Amorevolous: (Savage Princess book 2) Read online

  Hundreds of people are lingering out front as a fire truck pulls up. We creep along as people overtake the pavement, not caring if they’re blocking the cars that are trying to leave.

  “This wasn’t some guy arguing with his girlfriend, Hayley. Perry said you were attacked.” Nick’s hand squeezes my thigh, pulling my attention from the crowd. “What happened?”

  I wet my dry lips. “Some idiot slammed me against the wall. He was mad because I punched him in the face for choking his girlfriend out.”

  “Fuck,” Nick curses. “Fucking Casey.”

  “It’s not his fault.” I let myself relax against the seat. “And when did I get security? They were there so fast.” I glance to the front of the car. The guy driving is the one who had cuffed Rich’s hands behind his back, and Perry is in the passenger seat.

  “Aiden hired security for you the day you came to Florida.”

  I narrow my eyes. “Really? I never saw them. Are they like at the house all the time or...”

  “One is always at the house, but you have three more when you leave. They’re good about keeping distance unless needed.”

  “I don’t need security,” I say, hating the idea of always being watched. “Tonight could have happened to anyone.”

  “You’re a royal, Hayley. You’re always going to need security. Especially once the world finds out that you’ve been found.”

  I close my eyes, dropping the conversation and wondering how security’s going to work when I move back home to Tennessee?

  Chapter 6

  I startle awake the next morning with a headache and Nick hovering over me. “Jesus,” I hiss. “Don’t do that.”

  He straightens. “Your face is bruised.”

  “Feels like it,” I mutter. “Maybe I should have iced it. That usually helps.” Nick frowns, and I laugh. “I’m fine.” I wave my hand in front of my face as I sit up and push the comforter away. “This is nothing.”

  He steps back as I swing my legs over the side of the bed. I run my fingers through my tangled hair. I didn’t brush it before bed last night, so I have several rat nests. Nick is already dressed and showered for the day. I can smell the manly scent of his soap.

  I grab my phone, and my shoulders slump. Tilly leaves in a few hours. I don’t want to be alone. Maybe she was right, and I am being selfish, but I know Nora didn’t offer Tilly this opportunity out of the goodness of her heart. She probably did it to hurt me. I’ll be completely separated from my family—well, my adoptive family.

  “I know you were in fights, but your files didn’t say anything about injuries to you,” Nick says.

  I look up at him after typing out a message to Tilly. “Not everything makes it into those files, Nicky. Trust me when I say the bruise on my face is nothing.” I roll my eyes. I don’t mention that half of my fights and injuries were because of an ex. Toby could be rough. “Don’t give me that look. I know you’ve had your fair share of altercations.”

  “Last night should have never happened. Perry and a few others have been replaced.”

  I drop my phone on the bed. “Back to this? Last night had nothing to do with me being Anna. How’s it right that people lost their job because some drunk idiot fucked up?”

  “There can’t be mistakes when it comes to you. You need to be careful. Fans can turn into stalkers and killers.” He snaps his fingers near my face. “Like that.”

  “I’m going to live life the way I want. I’m not the type to constantly look over my shoulder, Nick.” I step around him and grab my brush from the dresser. “Aiden limited himself last night. If I want to dance, I’m going to dance.”

  “Your life isn’t going to be the same. There are ways to be discreet; wigs, hats, look-a-likes used to pull paparazzi to other places, but it’s not guaranteed to always work.”

  Pressing one hand to my scalp to help dull the pain, I rip through the tangles in my hair. “Maybe I can talk Nora into keeping me a secret.”

  “I doubt that.” He narrows his eyes when I’m a little too rough with my hair and wince. “How does your head feel? James thought you might have a concussion after reviewing the video from the club.”

  “I’m fine. I just need a shower.” I set the brush down and smile. “I still have your dried cum on my ass.”

  “Fuck, don’t talk like that unless you want more.” He licks his lips and drops his chin.

