Althena Book 2

91. No Touching

I go to bed early and wake up late. That was some good sleep. I take a long shower and get dressed. No idea what they're going to want to do today. Then I make myself some eggs.

I'm going to have to get out of this thing with Akley on my own. I love Cyrus so much, there's no way I could ever say I wouldn't marry him. He makes me so happy. Getting out of the drug issue is my own problem. I'll figure it out.

Someone knocks on the door and I dump my burnt eggs in the trash. I need to try that again. "COME IN."

Chris gives me a funny look. Then he pushes Akmae out and slams the door in his face. "So what's going on? And what are we burning?"

"Eggs. I was trying to get ready at the same time."

"Uh huh. Try again." He sits at the bar.

"I have a problem. I'm working on getting out of it. That's all." I put new eggs in the pan.

"What's the problem?"

"I don't want to pull anyone else into it."

"Talk. You're going to burn those eggs too."

I stir them quickly. "No. It's..."

"Talk. You know I won't say anything."

"I'll get removed from the throne and thrown out of Darkburn. They'll hunt me down and kill me."

"Doubtful and very dramatic."

I rub my face and accidentally sling eggs across the kitchen.

"Go sit down. I'll make your eggs. Spill."

"Nobody knows." I lay my head down.

"I got that point already."

"I was taken from school."

"I'm aware." He starts my eggs over again.

"Akley flew me out of Darkburn. I was with him the whole time. My dad was smuggling drugs into the city. He made billions of dollars, but it's in his alias account. Edwardo Nordin. Well, Akley showed me the money. The boat. A house. Told me how my dad was getting the drugs in. Told me if I become Edwardo, it's all mine. I signed his papers. I'm importing sark into Darkburn. I'm making a hell of a lot of money. But I'm killing people to do it. I mean, nobody was supposed to die. The drugs were supposed to be safe." I shake my head and lay it on the table. "I have to get out of this."

"You should tell them."

"I need to try on my own. I know there has to be a way. Change my signature or something. I don't want them knowing I was this stupid. I don't want anyone to know anything about this."

"You're not stupid. I'll help you find a way out. Don't do anything until we think about it. You'll piss Akley off if you change your signature. We don't know what he's capable of."

"That's true." I stab my eggs. "I thought, since my dad was doing it, I was doing the right thing. I didn't realize he was out of his mind until I got on the boat."

"Did Akley actually give you access to the money?"

"Yea, I've spent millions. I have Edwardo's cards. It's real."

"How are you getting them into the city?"

"I'm importing herbs. Nobody searches the queen's imports."

"Damn your dad was smart."

I nod. "And f*****g crazy."

"Take a deep breath. We have time."

"How?"

"You're not an adult. You can't be tried as an adult."

"I'm the queen."

"True. You have immunity anyway. Nobody can kick you off the throne. The city would have to rise up against the Dark Moon Pack. They're not going to do that. Winter Moon, Mystical Moon, Night Stalkers, and everyone that works for the throne will defend you. Hell, Mike would get Woodland to come over. And the Ever Crown pack that's in Central over there would come over. It would be a mess, but we would get through it. For now, let's try to think of a peaceful way out of it. We have a few months, so stop stressing so much."

I eat my eggs. I feel a little better. But I don't know why anyone would defend me for smuggling drugs. They could throw me out and start over. He does have a good point about me not being an adult though. It gives me some time to think of a way out of this. And I don't think Akley is as evil as everyone thinks. Maybe I could ask him to stop. I did save Carl.

"You good now?"

"I feel a little better."

He smirks. "I thought you were getting cold feet."

I put my plate in the dishwasher. "I feel like I'm living a huge lie, and he doesn't deserve to get married to someone with a huge lie. But I couldn't tell him no. I don't ever want to tell him no. I don't want to wait. I love him so much. I will figure out how to get out the drugs on my own and none of them will ever find out about it."

"You're not on your own. I'm here to help. We'll figure it out."

"Thank you."

He pulls out his phone. "Of course. I'm telling Akmae to come back now."

Akmae, Clayton, and Monte come in.

"I thought you were cooking in here." Clayton lays on the couch and pouts.

Akmae pushes Clayton's feet off the couch and sits down. "Everything ok?"

"Yea, cold feet. We're fine."

"What are we doing?" Clayton tries to kick him off the couch.

Monte crosses his arms and watches them.

I shrug my shoulders. "Since I can't pop in check on Cyrus, Chris has to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

Clayton rolls off the couch. "Bachelor party."

Chris nods. "That would be stupid. Very good."

He jumps up, grabs Akmae, and pulls him out the door.

Monte turns to us. "Looks like you're going to a bachelor party, Chris."

He rolls his eyes. "Yay, boobs."

