by Ember Casey
“So what will you do?” He cocks his head. “Hide in this hovel?” He glances around the apartment. “You’ll hole yourself up here? And for how long?”
“Hardly.” I can’t help but smile. “I’m going to make the most of it. Pax and I have a very public dinner planned for tonight at some restaurant. Some place people go purposely to get publicity.”
Nicholas merely shakes his head.
“And then…” I should stop talking, but for some reason I can’t. “And then I’m going to go on tour with him.” I smile. “And we’re going to be very, very happy together.” Even as I say the words, I know they aren’t true. Pax and I might share some sort of chemistry, but he obviously has many secrets—many things he’ll likely never share with me. He’s made his disdain for any sort of commitment very clear, even if he did invite me to go on tour with him. I can’t forget the lyrics of his songs—the haunting words that reveal all too clearly that he has hidden pain within him that’s too deep to bear. I still don’t know what it is he’s hiding—and I’m still not certain I want to know. But I do know that he’s offered to stand by my side through this. That he’s willing to set aside his fears, at least for a time to be able to protect me. And that’s enough for now.
“You can’t stop me, Nick.”
My brother closes his eyes for a moment, clearly trying to contain his anger. He finally looks back over at me. “Father and Andrew…” He shakes his head. “They’re going to hate this.”
“I don’t care—”
“Let me finish.” His gaze narrows at me. “They’re going to hate it. But if it’s what you’re going to insist on doing, I’ll tell them.”
It takes me a second to realize he’s essentially given me permission to do as I please. And I can’t help but grin. “Really? Nicholas, I can’t tell you how much—”
“I wasn’t done.” His gaze is still narrowed, and his frown deepens. “I’ll tell them, Sophia. But only on one condition.”
“Whatever you want.” I smile. “I just really appreciate that you’re letting me do what I think is best for myself—”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Sister.” There’s still no trace of amusement in his expression—not that there usually is. “The one condition of you going on this tour—and even to this dinner—is that I will be accompanying you. You are not going anywhere alone with this Pax person. Ever.”
Pax
Mick is yammering on about whatever the hackers did to access my computer, but I’m not listening. My ears are strained toward the door back to the living room, trying to pick up the conversation between Sophia and her brother.
She’s agreed to stay—that’s the important thing. And in spite of what my instincts are telling me, I can’t help it—I’m damn happy about her decision. She might only be a distraction, but she’s not one I’m willing to let go of just yet.
What is it about this girl? She’s far too much trouble—between her stubbornness and her overprotective family, I should know better. Not to mention that the last time I let myself feel anything for someone, it ended in a nightmare. But I’m not willing to let her walk out of my life just yet.
“Knock knock, anyone home?” Mick says.
I jump, realizing I’ve been completely ignoring him.
“Yeah, that’s… Everything you just said is fine,” I mumble. “I trust you.”
He laughs. “You’re in over your head, Pax. I’ve never seen you like this over a woman before.”
“I just need more sleep,” I say quickly. “Obviously I didn’t get much last night.”
He laughs again, seeing right through my bullshit. “If I had to guess which one of you boys would be the first to go all gaga over some girl, it wouldn’t have been you. But maybe I should have known better.” He grips me by the shoulders and turns me so I’m facing him squarely. “But back to business—I think we need to get some private investigators on this—just in case Prince Charming’s royal spies aren’t as good as he thinks they are—and once they’ve identified the bastard, we need to launch a lawsuit as soon as possible. That’ll drag on for months, maybe even years, but the public will be on your side. Even those who’ve watched and enjoyed the video will admire your commitment to protecting your privacy—and Princess Sophia’s. In the meantime, we just want to make sure they fall in love with the idea of you as a couple.”
“I know, I know. We’re working on that part.” I try again to pick up what’s being said in the living room, but I still can’t hear a damn thing.
