My Brother's Five Friends

by B. B. Hamel

  I was beginning to see more in Trip than just a bad boy king. He wasn’t just a player and a partier. He seemed to genuinely care about his subjects, and I was impressed with their social welfare programs. We didn’t care that much about people back in America .

  Then there was that fountain. Of everything Trip had shown me so far, that was the most real. Not just because it was rundown, but that helped. No, it was because of how small it was and how out of the way it was. I believed him when he said that he used to spend a lot of time there .

  I couldn’t begin to fully understand Trip. His experience of the world was so different than mine. Everything he said and did held a weight I couldn’t exactly fathom, completely unlike everything I did .

  But he was also a regular guy, too. He was a normal person who liked fountains and had simple taste for his personal life. Sure, he was a king, an asshole, but I was beginning to see past that .

  And those lips. My god, the way he kissed me sent chills down my spine just thinking about it. I’d been ready to strip my clothes off right there and let him take me. I’d been out of my mind .

  I quickly left the bathroom and got into bed, pulling my laptop onto my stomach .

  I did a quick news search for Stehen, and the first result surprised me. Apparently there had been a big attack on the main rail station in the city, and the body count was up to five people, with many more wounded .

  And it had happened recently. The attack must have been the reason why Trip had had to get back to the castle, and why he’d seemed so serious. For a brief moment, I wondered if we were safe .

  But of course we were. We were inside a giant castle with hundreds of guards all over the place. I should have been more worried about the people out in the city who didn’t have the king’s immediate protection. Nothing bad was going to happen to me, not while Trip was around. I didn’t know why I believed that, but I did .

  I continued reading more about the war with the rebels in the south. There were a lot of articles in Starklandian and very few in English, but what I could find was surprising .

  The fighting had been going on since the old King had died, which I’d known about. The rebels wanted democracy, and the Royal Army was fighting back .

  But I didn’t know about the reports of abuses on both sides. I knew the rebels were brutal, but so was the Royal Army. Apparently hundreds of civilians had died already, with thousands more injured or displaced. Many of them reported horrible things done by the Royal Army .

  I sat back, biting my lip. That only made me so much more confused. On the one hand, I was convinced that Trip genuinely cared about his people and went out of his way to provide much-needed services to them. But on the other, Starkland was a lot more complicated than I had realized. There were ministers all with their own power bases and land holdings, and they all were fighting with each other all the time. The king had to try to keep the peace between them, but that was a pretty impossible task .

  Then you throw this rebellion into the mix and things were only muddied and horrible .

  And Trip wanted to get me involved in all of this. He wanted to make me his queen, which meant I would have a political position in this country. I was a total outsider, and I knew absolutely nothing about any of it .

  And yet the way he touched me sent thrills through me. I didn’t want to be queen, but I was starting to realize that I wanted the king anyway .

  There was a knock at my door not long later. I got out of bed and answered, assuming it would be my father .

  Instead, it was Trip .

  “Trip. Hey,” I said .

  “Bryce. You okay ?”

  I nodded. “Come on in .”

  I stepped aside and he came in. He glanced back at the security detail and they hung back as he closed the door .

  “Sorry about earlier,” he said. “Something fucked up happened .”

  “I know; I read .”

  “Those bastards.” He walked over to my little side table and took a glass decanter full of some brown liquid. I hadn’t bothered with that stuff, but he poured himself a drink and knocked it back. “Those sick bastards. They bombed a train station full of innocent people .”

  “It’s really awful,” I agreed. “I can’t imagine how you feel .”

  “I feel fucking angry,” he said. “I want to crush these bastards underneath my boots. I want to kill them all and be done with this foolish war .”

  “I don’t blame you,” I said softly .

  He sighed, poured himself another drink, and then sat on my couch. “Sorry. I’m just angry .”

  “I understand. I mean, I can’t really get it all since I’m a stranger here, but I understand why you’re angry .”

  “You are a stranger here,” he agreed, “but you’re a person. You get that much .”

  “Yeah,” I agreed .

  “Anyway, I just came here to check on you .”

  “I’m fine. You should be with your people .”

  “Maybe,” he said. “Truthfully, the generals will handle this. I already gave them the order .”

  “What order ?”

  “To get revenge. Tomorrow morning we’ll be starting renewed attacks on the rebel strongholds .”

  I bit my lip, looking away. I knew I shouldn’t say anything, but I couldn’t help myself. I was a foreigner, that was true, but I could read and I had Trip’s attention. Maybe this wasn’t the best time, but it was better than never .

  “Trip,” I said, “I read some things online .”

  “I’m sure you did.” He sipped his drink .

  “Your Royal Army has been doing things, some very bad things .”

  His face hardened. “Allegedly .”

  “Come on, Trip, people aren’t making this stuff up .”

  “Maybe they are. Maybe some men in my army are doing bad shit. Those men are caught and they are punished .”

  “But is all this fighting helping anything ?”

  “Yes,” he said simply. “The rebels aren’t going to stop on their own. They have to be put down. This is war, Bryce .”