I laugh. "Just don't let him be too hung over tomorrow."

"Yea, I'll make sure he has no fun." He walks out and slams the door.

Monte sits down. "What are you doing?"

"I have no idea. I might make some more truffles."

"You want to go shopping or something? I can do security."

"No. Go with the boys. I'll behave tonight."

"You ok?"

"Somewhat."

Drogon walks in with Clayton chasing him. "Come on."

"Clayton, no."

"You have to."

"No. I don't."

"Everyone else is."

"I'm not everyone else."

"Damn it. Come on."

Drogon rubs his face.

"What are you trying to talk him into, Clayton?"

"Going out tonight. Dinner and a club."

Drogon nods. "A strip club. Clayton wants to see boobs."

"Don't even pretend you don't want to see boobs. Come on."

"The wedding is tomorrow, Clayton. You are going to be hung over. I don't want to do that."

"1 hour then. Have 1 drink then come back."

Monte stands up. "Why do you want Drogon there so badly?"

"He's the only one who said he won't go."

Drogon shakes his head. "Those places are weird. Mostly naked women roaming around in front of everyone."

"BOOBS." Clayton pulls his own hair.

Conner walks in. "Woman, can I go see boobs?"

"I don't care. No touching."

He runs over and hugs me. "You are the best mate ever."

"I know."

He runs out. "I CAN GO."

I crack up laughing.

Mike comes in and wraps his arms around me. "Are you really ok with this?"

"Yea, it's fine." I give him the biggest hug. "No touching or anything stupid."

"Of course not, babygirl. We're going out to dinner. Then to a club for an hour. We won't be able to stay late, so nobody should get too drunk. Have a drink or 2. Watch some boobs then leave."

"That's fine."

Mike turns to Drogon. "Don't blow this off. We have to live with him for a very long time."

"Fine. 1 damn drink."

Clayton puts his fists up. "YES."

"Let's go to lunch."

Lunch is in the dining room again. All the same people from last night, except Cyrus, are in it. Chris is already in super spy mode. I can tell by the way he's looking at the boys.

I hold Conner's hand. "I mean it. No touching."

"I wouldn't dream of it, babygirl."

Atlas smiles at his mom. "We're going out to dinner then to play some cards."

I roll my eyes so hard. I am surprised I don't give myself a headache.

"That sounds like a fun night. Who is all going?"

"Everyone, I think."

The king nods. "I'll have dinner with you. Then I have to get back."

"Fair."

"Arrow, you have to go and keep an eye on them."

"Of course, ma'am."

"You coming, Monte?" Clayton shoves something in his mouth.

"I can't. I'm doing security for Glinda."

Granny waves her hand at him. "Go out with them. I'm staying in. What are you doing, sweetie?"

I freeze for a second. Then blurt out, "Spa." That actually seems like a good answer. I kind of shock myself. That was a good blurt.

"That'll be good. Everyone is taken care of for tonight."

After lunch, I order stuff to make a sugar wax and a face mask. I can have my own spa night. That was a good idea. I set everything up then take a nap.

Drogon wakes me up by kissing my back. "We're leaving, babygirl."

"You better not have too much fun."

"Never. I would rather stay right here with you."

I roll over and give him a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you." He gives me a kiss before he leaves.

I stretch big, then climb out of bed. I take the spa night seriously. I wax my legs. Then I do my toenails and finger nails. I soak in a salt bath. Then put oil all over me. When I'm done, I sit on the couch and read.

I love my alone time. Especially when I get stressed. Maybe being alone so much after I was 13 did something to me. Maybe it broke my head somehow. I remember the therapist listed a bunch of s**t that was wrong with me. I don't remember anything about needing alone time though.

I order a late dinner, then read. Drogon comes in when I'm half way done with my food.

"Have fun?"

"It was fun. We're all back. Nobody did anything stupid. Dacious made Cyrus get a lap dance. He sat on his hands and kept looking away from her. That was pretty funny. Then Chris had to drag Clayton out."

I shake my head. "I'm surprised they let him in."

"He was with us. They weren't going to say anything. They wouldn't give him alcohol though."

"Anybody get drunk?"

"Not too bad. I think Atlas was a little messed up, but Chris cut him off."

I giggle. "Sounds like Chris was a good babysitter."

"Are you just now having dinner?"

"Yea, I waxed and did my nails. It took a while."

"Anything you want to talk about? You act like something is bothering you."

"I'm fine. Cyrus's mom was stressing me out. I needed to be alone for a minute."

"Yea, she's a ball of anxiety and stress. I'm going to get ready for bed, baby."

"I'll be in shortly. I want to finish my food and this chapter."

"Take your time." He kisses my head before he goes.

I finish my stuff before I clean up and go to bed.