Page 155 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“No reason.” I decide not to bring up what occurred between River and me. I figure River can do that. “So, why are you smiling?”

“Because I got something for you.” He has a backpack on and swings it around so it’s sitting on his lap. He unzips it and takes out my phone.

“You got it back.” I take it from him and tap the screen, but it won’t turn on.

“The batteries are dead,” he explains as he zips his bag up.

I swipe my finger along the side. “Where did you get it?”

“Eli had it.” He slips his bag back on, the zipper jingling. “He actually gave it to me without me saying anything.”

I stare at my phone. “That seems weird.”

“Agreed. I’m wondering if maybe he installed a hacking app on it, or a tracking one.”

“Shit, maybe I shouldn’t use it then.”

“Nah, we can get Noah to look at it.”

My gaze flicks to him. “Is Noah like some sort of hacker?” I’m mostly joking, but the look on Finn’s face changes my attitude. “Wait, is he?”

“Not a hacker, per se, but he is really good with computers and shit like that.” He rises to his feet. “I can text him right now, and we can have him do it. That way, you can have a phone again, and my annoyingly stressed brother can chill the hell out.”

At the mention of River, my lips pull downward.

Finn totally notices. “Something happened between you two.”

I push to my feet. “Can we please not talk about this?”

He studies me with his eyes glittering against the sunlight before grabbing his phone from his pocket. “Let me call Noah and see if he’ll look at your phone.”

As he makes the call, I let a slow breath ease from my lips. I’m grateful he let it drop and that he’s helping me, but what will he do when he finds out what happened? Or does he know what River really thinks about me?

I assess Finn from the corner of my eye as he talks on the phone. He’s River’s twin, so he has to be aware, right? I’m unsure, but regardless, I need to be careful around all of these royals, especially with so many royal secrets surrounding me.

Maddison

Noah tells Finn he’ll look at my phone, but it’ll take a few hours. Finn asks me if I want to go with him, but I shake my head.

“Nah, I’d rather stay here and rest,” I inform him with the plan of lying back down and doing that.

He hesitates, not leaving. “Do you think it’s a good idea for you to be out here by yourself?”

I gesture at the people wandering around the quad. “I’m not by myself.”

His gaze sweeps the area. “I know, but?—”

“I’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I’ll get up in a bit and go back to my dorm once Lily gets back.”

He dithers, biting his bottom lip. “Fine, but please be careful. River will kick my ass if anything happens to you. Well, he’ll try to kick my ass.” He dazzles me with a cocky smirk, to which I respond with an eye roll. Then he saunters off with my phone, and I plop back down on the bench, closing my eyes and attempting to relax.

My mind continues to center on my aunt. I want to get a hold of her so badly because it feels like she may have some answers. But how the hell am I supposed to do that when it appears as if she’s gone off the grid?

I could talk to my mother and see if she knows where my aunt is. After all, Drew called off the hit on me, so I can return to northside. I’d still have to be super careful, since my father could have other debts.

“Maddy.” River’s voice flows over me as warmly as the sunlight.

At first, I wonder if I’ve fallen asleep and am dreaming of his gorgeous face leaning over me. I’d prefer it to be that, but reality sinks in that I’m awake, and he is leaning over me.

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