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Chapter 24 - Shane
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I can’t believe that I’m actually here at the gala. Regardless, I know better than to cross my mother. She would have marched right back to the family’s city apartment and would have dragged me here kicking and screaming.
I do have to admit that it is better than staying tucked away from everyone and being afraid to walk down the street. I’m confident that Chris or his ‘little birdie’ wouldn’t look here for me. If the royal guards or the royal’s security company can’t find me at my family’s apartment, I don’t think that Chris or his ‘little birdie’ can find me there either.
I do have to admit that my hand has been itching to turn on my old phone and see what else has been sent to me. However, I know I can’t.
My life is more important than knowing what, if any, more pictures have been sent to me.
I glance around the venu
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I don’t why I’m doing it, but I’m avoiding Shane. There is something about those hazel blue eyes that has me shaking in my boots.No. I’m not afraid of him, but there is something about him that I can’t quite put my finger on.I take drink of champagne and glance around the ballroom. I think the coast is clear for right now.From beside me, Page nudges my arm. “What has you all antsy? Usually, I would assume that you have seen something that could be a threat, but that isn’t the look that you usually give. No.” She moves her hand around in front of me. “This look here is something completely different. I almost want to say there is a look of fear in your eyes, but that can’t be right. You don’t fear anything.”Well, I normally don’t fear anything, but right now, I’m not so sure. I still can
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I bite my lower lip as my fingers fidget with my pants. My eyes are glued up front at the judge as he turns to the jury box and the jurors. “Have you reached a verdict?” The court room falls into complete silence. A lady stands up and announces, “Yes, we have, your honor.” My breath catches. This is it. I silently pray that this is the end of this chapter of our lives. The judge nods. “On the first count of attempted murder regarding the attack on the King, what is your verdict?” I hold my breath as I lean slightly forward. “Guilty.” YES!! I turn to my side and huge my husband, Shane, as tears stream down my face. I have so many things I want to say, but I can only manage to mutter a few words. “Yes. Finally.” His strong arms wrap around me and hold me tight. His voice cracks as he replies, “Yes. We finally have justice.”
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As I bite the inside of my mouth, I take a deep breath. I need to stay focused. My eyes jump from one video to the next, hoping to spot my boyfriend and my uncle. However, I can’t find them anywhere. I bite down harder as my heart races. Please make sure Shane and my uncle are alright. Even though my mind is in a whirlwind and my heart is racing, I force myself to stay on task and finish what we have started. I keep my eyes on the various videos while I bark orders into the microphone. Each passing moment seems to stretch on forever. Periodically, I glance back at the video for my father’s hospital room, making sure my parents are still alright. My heart wrenches as my eyes stop on the various videos of people running and screaming. Even though I have the sound turned off on them, their screams still echo in my head. Several injured people are being helped away
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I look at the solid door for a moment as my heart squeezes.Thoughts rush through my head, imagining all the various things that could have happened to Shane.Please tell me he is alright. I can’t lose him now. I just found him.I take a deep breath.I’m surrounded by complete silence, which amplifies the banging from the earlier bullets which is still ringing in my ears.I have been around gun fire before, but this time seems to be different. However, the only difference is I’m now the queen instead of the head of security.A loud bang against the door reminds me that even if the room is a safe room, if Irene’s gang really wants to get me, they can find a way through the thick steel door no matter how many locks are on it or how much security is around.I take a deep breath.My mind goes back to our plan. I must follow the plan.&nbs
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Irene POVMy stomach sinks as I stare into Charles’ crazy eyes. His anger radiates off him and slams into me like a ton of bricks, along with the table.However, that doesn’t affect me. No. He is trying to bring my parents into this. He can’t do that. They have nothing to do with this.I did this all on my own. My rightful place is next to my husband as the country’s queen. I did this all on my own.Robert is so much better than Brandon and my husband desires to be the king more than his brother does. But because Brandon is older, he gets to be the king first. That is so unfair.Shouldn’t the better leader be the one to lead the country? Of course, I would be the queen then. Everyone would continue to look up to me instead of Katherine. She is nothing compared to me.The throne is meant for us, not th
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