She’d been lulled by her short time at the Register into thinking that all papers and all stories were like the ones in her hometown. Naïve of her, she knew. Especially now. She was news, and whatever a reporter could dig up about her was fair game. No wonder Nico was so jaded about fighting back.
But when he had right on his side, she refused to understand how he couldn’t fight the battles that mattered. She didn’t so much care about herself, though it hurt that Nico wouldn’t defend her, but Danny, her sweet baby—he did not deserve the aspersions on his parenthood.
It had infuriated her to read them. This morning, she’d asked for the papers to be delivered to her. She’d thought Nico might have issued orders to the contrary, but within moments a maid brought all the English language papers she could find. The articles had thinned somewhat, though there was a picture of her and Nico on the motorcycle. And a grainier one of them and Danny on the beach.
She’d scanned the articles, then bunched the papers up and stuffed them in the trash. Privacy was no longer a guarantee. It would take getting used to, but she would survive it, same as she’d survived everything else in her life. It would take more than a few negative stories to defeat her.
By the time evening fell, Lily hadn’t seen Nico all day. When she’d gone to bed last night, she’d locked the door. She’d been angry, and maybe she’d behaved childishly, but she hadn’t expected him to avoid her completely. She’d spent a very lonely night awake on cool sheets, aching for the man she loved—because she did love him—and dying inside because he wasn’t the person she’d begun to think he was.
He’d married her for Danny. She’d known it was the truth. And yet, to hear him say it so baldly, so blandly—well, it squeezed her heart into a tiny ball.
She’d done everything wrong. She’d meant to insulate her heart from him, meant to learn how to live with him without falling for him. But she’d failed.
And now she was paying for it. Was this what her mother had felt all those years? This aching emptiness that could only be filled by one man? Maybe so, but Lily was determined not be the woman her mother had been. Danny was her priority.
After she was dressed for the trip to Monteverde, she awaited Nico in the living area. She’d been gowned in the most exquisite silver dress that hugged her curves from breast to ankle. The dress had a small train, and she’d been fitted with a sash like the one Nico had worn the first night she’d arrived at the palace. Long white gloves went up to her elbows, and a diamond tiara perched on her head. She’d stared at herself in the mirror for long minutes, unable to believe the sight of all those diamonds winking like a neon sign.
When she was eight, she’d had a cheap plastic tiara with paste jewels that her mother had gotten from a thrift store. She’d shut the door to her room and pretend to be a princess, waltzing with her prince at a grand ball. Every night, until the tiara disappeared in one of their moves. She’d cried for a week. That her life should now imitate her childhood dreams was too surreal.
But in her dreams, the prince loved her. Too bad reality was proving so different.
When Nico entered the room, her heart leaped at the sight of him. He was resplendent in the ceremonial uniform of the Montebiancan navy. Though he had the sash and medals, this time the sword was missing. He drew up short when he saw her.
“Sei belissima, Principessa,” he said.
Lily clasped her trembling hands together. She’d had protocol lessons today, but she had to admit she was nervous about the evening. “Thank you. I think.”
He smiled as if nothing bad had happened between them. “It means you are beautiful.”
She dropped her gaze to the floor and swallowed. She couldn’t look at him and pretend nothing was wrong.
“You are prepared for this?” he asked.
Lily lifted her head, her heart aching for him despite her wishes otherwise. “Yes. I will do my duty, Nico.”
She didn’t have to wonder if he heard the bitter twist she put on the word. Something sparked in his eyes—but was it guilt or resentment?
Or neither?
He held out his arm for her in silence. She took it and they headed for their waiting helicopter. She was beginning to understand that she really didn’t know her prince at all, no matter what they might have shared. No matter what she might have thought was beginning to blossom between them when they’d been away from the palace.
Nico had married her for Danny’s sake. But if duty demanded it, would he divorce her just as quickly?
Chapter Sixteen
There were three kingdoms, Lily learned on the flight to Monteverde’s capital, that had once been a single country. But more than a thousand years ago, three feuding brothers divided the country between them when their father died. Montebianco, Monteverde, and Monterosso were now ruled by the descendants of those brothers, though the connection was so far in the past they were no longer related except in the most distant way.
Montebianco and Monterosso had good diplomatic ties and had done for over one hundred years now. But Monteverde was the odd kingdom out, the one ruled by a tyrant who controlled his people’s access to news, the Internet, and travel. They were an insular people, but they had many things to offer if free trade could be established. The Monterossan king refused to negotiate with King Paolo, but Montebianco was the peacemaker of the three. Good relations, Nico had explained, would benefit everyone.
Lily had never ridden in a helicopter, but she had a feeling this one did not quite count. The interior was plush, like Nico’s jet, lined with cushioned seats and polished wood.
“Marrying me ruined everything, didn’t it?” she asked when he’d finished his discourse on regional politics.
His expression didn’t change. “It did not please Paolo, no.”
She wondered if he regretted his hasty decision to marry her, but she could not bring herself to ask it right now. She’d been angry last night, and she’d as good as said that her life would have been better if he hadn’t forced her into marriage.
