The Exiled Prince Trilogy

by Jeana E. Mann

  “Did you have a falling out?”

  Before she could answer, the hors d’oeuvres arrived. I watched her from beneath my lashes. If she suspected my dishonesty, she didn’t show it by word or action. I used the silence to shovel three small cucumber sandwiches into my mouth. Even though I’d thrown up twice an hour earlier, I was now famished. Roman had held my hair and washed my face with a cool cloth afterward. The memory of his tenderness filled my chest with love.

  “Let’s just say dear Dad and I had a clash of opinions and leave it at that.” A glower darkened her features.

  “Did he give you crap about Nicky?”

  “No, although he hates Nicky with a passion.” She waved a dismissive hand through the air. “You know Daddy. He thinks I’m still ten. It’s frustrating. I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “At least you still have him around.” Thoughts of my father’s sweet smile and corny jokes carried equal measures of sadness and warmth. “My dad wasn’t perfect either. He bankrupted us twice. Still, I’d give anything to have him around to meet Roman and see our children.”

  “I know. You’re right. I should be grateful.” But her tone suggested otherwise. Her face fell. She toyed with the napkin in her lap. “He yelled at me, Rourke. He’s never raised his voice to me—ever.” After a heavy sigh, she shook her head. “I can’t talk about it.”

  “Maybe you’ll feel better if you get it off your chest.” I reached for a fourth sandwich.

  “I see the situation hasn’t dulled your appetite.” A corner of mouth curled up in a teasing smile.

  “Sorry. Do you want some?” I nudged the final sandwich toward her. “They’re very tiny. I could eat four more.”

  “Yes, but I’m afraid you’ll gnaw my arm if I get too close.” We both laughed, easing some of the tension. Even though I was angry with her, the bonds of our friendship tugged at me. They were interwoven tightly into the fabric of my being. I couldn’t imagine life without her, although, I might have to. She shook her head and pushed the plate back across the table. “Go ahead. I can see you’re starving.”

  “Thanks.” I finished the final sandwich and motioned for a waiter. “Could we have some more of these, please?” He bowed and headed in the direction of the kitchen. I used the silence to contemplate my next move. I didn’t want to risk offending her. On the other hand, I needed answers. The waiter returned with a second tray of sandwiches. I nodded to Everly. “Go ahead. I promise not to bite you.”

  “Are you sure?” Her laughter ended abruptly. The pale complexion of her skin transformed from ivory to scarlet. “Oh no. Great. Just great.” Grabbing her wine goblet, she drained it to the bottom and motioned for the waiter to refill the glass.

  “What?” I followed her gaze across the room.

  Heads snapped to view the former Vice President. Murmurs of admiration and approval floated through the air. Mr. McElroy caught sight of us and strode in our direction. Nicky and Prince Heinrich trailed behind him.

  It was my turn to flush. “Crap.”

  “I can’t do this. I’m going to the ladies.” She shoved her chair back with such force that it almost fell over. A passing busboy caught it before it hit the floor.

  I grabbed her hand to prevent her escape. “Everly, don’t you dare. You’ve never been a coward. Show Nicky and your father how strong you are.”

  Our eyes met. Torture and pain filled her pretty eyes, followed by a flash of defiance. “You’re right. Screw them both.” She flashed a smile. In a louder voice, she said, “Excuse me. I’m so sorry. I thought I saw a spider.” By now, the men had reached the table.

  “You’ve always been terrified of bugs. Hello, dear.” Mr. McElroy bent to kiss her cheek. She stiffened visibly. He straightened. “Some things never change.”

  “No, they don’t,” she replied. Tension laced her words. A tight line of annoyance crossed her lips.

  “Rourke, a pleasure, as always.” He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. Once, I’d been thrilled by his attentions, but today, his touch sent a shiver down my back. “Let me introduce you to my colleagues. Prince Heinrich, this is Rourke Menshikov. Rourke, this is the Crown Prince of Androvia. And you know Nicky, of course.”

