The sound of something falling made his heart skip a beat, and Asher spun around, tucking Abi behind him. He saw a lantern on the ground, tipped on the side. His eyes traveled up the courtyard wall, and he realized there was a dark space where the lantern should’ve been.
His nerves were on edge, and he knew his time with Abi was limited. He needed to go back inside. He shouldn’t have come out alone without security.
“Are you okay?” Abi asked with assessing eyes.
“Yeah,” Asher said, giving her his full attention again. The heat in her eyes was undeniable, and when her lips parted ever so slightly, he allowed himself one more minute.
His mouth found hers, consuming it. His entire body hummed, electrified. She tasted so good, so sweet. Abi could protest with words, but her body said something very different.
Her arms wrapped around his waist and a moan fell from her lips. His lungs burned but he didn’t pull back, he couldn’t. He was a starved man, a broken man, a grieving man, and he needed her.
Eventually, though, she broke the kiss. She rested her forehead on his chest, breathless.
“Don’t ever lie to me again, Abi,” Asher said.
“What does it matter?” she asked with pained eyes. She took a step back. “We aren’t meant to be.”
She moved to leave again, and this time he let her go. He watched her walk away, unable to draw his eyes from her dress—the damn dress that had undone him in seconds. He waited a few minutes and then followed her back inside before heading to the bar.
It didn’t take long for Jesse’s wrath to find him.
“Where have you been?” he asked, his voice scornful.
“Getting some air in the courtyard,” Asher admitted. “I’m sorry, I honestly didn’t mean to give you the slip.”
“We don’t control security here, Ash. Don’t leave my side again,” he said with hard eyes.
“I promise I won’t,” Asher said heavily before turning to order a drink.
Asher ordered Jesse a soda, and they made their way back to the table.
In his peripheral vision, he saw Abi walking toward her family table. He’d thought the seating arrangement odd when he walked in, and now he wondered how the hell he was going to sit across from her without looking in her direction.
She sat down, talking to the woman next to her. Asher had no idea who it was, but he no longer thought it was a Bennett daughter as he’d previously assumed.
Asher didn’t want to sit down yet, so he pretended to get caught up talking to guests. He made more polite talk than usual, buying himself some time to pull himself together.
Standing behind the other guests, he leaned against the wall, and his eyes landed on Abi once again. Her gaze flickered up, landing on his empty chair, before she returned her attention to the woman beside her.
“What are you doing?” his mother asked.
Asher jumped, unsure how long she’d been standing there.
“Spying on our enemies,” he said with a good dose of attitude. His mother wouldn’t have missed where he was looking, so there was no point denying it.
She pursed her lips, seeming to hesitate. She looked over her shoulder and then lowered her voice. “Remove that look from your eyes. Do not go there, Asher.”
He could’ve denied it, but evidently his mother already knew. Her words were a warning, yes—but more than that, they were a plea.
“What would happen if I did?” Asher asked, meeting her gaze. He’d already been there . . . and he wanted more.
His mother raised her eyebrows. “Your father’s feud with William Bennett is public knowledge. What do you think dating William Bennett’s daughter would say to the people of Santina?” She lowered her voice. “The people respect your opinion, and they will say that you think the feud is irrelevant, that you do not support your father on it. That will make them question what else you don’t support him on. Our family must remain unified—dating William Bennett’s daughter will be like a slap in the face to your father.”
“Or it could be a show of unity between the royal family and the most successful businessman in Santina,” Asher argued. “It could show that in the best interest of Santina, the two men are prepared to work together. I was serious about William Bennett being an ally. He has powerful connections, not just in Santina but all over the world.”
“You don’t understand,” she said quietly.
“How would I? Father refuses to discuss it,” Asher said tightly.
His mother looked away. “That is to protect me,” she said in a terse whisper.
Asher’s eyes narrowed. “What does this have to do with you?”
“Everything.” She looked around them. “We’ll talk tomorrow,” she said before returning to the table.
Asher’s eyes returned to Abi, but his mind was on his mother. Had she been the reason for the feud? His mind was reeling with possible reasons, but only one came to mind. He couldn’t fathom it, though.
Abi looked up from her cell phone, and her gaze swept over the guests. Their eyes connected.
An arm draped around his shoulder, startling him. “What’s up, little brother?” Alistair slurred, and Asher cringed—this was the last thing he needed tonight.
Asher took his brother’s drink, wondering how his brother had ended up plastered when they’d only been at the event for an hour. Asher tipped Alistair’s drink down his throat, and he immediately knew the answer. His throat burned, and Asher realized a few seconds too late that Alistair had been drinking straight vodka.
Alistair wiggled his eyebrows. “You don’t like it?” he asked with a straight face.
Asher wiped his mouth. “No wonder you can barely stand,” he said, disgusted, as a waitress walked past carrying plates. “Come on,” Asher said, nudging his brother toward their table. He prayed some food would soak up a little of the vodka.
“Stand up straight,” Asher said under his breath, and Alistair actually listened. They hadn’t fooled their father, though—he took one look at Alistair and all but rolled his eyes.
