Stealing His Princess by Goode, Ella (good books for 7th graders txt) 📗

You’re going to look killer. So your little ass better be here this afternoon.”

“Going to be lots of hot men there tonight.” Jewels wiggles her eyebrows at me. I shake my head. I think Jewels forgets there is also going to be a ton of stunning women there tonight as well. I pull on my sweater and yoga pants before putting my shoes on.

As much as I love everyone here, I don’t think I’d want to be with a man from this world. All the bloodshed and tears. The constant worry and the fear of losing them. I already lost my parents. That was hard enough on me.

“I’ll be back later.” I slip out of Jewels’ bedroom, heading toward the kitchen. All of us came to the hotel to stay for a few nights. The place is breathtaking. It reminds me of a castle. It’s a touch outdated, but it’s full of history, I’m sure. I’ve never been here before. My office and spare room are at the warehouse. I don't get out much except when I go stay at my condo, which is boring. I hate being all alone.

I round the corner, trying to find the kitchen. I pause when I hear laughter. I know that laugh. It’s Cora. I spin around, following the sound. I peek into the dining room area to see Cora, Aidon, and Karin there. They are also with a few other people I’ve never seen before.

My eyes land on the man in the suit. I can’t seem to stop looking at him. He doesn’t glance my way at first. He continues sitting there as I take him in. He’s handsome. He might actually be too handsome, if that is a thing. He looks familiar, but I can’t place him. I’m usually good with names and faces. He starts to turn his head my way, but I’m jerked back before he can see me.

I’m pulled back into the hallway. My stomach drops when I see it’s Milly that has rudely pulled me from the room. She hates me for some reason. If we’re in a group of people you’d never know. It’s only when we’re alone that she needles at me.

I don’t know what her problem is with me. Everyone else here is sweet and kind. They are to me, at least. But Milly treats me as though I were an outsider. I’ve heard her whispers of me thinking I’m better than everyone else. That couldn’t be further from the truth, but I know I’m not going to change her mind. So I choose to ignore her for the most part. Sometimes she makes that really hard to do.

“What are you doing sneaking around?” She glares at me.

“I wasn't sneaking, I was seeing who was here.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Sov is my target so don’t get any ideas.” She points her finger at me.

“I have no idea who that is.”

“Don’t play dumb. There is no missing him. You were checking him out.” Oh. My stomach twists for some reason. The thought of her with my handsome stranger doesn’t sit well with me.

“He’s your target or date?” I ask, wondering what Karin might want from him. For the first time in my life, I get jealous of how pretty Milly is. I don’t think it will take her much to get him under her spell. She has always been good at flipping her personality. I know that more than anyone else.

“Both.” She smirks. “Not that you’d have a chance anyway.” She laughs as she walks off. She never misses an opportunity to take a shot at me. I wish I could say that it doesn’t hurt, but it does. I turn to leave but run into a wall of a man. I grasp on to the lapels of his suit to regain my balance. I can’t help but pick up on his scent. It’s woodsy and reminds me of sitting in front of a fireplace. I swear I have the urge to snuggle into him, but instead I tilt my head all the way back to look up at him. Sov. Oh crap. My mind finally puts it together. He’s Sov Charmont.

“Don’t touch her.” A deep rumble comes from him. It’s then I notice a man next to him. He drops his hand away from my arm. Sov’s eyes stay locked with mine. I get lost in them for a moment. What is he doing to me?

I step back, but he doesn't let go immediately. When he finally does I dart off without saying a word.

Chapter Five Sov

The girl from earlier today lingers in my mind as I ready for the celebratory ball. Parker slides the jacket onto my shoulders, ties my bowtie, and draws a brush across the wool a few times.

“A lot, and I mean, a lot of smoking hot honeys here,” comments one of the valets. Josh, I think his name is?

The other valet shoots a quick glance at Parker, who is glowering.

“The prince does not consort with Vieth Orphans,” Parker sniffs. “He will marry a woman of noble birth with suitable looks and temperament to be a Charmont just as his mother was of the royal line of Hartzordan.”

“What’s wrong with a Vieth Orphan?” queries Josh. “And I’m not saying our Sov here has to marry anyone, but a little something something ain’t wrong. These girls probably know tricks that I haven’t even thought of.”

I can see Parker mentally re-assigning Josh. He rotates the valets every six months or so operating under the theory that we can’t be too trusting. They get training somewhere, come to fold clothes, run baths, iron shirts, and then get shuttled off into other service in the organization. I don’t keep track, but Josh isn’t going to last more than this trip. He’s too loud. Valets should be seen and not heard, according to Parker.

I give Parker a small nod to let him know that he should be done