Null and Void

by Susan Copperfield

  In the time it took for the elevator to arrive, security blocked the photographers from entering the building, buying me the precious seconds I needed to make my escape.

  It was late enough that Louisa and my boss had already left for the day. A few stragglers remained, although most looked like they were on their way out while I was planning on getting in several solid hours of uninterrupted work organizing the auction. With no one around, I could accomplish something other than tell others I didn’t have the answers they wanted from me.

  I began with the problem of His Royal Majesty and his sister. The betrothal contract would need to protect their interests, and the contract I’d signed for Mireya would make for a good starting point. I texted my boss to ask Jessica for a copy of it.

  My office phone rang seconds later. I answered, “Little.”

  “I’ll email you with her email address; that’ll simplify things for you,” my boss said. “Good idea for the contract. You’ll need to do a lot of modifications, however. Mireya’s entitles her to an equal share of Prince Adam’s wealth.”

  “I understand. What it does is prevent relatives of the betrothed from dipping their hands into the pie. On that ground, it’s solid, and if I use it as a foundation, it should be bullet proof.”

  “You’re right. That part of the contract is ironclad. I’ll leave you to it, just make certain you protect Montana’s interests. No loopholes, nothing that could allow the auction winner to gain any financial or political gains.”

  “That’s going to be impossible. Just being selected by His Royal Majesty will ensure she’ll enjoy certain political gains.”

  “Do what you can. Also, if you decide to work late, you can crash on my couch if you need. The door’s unlocked.”

  “I think I can handle the short walk home. I made it all the way back from Congressional Hall without any problems.”

  “Promise you’ll be careful, Mackenzie.”

  “It’s just curious people trying to get some photographs. I’m not worried about it. A few were annoying, but they were easy enough to ignore.”

  “All right. Call me if there are any problems, okay?”

  “I told Geoff I’d call him if there are any issues.”

  “Good. Have a good night, Mackenzie.”

  “You, too.”

  How was I supposed to create a contract for a king to find a potential queen, one he might spend the rest of his life with? I doubted he’d find her at an auction, leech or not. I expected swarms of gold diggers out for his wealth and willing to pay for a chance to play. How could I make it clear any winners wouldn’t be buying into his family?

  The first step would be a probationary period for the woman who won the auction. I’d also have to find suitable terms suitable if a child was born.

  What had I gotten myself into?

  The easiest part would be the rulings determining how an auction winner became a queen; unless the congresses of Montana and Texas voted aye, she’d remain nothing more than a powerless consort and potential mother of a future monarch. Montana wouldn’t like Texas’s involvement, but as Texas would be liable, I saw no other realistic way to protect the interests of both kingdoms.

  I hated planning for some woman to provide a king with an heir when she’d never stand a chance of becoming his equal. At the same time, I also lacked pity for her. I’d consented to the possibility of a child when I’d joined the auction. I’d gone in knowing I’d likely spread my legs for a stranger for the sake of charity.

  I’d gotten lucky; Dylan hadn’t been a stranger, and keeping Mireya had been one of the best choices I’d ever made in my life. Perhaps another woman could be as lucky as me. It comforted me I wouldn’t have changed a thing, so I certainly couldn’t judge another woman for doing the same thing.

  She, however, would have a chance to become a queen in the future.

  I wasn’t sure what I’d become, and that frustrated me so much I typed up the first tentative proposal while gnashing my teeth and hating my role in the whole damned thing. The price was worth what I’d won out of my deal with Senator Forester, so I did the work. A nasty part of me abhorred the idea I was in control of a future mother’s life. The choices I made with the contract wouldn’t hurt me.

  It could hurt a young child, one who’d grow to become a queen or a king.

  Great. If I screwed up, I’d be creating a living nightmare for the citizens of Montana. Banging my head on my desk gave me a headache, and I wondered how far I could get if I grabbed the keys for Baby and ran for the border.

  Before I had a chance to put my fledgling plan to get out of Dodge to the test, my phone rang. Without lifting my head, I grabbed the wretched device, put it in the general vicinity of my ear, and groaned, “Little.”

  “Good evening, Mackenzie. You sound cheerful this evening.”

  Jessica sounded amused.

  “I got a late start today, barely escaped Congressional Hall with my sanity intact, and I’m considering putting Baby to the test. If I got a head start now, I could get out of Dallas before one of your RPS agents tracked me down, dragged me back, and cuffed me to my desk, right?”

  “I’m sure you’d make it well outside of Dallas before someone caught up with you, but doesn’t that sound like a lot of work?”

  “Maybe. It can’t be worse than trying to figure out how to wrangle this contract for a king determined to sell himself at the man-meat market.”

  “You’re never going to stop calling the auction a man-meat market, are you?”

  “Senator Forester asked me that same question earlier today.”

  “Will’s a leech, Mackenzie. He’s not just looking to get some action selling himself on the man-meat market.”

  Bingo. “Will, is it? Is that short for William or Wilhelm? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with selling himself to get some action on the man-meat market. I’m just being honest about what this is all about. Leech or not, he’s putting himself on display for women to find himself a mother for his little heirs. He’s a prime stud.”

