Amelia
My mind is a blank slate, my body trembling uncontrollably. My heart thunders in my chest, and my pulse races wildly. Adrenaline courses through my veins, leaving me struggling to keep up as everything unfolds too quickly.
When I saw that guy dump something into Lizzy’s drink, I lost it. I acted without thinking and only realized what I’d done when it was already too late.
The violence in that guy’s eyes paralyzed me, triggering memories I’d rather forget. I couldn’t move, couldn’t react—helpless, weak, as always. If Nicolas hadn’t been there…
My stomach churns, and I swallow hard. He saved me.
When he pulled me into him, I almost fought back. But the scent of leather and musk hit me, and my subconscious surrendered. Safety. That arrogant jerk made me feel safe in that moment.
I don’t want to analyze what that means; honestly, I can’t. This whole situation is too overwhelming.
Everything escalated, and now I’m standing here, heart hammering, paralyzed, staring at Nicolas, who’s looking back at me with blazing eyes.
Oh God.
My throat aches, and my entire body is trembling. He… he…
Cedric’s shout snaps me out of my daze.
“Lizzy!”
My eyes dart to my best friend, now slumped in Cedric’s arms. He acted fast, catching her just in time, and is already instructing Adam and Joey to bring a crate to elevate her feet.
Her head is cradled securely in his lap, but fear grips me with relentless claws.
Without hesitation, I drop to my knees beside her and check her pulse. Damn it, it’s far too slow.
I’d noticed all night how much she was drinking, how desperately she was trying to distract herself, but that bastard pushed her over the edge. He tried to drug her.
But wait!
A thought strikes me, and I react instantly, turning her head toward me.
“We need to make her throw up. She might’ve already had something in her drink earlier, and combined with the alcohol… I… I wasn’t watching her the whole time.” My voice falters, and I feel the urge to slap myself for not being more vigilant.
Guilt is a nasty thing, heavy and hard to bear, but I don’t have time for it now.
Cedric’s expression darkens at my words, but before he can respond, I notice movement beside me. Someone large and broad kneels next to me, nudging Cedric aside. Nicolas lifts Lizzy into his arms and carries her a bit farther to a seating area, where he carefully lays her on the couch.
“Call Lincoln. Tell him to meet me at my apartment. And find me a car, something discreet, parked in the side alley. No one can know about her condition,” Nicolas orders, his voice cold and firm. A knot tightens in my already churning stomach, panic clawing at me.
Panic at the thought of losing someone else I love.
He tilts her head toward him, his icy eyes locking onto mine, and I freeze.
“Hold her head steady while I make her throw up,” he commands harshly.
I blink at him, unable to process his words.
“Amelia, now, dammit,” he barks, snapping me out of it. I flinch but do as he says, holding her head to the side. Nicolas doesn’t hesitate, forcing his fingers down her throat until she starts gagging and convulsing, finally vomiting.
Thinking quickly, I roll her onto her side, keeping her head steady.
“That’s it, sweetie. Get it all out,” Nicolas murmurs, holding her hair back.
His gaze, though filled with worry, is so tender it makes my chest ache.
“As soon as the car arrives, I’m taking her to my place.
Let me know the moment it’s here, and call Eric.
Have him handle the press if anyone gets wind of this,” he says to Cedric, while fear digs deeper into me.
“Are you insane? She needs a doctor immediately. She could die!” I snap, whirling on him and truly seeing him for the first time tonight.
“And THAT’S exactly what I’m doing, taking her to a doctor. But tell me, Goldilocks, what do you think will happen if the press or my dear father finds out about this? Who do you think will bear the consequences of tonight?”
Nicolas’s gaze is cold and steely as it meets my panicked, angry one. I swallow hard against the lump in my throat.
Damn it, he’s right.
In my panic, I hadn’t even considered what it would mean if this got out. No one knows we’re here, that we’ve been working with these kids. Kids from the social margins, former street children. That we’ve stepped outside the royal circles.
“Then that’s settled. Any objections, milady? No? Good. You’ll be taken to Perlington House.” His expression hardens as his challenging gaze locks with mine. Slowly, his words sink into my mind.
He’s planning to send me to Perlington House.
My stomach churns, and a cold shiver runs down my spine. If I were to return home like this…
“No! I’m coming with you. I’m not leaving until I know she’s okay,” I blurt out in panic, my hand trembling as I place it on Nicolas’s forearm. His eyes flick down to where I’m touching him and then back to my face. His gaze is sharp, unyielding, as he brusquely shakes off my fingers.
“That’s not your decision, Goldilocks.” He says nothing more, but I see the tension in his jaw as he roughly pushes me aside.
“Ced, take the lady to Perlington House. We’ll meet at my place.” Gently, Nicolas lifts Lizzy into his arms as if she’s made of glass. Her head lolls lifelessly against his chest like a doll, and my stomach clenches again, the suffocating grip of fear making it hard to breathe. Lizzy can’t die.
Why wasn’t I more careful? Why was I stupid enough not to stay by her side the whole night?
Breathe. I need to breathe.
Damn it.
Nicolas moves away, carrying Lizzy, and I stand there helplessly, like a puppet with its strings cut. I don’t stop him.
But I need to stay with her, she’s my best friend.
And what exactly do you plan to do against a six-foot-four colossus like the prince? my inner voice mocks. I shake my head. Nothing, obviously. I can’t stand up to him.
Still, guilt and blame weigh heavy on my shoulders as I watch them go, unable to utter a single word.
A light tap on my arm startles me, and I immediately step back.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Cedric raises his hands apologetically, and I force a small smile.
