Ruthless King

“What? She’s smiling.”

“But she’s tense,” Gracen told her. “And that smile looks all wrong.”

“And Regent told us to be careful about this,” Aston added. Then she looked chagrined as Thea and Gracen glared at her. “Oh crap. Jilly, I’m sorry.”

Jilly widened her smile.

Don’t show that you’re hurt. Don’t show it.

“It’s all right. I guessed that he asked you to take me clothes shopping,” she reassured them, even as that knot in her stomach grew.

“But that’s not why we said yes,” Thea told her. “We said yes because we want to spend time with you.”

“We like you,” Gracen added gently.

“Who wouldn’t like you? You’re amazing. You’re funny and kind and you’re the best thing to ever happen to Regent,” Aston said.

The noise of someone blowing their nose drew all of their attention and Jilly looked over at Samantha, who appeared tearful. She waved her hand in the air. “Don’t mind me. That was just so sweet.”

Gracen shook her head and wrapped her arm around Samantha.

“Now, what would you really like to try on? Something you like and not what you think you should like to make us happy.”

“Um, well, I did see this cute black T-shirt out there with a neon pink heart on it. And it might look good with this pink skirt I also saw. It was so soft and flowy looking. There was also this flower print sweater that would look cute with some black pants.”

In the end she found herself a new wardrobe.

But she also had an amazing time with Thea, Gracen, Aston, and Samantha. They laughed and teased and had fun.

And that was far more important than the clothes she wore.

51

Jilly was practically dancing around for joy as she entered her house.

Regent had finally agreed to let her see her friends. They were all coming here to help her pack up some things.

He hadn’t been so pleased about that part since he wanted to hire people to pack everything up. And have her friends come to his house.

But she didn’t want them to be intimidated by the huge mansion she now lived in. Maybe after she explained things properly. They’d texted her a lot, especially after Sasha was arrested two weeks ago for hitting Lowell and killing him.

In a stolen car.

She’d been terrified Sasha would talk. But apparently, she was claiming to have amnesia.

Jilly wasn’t sure how much was true. But Regent told her not to worry. That everything was under control.

Mrs. Y had been very upset, which was the other reason she’d wanted to have this get-together. To show her friends she was all right and to cheer Mrs. Yards up.

Plus, she’d also learned that Regent had a big birthday coming up and she wanted her friends help planning it. Gracen, Lottie, Thea, and Aston wanted in on the birthday planning as well.

They had to keep it a secret from Regent, though.

“Where do you want this stuff, Jilly?”

She glanced over at Henri, one of Regent’s men. Regent was thinking of making him her bodyguard. Which she really didn’t think she needed.

“Um, put them in the kitchen. I’ll get all the drinks and nibbles ready. You don’t have to stay with me.”