  “It’s an honor to meet you,” Henry said in his posh British accent. I extended a hand, unsure if I should bow or curtsey or remain seated. He clasped my fingers between his palms and studied me with the most intense pair of eyes I’d ever seen. Heat raced into my cheeks at the memory of that same gaze watching me have sex with Roman at the Devil’s Playground NYC. “Menshikov? Are you related to Roman?” He flicked a curious glance in Nicky’s direction. I waited for him to connect the dots, but his expression remained polite and unrevealing.

  “They’re married,” Nicky replied, not bothering to hide his disapproval.

  “I wasn’t aware Roman had a wife,” Henry said.

  Nicky snorted. “Where have you been? Under a rock?” I shot him a look of censure, intending to incinerate him with my gaze. He cleared his throat and glanced away, guilt shadowing his eyes.

  The prince withdrew his grasp from mine and turned his attention to Everly. “And who is this lovely young lady?”

  “This is my daughter, Everly.” Mr. McElroy’s jaw ticked, his gaze bouncing between Everly and the prince.

  “Ah, yes, the delightful Ms. McElroy. I’ve heard so much about you.” Henry took her hand in his and bent low to kiss her knuckles. “You’re even lovelier than your reputation.”

  I didn’t like the way his cunning gaze roved over her face or the way his thumb brushed along the back of her hand. She’d been at the Devil’s Playground NYC on the same night as Heinrich. He’d seen her there, but she hadn’t noticed. She’d been too busy getting debauched by Nicky at the time.

  “Good afternoon, Everly,” Nicky said, looking at me and not her.

  She winced at the snub, a movement imperceptible to anyone but me.

  I corralled my irritation but couldn’t hide my scowl. After our little talk, he could at least try to be civil to her. A five-star restaurant, however, wasn’t the place to singe Nicky’s ears. Later, when I had him alone, I’d unload my wrath on him. I shook my head, enough to warn him about my displeasure. He swallowed. Understanding dawned in his eyes.

  “What brings you to New York, Prince Heinrich?” Everly turned a flirtatious smile to the prince. Sexual attraction crackled between His Royal Highness and my best friend. “I’m disappointed our paths haven’t crossed sooner.”

  “Business with your father brought me into the city, but I have a house here, as well. Two, actually.” He glanced up at the ceiling and frowned. After a second, he shrugged and smiled, bringing to life the deep dimples beside his mouth. He continued to stroke her hand with his thumb. “I can’t keep track anymore.”

  “That’s a terrible problem to have.” Her smile widened into genuine amusement.

  “Perhaps you’d like to visit sometime. I’m thinking of throwing a dinner party before I head back to Androvia for the summer.”

  “I’d like that.” They beamed at each other, an overwhelming portrait of good genetics and beauty.

  Mr. McElroy cleared his throat, stepping between the prince and Everly, forcing him to release his hold on her. “I didn’t mean to intrude on your lunch, my dears. I just wanted to stop by and say hello.”

  “It’s good to see you again,” I said, almost choking on the untruth. My brain scrambled, desperate to gain a foothold on the mountain of his treachery. “Before you go, do you think you could set aside some to speak with me later? I could use your advice.” Maybe I could learn something of use to Roman if we had a moment alone.

  19

  Rourke

  Mr. McElroy’s eyes, so like Everly’s, flickered with interest. “My door is always open for you, Rourke. Call my assistant. He’ll put you on my schedule.” He shuttered the predatory gleam and nodded to his companions. “Well, we won’t take up any more of your time. It was good to see you, girls. Gen
tleman, shall we?” Taking control of his guests, he gestured toward the hostess waiting patiently to seat them.

  “It’s been an honor to meet you both.” Prince Heinrich bowed gracefully, his gaze filled with open admiration for Everly. “I look forward to getting better acquainted, Ms. McElroy.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll catch up to you,” Nicky said to his companions. “I need to speak with the ladies for just a minute.”

  “I was just going to the powder room.” Everly tried to leave her seat, but Nicky dropped a hand to the back of her chair, halting her escape. She groaned and shook her head, anger punctuating her words. “I have nothing to say to you, asshole.”

  “I deserve that.” His fingers flicked over the knot of his tie. “Please wait. One minute. That’s all I ask.” Reluctantly, she slid back onto the plush, red velvet seat.