“It’s okay. Um, you don’t have to take me home. I’ve got my car and haven’t had anything to drink,” I say quickly, hoping to avoid being escorted. Over my dead body will I let that happen.
“Are you sure? I can come with you. It’s really no trouble. And don’t be mad at Nic. He loves his sister and can be a little overprotective sometimes.” His tone is both skeptical and apologetic, and I stifle the bitter laugh bubbling in my throat.
Yeah, sure, Nic, the protective brother. Where has he been this past year? Where? Certainly not by his sister’s side.
I shove down the anger rising within me and look at Cedric with pressed lips.
He’s undeniably handsome, sandy, tousled hair, piercing blue eyes, and a chiseled, masculine face.
Add to that his charming demeanor and muscular frame, and it’s no wonder he’s a magnet for women. And he’s kind, at least for now.
“Don’t take it personally, Cedric, but I think you and I have very different opinions about Nicolas.
You don’t need to defend him. I suspect I’ll find out soon enough just how ‘kind’ and ‘protective’ he can be.
Go and take care of my best friend. I’ll get home on my own.
” I take another step back as Adam approaches from the side.
“Hey, Lady P, everything okay?” His concerned eyes scan me from head to toe, and a small smile tugs at my lips.
“Yeah, Adam. I’m fine. Thanks for being here, and for the dance. See you next week.” I pull him into a quick hug, which he returns warmly. Meanwhile, Cedric’s phone lights up and buzzes furiously.
“Yup.” Cedric’s gaze lifts to meet mine. “Got it. I’ll let her know.” He hangs up, his expression unreadable, and my chest tightens with dread, sensing I’m not going to like what he’s about to say.
“Lizzy’s on her way to Nicolas, and the doctor will meet them there. He also contacted your brother. Henry’s on his way to pick you up.”
My heart plummets, freezing solid, as all color drains from my face. That bastard called my brother.
Forcing another smile, I try to suppress the tremor in my hands—no, my whole body.
Don’t let it show. Keep it together.
It takes every ounce of strength I have to maintain my composure, even as panic claws at my insides, shredding me to pieces.
Henry is coming.
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll head out now. Please ask Nicolas to send me an update on Lizzy’s condition. And thanks again,” I stammer, my voice uneven, before turning on autopilot and walking away.
I don’t even remember how I make it outside. My mind is blank, so blank.
A cool breeze hits me, and for a fleeting moment, I consider heading straight to my car and disappearing. But that would only delay the inevitable.
Maybe I’ll get lucky. Maybe he’s in a good mood and hasn’t been drinking. But deep down, I know better. It’s past midnight.
Cautiously, I peer around the corner, suddenly hyper-aware of the danger of paparazzi. Nicolas’s warning echoes in my mind, reminding me how reckless we’ve been tonight.
“So, ‘staying at Lizzy’s for movies,’ huh? You’ve got a lot to explain, Amelia.”
The deceptively calm, faintly amused voice of my brother stops me in my tracks.
He’s already here.
My pulse races as I slowly turn around, lifting my chin even though I know I’ll regret it later.
“It was a last-minute request from Lizzy. And who am I to deny the princess a wish?”
God, Amelia, you’re such an idiot, I berate myself. Provoking Henry now is about the dumbest thing I could do. Yet here I am, doing just that.
He laughs, stepping closer. Instinctively, I want to back away, but I force myself to stay put, meeting his gaze. He won’t make a scene out here, not in public. That’ll come later, within the hallowed walls of Perlington House.
His cold, steely eyes bore into mine, his fake smile curling with suppressed rage.
You hypocritical bastard.
I smile back.
He grips my arm lightly, steering me toward the alley. Relieved he isn’t immediately violent, I exhale quietly.
Stupid. So stupid.
As soon as we’re out of sight, his grip tightens painfully, sending a sharp jolt of agony up my arm. A gasp escapes me.
“You little brat. There will be consequences for this. What would it have looked like if someone caught you? Lizzy’s ‘wish,’ huh?
You must think I’m stupid. I know you’ve been spreading your legs around here like some cheap whore, so don’t you dare lie to me again, Amelia.
If this deal falls through, I’ll kill you,” he hisses, shoving me forward toward his Aston Martin.
I bite down hard on my lip, swallowing every retort on the tip of my tongue, stifling every cry of pain, even as my arm burns and his grip tightens further.
This will bruise. But whatever he does later will be far worse.
Reaching the car, he wrenches the passenger door open. I move to get in, but he stops me, grabbing my chin in a viselike grip and forcing my face inches from his. The stench of alcohol hits me, spelling my doom.
His eyes glitter dangerously, and I know something has gone wrong tonight. I’ll pay the price for it, just as I know he’ll beg for forgiveness come morning, full of regret.
“Lies have consequences, Amelia. Like all the ones before. I’m the Duke of Perlington, and I’ll be damned if I lose face because of a little tramp like you. Thankfully, after tomorrow, you’re not my problem anymore.”
His fingers dig into my cheeks, and a whimper escapes me, prompting him to release me as though burned.
But I’m already in survival mode. A thick fog of numbness and detachment blankets my mind, and I only nod.
“Get in. I’ll have Emerald pick up your car,” he orders harshly as he slides into the driver’s seat. I stay silent, staring blankly out the window.
It doesn’t even surprise me that he knew I drove myself. I don’t question it.
Is Lizzy okay? The worry churns my already turbulent stomach, and I suppress the urge to retch as Henry accelerates.
Tomorrow, another piece of my heart and soul will break.
Soon, there’ll be nothing left of me, just ashes.