Asher poured a large glass of water and handed it to Alistair. “Drink, please.” If Asher had children, this was how he imagined it would be to deal with them.
Alistair took the glass, spilling some of it, narrowly missing their mother. Asher didn’t know if he should get Alistair out of there, but the two princes leaving early from the charity dinner wouldn’t look good either. He looked to his mother for guidance.
“Sit him down,” she said before returning her attention to her husband.
Asher guided Alistair to the nearest seat, Asher’s seat, and put a hand on his shoulder. It might’ve looked brotherly, however it was anything but. Asher just wanted to make sure Alistair stayed seated.
Asher felt eyes on him, and he looked up to see William Bennett watching him carefully. Their eyes met, and while Asher expected to see hate or disgust in his eyes, he didn’t see any of that. William looked away before Asher could get a read on him.
Alistair tugged Asher’s hand. He really was like a child when he was drunk. That he actually picked up women in this state was quite an achievement. Clearly they only wanted the royal title, Asher thought, because he could not imagine any woman finding him attractive like this.
Asher was hyperaware he was standing now while everyone was seated and eating, but the only chair left was the one next to his father—the one delegated to the crown prince. If he sat in it, people could make the incorrect assumption. And if he tried to move Alistair, Asher had no idea what embarrassment would follow—or how Alistair would react.
Asher took a gamble. “You need to move into your seat, crown prince,” he said, taking his brother’s elbow and making sure Alistair didn’t trip on his feet. Seating him next to the King in this state was far from ideal, but everything about tonight was far from ideal.
“Who is that on the end of the Bennett table?” Alistair asked.
The Queen paused, then continued chewing, but there was no mistakin
g that she’d heard.
“I don’t know,” Asher said.
“I like women I can’t have,” Alistair whispered before he sat in his seat.
Asher didn’t respond, but his chest flared. He didn’t think Abi would be interested in Alistair, not in a million years, but the thought of them together made his jaw grind nonetheless.
“How is he so drunk?” the Queen asked under her breath.
“Vodka on ice,” Asher responded, wishing he had one himself right now.
“This is going to be a long night,” she said with a sigh.
Asher couldn’t agree more.
It took every ounce of self-control not to let his eyes go where they wanted to, but his eyes and his heart were ready to betray his mind. He felt he could see her without looking at her.
A guest tapped his shoulder, and he welcomed the distraction. Everyone wanted to talk about the aid deals Asher had brokered, and the conversations were a good distraction while they lasted.
When he sat down to eat, he allowed himself one glance at her seat.
It was empty.
“She left,” his mother said under her breath.
He’d taken one glance in over an hour and she’d caught it. How had he ever gotten away with anything as a child?
“That’s probably for the best,” Asher responded, but he knew his words weren’t convincing.
He ate his food, drank the wine, and chatted pleasantries. He was achingly tired when the night finally ended. Alistair had managed to sober up, but without the alcohol buzz, he looked as bored as one could possibly look.
“Take him home,” his mother said.
Asher didn’t waste a second.
“Alistair. Let’s get out of here,” Asher said, standing.
Alistair swayed as he stood—perhaps he wasn’t as sober as Asher had thought. But he flashed a grin, put on his jacket, and they moved toward the exit. They were at the door when they came face to face with William Bennett.
“Mr. Bennett,” Asher said with a nod.
Alistair didn’t say a word, and Asher didn’t dare look at his expression.
William’s eyes darted to Alistair and then landed back on Asher.
“Evening, Princes,” he said before stepping aside for them.
William Bennett was a hard man to read. At first glance, Asher thought he had no emotional connection to them at all—but something lurked beneath his eyes.
What was William Bennett thinking?
Asher
Asher awoke to the blinding sun. Why were the drapes open?
He sat up, wiping his hands over his face, and soon had an answer.
“Good morning,” the Queen said.
Asher sighed. “Morning, Mother.”
He didn’t need to ask why she was so rudely waking him.
“Okay, before you start,” Asher said, “I didn’t know who she was.” Well, that had been the truth every time he’d kissed her except for last night.
She pursed her lips then narrowed her eyes. “But she knew who you were.”
“Right. It wasn’t supposed to get so complicated. I’m the reason it moved forward,” he said, reaching for the bottle of water on his bedside table.
“Abigail Bennett lives a very secret life for a reason. Please tell me you are not involved in IFRT,” she said.
Asher met her gaze. “You know about her involvement in IFRT?”
“You didn’t answer,” his mother said.
“Yes, I’m involved in IFRT,” Asher confirmed. “I provided her with clearances and help at the border should she or her team need it. What they do is important work, and this entire region needs groups like IFRT.”
His mother groaned, burying her face in her hands. “IFRT operates illegally, Asher. You cannot have anything to do with her or her organization.”
“Because of Father’s feud with William Bennett? Women and children are being abducted and brutalized, and I can’t give her unquestioned access over the border to help her rescue these poor people? People that no one else will risk their lives to save!” he said, his voice rising. “What are we doing? What is our family doing for these people? We need groups like IFRT to do the work we can’t be seen doing.”
