Princess
Friday | 8:12pm
The moment Iturned on the TV in the hotel suite, I couldn’t even focus on my fork. The local news anchor was in full spin mode, talking about how Don had officially announced his “voluntary resignation” and how a “major private development firm” would be spearheading community work on the Northside. I knew exactly what happened behind those bright camera flashes, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
I sat cross-legged on the plush bed with a tray of chicken alfredo, garlic bread, cheesecake, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a slice of cake before me. I was celebrating, stress-eating, and just feeling everything.
For the last few nights, I’d been under Nyce or on top of him, screaming his name while he gripped my hips. Pure bliss. And in the mornings, he’d leave the hotel to handle business. It became routine, and he made sure of it.
I chewed another bite of cake, eyes locked on the screen. They showed a clip of Nyce stepping up beside Don like he owned the entire damn city. God, he was fine. I was in full fan-girl mode when I heard the soft click of the hotel suite door.
I froze mid-bite as the cologne hit me before I even saw him. That deep, woodsy scent lived in my skin at this point. I dropped the fork, scrambled to wipe powdered sugar off my fingers, and jumped off the bed.
“Nyce?”
He rounded the corner, and my heart skipped. He didn’t have the same suit and tie on. He was dressed down in cargo pants, a tee, and sneakers with his chains resting against his chest. My whole body reacted before I could think and I launched myself at him. He caught me, arms locking tight around my waist as I buried my face into his neck and kissed him once, then again.
“You really stuck it to him,” I mumbled, grinning against his jaw. “I watched the whole thing. God, you were amazing! The way you cut him off in front of the press? He was dying inside, I could tell. And when you said you don’t do neglect, you…”
I pulled back, breathless, and finally looked at him. He hadn’t said a word. He was just… staring at me and holding me close, but his face wasn’t right.
“Hey,” I said softly, brushing my thumb across his jaw. “What’s wrong?”
He exhaled. A slow, heavy breath that sounded like it had been sitting in his chest all day. “Sit down,” he said. “I gotta talk to you.”
Immediately, my stomach tightened. “Okay…” I stepped back and sat on the edge of the bed, heart already racing for reasons I didn’t understand yet.
Nyce stayed standing. His hands were in his pockets, head tilted slightly down like he was measuring every word before it left his mouth. The silence made my skin itch. “I’m sending you away for a while,” he said finally. “Out the country.”
I blinked. “Wait…what?”
“You can bring a friend if you want,” he added. “You’ll be taken care of when you land. You won’t need to pay for shit.”
“No, Nyce… wait.” I stood. “What are you talking about? Why?”
He didn’t look at me. He stared past me, jaw flexing, voice lower now. “I can’t explain right now. It’s just what needs to be done.”
I shook my head slowly, confusion flooding me. “So you’re just… sending me away? Out of nowhere? Just like that?”
“I’ll join you when it’s over.”
“Over?” My voice cracked slightly. “Over as in… what? What are you talking about? Is this about my father or Brandon?”
“Both, but I’m not telling you shit else. The less you know, the better. I’m just protecting you.”
I stared at him, emotions rising. “Then protect me right here. Why can’t I stay with you?”
“Because if you’re here, I won’t be focused,” he said, finally meeting my eyes. “And I can’t afford that shit right now, Princess.
I scoffed, shaking my head. “Unbelievable.”
“I need you to trust me.”
“I’m trying to.”
“Good. Your flight is in two hours.” Nyce’s eyes softened for a split second as he stepped forward and cupped my face gently. “I wouldn’t be sending you away if I didn’t fuck with you. I need you to trust that.”
I stared up at him, his hands warm against my skin. And even though my heart was racing and my stomach felt like it was folding in on itself, I nodded.
