The Queen They Buried (by Wynter Vans) novel Chapter 8

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.

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

His old teachers were pros. And now he couldn’t believe some high school kid was gonna tutor him.

‘Also, when did I sign up for this?’ he thought.

Alvin opened his mouth to protest, but Bowen’s look shut him down. “Alvin, you need this, man.”

That smile said, “Don’t even try.”

Alvin zipped it. ‘Fine. Guess U have no say!

Aubree was just as shocked. ‘For real? With Alvin’s family cash, they could hire anyone. Why me?’

“We’re not asking you to do it for nothing,” Bowen added. “How’s 300 dollars per session?”

He didn’t say how long the gig would run, but that’s 600 dollars a week, minimum.

Chapter 8

Aubree played it cool, but that cash was calling her. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Bowen knew she was broke and was tossing her a lifeline.

Bowen leaned back, hands clasped, chill as ever. No rush, no pressure-just waiting for her to decide, all respect.

Aubree didn’t shoot it down. She was thinking.

It wasn’t just the money. It was Bowen-his network, his clout.

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

But now? New plan. If she could get the Turner family to back her business, that was not just money—it was protection. Nobody crosses the Turners, not even the Wilsons.

“Alright, I’m in,” Aubree said with a nod, sealing the deal.

Aubree glanced at her phone. “Well, Mr. Turner, it’s late. Wanna swap numbers and chat later? I’m outta here.”

Bowen stood, smooth as ever. “I’ll drive you.”

Alvin, totally sidelined, raised a hand like he was in school. “Uh, I got stuff to do.”

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

“I’ll Uber,” Alvin muttered, backtracking fast.

As Bowen led Aubree out, the bodyguards in the car gawked like it was a reality show.

“Mr. Turner’s ditching the kid to play taxi for a girl?” one hissed.

“She’s Mr. Alvin Turner’s classmate. Probably just being nice, right?” the other said.

“Nice? The guy who sasses his dad is nice to some random girl?”

Silence hit the car.

The first guy chuckled. “C’mon. Mr. Turner’s way older than her. He’s not that crazy. Plus, he’s, like, allergic to girls.”

The second guy smirked. “Didn’t Kelvin say Mr. Bowen Turner had him snoop on this Miss Miller today?”

Dead quiet. Then the first guy growled, “Man, Bowen’s such a dog!”

Meanwhile, Aubree trailed Bowen by a step.

He was drop-dead gorgeous. She’d seen hot guys-her Wilson family had faces that could stop traffic. Her brother Trevor, the movie star, had a jawline that screamed Hollywood. But Bowen? He was unreal.

It wasn’t just his looks. He had this vibe-cool, untouchable, like he didn’t belong here. Sharp cheekbones, wickedly bold features that hit like a truck. His eyes were deep, like they could see people’s secrets, with a soft starry glow.

He was in a plain tee and jeans, but on him? Straight-up model vibes.

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

But next to Bowen, she felt like any creep would flirt with him first.

“Where to?” he asked.

Chapter 8

“Double Loop Road.”

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