  “So, don’t talk about how good sliding up and down your cock felt last night?” I laugh and spin around, headed to the bathroom. “I need to get ready. I’m gonna help Tilly pack.” I look over my shoulder and see Nick adjusting his pants around his hard dick. I think he may be my perfect match in the bedroom. I’m always ready too. If Tilly weren’t leaving soon, I’d drag him into the bathroom with me.

  I shower quickly and then head across the hall once I’m dressed. Two open suitcases filled with clothes lay on Tilly’s bed. She’s smiling at her phone screen when I walk in.

  “You might want to bring a jacket. The plane will probably be cold.” I pull at my lip ring. I sound like a mom. I feel like one because I want to look through her bags and make sure she packed everything she needs. We were supposed to do this together.

  Tilly holds up a gray hoodie. “Got one.” She sets it on her lap and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I was up all night packing. I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t think I’d be this nervous about leaving.” She looks at her feet. “Maybe this is a mistake. I don’t think I’m ready. I was so excited when Nora offered that I didn’t think it through.” Her eyes meet mine. “What do you think?”

  I bite my cheek. That’s a dangerous question. “I think Nora is up to something and you shouldn’t go.” I roll my eyes and sigh. “If it weren’t about Nora, I would tell you to always try whatever it is you want to do. Don’t let fear hold you back. Plus, with this, you can always come back if you hate the school.”

  She nods and zips up one of the suitcases. “I don’t want you to come to the airport with me. I won’t get on the plane if you’re there, or I’ll cry like a baby, and I don’t want to do that in front of Rocco.”

  I laugh lightly. “I get it. Crying in front of others sucks.”

  Her eyes fill with tears and it breaks my heart.

  “I wish Mom were here. She’d be so excited for me. I’m going to art school, Hayley.” She drops down on the bed and buries her face in her hands. “I miss her so much.”

  She’s such a big ball of energy and light that sometimes I forget she’s grieving the loss of our mother just as much as I am. I drop down on the bed next to her. I don’t know what to say. I’ve never been good with words or comforting people. Maybe if I were, our dad wouldn’t have needed rehab. Sometimes I’d hear him crying in his room and would make myself scarce.

  Tilly wipes her face. “Sorry, I’m freaking out. I haven’t even asked you if you were okay after last night.”

  I gave her a quick rundown when we got back from the club, but I was tired and didn’t linger. “I’m fine.” I scrunch my nose. “I can’t believe I have security guards.”

  “Better get used to it, princess.” Tilly’s smile falls from her face. “On a serious note, I think security is a good thing. Rocco’s told me some crazy stories. Famous people get stalkers and death threats. It can be creepy.”

  I peer into her opened suitcase. “Are you sure you have everything you need? Do you want to raid my closet?”

  She laughs. “I already did the other day.”

  I roll my eyes. “Figures. I guess we should load your stuff.” I wish I could pack myself away and go with her. England would be a nice escape from Nora Westling.

  ***

  Watching my sister drive away was hard, but I knew it would be. Nora must have an ulterior motive for doing this, and it’s probably because she wants me to suffer. I swear to God, if she does anything to hurt my sister, I will cut her.

  “You sure you’re okay?” Nick asks, his hand skimming up and down my back in the kitchen while we eat.<
br />
  I chew the piece of sausage in my mouth. “I’m actually a little jealous of Tilly. She got out. I’m stuck for two months.”

  Nick cocks his head to better see me. “Two months? You said something about that the other day. Aiden wouldn’t get into details about it when I asked.”

  “Nora threatened my family if I didn’t agree to stay for two months. When I brought it up to Aiden, he acted like she did it out of panic or some shit. He said she wouldn’t really hurt anyone.”

  Nick frowns. “You think she was serious, though?”

  “I know she was, but it’s whatever. I can handle two months, and it won’t be all bad now that I know I really am Anna. I’ll get to know my family better.”

  “I can talk to John. He wouldn’t let Nora do anything to hurt you,” he says, picking up a grape from the plate of food we’re sharing.

