“I can take you there. I want to go with you, though.”
I shake my head. “You don’t want to leave your car unattended anywhere in that area.”
He considers this. “Then we’ll leave it in Royal City and take an Uber there.”
“River, that’s too expens?—”
He traces his fingers along the back of my hand, silencing me again. He needs to stop touching me like that because it’s too distracting.
“Let’s do this tonight. That way, we can at least know if it’s fake. If not, then we can try to figure out how your aunt got a hold of it. If it is fake, then that’s one less thing to worry about.” He leaves his hand on mine as he dazes off with a crease between his brow. “If it’s not a fake, it could explain why the society is targeting you.”
My brows shoot upward. “Wait—what?”
His gaze collides with mine, and the intensity in his eyes sends a chill down my spine. “If you’re from this allegedly dead bloodline and the society found out, it could be behind the cause of why they’re going after you, depending on why this family bloodline no longer exists.”
“How would they even find that out?” I shake my head. “Never mind. Forget I asked, because there’s no way I could be a royal.” When he stares at me, I stress, “River, dude, think aboutit. Could you imagine me dressed up in designer dresses and going to fancy dinners?”
He chews on his bottom lip, not answering.
“What the hell?” I ask, appalled. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
He lazily lifts a shoulder. “You told me to imagine it.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Yeah, well, you were supposed to say you couldn’t imagine it.”
“But I can,” he replies truthfully. When I glare at him, he shrugs again. “You’re beautiful, and I could see you in a nice dress, looking … beautiful.”
“Stop calling me that,” I mutter, my cheeks warm.
Usually, I get irritated when guys call me hot or beautiful, but River is making me blush.
What the hell, Maddy? Where is your head at?
Thank God, River gets as embarrassed, too, as he realizes what he said.
“Sorry,” he mumbles. “I shouldn’t have said that …” A quick pause. “Even if it is true.”
I sigh loud enough for him to hear me. “Can we just stop with the compliments? I don’t do well with them.”
“Only if you agree that we take care of this tonight and get the necklace. Because I don’t want you trying to sneak off by yourself—it’s too dangerous.”
I think it might be the first time I’ve felt like someone has worried about me. Maybe that’s why I agree.
Or maybe I’ve been struck dumb by all the royal prettiness.
Whatever the reason, it looks like I’m going to northside tonight.
CHAPTER 10
MADDISON
Riverand I leave the lake and drive back to the city. We park his car in the same carport Finn used when he helped me escape Drew. Then River and I head out to the front entrance where an Uber will pick us up.
River has us go through the bottom floor of the building instead of going around outside, which means we have to walk through the main lobby where people are. I immediately grow anxious at the sight of the domed cathedral ceiling, the sparkling chandelier, the shiny marble floor, and the gold splashes everywhere, including on peoples’ jewelry.
Everyone is glitzy with royalty, and I feel like trash. I’m unsure if I’m being self-conscious, but I swear a group of women sitting on sofas near the windows at the front are staring at me. They’re drinking tea, and it looks like they might be having a book club meeting since they’re all holding a book.
“Are you okay?” River asks as we cross the room, passing by the front desk.
