Page 15 of The Duke's Virgin
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The entire atmospherewas charged with excitement. I felt it vibrating in the air even before I cleared the security set up outside the Prince’s Palace, home to Monaco’s Royal Family. Aeric, the Crown Prince and a friend of mine, was a fan of Formula One, like many others in the small city-state. His parents were casual fans, but Aeric lived and breathed it, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to throw parties to celebrate the winner.
He was friendly with Emmett, so I hadn’t been surprised at the invitation to a party in his wing at the palace.
Emmett and the rest of the crew were already there, but I’d had business matters to take care of before heading over, so the party was already well underway.
Security recognized me as well as the men from my security team who had accompanied me. We were waved through without pause, and I squinted as lights assailed my eyes and the deep, rhythmic pulse of music filled my ears.
Once inside, my small security team fell back to a discreet distance.
Aeric had excellent security himself, a veritable army roving the grounds, and the friendship between his family and mine was solid. There were other state heads in attendance, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few other familiar faces from the small pool of European royalty, possibly even some figures from one of the royal houses in the Middle East or Africa. The world loved sporting events. It was one of the few things we could all still agree on.
Although the crowd was thick, I’d been to enough of Aeric’s events to know where I’d likely find him and his guests of honor, so I headed in that direction, pausing at a freestanding bar to grab a tall pilsner of a craft beer from Belgium I enjoyed.
A few familiar faces popped out as I wound through the crowd, but I didn’t slow down, set on finding Emmett and the team. A couple of times, a determined individual started to approach, and I caught sight of security—either mine or Aeric’s—moving to intervene. Part of me felt shitty for not stopping to just talk, but on the other hand, if I did, I might never make it to where Emmett was waiting for me.
It took maybe fifteen minutes to get through the masses and reach the sunken sitting area that accommodated roughly thirty people. It was barricaded by guards and a velvet rope.
As I approached, one started to step in front, only to pause, then offer a polite nod as he recognized me. His partner, a woman who stood a solid six feet, freed the rope and cleared my path, greeting me as I crossed. “Good evening, Your Highness. I hope you are enjoying yourself.”
“Thank you, Blanche. Good evening to you as well.”
Her smile widened a fraction at my reply. “If there’s anything you need, please let me or one of my men know. We’ll see right to you.”
“Thank you again.” As I descended the three stairs, I looked around for Aeric. Emmett was easy to locate. He stood a little off-center, holding court almost, next to the fireplace that had been covered and turned into a makeshift table holding various canapes and little pastries. As I drew closer, Emmett bent down and plucked something from a tray, revealing the person in front of him.
Aeric.
Both of them saw me and grinned.
Emmett shoved the food into his mouth and wiped his fingers on a napkin before waving. I had to give him credit. A few years ago, he would have just wiped his hands on his jeans. Cocking a brow at him, I mouthed, “Good job.”
He flipped me off good naturedly and finished chewing his food.
Aeric had already risen from his seat.
It wasn’t until I was halfway across the floor that I saw who’d been sitting with him.
Her.
The woman who’d been with him earlier.
Were they dating?
The idea left me more than a little unsettled for reasons I couldn’t put my finger on. Shrugging the idea aside, I focused on Aeric and Emmett. Emmett’s hug was so enthusiastic I had to brace myself or risk toppling over.
“Fuck, man,” I said, pushing him back lightly. “Easy there, or security might think you’re trying to smother me.”
Emmett laughed, his overbright eyes and flushed face leading me to think he’d already partaken of more than a glass or two of champagne. “Nah, they know me by now. I’m a crazy son of a bitch, but harmless. I called my mom earlier, told her she’s getting the backyard makeover of her dreams, man.”
“The bonus.” I nodded. “It’s already taken care of. You did well. Congratulations.”
“Congratulations to us.” He slung an arm around my neck and planted a smacking kiss on my cheek before looking at Aeric. “That rookie from Monacoalmostcaught me, you know.”
Aeric rolled his eyes. “Yes, Emmett. You’ve mentioned it once or twice. Or a dozen times.”
Emmett laughed and let me go. “I need some food. Real food, or I’m going to be sick as a dog in the morning.”