And yet she wasn’t certain it was the truth. Yes, she’d have her independence, but she wouldn’t have the freedom to be the kind of mother she’d been lately, the sort of mother who had the luxury to spend as much time with her baby as she wanted. She’d still be working long hours to provide a good home for them both and wondering when life would ever get easier. Her baby would be spending most of his time in daycare instead of with her. Though Nico had taken much from her, he’d also given her a precious gift. If he said that he regretted it, she wasn’t sure how she would handle it.
Instead, she turned to the window and watched the darkness slide by until the lights of a city appeared on the horizon. Once they arrived at the seaside fortress belonging to Monteverde’s king, their six-man security team, clad in black suits and probably packing enough artillery to take over a small country, preceded them out of the helicopter and took up station to await their descent. Nico went first, then held out his hand and helped Lily to the landing pad.
A man in a white dinner jacket and bowtie came forward and bowed deeply. “Serene Highnesses, welcome.”
Lily bit the inside of her lip and followed Nico’s lead. She had to relax, had to get through this night and the inevitable meeting with Princess Antonella so that she could return to the palace and hug her baby close again.
Would she lock the bedroom door tonight? Or should she encourage Nico to join her? She was still angry with him, but perhaps they could move forward if they reconnected on the intimate level they’d shared at his house on the beach.
“Relax, Lily,” Nico said quietly, looping her arm inside his and placing his hand over hers. “You are the Crown Princess of Montebianco. You outrank everyone here with the exception of the king. Remember this when you feel overwhelmed.”
“I just want it over with,” she said through the smile she’d pasted on her face as they passed between two rows of onlookers on the portico.
“It will be so soon enough,” he said
as they entered the interior.
Not soon enough for her liking.
They stopped in front of a large set of double doors and the man who’d escorted them spoke to Nico in Italian. When he was finished, Nico bent to whisper in her ear.
“They will announce us, and we will enter onto the ceremonial staircase. We stand while the photographers take our picture and then we descend. The king is not yet in attendance but will appear after we’ve arrived.”
“So we don’t upstage him?”
“Precisely, cara.”
Somehow, she got through the grand entrance, the photos, and then down the stairs without stumbling on her high heels, to a large ballroom that had fewer people than she’d expected. It wasn’t empty, but it wasn’t packed either.
Nico handed her a champagne flute. She took it but did not drink. If anything, she needed a clear head tonight. They did not have long to wait before King Paolo arrived. He was a large, florid man, dressed in a uniform dripping with jewels and medals. At his side was a woman who made Lily’s heart stutter in her chest.
Princess Antonella was the most graceful, elegant creature she’d ever seen. Her long, thick hair was swept into a pile on her head, her tiara made Lily’s look puny, and she wore a deep ruby gown that set off her hair and skin to perfection. She walked with a lush, sensual roll of her hips that was most surely designed to rivet the attention of any male within sight. Lily wanted desperately to look at Nico, to see if there was regret or lust on his face, but to turn away would be an insult to the king.
And perhaps it was a blessing she couldn’t look at Nico. Was she truly prepared to handle what she saw there?
Instead, she focused on the couple coming down the stairs. Antonella’s beautiful face was set in a cool, detached mask while the king looked gruff and arrogant. From the corner of her eye, Lily saw Nico bend at the waist. At the last second, she remembered to drop into a curtsy.
“Welcome to Monteverde, Your Highness,” King Paolo said to Nico, ignoring her altogether.
“We are delighted to be here, Your Majesty,” Nico replied smoothly, though she knew it was anything but the truth. “My wife and I thank you for your hospitality.”
“Come then, let me introduce you to some of my government ministers,” the king said to Nico. “Antonella, entertain the prince’s companion.”
Lily watched them go, her heart pounding so hard she thought everyone could surely see it, and then turned to the woman who would have been Nico’s wife had it not been for her. She expected to see hatred, but Antonella’s expression remained cool and controlled. “Principessa, do join me.”
She led the way to a small sitting area off one end of the ballroom. A few other women occupied the space but found a reason to leap up and fade into the background as soon as Lily and Antonella appeared.
Lily sank onto a chair facing her beautiful rival. “I’m sorry you have to do this.”
How hard it must be for Antonella to have to entertain her in public, knowing everyone was watching her be nice to the woman who’d ruined her happiness.
Antonella raised her champagne glass. “It is my duty,” she replied before taking a delicate sip.
That word again. Lily was beginning to hate the sound of it. She turned her head sideways, studying the other woman. Something about her makeup…
“Are you okay?”
Antonella shifted in her seat, rotating the right side of her face away from scrutiny. “Yes. It is nothing,” she said, her fingers straying up to her cheek. “I was clumsy and ran into a door.”
It was possible, Lily supposed, but she didn’t quite buy it. Still, the bruise under Antonella’s eye was none of Lily’s business. It was well hidden under her makeup, though upon closer inspection the purpling skin was obvious when compared with the left side of her face.
Who would hit her? Her father? The idea horrified Lily, but then she’d disliked the man on sight—and Nico’s description of him hadn’t exactly been warm.
