Chapter 134

Nicholas

I helped Olivia as best I could with one of the benefactors, though in truth, she hadn’t need me to do much but give her the initial introduction.

Olivia seemed like a natural at speaking with others – or at least, those she wanted something from. After introducing her, all I did was stand there and watch her work her magic. The benefactor seemed enamored. I imagined he would do anything Olivia asked him to.

I wished I could return to Piper’s side. I was still worried about her. When she had danced with Terry, he must have said some truly awful things to her for her to look so tired and stressed when she returned.

Knowing Terry, I could only imagine what vile fantasies he tried to place upon her.

She’d been shaking when I’d been pulled away. It had been my duty to escort all the candidates I had selected. I couldn’t, by nature of the rules, drop everything just to stay at Piper’s side.

I wanted to, though. And now, I deeply regretted upholding the rules and not following my heart.

Especially when I looked back to where Piper had been and found her missing. I stretched my searching gaze across the entire ballroom, but Piper nor Elva were anywhere in sight.

“Don’t you agree, Prince Nicholas?” Oliva said. She did that now and then, to try to include me in the conversation. The benefactor seemed to enjoy the attention of a prince.

I hummed, not paying attention, and continued looking for Piper.

Elva had been tired. Perhaps Piper took her back to the room. But would she return afterwards? She still had to meet with several benefactors, and I had not helped her very much. Julian had spent a full hour with her. I wanted at least that much.

Olivia continued talking, not missing a beat. As I suspected, she only needed me as a showpiece, and not a person.

Suddenly, a flash of shimmering purple caught my attention. The gown was beautiful but the woman wearing it was who truly claimed my eye.

Piper? Had she changed when she’d taken Elva to bed?

That didn’t seem like something she would do, but perhaps she was trying to make a statement, or create some waves to make her the talk of the evening. None of the other candidates had left to change.

The cameras moved in close to her. She waved at them, and even blew them a kiss.

That wasn’t like Piper at all. Piper didn’t hate the cameras. She’d always given them attention and answered any of the producers’ questions. But to blow a kiss?

A sinking feeling pulled in my chest, the more I looked at this woman. The way she carried herself heavy on one hip while sticking out her ass and breasts. The way she laughed, her whole head thrown back, while the producer tried to talk to her. She was openly flirting with him.

This wasn’t Piper. This was Jane.

“If you’ll excuse me a moment,” I said to Olivia and her benefactor.

“But –” Olivia reached for my arm, but I sidestepped her.

I rushed across the room, but I still couldn’t stop Jane before she moved on from the producer to one of the benefactors.

“Like I would want money from such a fat cow,” Jane said, laughing. The benefactor she’d been speaking to went red in the face. “Maybe you should invest in a personal trainer before you think about any more charity work.”

“H-how dare…!” the benefactor sputtered.

I slid myself between Jane and the man, facing him.

“Please forgive Piper’s rudeness,” I said at once. “She’s hasn’t been feeling well, and it is effecting her mood. I’m afraid she just isn’t herself right now.”

The benefactor shook his head. “No illness could possibly excuse that level of disrespect, Your Royal Highness. If you will excuse me for saying so.”

“I understand,” I said. “Though I hope you can consider forgiveness.”

“Maybe I can.” The benefactor tilted his head to something occurring behind me. “But Mrs. Marble will not.”

Mrs. Marble, the old widow, had enough wealth to rival the royal family. Her importance, therefore, in terms of charity and support, was paramount to the kingdom.

I turned around in haste.

Jane had sneaked away from behind me and was pointing Mrs. Marble roughly in the collarbone.

“Old hags like you are the reason this kingdom is in the shitter,” Jane sniped.

I rushed to intervene. This time, I snatched Jane’s wrist in a vice lock.

I forced a laugh. “What a joker. Mrs. Marble, you must know Miss Piper is only kidding you.”

“Must I?” Mrs. Marble lifted one lone brow high on her forehead. “I expect better of you, Prince Nicholas, than to choose someone of this… personality… to be Queen.”

Mrs. Marble never lost her patience. She simply said her peace, sneered once at Jane, then turned and walked away.

Jane laughed as she went.

I hissed, “You made a terrible mistake coming here, Jane.”

“It’s been delightfully fun so far. My perfect sister never lets herself have any fun. If anything, I’m doing her a favor, putting these stuffed shirts in their places.”

“You are trying to ruin her life.”

Jane gave me a vicious kind of grin. “Do you think it’s working?”

It was so strange looking at Jane. She looked just like Piper in appearance and height, but she couldn’t be more different in expression and mannerisms.

“You don’t deserve to have such a caring woman as your sister,” I said.

Jane snorted. “Perfect Piper. Spare me. You have no idea what it was like growing up in her shadow. Never been good enough. Never being seen. Piper this, Piper that. What about Jane?”

“You’ve had many chances to improve your own life. You are the only one still clinging to Piper’s shadow.”

“Worried about her, huh?” Jane leaned closer. “You should be. You can’t watch her every second, Prince. Sooner or later, your kingly duties will pull you away and she’ll be left behind in the dirt. Then, Terry and I will get our fun.”

I squeezed her wrist. My heart thundered in my chest. My wolf prowled in the back of my mind, ready to push forward, to defend and protect what’s ours.

“I will never let you hurt Piper.”

Jane watched me for a moment, her eyes widening at the ferocity in my tone. Yet, in the next moment, her cocksure smirk slips back into place.

“Oh, I see. You are still in love with her.” Jane laughed, loud and mocking. “You just can’t say no to heartache, can you? You think your little breakup last time was painful? Wait until you see what becomes of Piper next.”

A low, dangerous growl escaped my throat, and for a few seconds, fear returned to Jane’s gaze.

“Keep your wolf in check, nephew. You are making a scene.”

Jane’s fear diminished the second Terry arrived beside us.

I could have torn both their heads off. But I restrained myself. Barely.

“Unless you want people to believe you are angry with Piper,” Terry continued.

“This isn’t Piper.” Not even close.

“And who knows that but us, hm?” Terry asked. “Unless you want to reveal Piper’s secret to the whole world. That it hasn’t happened yet makes me believe Piper wouldn’t want that. After all, what would Elva think? Finding out her Mommy isn’t her Mommy after all.”

I hated that Terry was right. But Piper did want to keep her secrets. Elva finding out the truth would hurt them both.

“What do you want?” I growled.

“Release my lover back into my care,” Terry said.

I wanted to arrest her, but how would I explain it? “She needs to leave. Now. And not return again.”

Terry looked at Jane, and she shrugged.

“I’ve probably done enough,” she said.

To me, Terry said, “Then we accept your terms.”

Cameras were coming closer. I couldn’t keep holding onto Jane without causing a scene.

I hated this. Hated everything at the moment.

But what choice did I have?

I loosened my grip and Jane yanked her arm free. Terry touched her back, leading her away. Together, they walked out of the ballroom.

The producer shoved a microphone into my face.

“Prince Nicholas, did you have an argument with Piper?”