Hale says, looking at me with amusement. “We’ve already got you covered.”

I look to Roman who nods as suited men approach us. “We have an escort in.”

Our friend Brennon is a billionaire and Roman has considerable pull, but even they don’t have enough to get me into the palace. He claps me on the shoulder. “There are advantages to being the long-lost prince.”

“My brother knows about me.” My only thought has been getting to my girl. I haven’t even thought about the possibility of meeting my older brother.

Roman shrugs. “As soon as I got the report, I sent your DNA to be compared. I wanted to make certain before I told you. As soon as the confirmation came in, Mateo insisted on sending men to guard you.”

Roman had my back, and I’ll always be grateful for that. “Gotta warn you though. Violet is not too happy about your arrival. Woman is as warm as a rattlesnake, but she’ll let you into the castle.”

The security team has reached us, and the men bow to me. They even address me as your highness which causes me to scowl at them. I don’t like being treated differently, never have. But if this is the price of entry into her world, I’ll accept it.

Within minutes, we’re whisked to the palace, and I find myself standing before Violet. She squares her shoulders when she sees me. “Before you go any further—”

“I’m coming to see her. I’ll tear this palace down brick by brick if that’s what it takes.”

To my surprise, she doesn’t try to argue with me. She presses her lips together and points behind her. “Through that door.”

That’s when I start running because I can’t imagine not being near my curvy woman for one more minute.

11

AURORA

He’s come to gloat.Nico says he’s here to pay his respects, but we both know what the gleam in his eye really means. He thinks he’s won, that he’ll be crowned the next king within the week.

I pretend to accept his condolences because I can’t risk tipping my hand. I even have him for tea. The entire time, he keeps glancing around the room. He’s already planning how to redecorate the palace to appeal to his whores.

I haven’t slept in the past twenty-four hours. I’ve barely eaten, and my heart is raw in my chest. But I’ve gone on national television and declared a week of mourning for my late father and authorized the burial preparations.

I’ve already done this once before with my mom, but it was different. I was so close to her. It was like losing my best friend. With Father, there’s only grief for the warm relationship we could have had.

“How is Jasmine?” I despise Nico, but his wife is kind. She’s the one good thing about the man, but lately, she’s been having horrible migraines. It’s why she’s not with him today.

“Attention seeking as usual.” He flicks a piece of lint off his dress pants. “How is Rafe? Sorry, Rafael. Did you have a good visit?”

I take a sip of my tea, refusing to show him any emotion. I don’t understand how he knows anything about Rafe but given how often he’s visited Father in the past months, he’s probably made friends within the castle walls.

“It couldn’t have been that cordial, seeing how you’re here.Single.” He pretends to drum his fingers on his knees. “Only a few days left before Velkan’s new reigning monarch will be announced.”

I want to smack the smirk off his face. Instead, I keep my tone neutral. “I look forward to the announcement.”

“I look forward to seeing you on your knees for me.”

I set my teacup down. It clinks loudly against my saucer. “Listen, you little conniving—”

Before I can finish my statement, there’s the sound of yelling. Someone is yelling my name and racing down the hall. There are other heavy footsteps, as if they’re being chased.

I push to my feet. There’s the sudden sound of many men running toward me. My heart pounds as I imagine that this might be the coup that Nico has been planning. But why would he do this when he’s so close to getting everything he’s wanted?

Instead of armed man bursting into the door, it’s one man. It’s Rafe, and I recognize the fire in his eyes. It’s the same look he had on the banks of the lake. “What are you doing here?”

“I warned you I would chase you down.” He storms across the tearoom, pushes me against the wall, and kisses me passionately. His lips against mine are perfect. Despite the fact that I should be angry with him for rejecting me, I can’t help but melt against him. It’s been twenty-four hours without his kisses, without his scowls, without his teasing and his dry sense of humor.

“I fucked up.” Those are the first words out of his mouth when he lifts his head long enough for both of us to desperately drag in some oxygen.

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