Page 138 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“Sure,” I reply flatly, refusing to react to his taunt.

He rolls his eyes but lowers his foot from the bench and steps toward me. “Fine. I want fifty thousand dollars in exchange for Maddy’s freedom.”

“Are you fucking stupid?” Finn intervenes, gaping at him. “That’s way too much.”

Drew rubs his scruffy jawline. “You must not like her that much, then.”

Finn trades a look with me. I get what he’s implying: just because we can afford it, doesn’t mean we should give this asshole that much money.

“Twenty-five is all I can do,” I lie, remaining composed.

If Maddy knew I was offering this much, she’d get so angry. I’ll have to keep it a secret. I hate that I’ll have to, but what else am I supposed to do?

Drew considers my offer as if it’s offensive. “Thirty-five,” he counters. “I could whore her out for a year and make that much.”

I’ve never wanted to slam my fit into someone’s face more than I do his. But I tell myself to stay calm. That reacting won’t help.

“Fine,” I agree, causing Finn to throw me an incredulous look.

All I want is to get this over with, especially after Drew mentioned whoring Maddy out.

Besides, this isn’t over yet. I will ruin both of these guys’ lives so Maddy will never have to worry about them again. Just like I’ll protect her from the society, no matter what it takes.

I may have a doomed future, but at least I can make sure hers turns out okay.

Drew sticks his hand out to shake on it. I’m losing my patience, but I shake his hand, anyway. But then he grips my hand tightly and refuses to let go.

“Just one more thing to seal the deal. Tell Maddy this was meant for her.” Then he cranks his fist back and slams it into my side.

I hear Finn shout.

I hear a pop.

Then everything goes black.

River

“Goddammit,” I mumble as I clutch my side.

I’m sitting in the hospital waiting room on northside. Finn rushed me to it after I was shot. But the bullet just grazed my side, so I’m not a top priority to be seen. It’s not what I’m used to, but I’m also aware that makes me entitled. It’s something Maddy has opened my eyes to—that my royal blood simplifies many things. Although, I feel like complications come with it, like if I’m not careful and I’m spotted here, the paparazzi will get word of it, and then my father will.

If that happens, I’ll be in so much shit. I’m already worried about what will happen when he realizes I’m dating Maddy. It’s not like I’m forbidden to date. However, my father won’t like that I’m dating someone from a lower class.

That won’t stop me, though. I like Maddy. A lot.

Even though it was a graze, it still hurts like a bitch and is bleeding. It’s been a while since it happened because I had to pay Drew off before we could leave and that took a while. I’m still wary of whether Drew will back off from bothering Maddy, but I’ll keep an eye on her.

And like I mentioned already, I’ll make Drew pay for what he did to her. I just need to come up with a plan on how to do that. Calculative and careful—that’s how it needs to go.

“How bad are you bleeding?” Finn asks as he sits beside me, scanning the crowded room while bouncing his knee up and down.

I lift the towel pressed to the wound and check. “It’s not too bad.”

He leans over to look, his frown deepening. “This is taking too long.” He gets up and strides over to the front desk.

“I’ve never seen him this stressed,” Noah mutters from the chair beside mine.

I press the towel back to the wound. “Maybe he’s changed since we all stopped being friends.”

---