  “You think he could stop Nora from doing something she wants done?” I shake my head when he doesn’t answer. “I didn’t think so.”

  “Maybe he could call her doctor? Get her meds adjusted again.”

  “It’s fine. I already quit my job. I’m good here until October,” I say, taking the last strawberry and popping it into my mouth before he can.

  “I won’t complain about getting to spend time with you.” His smile is wide as he drops his arm over my shoulders.

  I nudge him away and walk over to the sink to drop the empty plate in. “Spending time as friends. It’s a new day. We aren’t dating anymore,” I tease, not wanting Nick to think something’s going on between us. It’s just sex. That’s all it can be.

  “What if we were more,” Nick says, walking beside me as we leave the kitchen. “What if we didn’t have to stop.”

  My stomach flips, and I’m not sure if it’s with excitement or nerves. “I’m going home in less than two months.” We pause in the hall.

  “What if you like California? It’s where your siblings are. It’s where I am. Your dad might like it. Or… you could split your time between the two.” Keeping me pinned with his dark brown eyes, he steps up to me.

  I swallow. Toby and I started out a lot like this, hot and heavy, that instant attraction. It turned into a toxic ball of shit. I should cut things off now before either of us catch feelings we can’t come back from.

  Nick grabs my arm, stopping me from backing away. “Stop thinking so hard.”

  There are too many reasons for us not to complicate things. “We don’t even know each other.” I lick my lips. “We’re attracted to each other. I’ll admit that I feel something toward you, but—”

  “You think it’s too soon, right?”

  I nod, and he smiles, pushing me against the wall, and placing his hands on my shirt, just under my ribcage.

  “I know what I want, and I’m not going to give up.”

  I don’t think I’m capable of a healthy relationship. I wanted to kill both Nick and Molly when I saw them kissing. Claiming Nick would end up landing me in jail when it went to shit. I’m too fucked up.

  Nick presses his lips to my forehead. “What’s going on up there?”

  I step out from under him and move toward the stairs. “I need to pack.” His eyes narrow, and I find myself saying, “Wanna help?”

  He grins and stalks toward me. “Should I grab a condom?” His voice is a deep rumble.

  “No.” I laugh. “I really have to pack.”

  Chapter 7

  The plane ride to California was turbulent, literally, and figuratively, but the car ride is worse. The SUV we piled into an hour ago has even less room than the plane, and Nora isn’t good at playing nice. After giving me yet another glaring look, I finally do what I’ve been wanting to and flip her off.

  Her eyes widen and then narrow into slits before she turns around in her seat to face the front.

  “I saw that,” Casey whispers in my ear.

  I smile and then glance to my right. Nick’s eyes are closed, his arms crossed over his chest like they have been for the past twenty minutes. We didn’t get much sleep last night, and the ache between my legs is a constant reminder.

  “It’s right up here,” Casey says as the SUV makes a left onto a gravel driveway. “We’re in the Topanga Mountains. My parents’ house is a few minutes away, but they’re in Hawaii for another month or so. We have a house there too.”

  I straighten in my seat, trying to get a clearer view of the property, but it’s hard to see being smashed between guys that are as big as giants, like seriously, they are huge. The hill we’re driving up is more a mountain, and at the top, I can see part of a large grayish-blue structure. The driveway wraps around the top of the property and brings us to the side of the house. Aiden kills the engine next to a massive garage with eight fancy slide up doors, and we all pile out.

  The view of rolling green mountains is breathtaking. We’re higher than all the other houses and far enough away that they look tiny. We walk around the garage to the front of the massive house. It has windows galore, but they aren’t like normal windows in a regular house, these windows are long and wide, no doubt giving perfect views of the gorgeous landscape.

  “Aiden,” Nora says, reaching out to clutch his arm. “Help me to my room.”

  Her fire seems to have disappeared as she leans against him for support. Her face is paler than normal, and she has dark marks under her eyes.

  Hopefully, she’ll be bedridden for a month.

