Marrying For The Throne

CHAPTER FOUR

Savannah and her landlord both turned toward the door that had just been flung open.

“Aaron.” Savannah sighed in relief, but her surprise was still evident in her voice.

Aaron didn’t even acknowledge Savannah. His jaw was clenched so tightly you’d have thought he was ready to snap at any moment, and his gaze was fixed on Mr Preston, who still had his grubby hand around Savannah’s wrist.

“I suggest you leave her alone before I end up breaking that hand of yours.” Aaron sounded calm, but his eyes told a very different story.

Mr Preston finally released Savannah.

“What’s going on here?” Aaron asked.

“I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Mr Preston said, trying to reclaim his composure. “Your friend here owes me three months’ rent.” He glared at Savannah like she was the cause of all his pain. “I was just about to throw her out when you barged in.”

“I see,” he glanced at Savannah, who couldn’t even meet his gaze. “How much?” Aaron asked, taking his phone out.

“Aaron, no! I’ll figure it out…” Savannah immediately spoke up, but Aaron didn’t even so much as spare her a glance.

“How much?” he repeated again, looking at the landlord.

Mr Preston smirked. “Three months’ rent, plus late fees. We’re talking $700.”

Aaron held his phone up to him, “You got cashapp?”

Mr Preston nodded greedily and quickly put in his information. Within seconds, his phone buzzed with the confirmation, and his smirk widened. “Well look at that. Rent’s all paid.”

“Good. Now leave.” Aaron took a step toward him to show there was no room for any more of his nonsense.

Mr Preston scoffed and opened the door to leave, but Savannah noticed the figurine still in his hand, and her heart sank.

“Wait!” she called out before he walked out. “Give it back.”

Mr Preston looked down at the little wooden horse figurine in his hand, and for a moment, Savannah feared that he might refuse, but then he shrugged. “Fine, Take the damn thing.”

He carelessly threw it to her, making her gasp and dive to the floor to catch it before it hit the ground.

“Don’t let me catch you late again miss Reid. Your friend here isn’t always gonna be here to save your ass.” And with that, he slammed the door.

Savannah stayed on the floor, looking at the figurine while tears made her eyes water. She honestly didn’t know what she was going to do if he had taken away the only memento she had of her mother.

“You okay?” Aaron asked, causing her to look up.

Savannah quickly wiped the tears away from her eyes before replying, “Yeah. Thank you.”

Aaron let out a long, deep sigh and then looked back down at her. “You could have told me you know?”

Savannah didn’t answer, even though she really wanted to.

“I had no idea you were struggling to pay your rent. Is that why you called earlier?”

Savannah immediately began to feel bad.

How could she bring herself to tell him about her father and everything else that happened at the prison now that he had just rescued her and paid off her debt?

It didn’t sit right with her.“I’m fine now.

Aaron shook his head and held out his hand to her, “If you ever need help Savannah, all you have to do is ask.”

“I know,” she answered, taking his hand for him to pull her up. “Thank you, Aaron.”

Knock, knock, knock.

Savannah immediately thought it was Mr Preston again, and Aaron moved in front of her to block her from any harm.

Imagine their surprise when the door opened and Kelsie walked in with a plastic bag. “Guess who brought Rocky Road!” she announced on entry. “Luckily, there was a gas leak at work, so everyone had to leave.”

She then noticed Aaron, and her brows arched. “Oh hey, Aaron. Didn’t know you were here.”

Aaron gave her a sligjht nod. “Just stopped by to check on Savannah. I was just leaving.”

Aaron had already started toward the door when Kelsie stopped him, “And where do you think your going?” she used her fingernail to poke his chest. “Until we finish this tub of icecream, you’re not going anywhere.”

“But…”

“No buts mister.” Kelsie interrupted him and pushed the ice cream into his hands. “I’ll go grab us some spoons.”

Savannah couldn’t help but giggle, and Aaron sighed. He knew he’d been beaten.

In a few minutes, the three of them were huddled around Savannah’s small coffee table, shoving ice cream into their mouths and laughing at how Aaron handled Mr Preston. But Savannah’s mind wasn’t fully there, it kept wandering to the card in her purse.

She didn’t know it yet, but she had already subconsciously made up her mind to call the number on the card.

The minute Aaron and Kelsie left, Savannah rushed to her purse to take out the card. She stared at the embroidered K on the card for a few more seconds before calling.

“Hello?”

“You’ve reached the corporate offices of Kenningston Global Synergy. How may I be of service?”

“Uhmm, I was told to say Prison Ricky sent me?” Savannah said, a bit unsure of herself.

“Prison Ricky, you say?” the receptionist’s tone shifted slightly.

“Yes,” Savannah replied and gripped the card tightly. “He said to call and mention his name.”

“Well then, Miss…”

“Reid. Savannah Reid.”

“Miss Reid, as a recommended candidate by Mr Frederick, you’re invited to the final screening process,” the receptionist said in a very professional tone. “Please arrive at the Kenningston Tower tomorrow at 11 a.m. sharp. Bring a valid ID and the card given to you for verification. Is that clear?”

Savannah’s eyes widened. The Kenningston Tower was the epitome of everything that was the Kenningstons.

“Yes, absolutely. I’ll be there. Thank you so much.”

“Don’t be late.” The receptionist added just before the line went dead.

Savannah lowered her phone from her ear while her heart beat with pure excitement. A job at the Kenningston Tower? She honestly couldn’t believe her luck.

Savannah tucked the card safely back into her purse. “Just you wait Dad, I’m coming.”