A Royal's Love (Unit Matched #1) by Mary Smith Read Free Book Online

during the day and he hadn’t texted me. That’s okay because I have homework that needs to be done which means I might not be able to see or talk to him today anyway. I did have a text from Amaya though.
    Amaya: Let’s go shopping. My birthday is coming & I have nothing to wear
    That would be something to keep my mind occupied.
    Me: Pick me up at my house.
    I headed home, changed and sent a text to my parents. Amaya honked the horn, and I raced out to her car where Gia was already in the front seat.
    “I want something very slutty,” Amaya said as I buckled my seatbelt.
    “Oh, we’re going to be in so much trouble,” Gia mumbled. I had to agree with her.
     
    ~~~
     
    I’m pretty sure Amaya tried on every dress in the entire mall and found nothing. Well, nothing that was appropriate for her party. We went to the food court because we were all starving. Shopping should be an Olympic sport. At least the way we shop it should be.
    We sat at a table, eating our hot, soft pretzels and Amaya was going on about her party.
    “You know that you need to be more careful,” Gia told her.
    “About what?”
    Gia pointed to Amaya’s calf. There was a large bruise on it. “You’re training very hard.”
    Amaya shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal when three guys we didn’t know approached us.
    “Well, you sexy ladies look like you need some company.” They grabbed chairs joining our table.
    Gia and I immediately knew it was time to leave, but we halted when Amaya began to flirt.
    “Oh, we would love some,” she cooed.
    “Amaya,” I hissed a warning to her. Gia’s face paled.
    “Are you Unit girls?” The tallest one asked. The city people knew who we were, and they knew that we kept mostly within our group.
    “Yes, we are.” Amaya winked at him.
    “Amaya, I’m ordering you. We have to leave.” I tugged on her arm, but she ignored me because I didn’t want to use my power on her outside of Unit.
    “Amaya, please,” Gia begged.
    “Wow, you Unit girls should enjoy a fresh taste of the city life.” The third guy winked at me.
    “Unit females don’t like that flavor.” I gasp turning to Thaddeus with Graham and Oliver. “It’s time to go ladies.” Thaddeus’ voice was tight, and I could hear the fury behind it.
    I stood up and got behind Thaddeus and Gia was behind me. Amaya slowly sashayed behind Gia.
    “Have a good day gentlemen,” Thaddeus said politely. We followed him leading us right out of the mall, with Graham and Oliver behind us.
    Once we were outside, his face had anger written all over it. “Did you drive?” I shook my head. “I’m taking you home then. Amaya and Gia you need to go home too. I’ll see you guys later.” He tipped his chin up to Graham and Oliver.
    “We were just playing around,” Amaya said definitely irked that her flirting was ruined by him.
    “My Matched wasn’t playing. Your Princess told you that you needed to leave and you disobeyed,” Thaddeus growled. “And I would think that someone whose twentieth birthday is coming up wouldn’t want her father to hear about this?” He challenged her. “Would hate to see her Matched back out?”
    Amaya’s face was red with embarrassment, hurt, and anger, but she didn’t say anything. She turned on her heels and started walking to her car.
    “We’ll watch them until they get in the car,” Graham said keeping their distance behind the girls.
    Thaddeus towered over me and I wished I wasn’t outside of Unit, or I would open up the ground and let it swallow me up. “We may still be in the decision period, but I won’t be made a fool, Xaviera.”
    “I swear I wasn’t doing that. I was trying to get her to leave. I promise, Thaddeus.” I could feel the tears building in my eyes.
    “Let’s get back to Unit.” He stalked to his car as I tried my best to keep up with his long strides. He was waiting for me with the car door opened when I finally reached it.
    The ride home was quiet and filled with tension that my