The Queen They Buried

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The car pulled up to a cozy, old-school courtyard.

“My buddy’s restaurant. Decent grub,” Bowen said, hopping out and offering Aubree a hand like a true gent.

Aubree was surprisingly relaxed, thanks to Bowen keeping things laid-back.

“Thanks,” she said softly.

Alvin shot Bowen a side-eye. ‘Weren’t we hitting that fancy spot tonight?’

The place was cute, with a little garden out front that screamed charm.

The food was total win. The soup was so good Aubree grabbed a second bowl.

Funny thing-the dishes they ordered were perfect for a sensitive stomach, all warm and hearty. Pure luck? Who knew.

“Hey, Ms. Miller…” Bowen started, leaning in.

“Time for the real talk, Aubree thought.

“Just use my name,” she said with a grin.

Bowen chuckled. “Alright, Bree it is.”

That nickname hit her hard. Back at the orphanage, her sponsor, “Mr. Quinn,” sent her cash every month with a letter, always calling her Bree.

No one else ever did.

Aubree bit her lip but didn’t argue. “Sure.”

Bowen lit up when she went with it.

He said,”So, Bree, I heard you snagged a spot in Rithol Art School’s program. That’s dope! You’re into art, right? You know Alvin’s in your class, but his art grades? Straight-up rough. Got time to swing by our place on weekends to tutor him?”

Alvin’s jaw hit the floor. ‘Is he serious?’ He glared at Bowen like he’d lost his mind.

knew Alvin wasn’t bad at art-he was just lazy.

teachers were pros. And now he couldn’t

I sign up for this?’ he

mouth to protest, but Bowen’s look shut him

smile said, “Don’t

it. ‘Fine. Guess

‘For real? With Alvin’s family cash, they could hire

not asking you to do it for nothing,” Bowen added.

how long the gig would run, but that’s 600 dollars

Chapter 8

played it cool, but that cash was calling her. If she didn’t know

ever. No rush,

shoot it down. She was

money. It was Bowen-his network, his

was to make waves, then use Alvin’s family ties to land investors. Simple

she could get the Turner family to back her business, that was

Aubree said with a nod,

Turner, it’s late. Wanna swap numbers

smooth as ever.

sidelined, raised a hand like he was in school.

shot him a look. “Relax, Alvin. I’m just dropping Bree

Alvin

out, the bodyguards in the car gawked like it was a

the kid to play taxi for a girl?” one

Turner’s classmate. Probably just being nice, right?”

dad is nice to some random

Silence hit the car.

Mr. Turner’s way older than her. He’s not that crazy. Plus,

smirked. “Didn’t Kelvin say Mr. Bowen Turner had him snoop on

first guy growled, “Man, Bowen’s

Bowen by

family had faces that could stop traffic. Her brother Trevor, the movie star, had a jawline

didn’t belong here. Sharp cheekbones, wickedly bold features

a plain tee and jeans, but on him? Straight-up model

rubbed her nose, slowing down. She wasn’t bad-looking-hell, in her old life, Carmen was jealous enough to