Page 83 of Royal Icing
“No,” she said. “We’re here to rule them. Beatrice, put a stop payment on Miss Clark’s wire transfer. The crown doesn’t work with liars.”
Emma gasped, and something in him collapsed. He had done what he swore he would never do. He had irrevocably compromised her timeline and ruined her chance to quit her job. All because he couldn’t shut his mouth.
The queen walked off, fury emanating from her like a cloak of darkness.
Fuck.
“Emma, I’m so sorry.”
Tears streaked down her face, and he brushed them away. He pulled her in tightly. There was no point in hiding anymore.The secret was out, and they were both about to face the consequences.
“I’ll get you the money.” He’d have to sacrifice the next trust payout that he usually used for community work. But he had royally screwed things up for Emma. He needed to make it right.
She shook her head fervently. Her eyes were glazed, and the color had drained from her cheeks. “I don’t want to take money from a family who can speak about people like that.” She thrust a finger in the direction of his mother’s retreating back. “Like I’m nothing, just because of where I was born. If she had any idea what my mother went through, what I went through. We have clawed our way to where we are with grit and determination. I’m not nothing. I am adamngood baker.”
She straightened up suddenly and whirled around. “I should destroy it.”
“No,” he said quickly.
She stopped in her tracks.
“Let me talk to her,” he said. “I’ve dealt with her my entire life. I can convince her to return the money to you. She just needs a day to cool off, and to bask in compliments about her wretched ball from the lords and ladies.”
“She doesn’t deserve to get away with treating me like I’m some kind of second-class citizen, Leo.” Danger was in her voice.
“I know. But if you do this, the repercussions could affect you for years. Your professional reputation. Your future business. I can fix this. Just give me a chance.”
Emma buried her hands in her hair and turned away from him with a frustrated groan. “I need to pack.”
Relief flooded him. At least he had stopped her from making a huge mistake. He would find a way to fix the situation, no matter what it took. Emma wouldn’t suffer because of his own selfish actions.
“I let myself believe it was almost over,” Emma muttered as she trudged across the courtyard. “All the double shifts, running the entire business for a pauper’s salary, Maya taking credit for everything I’ve done. I was so close to making a better life for my mom. Now I’m right back at square one.”
“We will figure this out. I swear to you.”
They climbed up the stone steps to the gatehouse apartment and opened the door.
There was a scream and a sudden flurry of movement in the dark room. Leo shoved Emma behind him and picked up the nearest object—a dirty baking sheet. Emma flicked the lights on to reveal Ruby, hair a mess and dress crooked, and a friend of hers he recognized from her clarinet lessons in a similar state of undress.
A shockwave flooded his whole body, and he froze.
Ruby liked girls?
“Oh, you must be Sammy,” Emma said. “It’s nice to meet you.”
What the hell?
Sammy waved sheepishly, and Ruby pulled her out of the room. “Sorry, Emma. We thought you’d be gone all night. See you later.”
Sammy and Ruby disappeared down the stairs.
“Awkward,” Emma said with a watery smile.
Leo was still frozen in place, body pulsating with numbness.
“Are you okay?” she asked after a minute.
“You knew my sister was gay and you didn’t tell me?”