But Antonella seemed uncomfortable, so Lily didn’t mention it again. The minutes ticked by as Antonella made small talk, and Lily soon relaxed. She found she couldn’t help but like the princess even if the other woman was so well-schooled in proper behavior that her questions were merely polite and not truly because she was interested.
“Your son, he is talking now?”
Lily laughed. “He talks quite a lot, yes.”
“I think I would like a baby someday,” she said almost wistfully.
Lily bit her lip and leaned forward. She hesitated to speak, but decided she had to do it. For her own peace of mind, if nothing else. “I’m sorry if I’ve caused you pain. But I’m not sorry Nico chose to be a father to his son.”
Antonella’s eyes widened. “You love him?”
She’d gone this far. There was nothing for it except to be honest. The feeling was still so raw and new, but she wanted to share it with someone. Was it wrong to do so with this woman who had loved him too? Or was it right to let Antonella know where she stood?
“Yes, I do.”
“Then I am very glad for you. To be in love, it is extraordinary. I wish to feel this for a man someday.” Antonella’s smile was startlingly genuine.
Lily blinked. “You aren’t in love with Nico?”
“Good heavens, no,” she laughed.
Lily felt as if a weight had been lifted from her soul. Antonella did not love Nico.
“You seem quite pleased,” the princess said, smiling once more.
“I have to admit I am. I was afraid I’d ruined all your dreams.” But what about Nico? Had he been in love with Antonella? She didn’t think so, but she wasn’t certain. It seemed unlikely. Or did it?
Antonella shook her head. “I was engaged to Gaetano first. Poor man. He chose his path, and that is all any of us can hope to do. Though not so tragically, one would hope. When Gaetano died, my father negotiated to wed me to Nico instead.”
Lily remembered her conversation with Antonella in Paris. She’d said she had a habit of chasing away grooms. Now it made sense.
“You will find someone,” Lily said. “It’ll happen when you least expect it, I imagine.”
Antonella frowned. “I am not so sure. Love is perhaps not for me.” Her grey eyes were piercing suddenly. “Be careful, Lily. Prince Nico, he is handsome and pleasing, but he knows these things about himself. He knows how to make women love him. He also knows how to break hearts.”
Lily realized she was clutching her hands in her lap. “I—yes, I know.”
Antonella reached across and squeezed her hand. “I do not wish to upset you. You are a nice girl, but Nico is a jaded man. I would not say this if I didn’t know the truth. He had an affair with one of my school friends a few years ago. She’d been expecting marriage, I think. But Nico found a new woman to amuse himself with and moved on. This is often the way with such men.”
“Such men?” Lily repeated, feeling the twist of the vise around her heart with every word.
“He is a prince, gifted with a handsome face and raised on entitlement. Trust me, I have brothers. I understand this quite well. But do not fret yourself, Lily! Nico may very well be tamed by marriage and I will have upset you for nothing.”
“No, you’re right. I’d be naïve to think otherwise.” Lily sipped her champagne because she needed something to do. The liquid was no longer cold, and the bubbles nearly made her sneeze.
Perhaps she’d need to take champagne-drinking lessons before the next official soirée, she thought sourly. The idea would have made her laugh had her conversation with Antonella not tweaked that insecure part of her that was simply waiting for Nico to live up to his playboy reputation.
And what did she expect anyway? It’d been a little under two weeks since he’d married her, only a few days since they’d started having sex. Did she really think he could feel the same for her as she did for him? That his fascination with her body was anything more than the excitement of being with a new lover?
&nbs
p; Until last night, he’d said all the right things, complimented her, and seemed to enjoy their lovemaking. But was that enough to build a real relationship on? Without Danny, the entire scenario would be moot. He would not have lifted a single custom-shod foot to tromp down to her cell if she hadn’t been carrying a picture of her baby. It was enough to make her breath catch painfully.
Antonella’s gaze went beyond Lily’s shoulder, her expression morphing from confusion to horror. Lily pivoted in her chair to see what was going on. A group of men in uniform, carrying automatic rifles, stomped toward them. Antonella bolted to her feet. Lily joined her more out of instinct than anything, surprised when the other woman gripped her hand and moved her body in front of Lily’s as if to shield her.
“What do you want?” Antonella demanded when the men fanned out, taking up position around them.
“Scusi, Principessa Antonella,” a tall, lean man who seemed to be the group leader said. “But we are under orders to take this woman into custody.”
“This woman,” Antonella pronounced, “is the Crown Princess of Montebianco. Surely you are mistaken.”
The man’s expression was cold. “No, mi principessa, I am not.”
Nico sat in the king’s private study, listening to the man expound on his theory of a united Monteverde and Montebianco forcing Monterosso to bow to their collective wills. It was entertaining, if pointless. The man had despotic tendencies and ambitions that were no good for his country, especially if he truly attempted to put any of his plans into action.
Nico had been introduced to several government ministers, who were nothing more than yes-men to Paolo, and then shown to the king’s study where Paolo insisted he share a vintage bottle of Montebiancan brandy and talk.
Filthy Rich Prince: A Filthy Rich Billionaires Book Page 15