Royal Player (The Rourkes, Book 5)

by Kylie Gilmore

  “Sweet Lucas,” she says on a sigh.

  And then he shocks all of us by dropping to one knee and pulling a small velvet box from his inside blazer pocket.

  Alice claps a hand over her mouth. “Lucas!” She drops her hand. “Were you carrying that ring around with you this whole time?”

  “I’ve been waiting,” he says hoarsely. “I’ve never wanted something so much in my life.” He opens the box and offers her a round diamond set on a platinum ring. “Alice Segal, will you do me the great honor of being my wife?”

  “Yes!” she cries.

  He slides the ring on her finger, rises to his feet, and sweeps her into his arms for a passionate kiss.

  I look away. Adrian is smiling. So is our guard, and the building’s two guards. Polly’s guard is impassive. And Polly…my chest constricts. Her arms are crossed as she hugs herself, her lips pinched. She scrubs a tear away with her fist like it’s an annoyance. She’ll never have what Lucas and Alice have, never have that choice. I ache for her loss, which is strange. It’s not like I’ve ever been in love, but at least I know it’s possible.

  I turn back to Lucas and Alice, hoping they’re done kissing.

  Lucas holds Alice’s face in his hands. “I love you.”

  “I love you too!” she cries. “So much. It’s insane how much.” She’s crying, and then she’s kissing him all over his face.

  They hug each other, whispering to each other in a close embrace.

  I get choked up, my throat tight, my eyes stinging. For the first time in my life I can see the appeal of committing to someone. It’s a powerful moment to witness.

  Lucas turns to us with a smile, his eyes watery. “I think we’re going to head back to the hotel now.”

  “Congratulations,” Polly says, rushing over to Alice.

  Adrian and I chime in belatedly with our congratulations.

  We all head out, Lucas and Alice ahead of us, sharing a low, intimate conversation.

  “I’m going to call it a night too,” Polly says, smiling tightly. “I’m more tired than I realized. Goodnight.” She rushes ahead to join Alice and Lucas.

  “Let’s skip the nightclub, then,” Adrian says to me. “You want in on the terrace table?”

  That’s the high-stakes poker table. Adrian is reliably a winner at it. I don’t want to chance it now that I have an investment I want to make.

  I shake my head. “No, thanks. I’ll head back to the hotel.”

  “Come on,” he says. “One hand. It’s early.”

  He’s right. It’s not even midnight yet, and I’m a night owl. “Okay. One hand.” It’s not like I’m going to be hanging with Polly. We had our moment on the rooftop terrace, and there’s no point in spending more time with her when she’s meant for another.

  Polly’s guard walks Lucas, Alice, and Polly ahead to the hotel. Adrian and I head for the casino, with our guard trailing behind us.

  Once inside the casino, we’re immediately greeted by some women Adrian knows. Two young, pretty, flirty women looking for some fun. I can’t even flirt back because all I see is Polly’s stricken face after Lucas’s proposal.

  I beg off, leaving Adrian to the pair of women. I barely recognize myself, leaving the party early.

  This has been a really strange night.

  Chapter Seven

  Polly

  I put the finishing touches on a handwritten business plan and lean back in the desk chair in my hotel room, smiling to myself. I had a working lunch so I could prepare for the meeting with Charles. I definitely want in on the Villroy casino. I love everything about it—the potential revenue, the energy and excitement of the casino itself, all the moving parts that go with building something from the ground up. When am I ever going to have a business opportunity like this again?

  I’ve seen some of the royal holdings back home and have an idea of the capital needed for building and running a busy resort. A casino with a restaurant could be comparable on a smaller scale. If I could get the funds—and that’s a big if—it would be a fantastic investment and a hedge against the holdings back home, which are always affected by the threat of hurricanes and the annual slow tourism season. Villroy doesn’t have a hurricane season. Plus, Beaumont doesn’t have casinos—gambling is illegal there—so this is like diversifying. And it’s Anna’s kingdom. I would be supporting her by investing. I wouldn’t be a silent partner though. I want an equal say, one-third ownership with Oscar and Adrian. I hope I can convince them to take me on. Adrian knows gambling. I’m not sure what Oscar brings to the table, but he’s smart and I like him.

  I fold the papers in half and tuck them in my purse. I’m alone here in the room, except for Vaughn waiting outside the door. Lina is out having lunch with Louis. They spent the night together. I heard all about it this morning when Lina, Alice, and I explored Monaco. Lina was glowing and confessed she’s halfway in love with him. She says he’s a gentle giant who makes her feel safe. I could barely paste on a smile for her. I admit I envy her freedom to enjoy someone on her own terms. It probably didn’t help that Lucas’s loving proposal to Alice last night nearly made me bawl.

  If I could just come up with some funds, all of my problems would be solved. I could pay off my parents’ debt, effectively eliminating Peter from my future, and I could be part of a really cool business that would ultimately bring in profits I could give to my kingdom. I could choose my own husband, gain the throne on my terms. I stop myself before I get too excited. New opportunities mean new possibilities for a different future, but I must be careful—deliberate and strategic—as I follow this new trail.

  I leave the room, giving Vaughn a nod, who follows behind me as I make my way downstairs. Charles’s office is on the first floor of the casino next door, and I’m meeting Oscar, Adrian, and Lucas in the atrium before we head over.

  When I spot the brothers, all with the same thick dark brown hair and build, I’m struck by how close they seem. They don’t stand close, but there’s an easy banter back and forth—a ready smile from Lucas, a slight head incline from Adrian, and Oscar laughs out loud. He enjoys himself in a way I long to experience.

