Royally Kidnapped by the Prince novel Chapter 23

THAYER

After my security team informed me that Blue Jay just landed, I left right away. Yeah, that was Kennedy’s code name—it fit perfectly for her. 

Usually, I’d stay for a while during my official engagements, but not today. It took every ounce in my power to remain calm as I marched towards the waiting car. 

“She’s pissed.” Those were the first words I heard from the other line. It was understandable, considering what Ash and Lud just did to her. 

“Who wouldn’t be? But I’ll make up to her,” I said to Ash.

“She’s pissed at me. She kicked Lud’s shin and shouted at us the entire flight.”

“I’ll apologize for her on your behalf.” I didn’t usually apologize, but I wanted her to trust them again, and I intended to gain it back as well.

“I don’t know. Even if you give her the moon, Your Highness. She’s different today. And it bleeds my heart that she cried because of what we did.”

I froze. “I’m sorry. She did what?” 

“I told you, she might not be able to forgive me. I can’t—I don’t know if I will be able to see or work with her again. I’m sorry, T. I’m just talking shit. My apology.”

“Let me handle this. It’s all my fault. None of this is yours. In just a short time I’ve known Kennedy, she has a soft spot on both of you. Just give her some time because I need her to trust both of you again. I’m on my way.”

“Have a safe ride home, Your Highness.”

I hung up the call and dialed her number. The same thing as yesterday or a day before—it went directly to her voicemail. Now that I had her with me, I would show her how much I cared—not the prince she despised, but the man she would learn to love.

It did not take long, I arrived at the manor. Sighing, I climbed out of the car. My mother was supposed to welcome her back since I had an engagement to attend. 

She beamed the moment she saw me approaching. I kissed her on the cheek. “She’s here?”

“Yes. Give Kennedy some time to adjust.”

I raked my fingers through my hair. “She’s upset.”

My mother nodded glumly. “You could say that, considering the choice you made of fixing things.”

“Desperate times.”

“You kidnapped your girlfriend, honey. An independent American woman. What if she escapes and goes to her Embassy? You would be creating an international incident.” It was an understatement. 

“You’re exaggerating it, Mother.”

“I wasn’t when she arrived.” She looked amused.

“I’ll make things right. I promise.”

“You need a lot of groveling to do.” She chuckled.

“You know, we don’t grovel, mother.”

“Oh, you need to with this one, honey. She was only very polite earlier. When she arrived, and I wasn’t around, you might find this manor nothing but ashes. She’s a spitfire, and I like her already. You finally find your match, Thayer.” She patted my arm.

“I’m pleased you like her, mum.”

“I see myself in her when I was her age, but I know you’re not interested in listening to my story. Go ahead. She just climbed upstairs.” She kissed me on my cheek. “I’m happy, honey.”

My heart continued to race as I took a step at a time, rehearsing my speech. I held my breath and knocked on the door. When I heard nothing, I did it again. 

“Kennedy, it’s me. May I enter?” Again, I heard nothing. I opened the door. The first thing that came to my sight was her lying on her side in bed. She must have been exhausted during her flight. She literally traveled back in less than a day.

My pulse quickened. The same warmth and tingles reignited as she was an arm’s length. Yet, she was unreachable.

“Get out.” 

I froze. “Darling.” 

“I said get out,” she said firmly.

“Please?”

“You violated my trust. I’m here because I have no chance of escaping. I have only once demand, though, since I’m here without my consent.”

“Name it.” I bit my tongue as those words came out of my mouth because I could feel that I was not going to like it.

“You won’t come to see me again.”

Fuck. ”I can’t do that. You demand other things, but not that.” 

She still didn’t turn nor look at me, and it broke my heart. “I’ll stay here as long as you want, but that’s all. I can’t trust you anymore. Not again.”

“I’m not doing this shit. You’re here because I wanna make things right with you.”

She snorted. “Makes things right? How would you do that if you started with mistakes and lies in the first place?”

“Then give me another chance.”

“No. You give me my demand, or I won’t forgive you for lying to me and dragging me all the way here.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You know I will get what I want, Kennedy. I’m a royal. I don’t beg to get what I want.”