The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 303

Liora’s POV

“Sorry, Princess. Looks like we’re going to have to stop here.”

I looked up from my phone to see Marcus pulling into a hotel parking lot.

“It’s barely snowing,” I pointed out.

“Not here, but I just got word from the palace. The storm hit there earlier than expected. The roads are currently closed between here and there.” He put the car in park and turned to look at me. “Looks like we’ll have to wait it out.”

Great. Just what I needed.

Marcus checked us into a two-bedroom suite on the third floor. It was nice, with my own private room. While he took a shower, I pulled out my phone and tried texting Mia for the millionth time.

“Mia, I’m sorry. Please just let me explain. In person?”

This time, the message didn’t even go through. A red exclamation mark appeared next to it, and I cursed under my breath. She’d blocked my number.

A feeling of frustration washed over me. I still felt awful, but she wasn’t even trying to hear me out. And now she had blocked me? What was wrong with her?

Marcus poked his head into my room. “I’m going to grab some food from downstairs. Do you want anything?”

“No, I’m good.”

He hesitated. “Are you sure you’re okay, Princess?”

“Yeah. Just tired.”

The Delta didn’t look convinced, but he left anyway.

I sat on the edge of the bed after he left, staring at my phone. I couldn’t text Mia. I couldn’t go home. I was stuck in a hotel room with nothing to do but think about how badly I’d screwed everything up.

Before I could stop myself, I opened my messages and scrolled to Zane’s name.

“Hey. You busy?”

His response came almost immediately.

“Never too busy for you, princess. What’s up?”

“I’m stuck in a hotel because of the storm. Want to hang out?”

“Send me the address. I’ll be there in 20.”

I sent him the location and immediately regretted it. What was I doing? This was stupid, and it definitely wouldn’t help the situation with Mia if she found out. Maybe I was really just that desperate and lonely, or maybe I was feeling vindictive. Either way, I threw on my jacket and shoes, and waited in the lobby.

“We will,” Zane said, flashing his most charming smile. “Don’t worry, sir. I’ll take good care of her.”

Marcus wiggled his eyebrows at me, making me roll my eyes. “Have fun.”

The moment we were in the car, I turned to Zane.

“Where are we actually going?”

His grin widened. “Like I said: you’ll see.”

Twenty minutes later, we were standing outside a warehouse on the edge of town. Music was blaring from inside, and I could hear shouting. I shivered in the cold, drawing my jacket tighter around myself.

“Zane,” I said slowly, looking up at him, “what is this?”

“An underground fight club.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

I yanked my hand away. “Are you insane? I can’t go in there!”

“Why not?” He looked at me. “Clearly, you reached out ‘cuz you needed a distraction tonight. Besides, how long until you go back to the palace and have to act all perfect and boring for the holidays? This might be your last chance to have some real fun for a month.”

My jaw clenched. I hated to admit it, but Zane wasn’t wrong. I did need a distraction. And a small part of me, although looking forward to being home, wasn’t looking forward to having to jump right back into princess duties again.