  Jessica laughed. “Damn it, you hoodwinked me!”

  “I was getting annoyed with the lack of names. All I could find was their family name is Niell. So, is he a William or a Wilhelm?”

  “Much to his relief, he’s a William. Please don’t share that information with anyone. He values his privacy.”

  “I guessed as much. He wears a mask in public. He’s either so ugly he scares babies or he’s so handsome he does it so packs of women don’t jump him in public.”

  “Mackenzie, that’s absurd.”

  “Why else would he wear a mask?” I smiled, hoping she’d bite the bait and give me another piece of information on His Royal Majesty of Montana. “His voice alone probably convinces women they’re interested in taking off their clothes for him.”

  “Until I met you in person, I would’ve sworn you were at least shy and probably conservative despite being a null rights activist. You’re refreshingly direct and surprisingly perverted. You’re about to hoodwink me again, aren’t you?”

  “Is he uglier than sin or so hot he hides his face so he isn’t hunted in packs? I’m not sure there’s a median on this issue.”

  “The mask is a magic suppressor. His talent has become so strong in recent years he wears a suppressor so he doesn’t accidentally hurt someone. Now, that said, I’ve seen him without his mask, and he’s not ugly. I won’t deny or confirm any claims he’s gorgeous enough for women to hunt him in packs, however. Luckily for Will, he is a leech, so he’ll have no problem identifying when a woman is just in lust with him.”

  “If he’d do a proper auction on the man-meat market, it wouldn’t matter if they were in lust with him.”

  “I sense a complaint.”

  “It’s very difficult creating a basic contract for this. The woman stands to lose a lot while His Royal Majesty of Montana walks away the clear victor.”

  “But she could one day become a queen.”

  “That belongs
on the con list, Jessica. Do these women have no idea that becoming a queen entails? Sorry, but no amount of money would convince me to take your job.”

  “There’s something to be said for raising a future monarch. And don’t even try to tell me you aren’t proud of Mireya. And she will become a splendid queen one day, of that I have no doubt. Maybe you didn’t intend to do it, but you’ve done an exemplary job of raising someone capable of becoming a queen. It’s no wonder he’s gunning for you.”

  I scowled. “His Royal Majesty of Montana was the mastermind behind the clause requiring all single members of congress to participate in the auction?”

  “He was also behind the mandate you head the committee. Otherwise, the auction would be in Montana, and he made it clear he’d either be coercing me into forcing your participation or kidnapping you. Since you’re only a resident, he could get away with it, too.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

  “Will isn’t your typical monarch. He has two modes of operation. He’s either working for Montana, or he’s working for himself. He’s obsessed with you. I went along with the auction idea because he simply won’t stop until he gets a chance to prove himself. If I didn’t give him a legal outlet for his interest, I’d be having to send my RPS agents to Montana to rescue you.”

  “You’re yanking my chain, aren’t you? That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”

  “Mackenzie, you’re pretty, you’re smart, and you’ve raised an exemplary child. She’s acing the placement testing, and I have no doubt you’re going to be offered a good scholarship package to make sure she attends. I’m also positive Huntington Academy will put up a fight to get her back. I’ve already told my lawyers to prepare a case on your behalf. And since Mireya’ll be part of my family, it definitely isn’t charity.”

  “I already accepted riding lessons and a horse,” I complained. “But I’ll take your gift of lawyers because I have a healthy desire for revenge, and I can’t think of anything as satisfying as attacking that school with lawyers. Can I have more than one lawyer? Two lawyers seem better than one lawyer.”

  “I’m pretty sure I can give you two lawyers. I’ll even give you a handful of extra lawyers to go over that contract you’re fighting with. Do yourself a favor. Write a contract that you, as Mireya’s mother, could live with. More importantly, make the contract one you would be happy with, from the shoes of being your daughter’s mother. If it passes your standards, it’ll be bulletproof and fair.”

  I didn’t like the sound of that at all. “That’s a terrible idea, especially since you’ve joined your son’s campaign to marry me off.”

  “But at least it’d be a contract you could live with.”

  “Just because he has sexy voice doesn’t mean I’m going to buy a man on the man-meat market. Also, I can’t afford a man on the man-meat market. This auction has the women paying for a chance to be selected by His Royal Majesty. I’m participating because I have no other choice right now.”

  “I’ll pay your contribution.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  “You could write the rules of the auction where there’s a way to be admitted into the auction without having to contribute millions of dollars.”

  “And how is that fair to the women paying millions of dollars to charity for a chance to become a queen? This is a terrible idea.”

  “Or you could set up the auction so that the contributions give each woman a chance to speak with His Royal Majesty with a proposal for her kingdom. These audiences will give him a chance to test the waters with his magic. He’s a strong enough leech they won’t be able to hide their intentions from him. That’s what makes him such an important figure on the global stage. His talent is strong enough he can separate the truth from the lies.”

