“Yes.”
“You’re not staying?” He didn’t think he’d argue with her over it. The family needed space.
“No.”
“Then you should probably go.” He needed to process, be there for his mother.
Having been where Mum would soon be—humiliated, scrutinized at a level no one should endure—he understood what was needed.
His family had circled around him, even when he was too stubborn to accept their comfort and advice. Mum, however, would be the opposite. She’d want everyone near. And in the days ahead, she’d have a story to tell.
On the verge of a glorious wedding week, one secret threw their joy in a tailspin.
“I’m sorry, everyone. Truly.” The door clicked as Daffy exited.
Gus dropped to the nearest chair, head in his hands.
“You can’t go on with her now, Gus.” John’s directive was firm. “Daffy is a liability. Especially as long as she’s friends with Parker. Mum will never trust her.”
“What? Surely you can’t shoot the messenger.” Holland intervened with sweet grace. “That poor lass just stood in front of the Royal House of Blue and warned of a coming storm. She’s a hero, if you ask me. Brave. Gus, go after her.”
He stared toward Holland, but he didn’t see her. He saw the faces, heard the voices, ofthatday in Clouver Abbey—his parents, his brother, his mates.
“Go after her!”
“What happened?”
“Did you have any idea?”
“Win her back!”
Move. But his feet remained planted, anchored between the past and the present.Go!In the distance, Holland and John debated.
“…let her walk out of here feeling as if she launched a world war.”
“Let her go. It’s over…see it in her eyes…not want to be in this family.”
“Seriously…narrow minded?…thought better of you.”
As they argued, Gus sorted his thoughts. Why wasn’t he charging out the door to catch her? This was not her fault. She never intended for Parker to read her diary. Still, betrayal was betrayal. Those who sat in the getaway car were as guilty as those robbing the bank.
If he went after her, what would he say? Where were his loyalties most needed? With the family, the House of Blue, or with her?
“I will not hurt you. I won’t run or hide or confess I love someone else.”
Aclankrattled through him. The sound of breaking chains. Of love conquering fear.
Out of the apartment and down the corridor at top speed, he raced through the Grand Gallery and down the Grand Stairs. Bursting across the foyer and out the main door, he skidded to the edge of the granite portico.
“Daffy!” He jumped to the ground, stumbling and rolling through wet grass, and scrambled toward the castle parking.
Little blue car, be there.Be there.But the car park was empty. He dropped into a squat, head down. After a breath or two, he reached for his phone.
Waiting for her to answer, Gus gazed west, toward the channel, the cliffs, and the Hand of God. Overhead, the conflicted sky warred between sunlight and a coming storm.
His call landed in voice mail.
“Daffy, ring me.Please.”
