Chapter 47
Forty-Seven
Daphne
“Babe, that gown looks absolutely gorg on you,” Adelina said around a squeal while clasping a diamond bracelet around her wrist.
We’d spent the past hour getting ready with the help of her hairstylist and makeup artist.
To say I was nervous was the understatement of the year.
My stomach had been in knots since the first bobby pin went into my hair.
I was so thankful that Adelina would be here with me tonight.
When I’d admitted to falling for Brooks, she’d been so understanding, claiming to have known for years. My heart had come alive when she told me she was positive he loved me too.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror in her bedroom at the White House. I’d never had so much whiplash over whether to attend an event. My mom warned it wasn’t a good idea. She was scared it was a trap.
My grandfather was thrilled. He saw the invite as a political bridge to repair Calira’s relations with the States.
We both looked back when someone knocked. Adelina answered her door, and Brooks slipped inside, holding a box.
I couldn’t stop the smile from climbing up my face. He looked like a classic political gentleman in his tailored black suit. But that wasn’t the only thing I loved that he’d done tonight. On his lapel was the American flag. Beside it was Calira’s.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed me.
“Goddamn, Daphne,” he muttered under his breath. “You’re going to fucking kill me.”
I peered down at my pink sequined gown. I’d bought the dress on a whim a few months ago, not knowing if I’d ever wear it, but knowing it needed to be in my closet.
“How do I look?” I asked him.
“Like perfection.” He strolled toward me and flipped open the box.
A faint breath left me as I stared down at my tiara. I ran my fingers over the jewel stones, admiring the beauty like it was the first time I’d ever seen it.
“I believe this belongs to you.”
A shiver ran down my spine. He carefully pulled the tiara from the box. His steady breath brushed my cheek as he nestled it in my curls, adjusting my strands until he was happy with the result.
For a moment, it felt like we were the only ones in the room.
Just us. Like the old Brooks and Daphne.
I smiled against his lips when he kissed me.
Adelina finally cleared her throat behind us. “Okay, I gave you guys your romantic moment. You can thank me for that later with a new bag, big brother.” She motioned toward the door.
Adelina looked just as gorgeous in her deep sapphire gown. The off-the-shoulder straps draped over her arms and framed her collarbone. The gown hugged her silhouette before pooling at her feet.
I gulped down my nerves and looked at Brooks. “Are we really doing this?”
He gave me a reassuring smile. “We’re really doing this.”
My hand was sweaty when he took it and guided us out of the room. Adelina stayed close behind us. I wanted to turn back and flee when we reached the heavy doors of the East Room.
He interlaced our fingers as we entered and whispered, “This isn’t about you. They’re staring because they can see my bruises.”
I laughed, burying my face against his chest. “Yes, I’m sure that’s exactly why.”
As expected, all conversation died. Everyone turned toward us. People froze, drinks halfway to their lips, waiting for our next move.
What did they think we’d do? Give a damn speech?
Brooks’s hand stayed in mine, and I pressed tight against his side as we walked deeper into the room.
A rush of memories flooded me.
Nothing had changed in this room since the last dinner, except that now the feelings I had for Brooks were even stronger.
Brooks watched me, an undeniable softness in his eyes.
Another Son falling for his Fawn.
So far, so good.
The night was going surprisingly smoothly.
No one said a word about my father. No one was mean.
At least not to my face. I still saw the side-eyes and glares from people projecting their hatred for my father on me. I didn’t miss the whispers or how, at every given second, at least a few pairs of eyes were on me.
Brooks stayed by my side nearly all night. The few times someone whisked him away, Adelina was there to keep me company. I knew they’d planned it that way.
After a few glasses of champagne, I started to relax as the night wore on.
Brooks’s mom even stopped by to hug me and say hello. President Byron didn’t look my way once. I was perfectly fine with that.
Before dinner was served, I excused myself to go to the restroom.
Adelina was busy mingling, so Brooks walked me there and said he’d wait for me outside the door.
I stepped out, and Brooks was gone. Someone must’ve pulled him away while I was using the restroom.
Closing my eyes, I drew in a calm breath and prepared myself to search for Adelina.
When I opened them, I froze.
Prime Minister Bellamonte waited outside the restroom, one shoulder propped against the ornate molding. He pushed off the wall when our eyes met and immediately blocked my path back to the ballroom.
“Hello, Princess,” he said, his voice edged with hostility. “We need to have a talk.”
“I’m actually on my way to find Brooks,” I said, hoping saying his name would be enough to make Bellamonte back off.
He held up a finger. “I need just a minute.”
“About what?” I snapped.
“Your future with my son.”
“I have no future with him,” I replied with honest confusion.
“You’re going to marry him.”
“Pfft.” I tilted my head. “How many drinks have you had, Prime Minister?”
He splayed his fingers across his mouth, using his index finger to tap his cheek, as if choosing his words carefully.
“We need to make a deal,” he finally said.
That’s my cue to get the hell out of here.
“You can bring any deals regarding me up with my grandfather,” I said before trying to walk around him.
His palm hit my shoulder, driving me backward before he caught my arm and shoved me around the corner.
I wanted to scream, but didn’t dare.
This was the last place I wanted to make a scene.
I crossed my arms, deciding to get this over with. “Fine,” I snapped. “What’s your deal?”
“As soon as Brooks drops you …”
I frowned at his wording.
Way to ruin the high of my night, asshole.
No longer wanting to hear whatever else he needed to say after that insult, I tried to step around him, but again, he blocked me.
“You’ll become Cory’s Fawn,” he went on, spraying my cheek with spit as he spoke. “Then you’ll marry him.” His shoulders squared with pride. “My son will be king.”
His mouth was set in a hard line.
The asshole was dead serious.
Suddenly, all the encounters I’d had with this man made sense. I remembered all the times I’d caught him watching me, like he was always waiting to trap me somewhere.
I gulped. I could argue over something that was never going to happen, or I could tell him what he wanted to hear.
I patted his shoulder. “Fine. Deal.”
“Don’t fucking bullshit me,” he snarled. He gave my shoulder a pat. Or rather, it was more of a shove. “Refuse, and I’ll be sure to let the president find out exactly what you planted in his office the last time you were in this building.”
Every drop of blood drained from my face. I tried to step back, but the wall stopped me.
I dragged in another steadying breath. Then another. And another.
They did nothing to help my racing heart.
This wouldn’t haunt me for the rest of the night.
This would haunt me for the rest of my life.
I swallowed around the lump in my throat and pressed a hand to my neck. “Don’t try to blackmail me, Prime Minister.”
“This isn’t blackmail. It’s your only option.” He crowded into my space, his expression turning even more sinister. He snatched my forearm, the grip so brutal that I knew it’d leave a bruise. “Agree to marry Cory, and I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
“Get your fucking hands off her.”
I jerked my head up and spotted Brooks over Bellamonte’s shoulder, only a few feet away.
Relief and horror collided in my chest as he stalked toward us. His jaw was locked tight and his nostrils flaring.
The man who’d carefully put my tiara into my hair was gone.
Bellamonte never let go.
Brooks grabbed the back of his suit jacket, yanked him away from me, and drove his fist into his jaw.
Oh no.
No. No. No.
This is so not good.