Page 10 of A Wise Prince

“Breathe, Kate,” Auggie says as he wraps his jacket more tightly around me. I realize that I’m trembling.

I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. When I feel under control again, I open them. Auggie is rubbing my back and something about that gives me strength.

“What was that about?” he demands. I can’t tell if he’s pissed off or just used to acting like a dick.

I clear my throat, giving myself a minute to figure out what to say.

“My ex, Jared Farrington, is here,” I admit to him, opting for the truth. I look everywhere but into his eyes. His hand goes to my chin and he slowly pushes my head up until I’m forced to look him in the eye.

“And why would that scare you?” he inquires as though he can see right through me. I know my skin is turning pink with embarrassment.

I close my eyes and take another breath. “W-we didn’t end on a good note,” I stammer.

When I open my eyes again, Auggie is mere inches from my face and his eyes are blazing with anger.

“What did he do to you?” he growls.

I can’t stop the single tear that manages to escape my eye. Auggie catches it on his thumb. His look goes from anger to concern in a split second.

“Kate?” he encourages me, his voice taking on a less angry tone.

“H-he was…h-he…I shouldn’t have…” I stumble in my explanation.

“Kate, I won’t judge you. I promise,” Auggie says. How can a man that I just met know exactly what to say to calm me down?

I close my eyes so I don’t have to see the look in his as I vocalize the truth.

“We dated for two years. He was a year ahead of me in high school. My parents only let me go out with him because his dad is a senator and is friendly with my parents. At first, he was nice. I mean, it’s hard to be mean when two armed Secret Service agents are a few feet away. Then, one night, a few weeks after he had started at an Ivy League university, I decided to surprise him. I had a friend cover for me, and I snuck out of her house and drove to see him. He was in his dorm room. I overheard a conversation that I shouldn’t have heard. He…was using me to get information for his father who wanted something from my dad. I turned to leave and tripped. He heard me and…well, he was less than happy. If his neighbor hadn’t stopped him…anyhow, his dad made a deal with mine to keep him out of jail and to keep me out of the spotlight. Because of that, I rarely see him…I mean, it’s been years now.” I look up at Auggie.

“He beat you,” he says in a low menacing voice.

I shrug. “Let’s just say…his temper…he got physical,” I admit.

“Stay here,” Auggie says. He turns to leave but then surprises me by grabbing me and pulling me against him. He presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry that happened to you, Kate.” He lets me go and walks quickly back into the ballroom. I stand there stunned, trying to put together what just happened. Auggie just hugged me and kissed me. My mind runs in circles attempting to marry the Auggie that just did that with the Prince August that I’ve heard so much about. I suddenly wonder if anyone really knows Auggie at all.

CHAPTERFIVE

August

I pullmy father’s secretary over to me.

“We have a guest that should not be here,” I say in a low voice.

“I’m s-sorry, Your Highness? Who?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I nod in the direction of Jared. “Jared Farrington.”

“I see. Should I have him escorted out?”

I shake my head. “I am taking Kate out of here. And I expect him to be on the blacklist from now on.”

“But, Your Highness, it’s only nine,” he says, looking at his pocket watch.

“I know that. Figure it out,” I snap as I walk away. I decide if I’m going to make Kate’s night better, I need to eat some humble pie and find Terrance.

It only takes me a minute because the guy is holding court on the far side of the ballroom.

“Who’s the fucking prince, now?” I mutter to myself as I walk toward him.

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