Twisted Palace Read Free Page B

thought to explain to me who you are. I know I’ve been gone for a while, but the Royal household has been a bachelor residence for years.”
    A chill flies up my spine. No. God, no. I can’t have this conversation right now. But Steve’s light blue eyes are probing my face. He’s waiting for an answer, and I know I have to give him something .
    “I’m Callum’s ward.”
    “Callum’s ward,” he echoes in disbelief.
    “Yes.”
    “Who are your parents? Friends of Callum’s? Do I know them?” he wonders, half to himself.
    Panic jolts through me, but luckily I don’t have to answer, because I suddenly glimpse a black Town Car pulling into the driveway.
    They’re back!
    I lunge off the bench and make it to the parlor in two seconds flat. A weary Callum and an equally tired Reed trudge inside, but both stop in their tracks when they spot me.
    Reed turns. His vivid blue eyes slowly find mine and lock on.
    My heart stutters, then careens into a gallop. Without a word, I launch myself at him.
    He catches me, one strong hand burying itself in my hair and the other wrapping around my waist. I cling to him, mashing myself chest to chest, thigh to thigh, as if I can keep him safe with this simple embrace.
    “Are you okay?” I whisper against his left pec.
    “I’m fine.” His voice is low, gruff.
    Tears sting my eyes. “I was scared.”
    “I know.” His breath wafts over my ear. “It’s going to be okay. I promise. Let’s go upstairs and I’ll explain everything.”
    “No, you won’t,” Callum says tersely, overhearing Reed’s promise. “No talking to anyone unless you want to make Ella a witness.”
    A witness? Oh God. The police are talking to witnesses and Reed is trying to tell me everything is okay ?
    Another set of footsteps echoes behind us. Reed releases me, and his eyes widen at the tall, blond man who enters the foyer.
    “Uncle Steve?” he blurts out.
    “Reed.” Steve nods in greeting.
    Callum spins toward my father. “Steve, Christ, I forgot you showed up. I was thinking I’d dreamt the damn thing.” His gaze swings between Steve and me. “Did you two meet?”
    I nod vigorously and try to convey with wide eyes that I don’t want the whole daddy/daughter thing coming out. Callum’s brow furrows, but his attention is dragged away when Steve says, “We were just getting acquainted when you arrived. And no, you didn’t dream it. I survived.”
    The two men eye each other for a moment. Then they both step forward, meet halfway, and exchange a manly hug that includes several good-natured back slaps.
    “Damn, it’s good to be home,” Steve tells his old friend.
    “How are you even here?” Callum shoots back, looking dismayed. “Where the hell have you been the last nine months?” In a voice that’s half angry, half awed, he adds, “I spent five million dollars on a search and rescue effort.”
    “It’s a long story,” Steve admits. “Why don’t we go sit down somewhere and I’ll fill you in—”
    A pounding of feet on the stairs interrupts him. The three youngest Royal brothers appear on the second-floor landing, their blue-eyed gazes instantly homing in on Reed.
    “Told you he’d be back!” Easton crows as he takes the steps two at a time. He has a serious case of bedhead and he’s wearing nothing but boxers, but that doesn’t stop him from dragging Reed in for a quick hug. “You okay, bro?”
    “Fine,” Reed grunts.
    Sawyer and Sebastian round out the group, focusing on their father. “What happened at the police station?” Sawyer demands.
    “What’s going to happen now?” Seb chimes in.
    Callum sighs. “I got a friend out of bed—a judge I know—and he came down this morning to set bail for Reed. I need to deliver Reed’s passport to the clerk of court tomorrow morning. In the meantime, we wait. You might have to stay here a while longer, Steve,” he informs my father. “Your place is currently being held as a crime scene.”
    “Why? Did someone finally