Page 86 of Reign of the Queen
"Tom, make sure the medical team brings everything they need to ensure Mr. Pemberton here fully recovers. He will be remaining with us for an indefinite amount of time." My grandmother stands up and walks out of the room, confident that her orders will be obeyed.
"Mia, show me somewhere we can discuss this situation privately." She turns back to look at me. I can’t read what is going on in her mind, but I let out the breath I was holding at her order to Tom.
As we walk back into the hallway, Clark approaches, nodding respectfully to me and turning his full attention to my grandmother. "Clark, ensure we have enough personnel to protect all parts of the house and grounds. No one is to make it onto this property without my permission, and no one is to leave this property either." She turns to stare me down.
Hiding the smile that her demands bring, I guess we are now a locked-down fortress against all comers. I almost feel sorry for Mack Pemberton; he has no idea who he's about to start a war with. I lead my grandmother toward the home office. Once we have entered the space, I close the door firmly, understanding that what she will discuss with me in here is for my ears only and not the kings.
Stella walks over to the desk and sits behind it, composed. "You are sure this is what you want to do, granddaughter? Once you move forward with this course of action, we will not be able to back down. We will have created a new enemy for the Stratford's."
Sitting down in the white leather chair in front of the desk, my mind races. Is this what I want to do? Do I want to go to war with Carter and Theo's dads? Wasn't I here to decimate the kings, not save them? My mind is a muddle of thoughts with images of Carter when he first arrived at the house, deathly sick. The memory of when he called out for me in a panic, crosses my mind, and my heart painfully lurches in my chest.
No matter what happens, I need to protect him from his father, even if that means going to war with Vincent Saint-Lambert. As for my plan for vengeance against the kings, that will have to wait and be adjusted. I know with my following words, I am damning myself along with them. Years of planning are being thrown by the wayside.
"Yes, grandmother." I stare back at her penetrating gaze with as much confidence as I can muster. It feels like a boulder has landed in the pit of my stomach.
"Very well then, Mia. It looks like we will be going to war, and you may yet get your wish to destroy your kings and Vincent Saint-Lambert all in one shot." My grandmother smiles menacingly. "I will require something in return, though, Mia. You are requesting the family go to war with all of our resources against a foe just as powerful and ruthless as we are. I will need a commitment from you in return."
I quirk an eyebrow at my grandmother; the sly fox never does anything unless she can win something in return. Whatever she's going to demand from me in payment will change the trajectory that I had planned for myself, of that I have no doubt. I should have known her protection of the kings would come with strings. My blood whooshes in my ears loudly and sweat gathers in my palms.
"What are you asking of me, grandmother?"
"After you have graduated from Casbury Prep, and no matter the outcome of this situation with these four boys, Mia, you will return to Manhattan permanently, attend Brown, and marry a young man of my choosing. Someone whose empire and alliances will ensure our family remains at the top and untouchable. A person of importance that will further benefit the family’s interests and further our legacy. We Stratford's shall remain indestructible."
It's like a bomb goes off in my head. Alarm bells are screaming at me to get up and run from the room, run from this situation. Saving Carter and protecting the kings will cost me my freedom. That is what she is asking as the price to pay for her protection and support.My fucking future.
I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out, I want to deny her ultimatum immediately.How could she ask this of me?Then the reality of the situation hits me. If I refuse her, she will walk out of this house with her team, leaving Carter and the kings to the wolves at my door. Consequences be damned. She will continue to protect me though, probably forcing me back to Manhattan as it won't be safe for me here.
"Do you still want me to protect them, Mia?" she questions, coming around the desk and sitting in the chair next to me.
"I have no choice here, grandmother, and you know it. If I choose myself, the wolves will be at my door, and Carter's possible death will be on my hands," I respond with vexation. She's backed me into a corner, and she knows it.
"Mia, you are my granddaughter. You may not be of my own flesh and blood, but that has never mattered to me. You will always be my precious granddaughter and my family. I will always protect you with my life. What I am asking of you, in return for saving that young man and protecting the other three, is so I can continue to protect you. You are playing a dangerous game, Mia." She reaches out and grabs my hand, giving it a tight squeeze.
"I will pay your price, grandmother." I squeeze her hand back, the decision falling on my shoulders like a five-ton elephant.
Stella stares back at me, assessing my features. "So be it, Mia. We will go to war."
Standing up, she opens the door to the room, and calls out for Clark and Tom. Turning back to me, she smirks. "Go get your kings, Mia. We will need to make arrangements."
Tom and Clark walk back into the room, their faces and stances rigid and ready to obey my grandmother's every command. Two generals prepared to go to war at the command of a vicious unrelenting queen. Now, it’s up to me to round up the troops or victims, depending on how you look at it. I leave the room and head toward the three kings, anxiety flowing through my body.Did I just make a mistake?I had no choice, right?Fuck, I shouldn’t have ever came back to Casbury.
Mia walks back into the room looking grim and stressed. My panic rises in my body at her expression. Does this mean her grandmother has decided to leave us to our fate and allow Mack to take Carter? Glancing over at Mateo and Finn, I can see their panicked expressions coming to the same conclusion. My mind races with where I will run to with the guys and how I will fight off my father and his.
I get up from the chair, grabbing her by the arms in my tight grip. “If she won’t protect him, Mia, I need a way to get him out of here before his dad or mine gets here.” My voice comes out slightly gruff and filled with emotion. Sweat is beading on my forehead and down my back. My heart feels like a stampede of stallions are racing in my chest, constricting my breath.Get it together fucker, this is no time to lose control.
Mateo and Finn move toward us, bodies vibrating with energy and tension, both at the ready to take whatever actions are necessary to get Carter out of Mia’s house. She stares between the three of us, uneasiness still evident on her face. A huge sigh escapes her, and she pulls away from my tense grasp, taking a step away from me and closing herself off from us.
“There’s no need for that. Stella has decided she will protect him, and no one is getting in or out of this property right now. We’re in lockdown with more security personnel already on their way. Neither of your dads will get in here unless they have a death wish.” She sits down on the chair I just vacated with downcast eyes.
“Then what’s going on? Why do you look like that?” Finn asks her, his jaw clenching.
“Is something wrong with Carter? Did he have another seizure?” Mateo rushes forward towards the living room entry with panic.
“No, Carter’s stable. The medical personnel will be arriving shortly,” she responds, bracing her elbows on her knees. She won’t meet any of our eyes and her mouth is set in a stern line.What the fuck is going on here?
A prickle of unease starts at the back of my spine. Mia looks angry but also determined. Anxiety and rage are coming off her body in waves. Something happened with her grandmother, something she doesn’t look like she has any intention of telling us.
Bending down, I place myself in front of her. She raises her beautiful blue eyes to mine, and I see the anger blazing there, twin peaks of fire and rage stare back at me. I don’t know if it’s directed at me, this situation, or her grandmother. Maybe all three, but it’s definitely there.
