THAYER
I’m doomed.
The moment I stepped out of the family jet, I only had one goal—to prove to my father that he was wrong. I knew my birthright, and I had a huge shoe to fill in, but I’d been molded since birth to take his place one day.
At the black-tinted limousine, I glanced at Lud and Ash. They’d been briefing me since we took off. I raised my hand to stop them from repeating what had been stuck in my head since I learned how to talk. I knew the protocol, but they were just doing their jobs. Aside from working for my family, they were also my closest friends, and they would surely take the bullet for me even if they were not in my family payroll, and so did I to them.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Lud asked warily. He was tall, stuffed with pure muscles with a strong jaw, and dark seated eyes.
“If you’ll ask me one more time, you’re going home.” I looked out of the window. This was not my first time to be in New York—the city never really sleeps. Unlike from where I came from—less polluted, not overpopulated, and less crime. Thanks to our men in uniform.
“If he said it’s a good idea, meaning, he got through with it a hundred times. You know him.” Ash was more mature than Lud, the one-nighter.
“I just don’t want him to home empty-handed and end up—”
“Man, you can’t just shut up, can you? As soon as he settles in the hotel, you can go gallivanting in the nightclub. I got you covered.”
“No way. He’s my job. And I don’t wanna be jobless because I shagged a pretty woman’s brain’s out.”
“Jeez.” Ash winced, shaking his head.
“We already talked about this. I don’t care what you do with your life for the whole two weeks. Do whatever you like. Just leave me alone.”
The car halted in front of the hotel. As we’d discuss, no grand entrance or convoy. We were just tourists like other tourists. And that was what we were doing. Of course, Lud and Ash were on their duties while I was with them. Their eyes were like hawks as they scanned for risk and potential that someone might recognize me.
My security details took two weeks to canvas this hotel for previous and possible guests. And I just lost two weeks of my time instead of looking for her.
I changed to white crisp shirts and pants after a quick shower. I was used to having someone prepare what I wore, but I was also taught how to be flexible and efficient.
I looked at myself in the mirror. I loved my long dark copper hair, but I had to cut it short to get into my disguised look. I hated wearing contacts, so it didn’t matter if my eyes were forest green. Not that it was uncommon in millions of people in this city.
A soft knock before the door opened.
“She’s here,” Ash informed.
I took a deep breath before I faced my aunt Alessia. She always looked radiant and composed. New York did well on her.
“No, no, no.” She shook her head violently. “What did you do to your hair, your high—Thayer?”
arms around her and squeezed her into a
too, honey. How did you manage to come here unnoticed? Your
Ma’am. Maybe, it’s because
looked down and shut their mouth. “You’re not going to—what American used to say? Screw this up for me. I only have two
apologize, Thayer.”
Thay,” Ash
is all about? You did not run away from your father or your duty, did you, honey?” She held my arms, tilting her neck. Aunt Alessia
put you in trouble. And United States should be the last place I choose. Timbuktu or Maldives. I love beaches.” I
“You’re installing.”
“I’m not.”
why did you cut your hair? I know you loved it. That was why you kept it long.”
stay and be with your family,
chuckled. “You’re lying. I don’t have a place
“That’s not true.”
forever be a bastard in the eye of your people. My life here is great, and this is where
chest ached for here. Even if she was my grandfather’s illegitimate daughter, my father and I had never treated her as
She walked
me,” I warned them. They may be here because of me, but my family was
way.” Lud’s excuse was poor, but I
waiting in the lobby.
“What’s going on, Thayer?”
until now.” I walked beside her towards the black
have a few ideas, but you’re miles away from
it when
DNA is running through yours. But I won’t pry. Sure, I’ll figure it out myself.” We
was the last time you
And he’s
hand.
understand why you’re
She had no idea.
***
in any form. I just hoped my disguise would work before the
recognizes you, I have my lawyer for NDA,” she said as we entered her private elevator. She must have noticed
also aware that my father had someone to keep a tab on