Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
She caught sight of a few men and women who paled at her words, but she was done with them. If Kash had walked out with a woman, there was a good explanation. She knew something the others didn’t. Kash didn’t have a reason to hide things from her. He’d been given a clear choice. She would have accepted a marriage without the relationship. She would have been friends and partners with him. He’d chosen and she had to believe he meant to honor the choice.
Phoebe walked beside her. “You are really good at that. I’m fairly certain some of those people peed a little. You know they’re always going to talk about you. You have to be able to separate Dayita from the queen.”
It was an excellent point and one she would take to heart. She stopped at the edge of the crowd and reached for her new friend’s hand. “Thank you. I will try to remember that. Do you know where my husband went and who he was with?”
Phoebe didn’t pale exactly but she did frown. “I think he’s trying to avoid a scene.”
“With a woman?” She was starting to understand what was happening.
Phoebe looked over at the place where her husband was guarding the door. He had a steely-eyed glare that turned away even the most avid curiosity seeker. He caught sight of his wife and they seemed to have a whole conversation with gestures and raised eyebrows. Finally Phoebe turned back to Day. “Apparently one of Kash’s ex-girlfriends managed to get through our security. She snuck in as the date of one of the ambassadors. Before we could figure it out and toss her on her rear, she managed to get to Kash. I think he’s trying to convince her to leave quietly.”
So at least Day knew where she needed to go. “He’ll struggle with that. He’ll view her as something delicate and weak, and if she’s got half a brain in her head, she’ll manipulate him.”
“I don’t think he’s trying to do anything but get rid of her,” Phoebe said.
Day turned. She wanted to make something plain. “I never thought for a moment that he was. I believe in Kash. I trust him, but he won’t understand how to deal with a woman like this. He needs me.”
She strode to the double doors that led to the hallway. Murdoch touched his earpiece and muttered something she couldn’t understand.
“Your Majesty.” Murdoch nodded her way. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Yes, Mr. Murdoch. You can stand aside and let me get to my husband, who is likely trying to ward off some bimbo.”
Murdoch frowned his wife’s way. “Seriously, baby? I told you to distract her, not tell her everything.”
Phoebe shrugged. “Sorry. I thought that was your ‘hey, you should help out your new friend’ raised eyebrow. You should really be more specific. And she’s not worried that Kash is cheating on her. She’s worried he won’t be able to throw that chick out on her rear.”
Murdoch winced slightly. “Yeah, I’m worried about that, too. I tried to send Rai back there but he said something about Kash being able to handle anything and walked away. I think it’s time to fire that dude, but Kash keeps overruling me. I’ll escort you back if my wife will watch this door for me.”
“I think I can handle it.” Phoebe took her husband’s place. Somehow, despite the fact that she was wearing a beautiful, filmy gown and heels, Phoebe Murdoch oozed competence.
Murdoch opened the door for Day and they slipped out into the hallway. The minute the doors closed, the sounds of the ballroom seemed to fade and she could breathe again. How did Kash deal with such scrutiny every day of his life?
“Take a deep breath,” Murdoch said. “Not a one of their opinions matter. Get used to being judged and get used to smiling and giving them your happy middle finger. I know a bit about this.”
“How so?” She hadn’t realized how tense she’d been until she’d managed to get out of that ballroom.
Murdoch started walking down the mostly empty hallway. There were a few of the catering workers moving mounds of used glasses back toward the kitchens, and she could hear someone discussing the fact that they would need to open another case of champagne. “I’ve been the center of attention before, and not of good attention. I’ve had people think the absolute worst of me and I decided they were right. It got me into a lot of trouble, but I found a group of people who built me back up.”
She smiled his way. “Your wife and friends. That’s good. I’m usually all right being the focus of criticism. I’ve never followed what my father would have called the ‘proper’ path. I can handle it. However, I’m not allowed to use my happy middle finger. The queen has to be more subtle.”