No. No. Please.
I raise my hand protectively, yet I’m frozen. My pulse races unnaturally fast, I can’t breathe. A heavy weight crushes my chest, and I’m powerless to do anything. Fear claws at every inch of my body.
A whimper escapes me, and I vaguely realize it’s me making the sound.
“Please. Please no. No. Don’t touch me. Please.” Again and again, I repeat the words, not noticing that Robins is being pulled away from me. I collapse, but I don’t hit the ground. There are arms holding me.
No. Don’t touch me.
I thrash around, swinging my arms wildly, but the relentless grip and solid body hold me tight.
“Got you, Goldilocks.” Three simple words whispered by a dark voice in my ear, piercing the fog of panic in my head.
“Air. Can’t breathe,” I croak hoarsely, and suddenly hands touch my cheek. They hold me gently but firmly. Two gray eyes look at me, angry and worried at the same time.
“Copy me, Lia, come on. Inhale. Exhale. Yes, exactly. Inhale. Exhale.”
It sounds easy, but it isn’t. Stars dance before my eyes, and I see Nicolas talking.
Is he talking to me? Air. I can’t breathe.
The dots grow stronger, and I clutch at my neck.
It’s tight, so tight. Everything is so tight.
Henry appears before my eyes, looking down at me with an evil smile.
Don’t touch.
Then my world goes dark.
“Nicolas! Why are you looking after that stupid bitch? Be glad she’s finally gone. We need to talk.”
Sarah jabs her finger into my chest, and I slowly turn my head back in her direction, away from Amelia, who disappears into the crowd.
“We don’t need to do anything, Sarah. Are you completely out of your mind? What the hell was that about? You know how damaging this would be if anyone saw.”
I glare down at her, surprised by how calm my voice sounds, considering every woman around me seems hell-bent on driving me insane today.
“Yes, we do need to talk. And I’m not crazy. I just can’t stand by and watch this agreement destroy you. What do you even want with that frigid prude? She can’t make you happy, and she has no idea how to represent you properly to your people.” She doesn’t let up, her voice insistent, while I exhale sharply.
Cedric chuckles beside me, earning himself a middle finger.
“Oh, she can’t do it, but you can, I suppose?” I laugh mockingly, and Sarah’s eyebrows furrow in fury. Kyle, one of Ced’s buddies, joins him, and the two start talking. But my focus is still locked on the irritating woman in front of me.
“Of course I can. I’d be the better choice in every way. Even a blind man could see that,” she says haughtily, with a confidence so delusional I can’t help but burst out laughing.
Who does she think she is?
“Sarah, we had sex, that’s it. What makes you think—” I don’t get any further, because Cedric interrupts.
“Come with me. Now. There’s trouble.” His expression has turned serious, and I immediately tense.
“What kind of trouble?”
“Paul saw Damien in the front hall. With Amelia. And they weren’t alone. Robins is causing shit.”
Shit.
