Risking the Crown Read online

  I stopped to look in one of the mirrors. My dark blond hair was pulled back in a bun. My lips were pink and I wore the appropriate amount of makeup for a woman on the royal staff. Enough to not look pale, but not enough to be noticeable.

  I was supposed to be a pleasing accessory, not a centerpiece. I should be able to blend into the background when prime ministers and presidents were in the room. I should be charming and convincing enough to persuade the same leaders to change their minds about trade deals and social policy. I also had to know the entire royal family’s whereabouts and the innermost details of Prince Dominic’s position. Getting the makeup right was as important as remembering how many wives and children the Prince of Saudi San had. I sighed.

  My long-sleeved silk shirt was tucked into the subtle blue pencil skirt. A string of pearls hung around my neck. My pulse beat faster when I heard a car outside the jet.

  I was afraid to look. I closed my eyes and pressed my lips together. I had a job to do.

  “He’s here,” a valet whispered to Liddy.

  “How does he look?” she asked.

  “Hold on. I’m trying to get a look at him,” he replied, too eager for my liking. They were worse than the paparazzi.

  I stood motionless. I should be at the top of the steps when he exited the car, but I was frozen. I should be standing there to greet His Royal Highness. After all, I was his manager. The person responsible for his entire schedule. The woman who organized his life.

  My head snapped when I heard the car door slam shut.

  “Have to say I think it’s the first time he doesn’t look hungover.” The valet chuckled. “But I’m sure it won’t take long.”

  I glared at them both. “Shut up, immediately. I never want to hear that again. I’ll have your jobs for saying anything disrespectful about his majesty,” I hissed. “Get back to work. Tea. He needs tea, not your judgement.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” They lowered their eyes and stopped gawking. “So sorry.”

  I forced my feet to move toward the landing in front of the cabin door. My knees wobbled. I had switched into higher heels this morning. It seemed absurd in this moment.

  He was on the staircase now. Any second he would walk through the door.

  I swallowed hard and flattened the front of my skirt. I didn’t know why it suddenly felt tight against my thighs. Why my shirt felt hot. Why my pearls were about to strangle me.

  It had been fifty days.

  Fifty days since I deposited him in the secret facility. Since I had to walk away. Fifty days that I had to fill on my own without him. Without his laugh. Without his dark green eyes. Fifty days that felt as if I was trapped in a prison of my own.

  What was a royal manager without a royal to manage?

  “Your majesty.” Liddy curtsied.

  The valet bowed. “Good morning, your highness.”

  “Good morning to you as well,” he replied.

  My heart stopped. Fifty days since I had heard the rich tones of his voice.

  “Is Kenley on board?” he asked.

  His head turned in my direction as I stepped forward from behind the sofa. My fingertips pressed into the soft leather.

  “Hi, your majesty. I am here, sir.” My head dropped as I curtsied.

  My eyes lifted to his as my posture straightened.

  Did fifty days feel the same way to him?

  “Good you’re here. I missed you at the center.” He rubbed his jaw.

  I smiled more brightly than usual. I started toward him.

  I had wanted to go this morning, but the optics were best if he was on his own. This was the chance he needed to demonstrate the strength of his independence. To show the citizens of Galona their prince had control. To show the world he had power over his crisis finally.

  “You can update me during the flight. I need a full rundown on the rest of the week’s agenda, starting with that absurd deal my brother made with the Bostique Islands.”

  I blinked and took a step backward. My lungs felt heavy and each breath was rougher and more uneasy than the last.

  “Kenley, is that a problem?” he asked. “You do have an update for me.”

  “No. Of course there’s no problem.” I found my voice. “I have your itinerary and the details His Majesty forwarded from today’s lodestar. I’m ready to brief you.”

  He took the seat next to me and pulled the seatbelt across his lap. “Are you going to sit?”

  “Y-yes.” I sat across from him, buckling the belt.

  I pulled the tablet out of my executive case. Only royal managers had custom crafted bags like mine. Inside, I carried the royal schedule and the files from the king.

  “Tea?” Liddy walked toward us with a silver tray. I noticed how her eyes raked over Dominic.

  His arms strained against the gray jacket. He didn’t miss any workouts in rehab. There was something alluring about the Sauvage men. It was hard to be around them and not notice how chiseled and dominant they were in any room. But it was Dominic’s sharp jaw and shockingly dark hair drew me to him.

  He grinned at her. “I’ve flown with you before, haven’t I?”

  She blushed and I wanted to kick her ankles with the spikes on my heels. “Yes, your majesty. Many times.”

  “I thought so.” He took a china cup. “You make the best tea.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Liddy, that’s enough. Thank you,” I spoke tersely.

  She trudged back to the galley, but not before throwing Dominic another once over.

  “Kenley?” He placed the cup on the saucer.

  “Yes?” I knew there was something hopeful in my voice. Something that shouldn’t have been there.

  But despite everything it was there. Fifty days had given me time to think. And all I thought about was Dominic.

  “Start with the Bostiques.”

