Marrying For The Throne

CHAPTER TWO

There wasn’t a soul in the entire city of Los Angeles who didn’t know who the Kenningstons were. That K was practically on almost every billboard and every major business sign in the city. Basically, the Kenningstons were the Royal family of Los Angeles.

Savannah’s suspicion turned to curiosity, and her eyes flickered to the card in the guard’s hand. The guard could sense her hesitation and grunted in annoyance, then he shoved the card into her hand.

“Listen here, girlie. I’ve got about two minutes before my break is up. If you’re serious about helping your father, just call the number on the card and tell em Prison Ricky sent ya.”

The guard didn’t bother waiting for Savannah to respond anymore, so he turned around and headed back into the prison building. Savannah’s hand clenched around the card, and she refused to look down at it.

Los Angeles was home to a lot of crazy characters and corrupt policemen, but Savannah was desperate, and sometimes, desperation slowly begins to force hope.

Savannah’s phone suddenly rang in her hand, and she looked down to see who it was. A small smile spread on her face as she answered the call. “Hey Kels.”

“Savannah!” Kelsie said with a sense of urgency in her voice. “Aaron texted me, said that there was something wrong with you.”

“I… ” The words of the strange guard came flowing back into Savannah’s mind, and she shook her head. “It’s nothing Kelsie. I was just having a nervous breakdown but I’m okay now.”

“As if!” Kelsie retorted.

Kelsie was Savannah’s best friend. She knew Savannah better than anyone, and she could tell that there was something wrong with her, but for some reason, Savannah didn’t say.

“I’m coming over after work, girl. A nervous breakdown isn’t something you can just shrug off.”

“You don’t have to Kels, I promise you I’m okay.” Savannah said in her most convincing voice.

“I’ll see you at around six, Savannah,” Kelsie asserted, obviously not swayed by Savannah’s defiance.

Savannah sighed loudly into the phone, “At least bring me some Rocky Road. Everything’s better with ice cream.”

“As long as you tell me what’s wrong with you, I’ll buy you a freaking tub if I have to.” Savannah began to hear another voice coming from the line, and Kelsie went silent for a while before coming back. “Sorry girl, I have to get back to work, but I’ll see you soon.”

“Bye girl.” Savannah said.

“Bye.”

The line went dead, and Savannah stuffed both her phone and the card into her purse. She began to make her way to her car, but her thoughts swirled constantly in her hand. At that point, all she was focused on was getting home and processing everything that had just happened.

Savannah finally arrived at the small studio apartment she had once shared with her father before the Grahams had him arrested. Now, the rundown apartment was all hers. As her rickety old Volkswagon classic pulled into the driveway and she got out, she noticed her landlord’s car parked nearby, and panic immediately washed over her.

“Oh no, Mr Preston is here.” Savannah thought to herself.

She immediately rushed to her apartment door and locked the door the second she got inside. Savannah was already three months behind on rent, and there really wasn’t much she could do.

Her job working at the local boutique in the strip mall barely paid enough for her to buy groceries, so where the hell was she supposed to get rent money from?

She leaned on the door and slowly slid to the floor, trying to fight back the tears that threatened to spill out. Her life was a total mess, all because she didn’t want to subject herself to Richard’s relentless advances. He was a rich, snobby asshole who honestly believed his money could buy anything, including her dignity.

Savannah did actually think of going back to beg Richard, but she knew, probably more than anyone, that if she did, then she would just be digging her own grave.

Bang bang bang

“Savannah Reid, open this door. I know you’re in there!”

Savannah jerked in fright upon hearing her landlord’s voice. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand so she wouldn’t make a sound. Maybe he’d think no one was home and go away.

“I saw your rickety ass car in the driveway, so open this door before I break it down.”

“Damn it,” Savannah sighed, and as she was contemplating if she should open the door, Mr Preston banged loudly on the door again.

“Just a second!” Savannah yelled and hurriedly opened the door, “Mr Preston, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Where’s my money Savannah?” he growled, stepping into her apartment like the big bad wolf from the Three Little Pigs fairytale. Mr Preston was a short man, but he had a surprisingly intimidating frame as he stood there looking straight into Savannah’s eyes.

Savannah trembled slightly, but she did her best to speak up. “Mr Preston, please, I just need a few more days and…”

“I’ve had enough of your bullshit miss Reid.” Mr Preston bellowed loudly, cutting Savannah off. “Either you give me my rent money right now, or I’ll throw you out myself and call the garbage men.”

His gaze swept over the small apartment, and he chuckled sinisterly, “It’s not like you have anything of value here anyway. It’s all garbage.”

“Excuse me?” Savannah asked just as her face turned red with anger. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

He glared at Savannah with disgust. “I am the owner of this apartment. And if you want to shut me up, then maybe start by at least paying the rent of three months ago.”

Savannah wanted to speak up, to refute him, but sadly she couldn’t dare say a word.

“Exactly what I thought.” He scoffed.

He looked around her apartment again, and that’s when he noticed the small hand-carved wooden figurine on the mantel. “What’s this?” He picked it up and examined it closer.

“Hey!” She shouted and lunged forward. “That’s not yours! Put it down!”

Immediately, Mr Preston smirked and held the figurine just out of Savannah’s reach. “It seems to me like this box holds some sort of importance to you.” His smirk grew. “Consider it payment for wasting my time.”

Savannah felt her heart stop. It may not have been anything expensive, but that figurine was a birthday present from her mom before she died. It was the only memento of her mother Savannah had left.

“Give it back!” Savannah yelled furiously and tried to grab Mr Preston’s arm, but he easily twisted himself free and grabbed her wrist instead.

“Let me go!” Savannah struggled to free herself.

Mr Preston looked at her, taking in her frustration before he grinned sinisterly, “Or what?”

Suddenly, the door slammed open, startling both him and Savannah.

“Or I’ll break your hand, Preston.”