Page 238 of Vexatious Queen

Everything I saw said twenty years had come and gone, and I was no longer the sheltered, naive teen who had arrived with huge hopes and unrealistic dreams. That was before I knew the bitter taste of betrayal or the sourness of hate.

“You sure this is a good idea,” Vlad asked, pulling me out of my reverie.

“Ren said she wanted some time, but I can’t let it go any longer,” I said.

“You do remember how much your daughter is like you, don’t you,” Mylo asked this time, and I took a deep breath.

“Yes…well, then hopefully she will understand why I need to see her. Why I couldn’t wait anymore.”

They looked at each other before glancing back at me like I was an idiot, and I wanted to knock their heads together.

We pulled up to the massive gates, and I smiled as I stared at the golden WA built into the middle of the otherwise black, imposing structure.

“State your name and business,” the guard said as he approached the SUV.

I put my window down.

“Yuliana Mikhailov and I have an appointment with Dean Henry.”

That was completely untrue, but I was going to see him first, so why not use it to my advantage? The guard relayed the information, and with a nod, the gates opened. Good old Paul, he always came through, even when he was reluctant.

We drove down the winding road to the front of the school and stopped. Vlad turned to look at me.

“No,” I said before he could ask. “I’m not changing my mind.”

“Okay, it’s your funeral,” he said, and I shook my head at him. “We’ll wait in the parking lot.”

Grumbling, I got out. There was no point in telling them off. We’d been together longer than most relationships lasted. The two of them sure as hell loved to remind me of the fact that they were more like family than bodyguards.

Standing in front of these doors was surreal. If I had been given a choice, I wouldn’t have left unless it was to move in with Eddie. This place was everything I’d ever wanted. It might not seem like freedom to many, but for me…coming here had been like escaping a prison. I had finally been able to live a normal life, have friends, and experience everything I had been denied.

I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked inside, and everything looked the same. Refreshed, repaired in places, but ultimately the same. It still had the strange, homey smell that made no sense. But mixed with the wood, stone, and marble, there was something completely nostalgic about it.

The secretaries were gone when I stepped into the main office, but Paul was leaning against his doorframe with two drinks in hand. Even though his face gave nothing away, his eyes were filled with happiness that I’d grown to count on and love.

“Hello, stranger. I didn’t get to greet you properly at dinner, and I thought I’d better swing by,” I said.

He smiled before sipping his drink.

“Liar, you’re here to see your daughter. But I’ll take the visit and your thanks since I’m still waiting for the card in the mail,” he teased.

I nodded to the drink.

“Have I driven you to double-fisting, now, or is one of those for me?”

With a very typical Paul smirk, he held out the glass. Taking it, I hugged him before he could escape.

“I’ve missed you,” I said.

Paul didn’t really hug me back. He never did. For as long as I’d known him, it was always a one-armed, awkward gesture. I’d grown so used to it that it was now just part of his charm.

As I pulled away, I kissed his cheek.

“Thank you for everything. You’ve been a real friend, and I can never repay you.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping a tab, and I’ll call in the favors at some point.”

I laughed. “Now that I believe.”