  “If you’re going to spew out more bullshit, I’m not interested either,” I grumbled through gritted teeth.

  “Not everything is about you, Mrs. Menshikov.” Disdain dripped from his voice. He faced Everly, took her hand, and squeezed it between his palms. “I want to apologize for my behavior toward you. It was inexcusable. I treated you badly, and I’m ashamed. If I led you on, I’m sorry. I hope you won’t see my actions as a reflection on your value as a person. You’re kind, beautiful, and deserve much more than I could ever give. We both know I’m not the sort of man you want in your life. I hope we can start over and be friends.”

  Everly and I stared at him, our mouths agape. I’d never seen him contrite before. Sincerity reinforced his words. I blinked, certain this had to be another one of his schemes.

  “I—I—don’t know what to say.” Disbelief clouded her eyes. She glanced at me.

  I lifted my eyebrows and shook my head, totally bewildered.

  He flashed his mega-watt smile. “We’re going to run into each other from time to time. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable because I’m a dick. Say you forgive me, and let’s move on.”

  “I can live with that,” she said.

  This example of her loving nature knotted my insides with indecision. I swallowed and glanced down at my lap. Had I become too jaded?

  “Thank you.” Nicky’s attention returned to me, expression stiffening. I squared my shoulders and prepared for verbal battle. “I hear you’re back with Roman. You just don’t listen, do you?”

  “Unfortunately for you, your credibility is shit with me.” I kept my voice pleasant but edged my words with steel. “Nothing you say will ever convince me to leave him. New information has swayed my opinion of Roman’s situation.”

  “What do you know?” Nicky placed both hands on the table and bent low enough to keep his words for my ears only. “You’ll give me answers.”

  I stood abruptly, mimicking his pose, meeting his gray eyes with equal intensity. “I’ll give you nothing, Mr. Tarnovsky. In case you’ve forgotten our last conversation, I meant every word of what I said.” He blinked and straightened but didn’t look away. I leaned forward. “Don’t push me.”

  “Is everything okay, Mrs. Menshikov?” The maître d’ hovered at my elbow. Curious stares burned into my backside. I didn’t give a fuck what the other patrons thought. Nicky had toyed with my head for the last time.

  “It’s alright, Franky. Family squabbles. Mrs. Menshikov and I love to spar.” Nicky lifted both hands in the air, his stare still locked with mine. “I was just leaving.” He retreated to Mr. McElroy’s table on the opposite side of the room, his strides confident, posture straight and proud.

  I turned to the maître d’. “Next time, I’d like a more private table. Do you think you could help me with that, Franky? I’d really appreciate it.” The judgmental stares of strangers were beginning to wear on my nerves.

  “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Menshikov.” He brushed imaginary bread crumbs from the pristine table linen and snapped his fingers for a waiter to assist me with my chair. “I apologize for the oversight. I had no idea you were joining Ms. McElroy this afternoon, or I would’ve seen to it. I can assure you it won’t happen again. Would you like to move now?”

  “We’re fine for today.” His statement finally registered in my overtaxed brain. “My husband has private tables here?”

  “Yes, madam. He owns the restaurant.”

  Everly tittered from behind her napkin. “Of course he does,” she said. I shot her a warning glare. She bit her lower lip but couldn’t hide her grin. “Roman Menshikov is everywhere.”

  Roman might enjoy all the fussing, but I’d never get used to it. Sometimes I longed for the days of anonymity when I could grab a hamburger in a fast food chain without four security guards and a crowd of onlookers. However, if I had the power at my fingertips, I might as well make use of it. “We don’t need special treatment, Franky. Just privacy.”

  “No worries, madam. It’s a pleasure serving you.” Taking a cue from my raised eyebrows, he backed away. I exhaled in relief as he turned to greet a newly arrived pair of patrons.

  “So many crazy things just happened there that I don’t even know how to begin processing them,” Everly said.

  “You and me both.”

  “Do you think Nicky really meant what he said?”

  “Who knows.” He stared at us from across the room. Traitor, I mouthed to him. One corner of his mouth curled up. “He’s like a bad little schoolboy who never learns his lesson.”

  “I don’t know. He seems sincere.” Her fork hovered in midair between bites of her chicken piccata. “But then again, I obviously can’t read him very well.”

