To Steal a Prince (20 page)

Any minute now, Damon will realize something is wrong. He’ll look here eventually and know I’ve gone, but it can’t be helped. Does he really want me here, anyway?

I’m going to have to leave the city for good. Then Damon can’t change his mind and try to convince me to come back. It’s better for both of us this way.

I walk onto the terrace one last time. Reggie growls near my waist and head-butts me. He looks up at me with golden eyes, rubbing his head under my hand.

“Not now, Reggie. I’m sorry.”

Flopping down, he heaves a sigh.

Securing the rose in my bag, I walk down the steps. Reggie is the only one to watch me go.

13

The world outside is a bit blurry. I blink away tears, frustrated that they’ve formed at all. It’s not like this ever could have become permanent. It was one long, surreal dream, and I’m lucky that it lasted as long as it did.

I stumble toward the line of cars in front of the palace, hoping that none of the arriving guests notices me. I wish I had something to hide my face. A fan would work. I should have stolen Natalia’s when I had the chance. It would have served her right.

“Going somewhere, my lady?” Rashad opens a car door.

I’m so relieved to see a friendly face. “Do you remember the first place you took me?”

“Prince Street. Halfway down. I remember every stop.”

I try not to wince at the street name. “That’s the one. You’re good.”

“That’s how I stay employed.” Rashad waits for me to get settled, then closes the door behind me.

As he walks around to the driver’s seat, I quickly dab my eyes with my sleeve.

Rashad looks at me in the rearview mirror. “It’s none of my business, but are you all right, my lady?”

I guess I wasn’t as subtle as I thought. “I don’t plan to be in the city by sundown. You can tell Damon if you want, but please let me have a head start.”

He nods. “As you wish, my lady.” Rashad puts the car in gear, starting down the long drive.

Staring forward, I refuse to look back at the high towers, or the tumbling waterfall. I ignore the peacocks that scatter before the car. We come to the gate, and the lion and serpent suspend their battle as we pass.

I can’t lie to myself forever. I’m going to miss it all. The mural in my room, the heavenly scent of roses, the seemingly endless supply of clothes and shoes. Riding Felix on the beach, room after room of jewels, the lovely bronze dress that let me feel like I could conquer the world. And of course… I can’t even think his name without tears threatening to overwhelm me, and I don’t want to embarrass Rashad.

It’s over,
I tell myself, as resolutely as I can.
That’s not your life anymore. Let it go.

Raising a hand to brush my hair from my eyes, I find that it’s shaking. This is ridiculous. Leaning back in the plush leather seat, I turn on a jet of cool air. If this is the last time I get to ride in a car like this, I should make the most of it.

I catch Rashad’s eye in the rearview. “You probably think I’m crazy to be running away again.”

“Not at all, my lady. It’s difficult to live within those gates.”

“How do you do it?”

He turns down a narrow street. “First of all, I’m not royalty. That makes it easier. Secondly, they pay me just enough to keep me from taking that helicopter of theirs and flying it to Paris.”

The image of Rashad commandeering the royal helicopter is so unexpected that I have to laugh. “Why Paris?”

“It’s the most romantic city in the world.”

“I hope you make it someday. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend stealing from the Lion family to get there.”

“Point taken, my lady.”

I realize that although I’ve spent a fair amount of time letting Rashad ferry me places, I barely know the man. Why does he want to go to a romantic city? Does he want to take a special someone there, or is he hoping to find someone? I know so little about him, and there’s no time to remedy that.

Rashad pulls up to the curb, bringing the car to a smooth stop. Before I can protest, he hops from the driver’s seat, circling around to help me from the car.

“I could wait here a moment if you’d like, drive you to an airport or rail station. No one would mind.”

“I’ve already taken up too much of your time. Thanks for everything, Rashad.”

“Don’t mention it, my lady.” Reaching out, he kisses my hand.

So this is goodbye. Turning away from him, I walk toward the building as quickly as I can. He’s my last remaining link to the palace, and I have to cut it ruthlessly. As comforting as it would be to have him take me to my next destination, the urge to have him drive me back to the palace is still too strong. I can’t let myself be tempted.

I take the stairs two at a time, hoping that Gabe is home. I’ve never needed him more than I do right now. When I reach the flat, I lean against the buzzer.