“Leave the rest up to me. I’ll let the other boys in on what’s happening.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me. I’m just doing my job.” He looks up, his mouth opening as if he means to say something else, but his eyes shift past me to the door. I turn around and see Sophia standing there.
“Did you tell him?” I ask her.
“Yeah. But it didn’t turn out exactly like I expected.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“The good news is that I’ve talked Nick out of murdering you.”
“And the bad news?”
She shrugs. “It looks like he’ll be tagging along on your tour, too.”
“No way,” I say immediately. “I don’t want that guy breathing down my neck the whole damn tour.”
“I’m afraid you don’t have any choice,” says Nicholas, suddenly appearing behind Sophia. “Either I come with you, or my sister comes home with me today.”
Who the fuck does this asshole think he is?
“Sophia’s an adult,” I remind him. “She can make her own decisions about where she goes.”
“Sophia has already agreed to this,” he replies. “If you take her off somewhere without me, rest assured I’ll be filing kidnapping charges the moment you’re out of my sight. And believe me, given our political status, those charges would be taken very seriously.”
“This is ridiculous,” I say. I turn to Mick, hoping for some help, but he just shrugs.
“I don’t know what to tell you,” my manager says. “I’m sure he means what he says. It would be publicity, sure, but probably not the kind we want.”
I drag my hand through my hair. Everyone else in this room has gone completely insane. I’m supposed to be going on tour—not playing host to half the members of some royal family I’m not sure I’d even heard of before a couple days ago.
But then my eyes fall on Sophia again, and I remember exactly why I’m in this mess. One look into her blue eyes and I know I’ll agree to everything, just because I’m not willing to let go of her yet.
“Fine,” I say. “Fine, everyone can do whatever they want.”
“Good, that’s settled, then,” Mick says. “I’m going to go contact those investigators and follow up with the police. You two decide what you’re going to be wearing to dinner. I’d suggest something sexy without being too provocative.”
He’s halfway out the door when Nicholas grabs his arm. “You’ll need to update the dinner reservation. I’ll be attending it as well.”
Mick makes a sound that’s half laugh and half cough. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Your Highness—these two need to be seen having a proper date.”
“These two won’t be going anywhere without me as a chaperone,” he says calmly. “Either I go, or they don’t go at all.”
Seriously? Having this guy along on tour will be bad enough, but if he insists on accompanying Sophia and me everywhere we go, we’re going to have a problem. A big one.
“Sophia and I can handle ourselves,” I say.
Nicholas arches an eyebrow. “The evidence suggests otherwise. This isn’t a request. Either I come, or this dinner is canceled.”
I shoot a desperate look at Mick, who simply shrugs again. He gives me a look that essentially says, You got yourself into this. You get yourself out.
Then I look at Sophia. She looks just as frustrated and exasperated as I feel—and also just as helpless. But there’s a spark in
her eyes, one that suggests she’s just as eager as I am to ditch our self-appointed babysitter.
“It’s just dinner,” she says. “There’s no reason Nicholas can’t come, too. Besides, it’s probably good for everyone to see my family standing by me.”
Mick gives another shrug. “I’ll update the reservation, then.”
He leaves, and I’m suddenly alone with Sophia and her brother.
Talk about the world’s most awkward situation. I clear my throat, trying to think of something to say and coming up empty. I’d love to speak with Sophia alone, but it’s clear that her brother has no intention of leaving, probably not even before dinner.
Tonight, I tell myself. Tonight, Sophia and I will find a way to sneak off alone. I can’t believe her brother would cause a scene at the restaurant, not if he’s so concerned about his sister’s reputation. His sister and I will escape him, even if it’s only for a few minutes, and we’ll figure something out. Some way to get him off our backs.
Until then, though, I have to put up with him somehow. And God help me, I suspect this is going to be the longest, most awkward day of my life.
Sophia
Nicholas says nothing, merely glaring at Pax. And Pax looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here.
