The grand grey building of the Royal College looms in the distance. People swarm the streets like ants, shrieking and whooping. I’m pretty sure they’re not here to see Victoria, but her rock star brother-in-law and his super stylish wife.
‘Pull in.’ I turn to Andie. ‘Let me find a way in first and I’ll come and get you, okay?’
My eyes drift to the little girl with the strawberry blonde hair and earnest olive eyes sitting by her side. The one who’s been discharged into my care.
On paper, we’re cousins. In reality, we’re still figuring this thing out.
All I know is that when I showed up for her at that foster home, she ran so freely into my arms, I knew nobody would question my lies, especially when Declan had done a terrifyingly good job creating a paper trail.
‘You okay?’ I mouth.
Lily-May nods and sticks a thumb up. ‘Go get her, Archie.’
‘Be careful,’ Andie urges as I slip out of the car.
‘Always.’
I take off up the street, bobbing and weaving through the crowds, bypassing the media circus outside the college building and darting into the grounds behind it.
If I could just get to Victoria, reach her before she gets up on that stage…
I glimpse the Sextons’ limo pulling away. The cargo must already be inside. Using the side entrance, I strut in like I own the place. Or at least like I have the same level of education as every other guy in a suit here today.
Imposter syndrome creeps in.
You’ll never fit into her life. You’re not part of this world.
I give myself a mental kick in the butt.
We’re going to start our own world. Far away from all this bullshit, if she’ll still have me, that is.
I weave through two elderly gentlemen heartily slapping each other’s backs. Their accents would make the Prince of Wales himself question if he needed elocution lessons.
I don’t fit in here. I shouldn’t be here.
Fuck it. Apart from being a brainiac, and from a ridiculously wealthy family, Victoria doesn’t exactly fit in either.
Two suited, bulky figures flank the corridor branching off to the right. I’d know they were private security from a mile off, even before I saw their tiny, discreet earpieces.
They eye each other warily as I approach. ‘I’m here to see Victoria.’
The taller of the two snorts. ‘Yeah, so are the other million outside.’
‘Just tell her I’m here.’ I nod towards the door they’re blocking. ‘Tell them it’s Archie. I really need to see her.’
‘Yeah, sure. Will I stick the kettle on while I’m at it? Maybe shove a broom up my ass and sweep the floor too?’ His smart mouth goads me.
His companion laughs, and without thinking, I grab his wrist and twist it behind his back.
He holds his other hand up in surrender without even attempting to put up a fight.
Fucking hell, where did Ryan find these guys? On the door of a nightclub? They might look the part, but they sure don’t act it.
The other guy lunges for me, taking a swing at my head, but I dodge his fist, extending a foot, so he trips, landing on the floor with a thud.
These guys are no fun.
I open the door without releasing the first guy’s wrist. ‘She’s not there,’ he cries out in pain. ‘They’ve gone up already. This is a private passage leading to the great hall, but they’ll come out this way later.’
