Not even bothering to say goodbye, I walked down the street, needing to clear my head in the cool evening air before I exploded. Today was only a preview of what life with the fashion princess would entail, and I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.
“Everything’s all set. This program will do a lot of good for the families of Belleston.” I sat back in my chair in Liam’s office, having gone over the details of Amy’s newest project—residential housing for adults looking to regain custody of their children.
Liam’s face shone with pride. “You can take the girl out of social work, but you can’t take the social worker out of the girl.”
Having done a lot of legwork for this latest project, I knew it mirrored a program Amy had implemented in her hometown of Hartford, Connecticut, before leaving her day job and devoting more time to the people of Belleston. We were lucky to have her, and with each passing day, Bellestonians realized the rare jewel Liam brought home to serve by his side.
Lucy could learn a lot from Amy.
Almost as if he could read my mind, Liam asked, “So, how are things going with Lucy?”
I still had PTSD from the shopping events of last week. Not to mention my team at the office joking around after picturessurfaced of me as Lucy’s bag bitch on social media. That was my role now—Lucy’s bitch—and there was no escaping it.
Dragging a hand across my jaw, I sighed. “Not great.”
Liam’s blue eyes—an exact match for Lucy’s—sparkled in amusement. “Putting you through your paces, is she?”
“That’s putting it mildly. Her emergency shopping trip last week cost me a whole day out of the office.”
Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “What’s an emergency shopping trip?”
“That’s an excellent question, my friend. Until last week, I had no idea how urgent it was to have a fresh wardrobe the second the weather turned. God forbid she wears a stitch of clothing from last year.”
“She does work in fashion,” Liam said without sarcasm, simply stating that fact.
Frustrated, I groaned. “You sound exactly like her. I don’t know why she needed me there at all. I didn’t do anything other than sit in a chair watching her nitpick about every piece she tried on, which was pointless because, more often than not, she bought it anyway. Then, I was forced to carry it all to the car, lest dear little Lucy break a nail.” Liam was practically snickering by this point, which only fueled my anger. “I know she’s your sister, but she’s driving me insane! If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she intentionally dragged out the day to keep me from getting to work.”
That last remark was met with silence. The hairs on the back of my neck raised, and I glanced at my oldest friend. Liam’s eyes were cast down, not wanting to meet mine. His body language only confirmed my suspicions.
“Liam . . .”
Guilty blue eyes met mine, and he grimaced. “I’m sorry, man. Amy may have let it slip that Lucy’s trying to get you to breakthings off. I can only imagine your little shopping adventure was part of that plan.”
Shewas trying to force my hand, expecting that I’d go back on my word to the King? Oh, that was rich, but I didn’t know why I was surprised. Of course, Lucy would want to come out smelling like a rose while getting everything she wanted, and I’d be the disgrace whose word was worthless. I would happily spend the rest of my life as Lucy’s bag bitch before I let the country I loved think I disrespected my King.
The only way I would get out of life with Lucy was ifshebroke it off. I couldn’t be held responsible for the whims of a spoiled princess who changed her mind.Shewould be the one who hung her head in shame for disappointing her grandfather.Shewould be the one who lost it all by being unable to follow through. Not me.
The wheels began turning in my brain, which must have been obvious to Liam because he chuckled. “Oh, boy. I know what that face means.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’ve known you most of my life, Preston, and right now, you’re plotting your revenge. Just remember what you said before. She’s my little sister. If you hurt her, I’ll have to hurt you.”
A corner of my lips quirked up as the perfect idea to push her past her breaking point struck me. It was brilliant, but I was going to have to pour on the charm to pull it off. Chuckling to myself, picturing how pissed Lucy would be, I stood from my chair.
Liam looked at me warily like I’d lost my mind before warning, “Preston . . .”
“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt her; I’m just going to rough her up a little bit.” I winked.
“God help us all,” Liam muttered.
He knew as well as I did that Lucy’s actions were a declaration of war. Growing up together, I’d never been one to back down from a challenge, and I wasn’t about to start now.
If Lucy wanted to play games, then it was game on.
One thing I knew for sure, it wouldn’t be nearly as pleasurable as the last time we played together.
Chapter 10
