“We’re here!” he booms with a smile that flashes white against his dark beard. “Let the party begin!”
I grin and go to greet him, Adrian following. “He always says that,” Adrian mutters under his breath. He’s much more reserved, which is what makes him a great poker player.
I chuckle. “He’s earned his party rep.” After I lost football, I joined Lucas on the party circuit and we had a blast.
I take Alice’s hand, kissing the back of it, and watch the pink flood her cheeks. “I heard you’ll be staying at the palace, and we’re glad to have you.”
Lucas shoots me a dark look, his aquamarine eyes narrowing. “No touching. She’s mine.”
“I’m being friendly,” I say, all innocence. Lucas and I are close and frequently team up to tease our siblings. He can’t stand when he’s the one being teased.
“Be friendly somewhere else,” he bites out.
“I know, I know, you’re in love.” I flutter my lashes and put a falsetto into my voice. “It’s such a dreamy romantic time.”
“Bite me.”
“Lucas!” Alice exclaims. “I just gave you a promise ring. You know I’m committed to you.”
He gives her the goofiest lovesick smile I have ever seen in my life. Pathetic. I exchange a look with Adrian, embarrassed for Lucas. And then, to make it even worse, Lucas produces a tiny emerald ring clearly meant for a woman’s finger from his pocket and holds it up, announcing proudly, “Everyone, Alice gave me a promise ring. It’s her commitment to me.”
Anna, Gabriel, and my mother approach at the “big news.” What the hell is a promise ring?
Anna’s brown eyes immediately fill with tears. She’s eight months pregnant, wearing a short-sleeved purple dress that hugs her huge belly. “Oh, Lucas, that’s so wonderful.”
Gabriel immediately puts an arm around her shoulders, giving her a squeeze. He has the same thick dark brown hair and aquamarine eyes as me, but he’s always clean shaven and carries himself with a regal dignified air. He’s been groomed to be king since birth and now he is. “She’s very emotional with the pregnancy,” he tells us. Like we didn’t know.
Anna looks up at him. “You see, Gabriel, you thought the fake engagement was a terrible idea, but now look!”
Like I said, never a dull moment around here, what with fake engagements, princess impersonators, and worse. My family runs wild. We can’t help it, being descended from a renegade Viking tribe known as the Wild Ones. It’s in our genes. Anna fits right in.
Anna goes on, pointing at Lucas and Alice. “Lucas is happy and grounded, and Alice loves it here. They’re committed! And did you know she’s setting her next book series on Villroy? Do you have any idea of her fan base? It’s exactly the clientele we want for the day spa. They’ll travel here in droves to see where her book is set. A superstar romance author spotlighting Villroy! That’s what they call free advertising.” She beams and turns to Alice. “No offense on the marketing angle. I know you want to set it here for your own creative purposes.”
Alice smiles. “True. It’s so inspiring.” She gives Lucas’s hand a squeeze. He gives her another embarrassingly lovesick smile. I’m happy for him, but does he have to look like such a sap?
Anna goes on in her smug manner to Gabriel. “And now Lucas is staying on Villroy, so he can officially be CEO of our business venture.” She looks at him expectantly.
I stiffen. Globe-trotting party guy Lucas as CEO? That’s been Gabriel and Anna’s responsibility. I mean, I know Lucas was helping them bring in more capital for the new day spa and cosmetics manufacturing venture, and was successful at it. I heard they made him CFO recently, which was a surprise, but…Lucas as CEO? He’s like me, a middle-of-the-pack prince, not important to the kingdom. And now he could be running the most important thing our kingdom has ever done.
Villroy has long been a major seafood supplier, but our economy is faltering as fish populations dwindle and our fishermen have to venture out farther to sea for less catch. It was Anna, a former beautician, who came up with the idea of using the fishing industry and shifting it to cosmetics using ingredients from the sea—algae, fish oil, sea salt, stuff like that. The day spa is nearly complete on the east side of the island and will use those cosmetics as well as sell them. The next step is to ramp up manufacturing. It will likely save the kingdom. I’m so used to being passed over, I didn’t think I’d be given serious consideration for any of this. Now with Lucas being considered for such a high position, I realize I may have missed my opportunity to be part of something important.