  “I know it’s war,” I said. “But your attacks are going to kill people .”

  “They are,” he said. “That can’t be helped .”

  “The rebels are your people too, you know,” I said. “I know they’re doing bad things too, but isn’t there some other way ?”

  “No,” he said simply, standing. His face was drawn and serious. He knocked back his second drink and then put the glass back on the tray. “I’m glad you’re okay, Bryce .”

  “Wait, Trip,” I said. “I didn’t mean to be an asshole .”

  “You’re not,” he said, “but you don’t understand. These aren’t easy, black-and-white decisions. If I could have my army move in and destroy the rebels without harming a single civilian, I would. As it stands, we punish those individuals who break our rules very harshly .”

  I felt terrible for what I’d said almost immediately. “I wasn’t trying to say you’re okay with any of this .”

  “I’ll check on you again tomorrow.” He turned and left the room without another word .

  I felt awful. I shouldn’t have started pushing him on politics, not right after his people were killed in a terrorist attack. I thought maybe I could convince him to open negotiations with the rebels, but I realized that was foolish .

  I was out of my depth, and now I’d pissed off the only person in Starkland who seemed to give a shit about me .

  I crawled back into bed, groaning to myself, feeling like an idiot .

  14

  Trip

  N obody wanted to be thought of as some violent tyrant, least of all by the woman they wanted .

  It wasn’t like I didn’t understand what she was saying. Yes, the Royal Army had done some things during the war that weren’t okay, and those who had performed those actions were punished accordingly. It was not the policy, officially or otherwise, of the Royal Army to harm civilians or to torture people in any
way, and yet I knew that I had to own up to that .

  Still, I wasn’t negotiating with terrorists. I wasn’t going to show a single ounce of weakness, not after this. Maybe before they murdered my brother and bombed civilians, but not anymore. The only thing these rebels understood was strength, and I had to show it to them .

  Bryce meant well. I knew she wasn’t directly blaming me for any crimes committed by my army, but I still couldn’t help but feel stung by her .

  I sat in meeting after meeting. The generals were planning their maneuvers and the ministers were all arguing over what sort of response was most appropriate. None of it mattered, since it was ultimately my decision, but still. Everything about the ministers and their squabbling drove me insane .

  I didn’t have time for any of this. The only thing I knew was that my people had been killed, and I needed to do something about that. I didn’t have time to argue over bullshit minor policy details with some third-rate assholes who only cared about themselves and their own interests. I wanted something to be done, and I wanted it done immediately .

  I sat through meeting after pointless meeting, and the day slowly dragged on. I made decisions when I had to, but I mostly sat there and stared off into the distance, distracted by my own anger and distracted by Bryce .

  I kept picturing that kiss. I hated that we were interrupted. I wanted more, needed more, but I wasn’t sure if that feeling was mutual anymore. She seemed pretty intent on finding flaws in my country’s very way of life .

  Dinner came and went, and we ate only briefly, never leaving the conference rooms. I was exhausted and frustrated, and the only thing I wanted was to see Bryce .

  As another minister went into some inane and absurd discussion on some minor point, I felt my phone vibrate .

  Ready for any distraction, I pulled it out. There was a text from Bryce .

  It was a picture. Curious, I opened it .

  And nearly toppled from my fucking chair .

  It was a mirror shot. She wore nothing but a thin cotton T-shirt and the black panties I’d sent her as a present .

  My cock was hard as fuck almost instantly. Bryce looked incredible in the picture, her long legs lean and gorgeous, a little smile playing on her lips. I got another text a few seconds later .

  “Apology accepted?” she asked .

  Fucking hell, this girl. One second she was pushing me on my war policy, and the next she was sending me fucking sexy as hell pictures .

  Not like I could complain. My heart was hammering in my chest .

  “Meet me at the pool in fifteen minutes,” I typed, and then I sent it off .

  “OK,” she sent back .

  I scooted my seat back. “Gentlemen,” I said, “I’m sorry, but I have an urgent meeting to attend to .”

  The ministers looked at me, surprised. “Shall I continue later, Your Majesty?” the minister who was speaking asked .

  “No. Please, go on without me. My secretary will give me notes .”

  I quickly turned and left the room, not caring what they thought .

  This was what I needed. I didn’t want to sit in fucking rooms all night long doing nothing. I’d end up in meetings again soon enough, but I needed a little break .

  Ten minutes later, I had my bathing suit on and was in the pool, swimming laps. My security detail didn’t follow me into the room, fortunately, and I felt at peace for the first time since I’d been called back to the castle .

  Soon, I finished a lap and looked up. Standing at the side of the pool looking down at me was Bryce .

  “Fancy seeing you here,” I said .

  “The king summoned me,” she said .

  I floated back, getting a look at her. She was wearing a navy blue two piece, and I could barely keep myself under control. The girl had perfect breasts and a beautiful body, though I could tell she was shy about it .

  “Come on,” I said. “The water is heated .”

  She laughed and sat down at the edge of the pool, dipping her feet in. “I don’t know. I’ve been warned about swimming with strange men .”