“So…” I can’t help but try to make light of the situation—and to try and find a way to get out of my brother’s keep. “Maybe Pax and I should go and get my luggage.”
My brother’s gaze snaps to mine, and I know immediately I’ve said the wrong thing. “You’re not going anywhere. Not with him.”
“Then what do you propose I do? For clothes?” I give myself a little wave. “This isn’t exactly appropriate attire for our dinner tonight—”
“How about a drink?” Pax steps toward my brother and me. “What do you like, Nick? Or do I need to call you Your Highness?”
Nicholas turns his narrowed gaze back to Pax. “Nicholas will do fine. And I don’t typically drink alcohol before noon.”
“Well, it’s gotta be…what? Nine? Ten o’clock at night in Montovia?” He grins. “They say it’s always happy hour somewhere.”
Nicholas swings his head slowly back and forth. “You are not helping your situation at all.”
“What situation is that?” Pax cuts between the two of us as he steps into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator. “Are you a beer guy? I have a couple different microbrews.” He stands, turning back to face us. “Nah, you’re probably a martini kind of guy, aren’t you? I don’t have any gin. But I do have some vodka—”
“As I said…” Nicholas’s voice is so sharp it could almost cut someone. “I don’t drink before noon. And usually not before dinner.” He turns back to me, tilting his head. “You’re certain you want to spend the next few weeks with this?”
“Uh, I hate to break it to you, pal. But we’ll be spending the next few months together if the tour goes well.” Something cracks in Pax’s voice, almost as though he regrets the words that have come out of his mouth. He mutters something under his breath as he turns back to the refrigerator and begins rummaging around.
“Maybe we should just worry about today.” I smile, glancing between the two men. “And today, I’m most concerned about how I’ll get my luggage—”
Both my brother and Pax speak at the same time. “I’ll send someone for it.” Pax stands and cocks his head at my brother. They speak again in unison. “No, I will.”
“Wonderful.” I clasp my hands together, grinning. “What a lucky girl I am to have two men so eager to help me.”
Nicholas glares at me while Pax chuckles.
“As long as I can change out of this dress—”
“I think that dress is pretty fucking hot.” Pax’s cheeks instantly redden when my brother eyes widen and Nicholas takes a step toward him. “I mean, you know…”
“You’d do well to show my sister some respect.” My brother’s hands ball into fists at his side. “That would be my recommendation to you.”
“I…” Pax cocks his head again, almost as though he’s measuring his words. “I thought I was being respectful.” He glances at me. “Sorry, Sophia.”
“No apologies necessary.” I let out a long breath—if Nicholas doesn’t pull the stick from his ass, this is going to be a very long day. “Perhaps we should all get some breakfast. Maybe that would—”
“I’ve already eaten.” My brother’s gaze never leaves Pax. It almost looks like he’s trying to decide whether or not to attack him.
“Then maybe…maybe we could do some sightseeing before our dinner tonight.” I look between the two men, trying desperately to think of something to say that will break the tension between them. “I’m sure Pax knows some places we could go—”
“Might I remind you that you are currently the center of attention in this city?” My brother’s gaze finally snaps to mine. “Do I really have to be the one to tell you—”
“About the film.” My cheeks are hot. I can’t believe I forgot about the stupid sex tape for even a moment. “No, you don’t have to remind me. I was simply trying to—”
“Leave her alone.” Pax slams the refrigerator closed, walking over to me. “It wasn’t her fault. And who the hell are you to punish her for it?”
Nicholas works his jaw for a moment, considering his words. “I’m not punishing her—”
“You sure about that, pal? You come here and demand that she go home with you. When she makes the decision to stay, you insist on staying with her. That sounds an awful lot like a punishment to me.”
He’s still standing up for me? I arch a brow in his direction, and Pax gives me a small shrug. This is not what I was expecting at all. Part of me knows that the moment I leave the safety of this secure building, my life will never be the same. But another part of me doesn’t care in the least. Perhaps Pax, even with all his secrets, is someone I should try to get to know better.
