Fuck. He had our father’s censorious tone down perfectly. I rubbed my neck and said, “Possibly.”
“We both think you shouldn’t.”
My sister Emily and Harry talked. My sister was usually the target of my father’s wrath these days, as I just got the eye rolls. I glanced out at the sunrise over the strip and the nearby desert of nothing, which was nothing like home, as I asked, “Why not?”
“It gives father precedent. If he finds you a wife, then he’ll do the same for us.”
I snapped my fingers. Of course. I should have guessed. I shrugged and said, “She’s online and posting about her virginity. Someone must have read her blog.”
“Our father doesn’t read blogs. They are not ‘real news’ or ‘legitimate’. Emily thinks he hired the Avce matchmaker.”
I paused, though I heard Gio at the door, rattling the knob, which meant I should go. “You’re joking.”
“No, and if that’s true and you cave, he’s going to do the same for us.”
Got it. The pieces of the puzzle all connected now. I was the test case, but they’d both get matched too, if father won. I headed toward the door to start my day as I said, “Look, I’m bringing Nicole to Norden. You can meet her yourself at some point tomorrow, depending on when we take off.”
“Oh. That will be interesting.”
Right. Nicole and I weren’t in love, but she was a means to an end. And she made my skin burn with desire.
I met Gio’s blue eyes as I swung open the door.
“Everything on track, sire?” he asked.
No bag in sight. He’d probably already put it in the limo. I nodded and said, “Yes, I’m going to Nicole’s room. Prep the driver and pilots, as she’s coming home with me.”
“Excellent,” he said. He followed me, with my guards in step behind him.
This time I didn’t blink as I took the elevator down to her floor and people snapped my picture. Finally, I made it down the hall to her door and knocked.
A few people were watching, but then, that was my general life, always a crowd. She opened the door and stared at me and the small gathering as I asked her, “Nicole, are you ready?”
“I guess.” She wheeled out a bag with her business name embossed on it in green and pink letters. “I’m not quite sure I packed appropriately for a trip to Europe, but I’m sure the stores there take credit cards.”
One of the guards stepped up and reached to take her bag. For a moment she didn’t let go, but then she released her grip and glanced at the people watching us. As she moved a little closer to me, I said, “The palace will provide whatever you need.”
She cocked her head like she didn’t want to be here. “Okay, let’s go then.”
We walked toward the elevators and my staff ensured that no one came near us. As we neared the elevator I said, “Norden is almost eleven hours from Vegas, and there’s a nine-hour time difference. So if we leave here at 9 a.m., it will feel like 8 p.m. to us when we arrive there. But we’ll be joining my family for breakfast, as that’s 5 a.m., local time.”
We stepped into the elevator. She had her arms crossed in front of her. “Guess I’ll try to sleep then. I’ve not been to Europe in a few years. What’s the best thing to do in Norden?”
We made it to the first floor and checked out, and I directed us toward the limo. Guards opened the doors and I said, as she slipped into the back seat, “We’ll tour together, and I’ll let you see whatever you want.”
As the door closed behind me, she asked, “Do you always have your bodyguards?”
I rested my hand beside her and she slowly began to unwind as I said, “Always, but generally speaking, the kingdom is safe to walk around.”
The airport was so close, we were practically there by the time I finished my sentence.
Guards opened the doors for us and we headed to my private jet with the royal seal on the back rudder. Gio was already there with the staff when we boarded. I walked Nicole to our leather seats, next to where the buffet would be set up for us.
As she sat down, she asked, “If your father did end up kicking you out of the royal family, would that mean you couldn’t go home?”
“Yes, though I was looking forward to the peace and quiet. Maybe then I wouldn’t feel this need to jump out of planes to be free.” I closed my eyes and imagined what it would be like not to be swamped with royal duties before I’d even had my first coffee of the day.
“But I’ve never known life without being a prince and rich,” I added. “If we marry, I inherit the North Castle, which is bordered by water on three sides. It’s one of the most invigorating places on the planet. I’d also get money, and I’d be eligible to retire as I’m not the crown prince.”