  “Strange maybe, but not a stranger.” I swam over to her. “Your king commands you to swim .”

  “That just makes me want to not swim even more .”

  I grinned and hopped up onto the side of the pool next to her. “Fine then. We’ll both sit here .”

  “How’s it going out there ?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about out there. I’d rather talk about that picture you sent me .”

  She blushed a little bit. “I couldn’t think of a better way to apologize .”

  “I don’t think there is a better way .”

  “I figured it’s no big deal. It’s like seeing me in a bathing suit, right ?”

  “Something like that,” I murmured .

  She bit her lip. “Did you like it ?”

  “Very much,” I said. “I’m still fucking hard. I had to leave that meeting immediately and see you .”

  “Trip—”

  “Come on,” I said. “Let’s swim .”

  I reached out and grabbed her hips, pulling her onto my lap .

  “Trip!” she protested, but it was too late. I had her. I plunged us both into the pool .

  She came up next to me and splashed .

  “You asshole,” she said .

  “Didn’t want to get your hair wet?” I asked .

  “Yeah, but I also didn’t want to get dragged into the water .”

  “Too bad. It’s already done .”

  She swam at me, smiling, and tried to dunk me under. I didn’t budge .

  “Are you made of stone ?”

  “If I were, I’d sink. I’m just a good swimmer .”

  I dove under and grabbed at her ankles. She kicked and swam away. I came up and she was laughing, splashing at me .

  “Are you attacking the king?” I asked her .

  “Damn right. Not the first time either .”

  “You foreign temptress,” I said. “You’re corrupting the king .”

  She giggled as I came at her. She splashed and swam away. I chased her but let her stay just ahead of me .

  Finally, I grabbed her ankle and pulled her back. I took her hips and pulled her ass and back against me. She struggled, but I held us both up above water, kicking my feet .

  “Let me go,” she said, laughing .

  “I don’t think so. You’re mine now. You’ve tempted me long enough .”

  “I don’t think I’m anyone’s,” she said, and then she tried dropping underwater .

  She went straight down, but in the process her bikini top caught on the front of my swimsuit, yanking them both off. I dove underwater and managed to grab my trunks and her top before she even realized it was off .

  She surfaced a few feet away, and a second later she figured it out .

  “Trip!” she said .

  I held her top up, grinning. “Is this what you’re looking for ?”

  She instantly covered her perfect breasts with her arms. I couldn’t get a good look, since the water was covering them, but I could tell she was gorgeous. I was hard as hell, my heart hammering .

  “Trip, give it to me .”

  “Come and get it,” I said, swimming away .

  “Not funny. Come on, Trip !”

  I laughed as she started swimming toward me, covering herself with one hand .

  Just as she neared me, a motion toward the door pulled my attention away. Al was standing in the doorway, frowning down at me. “Your Highness,” he called .

  Bryce caught up with me and snatched her top from my hand .

  “Asshole,” she mumbled as she turned away and got it back on .

  “Your Highness, they need you back in the situation room. General Dune is calling .”

  I sighed. “Fun’s over, I guess,” I said to Bryce .

  “Who was having fun ?”

  “You were. We both know it .”

  “I was too busy having my top stolen to
have fun .”

  “Pretend you didn’t like it all you want, but we both know where this was going.” I swam over to her, close behind her. “You want me to fuck you rough up against the edge of the pool. You want me to fuck that wet pussy until you can’t stand it anymore .”

  “No,” she whispered, but I knew she meant yes .

  I swam away, pulling my trunks back on. Al had already left, so I got out and toweled myself off .

  “Stay as long as you want,” I said to her. “I’ll see you tomorrow .”

  “Good luck being the king,” she answered .

  I laughed. “I don’t need luck for that. I just need to be myself .”

  I waved and then headed out, back toward my apartment .

  That girl could drive me crazy so easily. I could barely control myself around her, even in these difficult and complicated times. There was just simply something alluring and intense about Bryce .

  The girl was a distraction, but the best fucking kind of distraction .

  15

  Bryce

  T he next morning, I couldn’t believe I had sent the king a nude selfie .

  Well, it wasn’t completely nude. I had a shirt and panties on, actually, so it wasn’t really nude at all. Still, it was a sext for sure, and there was no other way to read that message .

  I didn’t know what I had been thinking. I guess I had wanted to rile him up, but I’d also wanted him to know that I was sorry. It had felt right at the time, and I didn’t regret it, but it was outside my character .

  I was a good girl. I didn’t do things like flirt with kings in swimming pools. Except now apparently I was that kind of person .

  And I still was worried about his whole dictatorship thing. I didn’t know how I felt about flirting with a man who was possibly telling people to commit war crimes. Trip was a good person, but he was right: War was more complicated than I realized, and that meant maybe he wasn’t as good as he thought he was .

  I had two dueling sides in my mind. On the one hand, I wanted Trip the man. I wanted him to kiss me again, to let me get inside his defenses, to find out what made him do the things he did. But on the other, I was afraid of Trip the king. I was afraid of the person I would become if I got involved in his world, and I was afraid of the person the crown made him .