“Oh, shit.” Nora looks at me, her gaze sympathetic as it lands on me. “Okay, new plan.” Nora claps her hands. “Room service. Early dinner and a couple of cocktails and then you can sleep.” She is nodding as she talks.
“That’s a much better plan,” Anaïs agrees and anxiety blooms in my stomach.
“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t want to ruin your plans.”
“No, no no,” Anaïs rushes out, her head moving side to side. “You’re not at all. This is the plan. Us to you, no late night, just a chilled evening.”
Nora is nodding again, agreeing with Anaïs.
“Okay.” I smile. “Only if you’re sure.”
“So sure,” they both say in unison.
After being introduced to most of Saint Onyx, I am led to Royce’s room. I have no idea what to expect. Edel told me not to Google him, which I didn’t; she wanted me to meet him and see what my first expectations were without seeing his history.
I think I have it sussed out, though.
Playboy.
Arrogant.
Out for himself.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
I don’t need Google to tell me all of that, I know that already.
He is the son of Creed Lexington, multi-millionaire, who owns an F1 team, which Royce drives for. The kid has never wanted for anything, and he was literally dropped into this team.
Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I notice Nora doesn’t knock this time. She pushes through the door and announces her entry. He isn’t in his room. Her eyes bounce around before twisting to look at me, giving me a shrug when we hear a slight commotion from the hallway.
“One moment.” She plasters a forced smile on her face as she storms towards where we just walked in from and I stand like a spare part.
“Royce!” she calls out and I hear a grumble in response.
Curiosity gets the better of me as I hover by the door and watch as she follows him.
“Don’t walk away from me!”
She catches up with him and shoves him between the shoulder blades which causes him to stop. My eyes widen and I am wondering how much of an issue that would be if HR knew about it. He spins around; ice blue eyes connect with Nora’s. His nostrils flare and fists ball by his side.
“You knew the deal, you promised.” She stands, unfazed by him, arms crossed and tapping her foot on the floor.
“Well, I’ve changed my mind.” He scowls at her before turning on his heel.
He doesn’t get a chance to bolt as she grabs him by the elbow and tugs him in my direction.
“So, you’re going to break your promise?” She stares, waiting for an answer that doesn’t come. “Come on, stop being stubborn, it’s really not that bad.”
I take that as my cue to duck back into the room and pretend I didn’t just witness that.
“Then you have the stuffy geek with you for the season.”
My back stiffens as he is pushed in the door before she slams it shut behind both of them. He catches my gaze, his shoulders lifted, chest rising and falling. He doesn’t want to be here, and actually, the feeling is mutual.
“Royce”—Nora stands a little taller—“this is Athena. She will be shadowing you for the season.”
He blinks, jaw clenched and his ice blue eyes haven’t lifted from me for even a second. “Cool.” The word seeps out of him like venom, and I feel a shiver dance up my spine.