“We can’t be seen supporting IFRT,” the Queen urged. “You can’t be seen supporting them. Our neighbors have tried to shut down IFRT twice in the past twelve months. They say IFRT causes more harm than good.”
“More harm than good? How exactly?” Asher demanded.
“Because what do you think happens to their informants or the civilians on the ground? If they are ever discovered, their entire villages are terrorized. I think what she is trying to do is brave, but there are wider consequences of illegally entering a country and causing unrest—and deaths. If our family is seen to be supporting this, our allies are going to be very upset and accuse us of meddling in their affairs.”
“If IFRT doesn’t do it, who will? These countries complain about IFRT, but they do nothing to help those taken hostage. Perhaps if they really cared, they would provide support to civilians that help IFRT. Anyway, no one is watching what I’m doing. I’m not the crown prince. I am the only one who can do this,” Asher said.
“That’s the way it should be, Asher, but that’s not how it is,” his mother said. “Everyone is watching what you’re doing. Why do you think William Bennett was watching you? He’s interested to see what you’re going to do next. Santina is waiting, and watching,” she said, looking strained.
“For what?” Asher asked slowly.
“You’re a natural leader, Asher. People believe in you. You remind me of your father when he was your age.”
Asher wasn’t sure what to make of that, and right now he didn’t care. “You need to explain what you said last night. Why is Father protecting you?”
She sighed, looking at her hands. Asher noticed she couldn’t look at him.
“Because I . . . Because it was the greatest mistake of my life,” she said with a strained voice. “I wasn’t coping well with royal life and I’d just . . . I had just miscarried. I felt like a failure, and I felt unworthy of your father.”
Emilia drew in a shaky breath. “I self-sabotaged. We were with the Bennetts on vacation. We’d been drinking, and Emma went to bed, as did your father. William and I continued drinking. I confided in him; I was in tears. He comforted me, and . . .one thing led to another.” She looked away. “It was a mistake. Your father walked in, and a moment later he had his hands around William’s neck.
“It was stupid,” she said with wet eyes. “It was all so stupid, and we almost ruined our marriages and lives in a moment of weakness. Your father spent years after that trying to ruin William Bennett’s reputation and blocking every business success he could. William Bennett almost went bankrupt a few years later.” She sighed, then continued. “I have spent every day since trying to make it up to your father. I have never spoken to William Bennett again—out of respect for your father, and for Emma. She was pregnant at the time,” she said, her voice breaking. “I betrayed her. We hadn’t spoken until she sent me the message after Noah’s death. That message meant more to me than I can ever tell you.”
She wiped her wet cheeks, finally looking at Asher. “That is why the details of the feud have been covered up. Your father did it to protect me, so my image wouldn’t be tarnished, and admittedly the scandal would’ve hurt both our families. William Bennett has a reputation of integrity; it’s one of the reasons he’s been so successful. He made a mistake—we both did. We were lucky we had partners that loved us enough to forgive us.”
She sighed, shaking her head.
“What do you honestly believe the people of Santina would think of the feud being healed?” Asher asked. “I agree that dating Abi Bennett without Father’s permission would be a slap in the face to him. But what if he gave his permission?”
She squeezed the bridge of her nose. “He would need to forgive William to do that, Asher.”
“Emma has
forgiven you,” Asher said pointedly, “Otherwise she wouldn’t have sent the message. This could be a good thing for Santina, and for that reason alone, Father might consider it. We have so many problems, but showing unity with the Bennetts could show we are willing to do whatever it takes for Santina to prosper.”
“I can’t ask him to do that, Asher,” Emilia said.
“I’ll ask him,” Asher said.
There was a knock at Asher’s door and he called out to enter. Jesse entered. “Your father has requested your presence.”
“This looks like a good time to me,” Asher said to his mother.
“Tread carefully, Asher. Despite the years that have passed, your father won’t talk about what happened.”
With that, she excused herself, and Asher dressed quickly. No good would come from keeping King Martin waiting, and Asher needed luck on his side this morning.
The guards motioned for him to enter when he arrived at his father’s office. When Asher opened the door, he was surprised to see his mother standing beside the King.
“Please take a seat, Asher. Jesse, you may stay,” King Martin said.
Jesse closed the door behind them and stood beside it. Asher took the seat across from his father.
The moment the King looked directly at him, Asher realized he knew.
“You’re going to sever all ties with IFRT today,” King Martin started. “You’re making aid deals while simultaneously sabotaging those deals by involving yourself. You should never have gotten involved, and at a minimum you should’ve cut ties when you realized you were supporting the Bennett family.” His father’s voice was tight, like he was fighting to keep control of his fury.
“I’m not supporting the Bennett family. I decided to support IFRT before I knew Abigail Bennett was involved,” Asher said, matter-of-factly.
“You mean before you decided to start a relationship with Abigail Bennett?” his father asked with raised eyebrows.
Asher’s anger peaked.
“That relationship ended the second I learned who she was. I knew her only as Abi. I did not go into this intending to support the Bennett family in any form—but while we’re on the subject, I’m glad you brought it up.”
BLOOD, LOVE AND LIES (THE ROYALS Book 1) Page 16