  “He’s a mystery, that’s for sure.” I stared at the plate of pasta in front of me. From my perspective vision, I caught sight of Prince Heinrich staring unabashedly at Everly. “The prince—he’s gorgeous, isn’t he? I don’t think I’ve ever seen dimples that deep on a man.”

  “Who? Nicky?” A blush pinked her cheeks. Judging by the electric blue of her eyes and the way they followed Nicky across the room, she still had feelings for him.

  “No. Heinrich. He certainly seems taken with you.”

  “He’s okay, I guess, if you like the whole Scandinavian-slash-Viking thing.” She sighed. “Daddy hates him. The way he talks, you’d think the prince was the anti-Christ.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek, thinking of the polite way Heinrich had approached me at the Devil’s Playground NYC. He’d seemed genuine then, but now I had to wonder. My view of the world and everyone in it had jaded considerably. “I can only imagine what he has to say about Roman.”

  She motioned to the waiter for more wine. The gold liquid splashed into the goblet. She lifted the glass and stared into its depths. “Daddy’s never expressed an opinion of Roman in front of me. Although, he had a dozen questions about him after you came for dinner.”

  “Like what?” I sat up straighter and leaned forward.

  “I don’t know—random things, like had I seen the inside of his study, does he entertain a lot of Russian friends, does he take a lot of trips, who runs his security now that Ivan’s gone.”

  “What did you say?”

  “I told him I have no idea.” She folded her napkin and laid it next to her half-eaten plate.

  “Don’t you think those questions are kind of weird?”

  “Not really. He’s so competitive, especially with anyone as young and successful as Roman. He probably wants to update his security or something.” She waved a manicured hand through the air. “I try to ignore him.”

  The prince noticed my stare and smiled. I nodded and glanced away, embarrassed to have been caught watching him. “The prince saw you in the dungeon with Nicky at the Playground.”

  “No.” The color in her cheeks escalated from pink to scarlet. “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Oh my gosh.” With a groan, she buried her face in her hands. “Shoot me now.”

  “Maybe he didn’t recognize you.” I tried to bolster my words with reassurance.

  She laughed, tossing her head b
ack and revealing her straight white teeth. “With this hair?” She pointed to the shimmering locks. “Fat chance.”

  “Well, at least he signed an NDA.”

  “You know, the thing about those nondisclosure agreements is that everyone knows everyone else.” She bit her lower lip. “They probably sit around talking about us the way we talk about them.”

  “Please don’t say that.” My blood pressure rose a few points at the notion. “Most of the members are too high-profile to discuss the Playground with outsiders. And at least we don’t have to worry about leaks to the media.”

  “True.”

  We glanced in unison at the three men. From the scowls on their faces, the topic of conversation was less than pleasant. Mr. McElroy thumped a hand on the table, drawing Heinrich’s attention away from Everly. Nicky’s usual smirk had faded to a more serious light.

  “Do you have any idea what they’re talking about?” I asked.

  “From the little bits and pieces I’ve overhead, Daddy and the prince are bidding against each other for the same company or piece of property or something.” Her explanation didn’t account for Nicky’s presence.

  My phone vibrated with an incoming text from Roman. I glanced at the screen and lifted a finger. “Hold that thought.”

  Roman: I want you in my office on your knees in thirty minutes.

  I felt the blood rush into my cheeks as I tapped out a quick reply.

  Me: It’s a date.

  “That’s Roman. I need to go.” I signaled for the check. Although our lunch had been eventful, she hadn’t volunteered any useful information. Disappointment weighed down my mood. She’d had an entire hour to come clean about her dad but hadn’t offered up any insights into his affair with Lavender. I swallowed the hurt, pushed my chair back from the table, and gathered my purse. “Lunch is on me today.”

  She trotted after me. “Rourke, wait.” By the time I reached the door, she’d caught up to me. “What’s wrong? Have I done something?”

  Her question offered the perfect opportunity to confront her, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. If she was truly my friend, if she truly cared, she would’ve confessed without prompting. I shook my head and gave her a sad smile. “You tell me. Is there something you’re keeping from me, Everly?”