Gio and my father weren’t bloggers, social media smart, or even great at online search engines, so their choice of Nicole Steel was strange. I headed downstairs and saw Gio cleaning up my breakfast, but I waved for the tablet and said, “Replay that video.”
She had almost a hundred thousand followers on YouTube. As she talked about her virginity, I found her on all my apps. Her follower count was easily over two million across platforms.
No way did my father or Gio count as her fans. I turned off the tablet and asked, “Where is she now?”
He put the last dish on a tray and ensured no crumb was on my dining room table as he asked, “Didn’t you send her away already?”
Gio was more like my gatekeeper, but he still worked for my family. I raised my eyebrows and made myself clear. “Yes. Go and ensure she hasn’t checked out of the hotel.”
He stood and finished with the tablecloth. “What do you intend to do?”
Not his business. He’d ended my wedding escape last night, but he didn’t need to be smug about finding me a bride who could guarantee my fortune and the ability to retire.
I’d figure out eventually how he’d found Nicole, but for now, I needed to go and convince her that she needed to be my bride. I pointed to the door. “Go, Gio. Time is of the essence.”
I returned to my room and found my blue jacket that made my tailored jeans look a little more professional, and checked my hair.
Totally fucking vain, but women notice details, at least from my experience.
A few minutes later Gio returned and I headed downstairs, now wearing my loafers. He glanced up at me and said, “She’s in her room still, Your Highness.”
If she kicked me out, like I’d done to her earlier, it was my own fault. I’d have to figure out how to apologize somehow. So I asked, “What’s her room number?”
Gio’s face brightened and he reached for the door. “I’ll direct you there.”
“No.” I lifted my chin and my entire body stilled. I didn’t need every detail of this conversation reported. “I’ll go on my own.”
His wrinkled face showed more lines when he pressed his lips together. “That’s not a wise idea, sire.”
I reached for the door myself. “I’m not asking your permission, Gio. Room number?”
He glanced up at the ceiling. “Room 1104.”
Good. I flung it open to see the four security guards waiting. “Wish me luck.”
Gio followed me out the door but then stayed still as he asked, “With what?”
I understood that my next words would be relayed to my father. I winked at him and said, “With convincing the virgin that I’d be her perfect husband.”
Boom. Done. If she denied me, at least they’d know that, for once, I’d tried to follow orders.
For now, I took the elevator down and followed the numbers of the rooms in the halls. Her room was pretty low, and not near the elevators at all.
Finally I made it to door 1104, and ignored how my pulse increased. I motioned for my security guards to stand back, and then knocked.
For one second, nothing happened. I couldn’t breathe.
Then I heard the door lock click and saw the door handle lower. My muscles were tense as her pretty brown eyes shone out.
Her face was ashen, like she was seeing a ghost, but I asked, “Nicole Steel?”
She ran her hand through her hair and asked, “You’re here?”
I glanced around. A small crowd had gathered in the hall and some were snapping pictures. I lowered my head and kept my voice down. “I just saw your vlog.”
One of the people in the hall gasped.
A picture of Nicole and me would probably go for a nice price. Nicole reached out and grabbed my arm. I ignored the spark as she said, “Come in. People recognize you.”