  And like that, the hope cracked.

  I cleared my throat. I tapped on the file and began.

  3

  Dominic

  I don’t know what kind of homecoming I expected. There wasn’t going to be a parade with the Royal Navy, marking my grand return from rehab.

  I walked into my apartments. There was a vase of flowers on the round table in the foyer. They were exotic and rare. I knew who sent them before I read the note.

  I plucked the card from table.

  Welcome home, brother. I’m so proud of you.

  All my love,

  Isabel

  xoxo

  “Hmm.” I folded it in half and tossed it next to the vase. “Where is Isabel?” I asked Kenley.

  She was busy directing the valets with my luggage.

  “She’s still in Spain,” she replied.

  “I see.”

  “Everyone misses her. I’m sure she’ll be back at the palace soon. Maybe another week or two at the most. I understand she has fallen in love with the countryside.”

  Kenley’s heels clicked across the marble when one of the royal messengers entered. She whispered something to him and faced me.

  “The king and queen would like for you to join them for dinner tonight as a welcome home supper,” she conveyed.

  “Would they?”

  She nodded. “Here is the royal invitation, signed by the queen.”

  “How is that working out?” I asked.

  “Excuse me?”

  “The queen. I’ve only met her once and then my brother married her.”

  Kenley’s eyes widened. “Oh. She has been wonderful. A truly modern queen.”

  “Kenley.” I stared at her.

  I didn’t know why she had been so strange since the flight. Maybe my constant drunken haze had made it seem like she was more forthcoming, but something seemed different. Kenley seemed different toward me, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

  “Should I send a reply?” she asked.

  “After you tell me what you really think of my sister-in-law.”

  My fingers itched. I turned for the bar and stopped mid-stride. Wasn’t
that what I always did? I’d pour a drink while Kenley filled me in on the palace news. It was part of our routine. Sometimes she would try to talk me out of a fourth or fifth drink.

  I didn’t remember her succeeding often.

  I didn’t have to look to know the bar was stripped. Alcohol would never be served in these apartments again. I felt a swell of triumph knowing I didn’t want it. I liked viewing the world with clarity.

  I decided to settle on more tea instead.

  “The queen is lovely,” she offered.

  “But?” I lifted my eyebrows.

  “But nothing. I like her. She’s American. There’s an adjustment period.”

  I chuckled. “And she’s not royal.”

  “No. Not at all. Our customs are completely new to her.”

  Kenley was holding back.

  “But you think Damon is happy with her?”

  She nodded. “Without question, the king is very happy.”

  “That’s something.”

  There was a fresh pot of tea on the drink cart. The staff was prepared.

  “More tea?” I offered Kenley.

  “No thank you. I need to send a response to her majesty.”

  “That sounds strange to hear. It might be a while before I believe my brother is actually married.” I watched Kenley fidget with her planner. She hadn’t relaxed once. “You can tell them I’ll be there. But I didn’t buy them a wedding gift. Should I take something?”

  She looked up. “I sent one for you.”

  “You did?”

  She nodded. “Yes. It’s royal protocol. I took care of it for you.”

  The tea was too hot. I waited for it to cool. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “And what did I send?” I asked.

  “A set of royal blue Turkish towels with the family crest embroidered on them.”

  Kenley had a way of always choosing the most appropriate gift. The right tie. The perfect speech. She knew royal protocol better than I did. Hell, she could ace a test the rest of my family would fail. It made her an invaluable part of my staff. I liked to think I had the best royal manager. Today, she was the prettiest. Her cheeks glowed and her lips looked soft and pillowy. Fuck. They looked kissable.

  “Did you go to the wedding?”

  She paced in front of me. I watched her steps carry her long legs back and forth. I couldn’t remember Kenley ever wearing heels like those before. It made her calves look lean and strong. I shook my head.

  “I did. All the royal managers attended.”

  “I would think my brother would want you on the guest list whether you were a royal manager or not.”

  The pacing stopped for a moment. “I attended as a royal manager.”

  “I bet Sutcliffe almost had a stroke over the American.” I chuckled.

  She bit her lip. “Almost.”

  “I’m sorry I missed the wedding. And Sutcliffe’s meltdown.”

  I didn’t expect the crown to stop operating because I was in rehab. But it was frustrating that things had moved on as if I wasn’t needed. As if my existence in the family wasn’t enough to put a wedding on hold. Galona ran with or without me. But where my brother was concerned, little got in his way.

  Sometimes I thought it was what made him a good king. Sometimes I thought it made him a selfish bastard.

  Who was I to say? I’d been that selfish bastard for a long time. I wasn’t a good brother. I hadn’t been for years. I fell into a dark pit that had swallowed me whole.

  I shifted on the couch to remove my jacket. I checked the pocket for the letter before throwing it over the back of the sofa.

  “I’m going to find that messenger. I’ll be right back,” she announced.

  Kenley walked out of the room. Her heels clacking on the floor.

  I reached for the letter. I had read it so many times, I’d practically memorized every line. Every cruel word. Cruel as it was, it was what I had needed to crawl out of the darkness.