All eyes go to Gabriel, who appears deep in thought over Anna’s suggestion of Lucas as CEO. Finally, he inclines his head and tells Anna, “I’ll sit down with him later to work out the details.”
Lucas looks elated. “Thanks, Gabriel, Anna. I appreciate your faith in me, and I won’t let you down.”
“We always had faith in you,” Anna says, giving his arm a squeeze. “We just needed to know you were going to stick around.” She sighs happily. “Everything is working out like it should. Alice, we’ll definitely be selling your books at the spa. We’ll arrange some signings there too if you don’t mind.”
Alice smiles. “Of course I don’t mind! I love meeting my readers.”
Adrian cuts in. “I have an idea to complement the day spa—a casino. It would give the men something to do while the women are at the spa. And then the women would naturally want to try their hand. It could go both ways—win big, treat yourself at the spa. Lose at the casino and get a soothing massage. And people relaxed at the spa will be looser with their wallets at the casino.” He’s a card shark and spends half his time in Monte Carlo. Now he wants to bring Monte Carlo to Villroy. Will Gabriel allow it?
“It could be a solid investment,” Lucas says, rubbing his beard.
Maybe it’s not up to Gabriel. Lucas is CEO now.
“It worked for Monaco,” Adrian says. “Casino de Monte-Carlo is the primary income for the royal family and the economy. We could do the same, employing a lot of locals and bringing in a steady income stream. We don’t have to go full out with hotel, shops, and the like. Keep it small and luxurious. We can’t compete with Monaco, but we could come up with some way to make it unique.”
Everyone chimes in on the Rourke family business, and I’m feeling more unnecessary by the second. Lucas will be CEO, Gabriel and Anna have their hands in it, even my mother and sisters have been involved in research for the spa’s services. And now Adrian is throwing out the idea of a casino, the perfect place for him.
Life is passing me by. I’m unimportant to the kingdom, to my family, to the business. I’m only a former football player forced out of the game.
In a rush of energy, my aggressive, competitive nature that once helped me win games returns with a vengeance, and I burst out, “I want in on the casino!”
All eyes turn to me.
I go on. “I know I don’t have the gambling credentials that Adrian has, but I’m no slouch at cards, and I do have a degree in marketing.” Not that I ever used it.
Adrian inclines his head at me, and I stand taller. He’s good with me on board.
Lucas’s lips press into a flat line.
I tense. Is he going to cut me out? Does he think I’m not serious enough? I can be as serious as a heart attack when it means something to me.
But then he says, “The only place to build a casino is in the lot next to the spa, and that’s where we planned an upscale restaurant featuring local seafood.”
I let out a breath. It’s not me he’s not sold on, it’s the casino. “We could have both. A restaurant in the casino.” Now that I put my oar in, I’m excited about the idea. I can be part of something vital to the kingdom from the ground up. Partnered with card shark Adrian, this could be a huge success.
“But it wouldn’t be upscale seafood in a casino,” Lucas counters.
“Why not?” Adrian says. “I’m not just talking slots. I’m talking exclusive private lounges for high rollers. An ups
cale restaurant could fit right in.”
The conversation gets loud as everyone voices their opinions on the business and future growth, and I’m energized in a way I haven’t been since my injury. I never thought the kingdom would need me for anything. Finally, there’s a way for me to contribute to the kingdom and help it thrive.
Our conversation is cut short when our butler, Nolan, loudly clears his throat and intones, “Her Highness, Princess Mary Louise Lyon.”
I’m annoyed because I want to talk business, but then I turn and get my first look at her—
Lightning strike.
I’m stunned. My jaw goes slack, the blood rushing through my veins. I can’t tear my eyes off her. I’ve never felt so completely struck by another person. Is this love at first sight?
Ridiculous. No such thing.
I feel really strange, my brain fuzzy, my mouth dry. She resembles Anna—similar height, taller than most women, same long, dark curly hair, heart-shaped face, and brown eyes. What is it about her? She’s incandescent, radiating with the glow of good health and vitality, her smile big and bright.