There’s shuffling inside. “I knew you’d made a mistake—” Gabe throws the door open. “Grace?”

I leap at him, burying myself in his arms. “I missed you.”

“I can see that.”

Putting my head on his shoulder, I take a look around the room. There’s the sagging couch, the drab curtains. The rug with questionable stains we’ve never been able to remove. I’m home.

After a long moment, I finally let him go. Gabe just looks at me, his face pale.

“I know you didn’t expect me back, but I’m surprised there’s no confetti.”

He looks beyond me, like he expects someone to be following me. “Oh. What?”

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happier to see me.”

Pulling me into the room, he carefully closes the door. “I got a letter yesterday.”

I stiffen. “What kind of letter?” Have my crimes finally caught up with me? If Gabe gets evicted on my account, I’ll never forgive myself.

Snatching a letter from the table, he brandishes it at me. “Did you do this?”

My stomach drops as I take hold of the thick paper. Marked with the Lion family crest, it looks like a very formal document. There’s no way I can be reading this right. I stare at the paper, trying to make sense of the signature.

I look up at Gabe. “He bought the flat for you?”

“Did you steal his common sense? Did you blackmail him? Should I be ready to run from the police?”

Gingerly, I set the bill of sale back on the table. “I did mention to Damon that I owed you a fair amount of rent…”

“So? That’s no reason to buy me real estate.” He collapses onto the couch. “Your boyfriend is crazy.”

I don’t correct his assumption. “Damon’s very generous.” Filling a glass with water, I place the rose in its new home. It looks wrong here, far too beautiful for its surroundings.

Gabe watches me. “Is that from him?”

I nod.

“Did he get you anything besides a flower?”

“A necklace, but I couldn’t accept it.”

“Are you okay?” Rising from the couch, he feels my forehead. “The Grace I knew stole valuables from people. Now you won’t accept something for free?”

I push his hand away. “It’s not the same.”

“If you say so.” He shrugs. “Now that I know this isn’t a scam or an elaborate prank, I’m going to celebrate.” Gabe collects two glasses from the shelf and a bottle from the fridge. “Is this cheap stuff all right after you’ve experienced what they pour at the palace?”

“It’s perfect.” I take a swig, submitting to the burn that works its way down my throat.

Gabe settles into a chair. “I don’t expect you’ll be staying long.”

“No.”

“Came to collect the rest of your things?” He swirls his glass. “Ah, the age-old story. Girl meets boy. Boy happens to be prince. Girl must move out of gay best friend’s apartment.”

I smile ruefully. “I’m leaving the city, Gabe.”

“Jetting off to some fabulous locale with your new man?” He winks at me.

“Actually, I want to get away from the palace. And Damon.”

“What?” Gabe sets his glass down so hard that liquid sloshes out. “Are you insane?”

“That’s debatable.”

“Grace, he’s a prince! He’s generous, he gives you flowers. He’s royalty. What more do you want?”

“I don’t belong in his world. And I don’t want to hurt him.”

Gabe stares at me, forcing me to look at him. “Do you love him?”

I bite my lip. “I haven’t even told him, but . . . I think I do.”

“Then why would you run away? You know what, why am I trying to convince you? Go on, get out of here. That just leaves more princes for me.”

I give him a wavering smile. As much as it helps to talk to him, I need some time to think. “Can I take a shower?”

“I owe this place to you, letting you use some water is the least I can do.”

Really, he owes this place to Damon, but I’m not going to argue. Since Gabe will only have to pay for utilities now, I won’t feel guilty taking a long shower. Heading into the bathroom, I strip off my clothes. I step into the shower, waiting for the water to rain down. Nothing happens. With a jolt, I realize that I’m going to have to turn on the faucet. I’m not in the palace anymore, and there’s no automated pampering here.

As I turn to get the soap, I knock down a bottle of shampoo. This shower is more cramped than I remember. I find my mind wandering back to my last shower, where the tiles started heating in response to cool water. Scrubbing myself mercilessly, I try to ignore those thoughts. I haven’t had a fancy shower for most of my life. I’ll be fine without it.

