Page 26 of Royal Sin

“Yeah, and—”

“Shut up.” Leonard pointed a finger at Paul. To me, he added, “What is your last name?”

“Hertz. I’m Alfred Hertz’s daughter—but I didn’t know about the business deals until after I met you!” I said.

This otherworldly thing between us, it wasn’t going to be enough to save us.

Leonard's face transformed, the warmth draining away as his expression hardened into something unrecognizable. The man who had held me tenderly moments ago vanished, replaced by the ruthless businessman I’d glimpsed in flashes.

“Hertz,” he repeated, the word like ice.

“Yes, but—"

“The man who’s been trying to destroy my reputation in this city.” His laugh was hollow, devoid of humor. “The man who’s been working with the mayor and city council to block my acquisitions.”

Paul smirked, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “Awkward.”

I turned on him, fury coursing through me. “Get out of here! This doesn’t concern you.”

“Oh, but it does,” Paul said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “The Hertz and Preston families have been planning this alliance for years.”

I moved to shove him, but Leonard stepped to block my path. “Your father has been investigating me. What part have you played in that?”

I balked. “I didn’t!”

Leonard shook his head. “He’s been spreading rumors about my business practices to scare away clients. The problem is, he wouldn’t know half the things he said if he didn’t have a spy planted in my organization.”

“It wasn’t me,” I cried. “I only wanted to date someone my parents wouldn’t approve of to prove a point! I wanted to show I wasn’t their creature, and I wouldn’t play by their rules—that I wouldn’t marry someone like him!”

I jerked my thumb at Paul.

“Your sire called me ‘a cancer on this city’s business community’ in the Journal last week,” Leonard snarled.

Paul smirked, clearly enjoying the unfolding disaster. “Oh, this is rich.”

“Shut up,” I snapped at Paul before turning back to Leonard. “I didn’t know about any of that when we met. I swear.”

Leonard stared at me for half a second, before moving away.

“Leonard, please!” I tripped after him, but Paul shot in front of me, blocking my path.

Leonard never looked back.

My heart cracked, pain pooling through my body.

Paul’s triumphant smirk faded as I shoved past him with enough force to make him stumble.

“Leonard!” I called, racing after his retreating figure. The crowd on the pier seemed to thicken, bodies becoming obstacles as I pushed through. “Leonard, wait!”

He didn’t slow his stride, his broad shoulders cutting through the throng with practiced ease. By the time I reached the spot where he’d disappeared, he was gone, swallowed by the sea of tourists and locals enjoying the summer evening.

“Are you going to tell your parents, or shall I?” Paul sneered.

But I couldn’t deal with that right now. My phone was in my hand before I realized I’d reached for it. My fingers trembled as I typed.

Me: Please let me explain. It wasn’t what you think.

The message showed as delivered but remained unread. I stood there, clutching my phone, the book pendant heavy against my throat. Around me, life continued—children laughed, and couples strolled hand in hand down the street.

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