Page 48 of Smuggler's Beauty

“Transportation is sorted. The princess is going to be doing her own training. I’ll keep you apprised of her progress,” she said. “Start ramping up the heat. Let’s make them sweat.”

If Emil started to be bombarded with dissent on the streets of Tanalia, his attention would be divided. Divided minds made mistakes. Underestimated threats.

Corvinia’s plan depended on that. Emil had never taken Evelyn seriously. If Mathias was right, if she was willing to embrace her talent, that would be the end of Bauder’s rule.

It’s a big if.

Mathias nodded and looked like he was debating saying something else. Corvinia raised an eyebrow at him. He sighed.

“I know being trusting isn’t in your nature, but she’s got this. It’s all going to play out fine.”

Corvinia blinked. “Are you . . . are you trying to reassure me?”

“Yup.”

“It’s weird. Stop. I work best in a blind panic.”

“We all have our process. I’m going back to sleep. Hard to spread seditious sentiment when you’re overtired.”

Corvinia cut the connection, but not before she let a little bit of her chuckle be heard over the line.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Aiden loadedboxes into the trunk of the car. They’d been packing up the essentials from Evelyn’s house for the last few hours. Most of the essentials turned out to be books, movies in a strange, antiquated format, and band T-shirts.

“Everything else is replaceable,” she’d said, stuffing more shirts into the box than Aiden had thought it would hold.

He had built another one. Just in case.

Veselko came out to the car with a paper grocery bag balanced on top of another box. Aiden removed the bag so it could be stored in the trunk. Veselko took the groceries back.

“No sense in not emptying the fridge,” he said, gesturing with the bag.

“Very practical.”

Veselko shrugged. “It was Veronique’s idea. Also, Evelyn is like, fanatical about these cherries. I may be bludgeoned if I bruise them.”

“Since you come bearing perishables, I take it we’re ready to go? Anything else for the trunk?” Aiden hovered his hand over the closure button.

“Just those boxes Vinnie brought for your girl.”

Aiden liked the sound of that.

Not yet.

Veronique and Evelyn came out, loaded down with boxes and a backpack. They were laughing at some private joke. Aiden took a moment to enjoy seeing Evelyn with no weight on her shoulders. She was exceptionally beautiful when she laughed, cheeks plumped, eyes twinkling.If this all goes as planned, she’ll get to stay this lighthearted.Veronique took a box from Evelyn so she could lock the door. Once the key was back in her pocket, Evelyn took her box back as they walked to the remaining car. The others had driven back to the ship with the first load of boxes.

Veselko stood aside as the boxes were placed in the trunk, clutching the grocery bag carefully, very serious about his transportation responsibility. Aiden pressed the closure mechanism and went to open the back seat for Evelyn. As he helped her into the car, he gave her shoulder a quick squeeze.

“Thanks,” she said, smiling up at him and giving him a wink.

He closed the door gently and turned to find Veronique and Veselko both staring at him.

“What?”

“That woman is a hundred and thirty years old. She knows how doors work,” Veselko said.

He shrugged. “I see no problem being courteous. Also, it’s rude to bring up a lady’s age.”