Page 108 of Princess of Pride
How could I have been so blind?
I thought he was falling in love with me, even though he believes it’s not possible for him. I believed he could. I wouldn’t have given myself over freely had I not. And this is what I get for trusting a man to love me for me. To want me for me and not my money or my dad’s company. I’m a fool. A pathetic dreamer who thinks romance is real when it’s nothing more than a story in a book.
I force myself from the wall and run to the stairs, climbing them faster than I ever have. I can’t stay here, but I can’t escape without help. I’m hoping one person will be willing to assist me, and that she’s still in the castle.
Tessa joined us for breakfast this morning to help Wes with a work project. He asked Lachlan if she could stay the night.My guess is he did it at the table so Lachlan wouldn’t refuse with an audience. When he agreed, she shot me a smirk that said she still has ties to him. I wanted to throw my fork at her. She seemed clueless that Lachlan and I had grown closer. For all I know she is, they do still have a connection, and they’re screwing, because clearly, I don’t know shit.
I make it to the floor where I met her and race to the bedroom.Please let her be in there.Frantically, I knock on the door until she rips it open.
Her features take on a confused edge when she sees me. “Is Lachlan all right?”
“He’s fine.” I wipe my runny nose and try hard to compose myself. “I’m not. Obviously.”
She eyes my jeans, silk blouse that hangs off one shoulder, ankle boots, and cross body Louis Vuitton bag. My pub outfit.
“I know you and your brother don’t like me. I came out of nowhere and messed up your threesome. No pun intended. I don’t want to be here either. But I can’t leave without help. I’m hoping you hate me just enough to help me do that.”
She thinks for a few seconds before she yanks me by the arm into her bedroom and closes the door. “Where’s Lachlan?”
“His study. He was supposed to take me to the pub tonight.”
She lets me go. “What pub?”
“Whichever one Rory is at.” Is there more than one?
She runs her hand through her shoulder length brown hair and removes her phone from her navy fitted pants. She’s wearing a shirt that almost matches my hair color.
“Who are you texting?” I ask when she begins typing on her phone. Not Lachlan, I hope.
Instead of answering, she says, “When are you leaving?”
“I don’t know. He’s supposed to come to my room to get me.”
“Text him and tell him you’ll meet him out front.”
Her phone dings. She reads the text and replies.
“Who are you texting?” I ask again. Maybe this is a bad idea. For all I know, she has ties to Angus. But that seems like too much of a betrayal for her. Lachlan would hate her if she were.
“Text him,” she orders.
My fingers shake from the adrenaline surging through me.
Me: I’ll meet you out front.
Lachlan: That eager?
I scratch my head and show Tessa the message. “What do I say?”
“Nothing. You say nothing and do what I tell you to do.”
“I just need help to the airport. I can handle the rest.”
She thinks then texts something on her phone. I notice the room. It’s decorated with pink and red roses. The dresser has pictures of her, Wes, and Lachlan as teenagers, in college, and some more recent ones, including one of her and Lachlan dressed formally together. This is too personal to be a guest room. It’s hers, probably has been for the last three years or longer.
A fresh wave of tears fueled by hurt and anger fill my eyes. I hate him more than I’ve ever hated anyone.
“What’s the plan?” I ask because she’s still texting. “Tessa?” I try again.
