Page 49 of It Takes a Thief
“I’m retired.”
“How much money would change your mind?”
But I shake my head. “Not interested.”
Across the room, Merritt looks up from the crowd gathered around her, gaze searching until her focus lands on me. I recognize the plea for help. The S.O.S. her blue eyes send me. Straightening up, I push off the wall, stalk past Jeffrey and head straight for her. This nobody wants a first, and last, dance with his princess.
I march through the crowd, moving around clusters of guests, my eyes never leaving hers, making sure she knows I’m coming to her rescue. When I reach her, I take her hand and pull her away from everyone, saying, “The princess needs a moment.”
Leaning down, I add in a husky whisper, “And I’d like a dance, if it isn’t asking too much.”
She graces me with a true smile. “I’ll always save a dance for you, Linc.”
I’m not much of a dancer, but I’ll take any excuse to hold Merritt in my arms. We step onto the polished wood floor, and I pull her close, not giving a damn what people think.
“You look beautiful, Merritt.” My arms tighten around her, unwilling to let her go. “And the way you handle yourself is admirable.”
“Thank you.”
For a moment, we sway to the music. There’s really nothing left to say. Our two very different worlds briefly collided, it was incredible, and now it’s time to go our separate ways. Leaving should be easy. God knows, I’ve never had a problem doing it before. But this time it’s different.
This time it fucking hurts. And it’s making me really goddamn grumpy.
I’m tempted to spirit her away and not look back. But that wouldn’t be right or fair. I can’t expect her to walk away from all this.
That means this is it. Our final moments together before I board the plane waiting for me.
The light from the chandelier above catches a diamond in her crown as if to remind me it’s time to leave. To reinforce the fact that I have no place in Princess Merritt Fontaine’s life.
We both know it’s true.
A new song begins, and we keep dancing. One sad turn after another, lost in each other’s eyes and the if-onlys. Unable and unwilling to let go.
“I’m going to miss you,” she whispers, her pretty blue eyes shimmering with tears.
“Don’t cry, sweetheart.” I drag my thumb over her high cheekbone, wiping away a stray tear. “I’ll always be here if you need me.”
“Excuse me, but I think it’s time for the princess to dance with her soon-to-be betrothed,” a voice says, interrupting us.
“We aren’t finished, Jeffrey,” Merritt states coolly.
But I let her go and step back. My hands curl into fists as I send Jeffrey Dumas a scathing look. “It’s fine, Mer.”
I’m not going to cause a scene or react, even though I’d like to punch this fool’s lights out. Is this really the guy her parents approve of? He reminds me of a slick car salesman, and I hated him on sight. Probably because I’m jealous as hell.
She doesn’t love him, a voice whispers.
Yeah, well, she doesn’t love me, either.
Before I do something stupid to embarrass Merritt, I turn and walk away from the only woman I’ve ever cared about. The kingdom of Arcadia and Jeffrey Dumas are Merritt’s future. Not me. The sooner I accept that, the quicker I’ll be able to move on with my life.
I refuse to stay here and watch them dance, though. His hands on her make my skin crawl. But, once again, I tell myself there’s nothing I can do. So, I snag a cupcake and slink away from the party, hating myself, hating Jeffrey, hating this house. Hating this whole damn situation.
Up in my room, I quickly pack my duffel bag. No point in prolonging the inevitable. But first, I find a pen and piece of paper and scrawl out a quick note. Then I walk over to Merritt’s bedroom and place the cupcake and note on the nightstand beside her bed. Every time I see a cupcake, I’ll forever think of Mer and the incredible way we celebrated her birthday.
Well, that’s it. My work here is done.Slinging my bag over a shoulder, I walk out and slip down a back staircase, avoidingthe party guests. Outside, Leo is waiting by the car, ready to drive me to the airport.
“Ready, sir?” he asks.