  4

  Kenley

  I nodded at the security guards along the corridor. They were almost as still as the suits of armor planted against the walls.

  I looked forward. Ayla was headed in my direction. She grinned. “Busy day at the palace, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. Extremely now that His Royal Highness is in residence again.”

  “Like old times?” she asked. “How is he?”

  I pressed my lips together, pinched her elbow, and pulled her into an empty study. I needed to borrow it for a few minutes, and no one ever used these extra rooms.

  “What’s going on?” She looked startled.

  “It’s not like old times.” I sighed. “I don’t know what old times are exactly.”

  I was quickly coming unraveled.

  “He’s home. He’s safe. He’s healthy,” she whispered. “Today’s focus.” She eyed me.

  I nodded. “Right. Today’s focus.”

  “The rest takes time,” she reminded me.

  I shook my head. “I shouldn’t feel anything when I look at him,” I confessed. “It should be no different than when you serve the queen. But it’s not.”

  I saw the pity in Ayla’s eyes. “You need more time. And patience.”

  I covered my face with my hands. “If I could take something to make this stop I would. I’d drink anything. I’d try hypnosis. I can’t function. I can’t sleep. How can I do my job like this?”

  She placed her hands on my shoulders lightly. “I don’t know anyone who holds this position with more honor than you. Your duty to your country will come first. It always has. You can do this.”

  My eyes flashed to hers. “You make it sound simple. Like I’m in the Royal Navy.”

  “The Royal Navy has nothing on you.” She winked.

  I patted a tear at the corner of my eye, trying to find the humor in the situation. “Thanks.”

  “You could always ask Sutcliffe for a transfer,” Ayla suggested.

  “Absolutely not. No. You’re right. This is my duty. I took an oath to serve the crown. And I have to be able to put him first.” I straightened my shoulders. “I can do that. I’ve gone this long. What’s a little longer?”

  She stepped back. “I’m sorry it’s so difficult.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about. I have to return the dinner invitation to the queen.”

  “I can take it,” she volunteered.

  “But you were headed in the opposite direction.”

  She laughed. “The king showed up. I had to get out of there before he devoured her in front of me.”

  We both sighed. Ayla had been hesitant when she was transferred to the queen’s staff. At that time, Molly Washington had only been the king’s girlfriend. It was completely outside the royal protocol guidelines to have any type of staff, but the king wouldn’t listen. He hand-picked Ayla for the position and she had stayed on after the wedding. She liked serving the queen.

  I wondered how she was able to deal with having to train someone from scratch. Molly knew nothing about royal life. But Ayla was a few years older and I thought it gave her a sort of grace I still needed to grow into. She was a good friend, and a patient royal manager.

  Part of me had been relieved when King Damon told me he couldn’t remove me from Dominic’s staff. I was too valuable. Too irreplaceable. But I knew underneath the king’s words he meant I knew too many secrets.

  And on those rare occasions when Dominic did want advice, he’d take mine and no one else’s. His brother knew that.

  Ayla smiled. “You know where I am if you need anything. I’m going to take a walk around the palace and head back to the apartment. I’m happy to relay the dinner acceptance.”

  “Thank you. I shouldn’t have said anything about him.”

  “Stop apologizing. You can save your royal manager face for everyone else. But I’m your friend.”

  I nodded. She walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  I needed to return to Dominic’s
apartments. My hand landed on the handle. I twisted the knob and paused. I needed to make a vow to myself that starting today, things would be different.

  I had to stop torturing myself. I had to stop pretending that I lived in a world where love with Dominic was an option. Because it wasn’t. I wasn’t royal. And he wasn’t a regular citizen.

  He didn’t look at me the way I looked at him. If he hadn’t seen me after all these years, it wasn’t going to start because he was suddenly sober. Love didn’t work that way.

  I knew the man who never took a drink unless it was a celebration. I knew him before the alcohol took over. I knew him before Sophia.

  I stepped into the hallway.

  If he could undergo a transformation, so could I. I’d be the woman who pledged her life to the royal family. The one who walked through the palace doors with one vision—to serve her country with honor and respect.

  I’d push the feelings for Dominic Sauvage into the farthest corners of my heart and lock them there until they were so starved for light they faded into darkness. My love for him would become a distant memory.

  It had to—or I’d be the one taking a trip to rehab.

  5

  Dominic

  “Which one?” I held the two ties toward Kenley. “It’s bullshit I have to wear a tie to have dinner with my brother.”

  She approached, eyeing the options. She poked at the deep blue. “This one.” She lifted my collar for me to loop it around my neck. “It’s your first meeting with your sister-in-law since she became queen. Wear the tie. The king will be insulted otherwise.”

  I stepped forward to make the knot.

  “You know in rehab I wore T-shirts. There were no suits or tuxes. And I sure as hell didn’t miss my military uniform. Life is simpler in a T-shirt and jeans.”

  “You can’t wear a T-shirt to dinner, and definitely not jeans.”