  “That’s no reason to rig this auction to get near me. I’m just—”

  “A brilliant, beautiful woman who can browbeat a congress full of the most stubborn politicians on Earth. Texas has a reputation of producing ruthless politicians set in their ways. That’s why the passage of the null rights bills here in Texas is so groundbreaking. If Texas takes the front of the stage on these rights, the rest of the world can’t ignore it. Not even New York has as intense of a reputation as a hardline kingdom.”

  I clacked my teeth together. “As I can’t dispute your claims, I’m only interested in tall men with dark hair and eyes.”

  “William has dark hair and eyes. Next objection?”

  “I have no interest in becoming a queen.”

  “That is a problem. Hmm. I’ll have to get back to you on that one. Also, thank you for not protesting your beauty or intellect. It gets so old trying to browbeat pretty, smart women into believing they’re pretty, smart women.”

  “You’re welcome,” I replied in my wryest tone. “Since you seem to be interested in spilling all of His Royal Majesty’s secrets, why is he interested in me?”

  “You’re a proven mother, you’re dedicated to your causes, and you’re able to rub more than two brain cells together and get a charge. You don’t put up with bullshit, and trust me, that’s mandatory when you’re a queen. You’re solid queen material, and he isn’t after a fling. He’s after a partner. I’ll cut a deal with you.”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s a dangerous proposition.”

  Jessica snickered. “That’s because you’re smart. See? He’s got the right idea. Let’s make a wager.”

  The idea intrigued me. “I’m not sure I have anything worth wagering over.”

  “I’m sure I can think of a few things. William’s picked up your whining habit, so this benefits me, as he’ll stop whining as much. You’re not interested in buying a man on the man-meat market. Good. You have standards. Yet, even you have to acknowledge you’ve had nothing but good luck from the auction you attended.”

  Telling Jessica the truth would probably make a mess of things for me, but I didn’t want to be carrying the burden of my choice alone. “I’ve already made the personal decision that I’m not giving any man a chance at the auction. There’s only one exception I’ll make.”

  “Oh?”

  “If Mireya’s father doesn’t show up by the end of the auction, I’ll consider pursuing someone else. As he’s a known attendee of the auctions, if he’s a royal as you claim, it’s probable he’ll be there. I’ve already sold off his daughter, so it seems only fair he gets a chance to show up and say his piece.”

  Jessica made a thoughtful sound. “All right. I can’t fault that. It’s been over a decade, Mackenzie. How will you know who he is? He lied to you about his name.”

  “He can introduce himself properly. He can tell me things only we know, too.”

  “Like the details of your day together.”

  I sighed. “Exactly.”

  “And if he shows up? What will you do?”

  “Do you want the pretty answer or the truth?”

  “Are you even capable of telling anything other than some sneaky version of the truth? I don’t think I’ve ever heard an actual lie ever come out of your mouth, which is an accomplishment in politics.”

  I wondered if the truth would really set me free, or if it would just chain me tighter to the man of my dreams. “I never stopped loving him, Jessica. No one can compete with a memory. I won’t do that to someone. It’s not fair.”

  “Well. That complicates things. All right. If you can’t move on without closure, then I’ll meddle and help you get that closure. Or not, depending on you and him. His rank does significantly limit the pool of possibilities. There can’t be too many men of his description who were in New York around the time they had their auction. What can you tell me about him?”

  “He’s taller than me, he has dark hair and eyes, and he’s too damned nice for his own good or mine.”

  There was a long silence. “Is that it?”

  “That’s all I remember.”

  “His voice?”

  “Well, I don’t think his voice was too
deep, but I don’t think it was high pitched, either.”

  “That describes most men, Mackenzie! Is he Caucasian?”

  “Well, I think so? He had a tan.”

  “And his hair?”

  “Same color as Mireya’s. Her eyes are his, too.”

  “Are you trying to vex me here? You’re doing a good job,” Jessica complained.

  “You’re not the only one vexed. Mireya wants me to take a road trip to find him! It’s impossible. I couldn’t find him when I was pregnant with her. I have no chance of finding him now.”

  “This explains so much. You can find out his kingdom of origin with one DNA test, Mackenzie. All you have to do is ask.”

  “No. If he wants in her life, he needs to show up and prove he’s worth having around—or that he’s a better parent than I am. I’d like to see him try.”

  Jessica chuckled. “What do you think he’ll do?”

  “I don’t know,” I admitted. “That’s what worries me the most.”

  “Well, this might not sound like good news to you now, but no royal worth his pentagram will try anything, not now. If he were to make a move you didn’t like, the betrothal agreement protects your daughter. Texas won’t relinquish her to some upstart. Now, of course, if he’s a royal worth his pentagram, he’d want to win you, because if he wins you, he gets the whole shebang.”

  I scowled at the thought of being the prize of some royal. Worse, I remembered what Dylan had told me in his dreams.

  If my dreams were reality, I could accept his reason for staying away, which only made my position even worse. Still, I couldn’t help it; I laughed at the thought of Dylan Mason being considered an upstart. “Upstart? I’m not sure he’s qualifies to be an upstart. He was stubborn.”

  “He’d have to be to win someone like you. You don’t seem like the kind to fall for just any man. We should get a few good bottles of wine, watch a few movies, and gossip how we lowered our guards and got ensnared by our men.”