Pax slides an arm around my waist, almost daring my brother to do something about it. And I can’t deny that a thrill runs through me at his touch. I’m still not sure what it is that’s going on with me, but that part of me that doesn’t care about the consequences of the sex tape is the same part that wants to spend more time with the man next to me.
Nicholas closes his eyes and draws in a long breath, an obvious attempt to calm himself. I’m glad my family sent him instead of William or Andrew—either of my other brothers would have already beaten Pax to a pulp by now.
My brother finally opens his eyes, his gaze sliding between the two of us. “No touching.” He glares at Pax for a long moment. “You’ll do what you need to do to get past this mess you’ve both gotten yourselves into.” He turns his gaze back to me. “But I mean it. You’ll not touch each other. Not in my presence.”
Pax
Who the fuck does this guy think he is?
I don’t care if he’s a prince. This isn’t Montovia, and fuck him if he thinks I’m going to follow his orders.
Sophia, on the other hand, appears to be listening to him. She pulls out of my grasp, stepping away until there’s several feet of distance between us.
“You can’t be serious,” I say. “You’re actually letting him order you around?”
She shoots me a look. “I don’t take orders from anyone. But I also know how to pick my battles. What are you expecting? That we’ll spend the day with our hands all over each other? What exactly would that prove?”
“That we’re not going to let some pompous prick order us around, that’s what it proves.”
Nicholas’s lips press into a hard line, and though I know I shouldn’t provoke him, I can’t help myself.
“All right, Nicky Ol’ Boy,” I say. “Since you’ve shot down all our ideas for how we should spend the day, forbidden us from touching, and essentially decided that it’s your one and only goal to make us miserable, how exactly do you suggest we kill time until dinner?”
He silently works his jaw, and I have to admit, I’m impressed that he’s managed t
o hold his temper for this long.
“We’ll stay here,” he says finally. “I’m sure we’ll find some way to entertain ourselves. And you must have something in your refrigerator we can eat.”
Great. Not only has he invited himself into my apartment, but he’s laid claim to my food, too.
“There isn’t much,” I admit. “But we won’t starve.” I don’t exactly keep the place well stocked—usually I just grab some pizza or something at the bar. And when we’re preparing for a tour, it’s not uncommon for me to forget to eat half the time anyway.
“Good, then that’s settled,” Nicholas says.
The bastard acts like he’s just solved world hunger or something. I look back over at Sophia, who somehow looks both frustrated and resigned to our fate. When her brother turns and strides toward the sofa, I take the opportunity to reach out and graze my fingers across her lower back.
She jumps in surprise, turning to look at me, but she doesn’t pull away.
“We’ll figure out a way to ditch him,” I murmur softly.
A glint of mischief shines in her eyes—I suspect this isn’t the first time she’s gone up against one of her brothers—but before she can say anything, Nicholas shouts, “No touching!”
I jump back, startled more than anything else, but Sophia takes the opportunity to slip away from me and go join her brother at the sofa.
“I…guess I’ll go find us something to eat for breakfast,” I grumble, spinning and heading into the kitchen.
I manage to find us some cereal and some old protein bars. And I take pleasure in the look of disgust on Nicholas’s face when I show him the options.
“What’s the matter, Nicky Ol’ Boy?” I say. “Not good enough for you?”
“I’m just impressed that anyone can live off this garbage,” he says. “It’s half sugar.”
“Stop it, you two,” Sophia says. “If we’re going to be stuck together, can everyone at least try to be friends? For my sake?” She grabs a protein bar and leans back on the sofa, her gaze shifting between the two of us. “Honestly, I think the two of you would get along if you took a minute to get your heads out of your own asses.” To her brother, she says, “You’d probably love Pax’s new music. It’s right up your alley.” To me, she adds, “And Nick is usually pretty easy to get along with, at least when he’s not doing his best impression of our brother Andrew.”