Page 6 of From Princess to Queen

Daniel’s head shoots up as he stares at the guy.

“I don’t give a shit what he likes. It’s an order.”

“Understood,” the guy answers before closing the door behind him.

“Do you want a drink? You look a little pale,” Daniel comments as he heads to a small table covered in bottles at the side of the room.

“Please,” I whisper, trying to hide how hard I’m shaking. Daniel looks at the bottles before him and pours me a drink. When he holds it out, I look at it momentarily before taking it.

“Vodka, lime and soda. Still your favourite?” he asks. I nod, surprised he even remembers. I lift it to my lips and take a sip, trying and failing to remain calm.

Daniel leans back with his hands on the edge of the desk, crossing his legs in front of him.

“So, is this your club? Or your brothers?” I ask, looking around.

“Mine,” Daniel replies, running his fingers through his hair.

“How long have you been back?” When he doesn’t respond, I look up at him and see a sad smile on his face.

“A while.”

I nod and sip my drink again, trying to distract myself from the heartache those two words cause.

“Does Oli know?”

Daniel nods again, and I take a deep breath as the realisation hits me like a sledgehammer. He’s been hiding from me.

“Take it you own Rosebud Bar and Jacksons’ Wine Bar too?”

Daniel frowns at me whilst nodding.

“That explains why Oli always warned me away from them and this place.”

I knock back the rest of my drink and place the glass on the desk. It takes all my self-control not to slam it. Standing up, I pull my short skirt down as much as possible.

“Thanks for the drink and stepping in. I’ll see you around.” I turn to leave, needing space to think, but he grabs my hand, stopping me. I look down at it before looking back at him. “Let me go. I don’t want to take up any of your precious time,” I snap, pulling my arm out of his grasp.

“Princess, let me.”

“Don’t!” I snap, interrupting him. “Don’t you dareprincessme. I’m not your princess. I obviously never was. You should have just told me the truth!” I yell, trying to walk towards the office door. But Daniel appears in front of me, blocking the way. “Move, Daniel.”

“No, not until you give me a chance to explain.” He stands there holding his hands up, and for a second, I contemplate letting him speak. But I remind myself that this man has been hiding from me for God only knows how long. He didn’t give me a moment of his time in the last five years, so why should I give him any of mine?

“No. You had your chance five years ago, and all the years you have been back since. I’m going home.” I take a deep breath and straighten my back. Determined to come across as stronger than I feel. “Goodbye, Daniel.”

Daniel stops me again as he opens the door.

“Neil, drive Miss Lawson home, please.” When I turn to tell him, ‘No,’ Daniel shakes his head. “It’s quicker than trying to get a taxi.” I hate that he’s right and nod my reluctant acceptance. The guy who’d been in his office walks to the door and nods. Daniel places his hand on my arm, making me look back at him. “You have every right to be angry. I’ll give you a couple of days to calm down; then I’ll come and speak to you. I want a chance to explain why things turned out the way they did.”

“Don’t waste your time. I don’t want any more lies, and I don’t want to see you again,” I reply as I walk out the door.

“Gabriella.”

I stop and turn around to look at Daniel as he stands in the doorway.

“You are wrong, by the way.”

“About what?” I ask, my jaw clenched. Daniel walks forward and runs his knuckles down my cheek before leaning in and kissing it.

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