I stepped back, in a bit of a daze from the collision, then looked up to see the men looming over me. “Out of my way,” I growled, mustering all of the royal power that my voice was capable of.
The guys regarded one another, then looked down at me.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Princess,” Ajax said. “You may be a royal…”
“And used to being treated like one,” Kid added.
“But here, you’re under our watch. Our job is to protect you, and we’re not going to let anything get in the way of fulfilling that duty.”
“Not even you,” Pyke said.
“So,” Hud joined in. “You go anywhere outside of this front door, even if it’s just to get a whiff of that fresh, mountain air, you’d better let us know.”
I glared back up at them.
“Are we done yet?”
Pyke narrowed his eyes at me.
“We’re done. Get some rest.”
With that, the group split. I hurried past, rushing to the stairs, and storming up to the third floor, tears in my eyes as I ran into the master suite.
“I guess that means she’s taking the top floor,” I heard Kid say as I slammed the door shut.
I threw down my bag and fell onto the bed, letting the tears flow into my pillow.
I couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that I was really, truly going to be stuck here for only God knew how long. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, wishing to text Anna or my best friend Evie, who’d gone to the States for a summer internship.
But I didn’t know what to say.
I cried, not paying attention to the time passing. I was so fixated on my tears that I almost didn’t notice the knocking at the bedroom door.
“Who is it?” I yelled.
“It’s Ivan. Can I come in?”
“No!”
“Uh, OK. Well, I just wanted to tell you that we’re making some food. You don’t have to join us, but I can bring you up a plate if you want.”
“I don’t. Just, leave me alone.”
“Hm. Suit yourself.”
He left and I was alone once more.
Fine with me. If I had it my way, I’d stay in the room and away from everyone until I could go home.
It was just a matter of marking the days, starting with this one.
7
AJAX
Damn stubborn-ass woman.
I shoved the rest of my roast beef sandwich down the hatch, staring out of the window of the kitchen as I chewed. Victoria might’ve been the best damn payday we’d come across in a long while, but at that moment all I could think about was how big of a royal pain she’d been so far.