“I wasn’t bragging. Plus, that was over fifteen fucking years ago, Brimar. Have you been holding on to it for that long? Why are you dredging this up now?”
“Because you’ve been on a power trip, and I assumed that was why. Since Theo asked us to go find Lilly, you’ve taken it upon yourself to lead the way.”
“Because Theo asked me specifically.”
“Yes, but I’m the head of fucking security, meaning I’m the one who should be calling the shots.” He points to his chest. “I’m the one who should be figuring out where we’re going and who’s allowed near us and who isn’t. But you’ve treated me like your goddamn assistant this entire time, and I’m sick of it. We come from the same cloth, from the same upbringing, and it’s about time you realize that.”
“I do,” I scream at him. “I fucking realize it every day. Every time I look at Lilly, I realize it. I know I don’t belong in the same room as her, but she wants me there for some reason. Do you realize the mental anguish I’ve had to filter through to love the woman I want to love?”
“Love?” Brimar asks, his thick brows kissing his hairline. “You barely know each other.”
“We know way more about each other than what I apparently know about you.” I push my hand through my hair. “I can’t—I can’t fucking believe you, man. You broke my trust. And for what? Pride? Pretty fucking stupid. I need to know who else you told. Did you leak it...” My voice trails off as a thought hits me square in the chest. My eyes flash up to his again, and I ask, “Are you the fucking leak we’ve been looking for?”
“Took you enough time to figure that out too,” he says, his voice full of arrogance.
And with that, I can’t stop myself, I charge at him, plowing him into the wall and creating a dent in the plaster with his body. He hits me in the stomach with an uppercut, causing me to back off him for a moment, but it’s enough time for him to cock back and drive his fist into my eye. I stumble backward, my vision blurry as I see his fist come at me again, but this time I duck and blow my fist into his stomach.
He buckles over, and I take my chance at hitting him with an uppercut to the jaw so he falls backward.
When he’s on the ground, his head lolling to the side, I say, “That was a fucking security risk, and you know it.”
“And not once did you ask me for my advice. Thought you’d be able to step off your high horse and notice—”
“Notice what? That you’ve been slacking on your job? Because that’s what’s been happening. That’s why I haven’t asked you. Because before we went to Miami to find Lilly, you were slipping up. You were making mistakes. You were putting the people we’re supposed to protect at risk and I wasn’t about to let you do that with Lilly. She’s all we have left.” I grip my head. “Jesus, fuck, Brimar. She’s it. That’s all. Without her, we have nothing left of this country. And because of your pride, you’d let that get in the goddamn way?” I get close to him, inches from his face. “Now tell me, who else did you fucking send that text message to?”
His jaw works to the side, and then he says, “The Tribune.”
My nostrils flare with anger, but before I can beat him into the floor, I tear out of his room and head straight for the palace.
* * *
LILLY
Lilly:Keller, can you please text me back? It’s five in the morning and I want to know if you’re okay.
Lilly:Keller, please. I’m scared. I need to talk to you about all this, and I don’t want to do it through text message. Please, just see me. I’m awake.
I stare down at my unanswered texts as the clock in the top left corner of my phone switches to half past five. Lara left about forty-five minutes ago after I promised her I wouldn’t do anything stupid, like attempt to find Keller. And I’m holding myself to that promise, because even though I’m desperate to see Keller, to work things out, I know the value and importance of my actions.
So, I’ve stayed up, still waiting for Keller, texting him often, hoping he’ll respond or visit me in my room.
But... nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
And the more the silence goes on, the more my heart breaks.
* * *
KELLER
“I needto speak to the king,” I say to the footman at his bedroom door. “Now.”
Thankfully, I still have the authority to override the guards at his door, and they knock on it before opening. When the door parts, I push through into a dark room, the curtains completely blocking off all the light from outside.
“Your Majesty,” I say, using formal terms. “I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.”
“What’s going on?” he grumbles as Katla switches on a light, casting the room in a yellow glow. Theo sits up and spots me. He rubs his eye and asks, “What time is it?”