The water washes away any moisture that might be forming in my eyes. It’s silly that a shower would make me so sad, but I feel like I’m cleaning off every inch of skin where Damon touched me, the smell of his skin on mine, the feel of his lips. By the time I reach my toes he’s gone from me, every trace cleansed. The water pours over me, achingly cold now that I’ve used up all the heat. I stand under it until I can bear it no longer.

Shivering, I pat myself dry with a scratchy towel. I wring out my long dark hair, wondering what Eris would have done with it tonight. Something amazing, no doubt. I feel a pang, remembering that Eris isn’t my friend. None of them is. And Damon is a dream, at best. That’s why I left, and that’s why I can’t go back. I need to stop thinking about it.

I pull on a change of clothes and go back to face Gabe. I hope he won’t fight me leaving too much.

He’s lounging on the chair where I left him. “You want something to eat?”

All of a sudden I’m ravenous. Maybe running from your problems does that to you.

“Yeah.” I dig in the cupboard for the jars.

“Sorry I don’t have anything that compares to the palace kitchens.”

“The palace kitchens served me grouse, pheasant, quail. It was like playing tiny bird bingo. But there’s something I’ve really been craving.”

Gabe looks on in disbelief as I pull out a loaf of bread. “Peanut butter and jelly?”

Spreading both on thick, I slap the pieces of bread together and take a bite. “Mmm… That’s the stuff.”

“You Americans are an odd lot.”

“I missed it,” I say through a mouthful of peanut butter. “I can’t help that.”

Gabe tries not to smirk as I finish my sandwich. “Would you like some cheap liquor to wash that down?”

I pick up my empty glass and wave it at him.

He brings the bottle over to me. “You have impeccable taste.”

“Don’t lecture me about taste. You’re the one with the burlap curtains.”

Gabe holds a hand over his heart, like I’ve wounded him. “They’re not burlap. They’re budget.”

“They’re hideous.”

“You can help me pick some new ones out tomorrow then.”

I twist a strand of hair.

Gabe narrows his eyes. “You’re planning on leaving before then, aren’t you.”

“There’s nothing for me here anymore.”

He gazes into his glass. “I’ve heard rumors that the prince is throwing this ball so he can introduce his latest lady. That’s you, isn’t it?”

I shrug. “I guess so.”

“Half of Europe is coming to meet you. How could you pass that up?”

“Because meeting half of Europe is the most terrifying thing I could imagine.”

He waves me away. “It’ll be fun. The Lions know how to party. I’d kill for one of those invites.”

“Well, I stood Damon up for lunch, and he has to know by now. I wouldn’t be expecting any invitations.”

“Just tell him you got nervous. He’d understand. He sounds like a great guy.”

“Gabe…”

“Grace. This ball is in your honor. If I were him, I could forgive you standing me up for lunch, but not for standing me up for the huge ball I threw for you.”

I set down my glass. “I don’t think I deserve a ball. And I definitely don’t think I deserve Damon.”

Gabe places a hand on mine. “That’s exactly why you do. And Grace, someone who would do this,” he thrusts the bill of sale at me, “is worth holding onto.”

I twirl my glass on the countertop. “You think I should go to the ball, don’t you?”

“You have to.”

“I want to, I really do. But our relationship started with me stealing from him, and yesterday he caught me playing with his safe, and I lied to him about it—”

Gabe puts a finger against my lips. “Hush. Talk to him about this. And give him one more night before you vanish into thin air on him.”

“What if he can never trust me?”

“Seeing as he wants to dance with you even though you smashed his pretty little sports car to bits, I think you stand a chance.”

I blink away tears. “Really?”

“Really.”

I wrap him in a tight hug.

“So, when are we leaving?”

Picking up my glass, I study him. “Trying to wrangle an invitation after all, are we?”

“You’ll need an escort.”

“Let me finish my drink first.”

I’m weak, so I need some liquid courage. The sun is sinking over the city, and Damon will know by now that I’m not in the palace. Someone will have found the necklace, and seen that my bag was missing, along with the rose. He won’t expect me at the ball. He’ll think I’ve broken his trust yet again.

Gabe runs into his room, rifling through his closet. “What should I wear?”

“Your best suit should be fine.”

“But I have three of those!”

The sky is now a shade of violent purple. “Just pick one!”