  “Come on, I’ll show you around,” Nick says, grabbing hold of my hand as we follow behind Aiden and Nora along a concrete pathway that leads to a white front door.

  Casey takes my other hand. “We’ll show you around.”

  “Where do those stairs go?” I ask, eyeing metal stairs attached to the house that looks like they wrap around the side.

  “A balcony on the third floor. Aiden’s room’s up there,” Nick says. Blocking the sun from my eyes, I look up, and yep, there’s a balcony at the top right of the house.

  We step into the foyer, and I’m blown away. Everything is perfect and clean. The walls are white, and the floor is gray concrete. There’s a white staircase to the left and a living room ahead. Both couches and the loveseat are white with a wooden table between all three. One side of the living room wall is made up of windows, showing those beautiful views I knew they would.

  We walk through the living room into the open kitchen. The cabinets are dark blue with white countertops. A large window above the sink shows a beautiful view of rolling mountains. To the right of the kitchen is a second living room. This one has a large fireplace, dark blue furniture, and double doors that lead to an in-ground pool in an enormous backyard. A citrusy scent fills the room.

  The house isn’t overly decorated, and I don’t see any family pictures, but it feels homey.

  “There’s a bathroom, laundry room, and door to the garage down there,” Casey says, leading us back into the kitchen and motioning to a gray door in a little nook. “You gotta see the third floor. It’s the best part.” He turns to Nick. “Where do you think she’ll sleep?”

  Nick shrugs. “On the second floor somewhere.” He gestures to a door by a built-in shelf between the living room and kitchen. “John’s room is in there, and Nora’s…” We follow Casey back into the first living room and then down a short hall with a bathroom on the right and a door at the end. “Nora’s room is in there.”

  The door swings open and Aiden steps out. His eyes meet mine and he forces a smile, but I saw his worried expression before he was able to hide it. If Nora hadn’t threatened my dad to get me here, I might ask Aiden how she’s doing.

  He clears his throat and shuts the door behind him. “What do you think so far?”

  “It’s beautiful,” I say as we all head back to the living room. “Much better than the house in Florida.”

  “Right,” Casey says. “What the hell was Nora thinking with the yellow walls?”

  “Tuscany,” Aiden says, laughing lightly. “She redecorated after a trip there.” He walks to
ward the stairs. “Come on. I’ll show you upstairs and your room.”

  The stairs are white and make a U shape, not long enough to slide down like a foster sister and I did once. We used cardboard and sleeping bags. It was a blast until our foster mom caught us and decided our punishment would be no dinner for three nights.

  The second floor is one long hallway with five bedrooms and two bathrooms. A banister at the end of the hall overlooks the living room with the fireplace. Aiden points out Colt and Liv’s bedrooms and the room Nick and Casey share if they don’t sleep upstairs when they visit. The two guest rooms are decorated in soft grays, dark blues, and white. I pick the one with an attached bathroom even though Casey wants me to pick the one next to the one he and Nick share.

  The third-floor stairs are behind a door at the end of the hall, and I agree with Casey, it is the best part of the house. We step into a cozy living room with dark leather furniture. Through an open archway is an entertainment room with a pool table, wet bar, and fireplace. Both rooms are lined with windows, giving even better views than the lower level.

  Aiden’s bedroom is behind a door next to the fireplace. The setup is simple with a king-size bed and small desk. The carpeted floor is a few shades lighter than the dark gray walls. Next to white closet doors is a sliding glass door that opens to a balcony with outdoor couches, chairs, and loungers.

  If I hadn’t been kidnapped, I’d have fought him tooth and nail for the third floor.

  The sun’s beginning to sink behind the trees, making the sky orange and pink.

  “I love your room,” I say. “How’d you land this? Figured Nora or John would have taken it.” I arch a brow. “Unless theirs are better?”

  “Aiden’s spoiled,” Casey says, flopping down on Aiden’s bed.

  “And you’re not,” Aiden says, tossing a throw pillow at him.