Reign of a King (Kingdom Duet #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,61

watch, hands fisted in my lap.

Jonathan throws a quizzical glance in my direction. That says something, considering how engrossed he was in his verbal war with Ethan.

“I…” I stand abruptly, forcing Jonathan to release me. “I need to go.”

I don’t wait for their reply as I rush from there. My eyes meet Sarah’s before I duck down, then practically jog towards the back entrance. That girl can’t find me. None of them can.

My steps are a frantic, jumbled mess. I trip and nearly fall, but I hold myself up and continue my escape out of here.

My car is nowhere in sight. My vision is blurry. I didn’t even bring my bag or my keys.

They’re coming for you.

Run.

Run.

Instead of doing just that, my legs lock and I couldn’t move even if I tried. I spot Moses, Jonathan’s driver, smoking in front of his car.

I don’t think about it as I half-jog in the direction of the Mercedes, open the back door, and slide in.

A breath heaves out of me the minute I’m out of the open. She can’t find me in here.

They can’t find me.

Despite that, I stare out of the tinted windows, making sure no one followed me.

“Good evening, Ms Harper.”

I yelp, my hand clutching my heart at the voice coming from my right.

Harris sits beside me, his tablet in hand as usual. He’s wearing a shirt tucked into his trousers with his jacket lying beside him.

He adjusts his glasses with his index and middle finger. “I apologise for startling you.”

“What…” I clear my throat. “What are you doing here?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“I meant, what are you doing outside of the charity event? And since you’re here, shouldn’t you go inside?”

“No. This event wasn’t on the schedule. I’m preparing a draft for a meeting that we’re going to have with our Chinese partners in a few hours.”

I frown. “Then why isn’t Jonathan with you?”

“That’s my question, Ms Harper. He insisted to come here instead of preparing for the meeting.”

Oh.

Is it because Ethan is attending? Or maybe it’s because of me?

Don’t even think about it, Aurora.

An awkward silence falls over the car as Harris focuses back on his tablet. I squirm and wince when my arse burns, remembering my lack of underwear since the tyrant, Jonathan, confiscated it.

Instead of thinking about that, I tilt my head to study Harris. He must be somewhere in his thirties. Always clean-shaven, prim, proper, and with a snobbish nose that he uses to judge everyone.

“How long have you been working with Jonathan?”

“Around ten years,” he says without lifting his head.

“That’s a long time.”

“Probably.”

“Do you like working for him?”

“Yes. He’s efficient.”

“Efficient?”

“Gets things done no matter what the method.”

“There’s another word for that — brutal.”

Harris lifts a shoulder. “Fear is a good motivator for humans.”

Ugh. He sounds so much like Jonathan. Machiavellian, with few to no morals, and cold. No wonder he likes working for him.

“And, Miss…” He finally looks at me. He actually has beautiful blue eyes behind those glasses.

“Aurora’s fine.”

“Quit distracting him, Aurora.”

“W-what?”

“He’s been making a lot of useless stops, like the one today, since you came into his life. I don’t like it.”

“You don’t like it?” He sounds like he’s Jonathan’s wife.

“Yes. It takes away from his efficiency.”

“Well, maybe he shouldn’t be such a robot. And that applies to you, too, Harris. Loosen up.”

“I am loosened up.”

“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?”

“What’s wrong with my face?” He seems genuinely offended.

“Emotions. Ever heard of them? Or did Jonathan confiscate them with your smile?”

“I can smile.” He shows me a menacing one.

I burst out laughing and he frowns, bemusement written all over his features.

For a moment, I forget about the past and insert myself in the present.

Because right now? I’m in the mood for a duel.

27

Jonathan

My gaze follows Aurora as she practically flees the scene.

She didn’t stop and search for her wingman, Black Belt, which means she’s more agitated than she shows.

And it’s all because of the bastard sitting across from me, eating as if he didn’t bring up what he shouldn’t have.

Not in front of her.

Not in front of anyone.

Aurora might act strong and aloof, but the memory of Alicia burns her. I don’t miss how she sneaks into her room any chance she gets. Alicia’s death is a reminder of the darkest day of her life. She doesn’t need to be hit with the reminder that she also looks so much like her.

So what if she does? They’re nothing alike.

Ethan will pay for bringing up the past and causing