Page 259 of The Heart You Kept

“I think it’s for the best, Isadora,” Theo replies. “Not tonight.”

“You’re siding with him?”

“Always.”

“You make me fucking sick too. The Kingsmen. You think you’re so untouchable.” She looks him up and down in disgust. “You let me into this party or I’m going to bring you down too, you and the pathetic Sinclair Montague.”

“Please.” Theo rolls his eyes. “You’ve got nothing on us.”

“Oh really?” She crosses her arms for effect. “What happened in St. Barth last year, Prince Theodore?” She smiles. “I have video footage to prove it…I’m sure Daddy the King is going to be so proud of his gangbanging son.”

His eyes hold hers. “Liar.”

She smiles darkly.

He steps forward. “I’d be careful who you threaten, Isadora.”

This fucking woman….

“I’d hate for you to have an accident.”

“If I go missing, my instructions are that all of my evidence goes straight to the press. Do you think I’m that stupid?” She lifts her chin as if happy with herself. “So am I coming into the party?”

“No. You’re not,” Theodore replies. “And you’ve just made damn well sure that you never come to one again.” He holds two fingers up as his eyes hold hers. “Nobody threatens me and gets away with it.”

Three guards walk over. “Escort Miss Auclair from the premises and see that she never enters a social engagement of mine again.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You son of a fucking bitch,” she whispers as they grab her elbows.

Theo and I turn and begin to walk into the house.

“I’m going to bring you all down,” she calls from behind us. “Just you wait….”

Theo’s murderous eyes meet mine. “You have the worst taste in women.”

“In this instance—” I drag my hand through my hair, “—I have to agree.”

ALORA

The music is playing, the dance floor is packed and I have to say, this is actually a fun night. Thomas has been a godsend, he’s swooned every female he has met off her feet. Laughed with Sinclair and Theodore and I may have even caught Edward half listening as he talks.

“Do you want to get some fresh air?” Edward asks me.

“Is that code for do I want to come outside while you and your friends smoke cigars kind of fresh air?”

Edward’s eyes dance with mischief. “Perhaps.”

“No, thank you.” I smile and he kisses me softly.

“Back soon.” His hand runs down over my behind as he nips my neck.

I watch him walk through the crowd and smile, see…this is why I brought Thomas, Edward would never have left me here alone. He would have been chained to my side to the detriment of us both and we would have both gone home frustrated.

I walk over to the bar and wait in line and I feel someone standing to the side of me, not in the line but close enough that I can feel them watching me.

Hermione.