Chapter 39

Owen

“She’s not with me,” I said quickly. “She wanted to come back to the palace, so I brought her back.”

But Evan didn’t believe me. He grabbed my shirt and yanked me out of the car with one swift move. I stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

“You expect me to believe that?” he growled. “After you helped her escape?”

“I didn’t help her escape!” I yelled back, trying to steady myself. “I was trying to protect her!”

He shoved me hard, and I hit the side of the car. Pain shot through my shoulder, but I didn’t move.

“Protect her?” Evan’s voice was sharp, mocking. “From...