My intense reaction makes no sense. It must be lust at first sight. Though I’ve never felt the least lustful toward the similar-looking Anna. I can’t stop staring at her.
“Polly!” Anna exclaims, heading toward her.
Polly opens her arms. “Anna!”
I can feel my pulse in my throat, hyperaware and alert. Polly dresses more conservatively than Anna, wearing a short-sleeved pale pink dress with matching heels, as is fitting for a royal. Anna is an American commoner who dresses to please herself in body-hugging clothes and plenty of leopard prints. She wears more conservative clothes for official royal occasions.
They rush into a hug, then pull apart, exclaiming over each other. Gabriel is smiling. He’s met her before. Polly rushes to hug him, which is surprising because most people are too intimidated to even touch Gabriel, and then she turns to the rest of us, smiling. “Hi, everyone, I’m so pleased to finally meet you! Anna has told me such wonderful things about your family.” Her accent is American. Anna told us that Polly spent most of her childhood at a boarding school in the US and attended college there as well.
Anna makes the introductions, starting with my mother. Polly’s enthusiasm is contagious. My extremely proper reserved mother is smiling. Lucas and Alice look charmed by her. Only Adrian remains reserved, but he often is. Polly winks at him. Adrian maintains his poker face.
And then, finally, she gets to me. My mouth is like sand, every smooth flirty move fleeing my brain.
“This is Oscar,” Anna says. “Oscar, Polly.”
“Nice to meet you,” I manage.
Polly barely reacts, staring unblinking before murmuring, “You too.” She turns to Anna, asking cheerfully, “How’re you feeling?”
She didn’t give me a second look. Me! The good-looking one! She winked at Adrian.
I am not jealous. Just surprised.
Anna looks down at her bulging stomach and sighs. “I’m tired, huge, and feel like I need to pee all the time. The baby dropped, and her head is, like, right here—” she gestures to her groin “—pressing on my bladder.”
We all stare.
My mother looks to the ceiling, biting her tongue. She finds Anna’s outspoken ways hard to take.
Anna goes on, oblivious to Mother’s discomfort. Or maybe she just doesn’t care. “I’m due in three weeks. Thank God you got off probation in time to be here for the birth!”
“I couldn’t have planned my criminal activity better,” Polly quips. “Kidding, everyone! I can only thank Gabriel and Anna once again for getting me through what could’ve been a nightmare situation. That impulse decision with potentially disastrous consequences has taught me to think things through.” She lifts a finger. “And always come up with a plan B, C, and D.”
I find myself smiling widely. She’s down-to-earth, funny, and beautiful. Some princesses are snooty and wound tight. I could relax around someone like her.
Alice pipes up in a near squeak. “Probation?”
My mother looks like she’s sucking on a sour lemon. We do not air our dirty laundry in front of outsiders. I can almost hear her voice in my head. But I know Alice will one day be part of the family, so she can be in the know. Lucas will marry her as soon as she’ll have him.
“Long story, Alice,” Anna says. “Come with us to the nursery, and we’ll tell you on the way. Polly, I can’t wait for you to see it.” The women file out, chattering excitedly. I catch a brief glimpse of a middle-aged woman and a guard, not one of ours, waiting just outside the room. They must be with Polly.
My mother follows after them. She takes her duties seriously as grandmother. Gabriel strides ahead, holding the door for the women. He’s on vigilant guard for Anna now that she’s close to her due date, and rarely lets her out of sight.
The door shuts behind them, and I slowly turn back to Lucas and Adrian, coming back to myself.
“What are you smiling about?” Adrian asks me.
Was I smiling? I force a straight face. “I’m excited about the casino idea.”
“You looked like him,” Adrian says, jabbing a finger at Lucas. “Lovesick territory.”
Lucas grins. “That’s a compliment. I look great.”
“You both look like idiots,” Adrian says, shaking his head. “Now let’s talk casino.”
But then Lucas says something that makes all thoughts of business vanish. “Did you see that woman in the hallway? That’s Polly’s chaperone. Anna told me and Alice that her chaperone goes with her everywhere to keep her in line.”
“What do you mean?” I ask. “Because of the identity theft?”
Lucas lowers his voice, and I lean in. “Her main job is to make sure Polly remains a virgin.”
