Kingmaker (Ace of Queens #5)

Pt.7 Marked

Chapter 7

Ella tip toed out of her room as she adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder. She tugged at the hem of her sundress as she took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

Mia and Leo sat on the couch eating their breakfast as Piper and Lily sat at the table. Upon Ella entering the room, Mia immediately looked up at her.

"Good morning," she said.

"Morning," Ella mumbled. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a banana and bottle of water.

"Piper was telling me something very interesting this morning," Mia casually walked into the kitchen and stood behind Lily's chair. Lily looked up slowly from her breakfast and stared at Ella.

"Why don't you tell Ella what you read Piper," Mia said to the girl.

"Oh! I saw it on one of the instagram pages last night," Piper said with excitement. "Prince Maksim and Margo Watermen might be dating. I think they are totally dating. They were in New York together last month. And look at this picture! Aren't they so cute!"

Ella felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as Mia took the phone out of Piper's hand and walked over to her. Ella found her eyes drop down to the screen.

A picture of Maksim laughing while Margo hung from his neck was framed around a big pink heart.

Is it love for these two royals? Read the caption.

"I hope they are dating," Piper said, taking her phone back. "I mean Margo Watermen is to die for! Look at her. She's a freaking goddess, god I would worship her."

Mia took a second to stare at Ella as the girl kept her eyes low and shoved the water battle into her bag.

"Where are you going?" She asked as Ella headed for the door.

"I.... there's a study group some of the kids planned from school," Ella said over her shoulder. "I'll be back before my shift in the afternoon."

She didn't wait for Mia to reply as she picked the first pair of shoes she found and sprinted down the stairs. Ella's heart slammed against her chest as she pushed the lobby door open with her shaking hands. Once outside, her eyes immediately landed on the black jeep parked by the front of the building.

Ella stood still as a tree for a second before she started to walk down the block. Very once in a while she looked over her shoulder and slowed to make sure the car followed her. Her eyes scanned the empty block for any familiar faces as she led the jeep as far away from the diner as she possibly could.

Finally, after twenty or so minutes of her walking aimlessly, Ella turned around and headed for the car as it waited at a red light. She pulled the door open and found Maksim smiling at her from the inside. His plain white t-shirt and blue jeans made him look effortlessly beautiful as he watched Ella climb in and strap on her seatbelt.

"Good morning, my love," Maksim greeted her.

"Hi," Ella said slowly. "Can we....can we go somewhere outside of town?"

"Sure," Maksim nodded.

Ella pulled out her water bottle and sipped quietly as Maksim navigated them out of the narrow streets and into the wide open roads.

"I'm glad you texted me back this morning," Maksim said as he turned to look at his mate.

"I needed to get out of the house,"

"Is....everything okay?"

Ella nodded with her eyes glued to the road.

"Ell, how many times do I have to tell you that you are a terrible liar?" Maksim chuckled.