Protecting the Crown by Violet Paige

Author:Violet Paige
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Violet Paige

29

Flynn

The clocks had never sounded louder. It was as if someone had wound each one to strike back and forth and to tick and tock with more emphasis than had ever been heard inside the palace walls. I’d spent enough time here to know that atmosphere was especially thick and ominous today.

No one had spoken to me when I was escorted through the halls. I shrugged it off. Scandals always died down. This one would too.

I had been seated inside Director Minx’s office for twenty minutes. It was an insult to make me wait like this. She could have easily made a statement walking in after my arrival. She didn’t need to make me sit and contemplate my crimes like a fucking child. I already disliked her for attempting a game like this.

There was a jingle of keys and footsteps on the other side of the door. The handle turned, and in walked the director. I stood to greet her. She wasn’t what I expected. Her appearance didn’t match with the voice on the phone.

“Director.” I nodded.

She wore a pale yellow fitted dress that stopped at her knees. She was tall with an athletic frame. She had dark blond hair pulled back in a bun. She was maybe forty. How was this the person who had replaced Crenshaw?

“Flynn Shaw.” She said my name as if it were already cursed. She made a wide berth to approach her desk before sitting in front of me.

I thought about what to say to her on the trip from Liness. Over the years in civil service, I’d learned to let the commanders have their say first. It wouldn’t help Isabel or me if I started off with an excuse. There wasn’t one. I was in violation of my oath. The striking woman sitting in front of me was more than aware of the facts. The entire country was aware of what Isabel and I had been doing with our time together. I wasn’t willing to let myself think about whether there would ever be time together again after today. I had to get through this meeting first.

“Tea?” she offered.

“No, thank you.”

“We should get to it then.”

I nodded, waiting for the lecture. The sermon. The career-ending speech she had certainly prepared for this moment.

I cleared my throat. “I’m prepared for any reprimand you have, ma’am.”

She laughed. “Reprimand? You think you deserve a little talking-to?”

I stared at her. I realized every part of her was put together perfectly. The manicured hands. The pearl stud earrings and matching necklace. Her makeup wasn’t too light or too overdone.

“I deserve whatever the Royal Guard deems appropriate for the indiscretion with Princess Isabel.”

It was then I realized there was a folder in front of the director. She flipped it open.

“I think we should start over, Agent Shaw. This isn’t a meeting where you get a slap on the wrist for improper behavior with a royal.”

The collar began to feel tight around my neck. I wanted to loosen my tie, but not in front of Minx.

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