“The fuck you say,” I snap. “No! She’s twenty-three.” Anna told us Polly is a year younger than her, and I’ve never met a virgin that old.
Lucas’s eyes glint with good humor. He’s fucking with me.
I press my lips together. “Oh, I get it. You’re getting back at me for flirting with Alice earlier. Nice try.”
Lucas shakes his head. “Anna told Alice at lunch, oversharing as usual and forgetting that I was right there.” He smirks. “Drink?”
“Drink sounds good,” I say absently, my mind turning over this information. A chaperone for a virgin princess? It sounds so old-fashioned.
Lucas goes to the wet bar and pours a tumbler of brandy, offering it to Adrian, who declines. I take the drink and toss back a healthy swallow.
“You shouldn’t be telling us personal stuff Anna shares,” Adrian says, “especially about other people.”
“She’d tell you if you were there,” Lucas says. “She always overshares. You just heard about the baby’s head low in her vagina.”
I grimace. “Lucas, come on.”
“I’m just saying,” he says with a shrug.
“Why does Polly have to be a virgin?” Adrian wonders. “Is there some kind of virgin sacrifice in her kingdom?”
Lucas barks out a laugh. There is nothing funny about sacrificing a fine woman like that. “Anna says it’s required by her kingdom both to control the bloodlines and because the single female royal is upheld as a symbol of goodness and purity. She must remain so until marriage.”
“My God.” It’s too horrible to contemplate.
Lucas goes on. “Anna told us Polly must marry soon. Her father isn’t well, and she can’t rule her kingdom as a woman alone. That’s the rule there. For her to be queen, she has to be married.”
Adrian grimaces. “I’m glad our monarchy isn’t so traditional. I’d hate to live in a backwards place like that.”
“Me too,” I say. It’s probably biblical times over there—an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. A chastity belt for every young maiden.
“Not that the virgin thing would’ve applied to us, being male,” Lucas says, pouring himself a brandy. “It’s not like they can t
ell when a guy is a virgin.”
I grimace. “Do they check that kind of thing for her?”
“They must,” Lucas says. “Otherwise, why would a free spirit like Polly abide by it?”
Fuck me, this is bad. Now I can’t spend any time with her. I’ve never had such an intense reaction just from meeting a woman. She’s clearly not into casual relationships, and I’m not the marrying type. Besides, now that I have a chance to be important to my kingdom, all of my focus and time is going to be spent here on Villroy, diving into this casino venture.
Adrian exhales sharply. “Now I’m going to be thinking about it every time I see her. You shouldn’t have told us.”
Lucas locks eyes with me. “I only told you to warn Oscar off.”
“Why me?” I fire back. I couldn’t have been that obvious. I am the king of laid-back when it comes to women. They chase me, not the other way round.
Lucas jolts, clutches his chest, and then staggers dazedly.
Adrian laughs. “That’s exactly what you looked like!”
Lucas grins. “Hate to say it, Oscar, but you looked like you got zapped with the electric pussy whip the moment she entered the room.”
They snicker.
Zapped with the electric pussy whip? I blink, surprised at how close he is. It did feel like a zap. Lightning strike. Never pussy whipped. Deny, deny, deny.
“Fuck you. I did not look like that. I twisted toward the door when she came in, and my knee gave me some trouble.”
“Ri-i-i-ght,” Lucas drawls.
“It did,” I snap.
“Looked more like his underwear got suddenly tight,” Adrian says to Lucas, his voice going high at the end there. They snicker some more.
“Shut it.” I down the rest of the brandy, but it does nothing to dull the truth—lightning struck for me, finally, and it was for the wrong woman.
Chapter Three
Polly
“You’ll be with me in the delivery room, right?” Anna asks later that day.
“Um…” I work hard to hide my extreme alarm at the idea. I thought when Anna invited me for the birth, I’d be showing up after the horror show had passed, offering a cheery congratulations. She actually wants me to witness her pushing a huge head out of a tiny opening in an extremely sensitive area? I cross my own legs in sympathy. “I’ve never been at an actual birth. I’m not sure how helpful I would be.”
Royal Player (The Rourkes, Book 5) Page 2