Page 38 of My Dark Horse Prince

A muscle works in his jaw, but he listens, walking slowly at my side as we make our way to the Range Rover. Once we get the door open, Grigoriy insists on tossing my crutches in the back and helping me in again. Then he slides into the middle of the bench, right next to me, and buckles.

“What are you doing?” I ask, eyeing his proximity warily.

“There are three seats,” he says.

“I know.”

“I’d rather sit in the one that’s closer to you.” He shrugs. “Is that a problem?”

Kris is giggling in the front seat.

“I suppose not,” I say.

And I hate that I mean it.

8

Home for me has always been where Kris is. I mean, it would have been nice if I grew up in the same place my entire life, like her. Or if I had lots of memories of the same house, like holidays in certain rooms with the same decorations.

But more than a location, home’s a feeling.

It’s being safe. It’s being cared for. It’s knowing no one wants to hurt you—anything bad that happens is inadvertent or fate.

The only person, since her mother died, who has loved me no matter what. . .is Kristiana. My sister always has her own fights to manage. My mom has always prioritized Martinš over everything else. No guy has ever cared much about me, except as something to control.

But Kris has always had my back, so with her, I’m home.

Which is why, when she grabs her purse and stands up, my anxiety rises. “I just put all my new clothes in that room.” I swallow and force myself, painfully, to my feet.

“Oh, no, that’s fine. Aleks and I will head back to his place, which is only half an hour’s drive, and we’ll be back over tomorrow morning to take you to the doctor.”

“Whoa,” I say. “You’re leaving without me?”

“My car’s a two-seater,” Aleks says.

“You could borrow the Range Rover for a day, right?” I hate how panicked I sound.

“Are you afraid of being alone with me?” Grigoriy stands. “Because you slept practically on top of me last night.”

I swallow. “You were a horse.”

“There are a dozen staff members here,” Kris says. “Your stuff’s here. We thought it would be easier if—”

“I’d rather go with you.”

Kris frowns. “Aleks knows Grigoriy. They’ve been friends for years. I’m sure you’ll be safe here.”

I’m acting like a lunatic. My stuff’s all in the drawers in an empty room. Kris and Aleks will be back in the morning. I know these things are true, but for some reason, I’m panicking anyway.

Grigoriy frowns. “You could change me back into a horse, if that will make you feel better.”

“I’d prefer he’s here as a man,” Aleks says. “Remember what I told you?” He lifts his eyebrows meaningfully.

“What?” I glance between them. “What did you tell him?”

Kris sighs. “They have another friend who’s still missing, and there are two more people like them who we think cursed them to begin with. They came after us once, right after the Grand National.”

Came after them?

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