  Oscar turns and spots me first. And then he smiles just for me, a gorgeous sexy smile that makes his aquamarine eyes sparkle. I nearly float across the room, basking in that warm smile.

  “Bonjour, Oscar,” I say when I reach him.

  “Back to French?” he asks in English.

  I blink. I don’t usually revert to French away from home. “Sorry. I don’t know where that came from.”

  His lips curve up just enough to make the slight indent of a dimple appear in his scruffy cheek. I hadn’t noticed that before. “We were speaking in French at the party last night. Maybe your mind flipped back to then.”

  “Yes. That must be it.” But I’m troubled. French is my first language, and I speak it instinctively in times of drunkenness and in times of distress, neither of which I am now.

  “How’re you feeling after last night?” he asks in a low tone.

  I smile. “No hangover, if that’s what you’re asking. I drank a lot of water when I got back to the room to prevent dehydration.”

  Adrian and Lucas greet me, and I offer them a belated hello.

  Adrian says, “Let’s go,” and leads the way.

  We follow him through an employees-only door and then through a long hallway with a series of offices with open doors. I’m pumped to hear what Charles has to say. I don’t care about other possible investors he might dangle in front of us. I want to hear his insight on the casino business.

  When we get inside his office, Charles comes out from behind his desk to greet us, shaking the men’s hands. He turns to me, holding his hand out to me, palm up. He wants to do the lift and kiss.

  I shift my hand to clasp his and give him a firm handshake. “Hello. Nice to see you again, Charles.”

  “And you,” he murmurs. “Please, let’s sit at the table.” He gestures to a round table in the corner of the room
.

  I head over and Charles holds out my chair for me, tucking it in as I sit. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” he says warmly by my ear.

  He’s a flirt. I don’t care. I’m here for business.

  ~ ~ ~

  Oscar

  I want to punch the guy. Charles is practically slobbering over Polly, and I didn’t miss him checking out her ass when he pulled her chair out for her. She’s wearing a white short-sleeved dress that flares out in a skirt that barely covers her ass. I get it, she’s sexy as hell, but show some respect. This is a business meeting.

  After everyone’s seated, Charles offers us some water from a pitcher on the table, which we politely decline. After a bit of small talk, Charles steeples his fingers, resting his hands on the table, and says, “What can I help you with?”

  Adrian jumps in. “To start, I’d like to know if you have leads on potential investors.”

  Polly sits up straighter. I know she wants in, but I don’t think we can count on her to get access to her money.

  Charles inclines his head. “I will put the word out and see who I can come up with.”

  “I’d like to know profit margins on a casino,” Lucas says. “Also, start-up costs and operating costs.”

  “New construction for a small casino will run in the range of ten million euros,” Charles says. “It is not a venture to be taken lightly.”

  Adrian exchanges a look with me. The number isn’t a surprise, just confirmation. And it’s more than we have combined. Plus there’s operating costs. We need more capital from an investor. Lucas refuses to take on more debt with a loan. The casino is out of reach at the moment. We can only hope for a referral to an investor down the line. Unless I sold my vineyard in Italy. I don’t want to do that. It’s the first thing I bought with money I earned from my football playing days, which is something I can never be again. I hoped one day to build a house there for me and my future family. My father wanted that for me, and I still remember how proud he was that I had my own land, my own “personal kingdom,” as he put it. Now it’s worth much more than I paid. Adrian knows my attachment to it and would never ask me to sell.

  Charles goes on. “A popular casino could make close to a million euro a day. All of this depends on so many things—number and type of guests, the kind of games you offer, the stakes.”

  Polly leans in. “Let’s assume the casino has the top moneymakers for the house—slots, baccarat, blackjack, roulette—and a steady clientele of high rollers.” She turns to Adrian with a smile. “Poker can favor the players, as you well know.”

  He grins.

  Charles starts throwing out numbers like he’s trying to impress her with all of his percents and euros. My head is starting to swim with the math, but Polly is right there with him. It’s almost like a math battle that they’re both thoroughly enjoying.

  I glance at Adrian, who’s paying sharp attention. He’s the numbers guy. I plan to be the marketing guy.

  Polly’s cheeks are flushed pink, her voice animated. She’s in her element and loving it.

  They wind down, and the intensity in the room instantly flatlines.

  Polly looks elated. Charles is eyeing her like candy he can’t wait to devour. Too bad! She’s all set to marry some guy useful to her kingdom. The thought leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

  Lucas asks a few more questions about running the place, especially concerned about handling the money that’s brought in and out each day. Finally, he stands and thanks Charles for his time.

  Charles returns the greeting absently as he pulls a business card from his pocket. Then he turns, handing it to Polly. “Call me if you have any questions, or for any reason.”

  “Thank you,” she says brightly, sliding the card into her purse.

  I grind my teeth, biting back a sharp retort. Charles has been helpful to us and could be even more helpful down the line. I can’t ream him out.

  We take our leave and head back to the atrium, gathering in a quiet corner.

  “It’s an interesting prospect,” Lucas says, “but I think we need to put it on the back burner. Wait a bit for some money to come in from the spa. Then we could take out a loan. It was one thing to have Charles investing, someone Adrian knows, but now we’re talking about a referral to someone we don’t know.”

  “A referral could be fine,” Adrian says. “If Charles trusts them, we could. I’ve known him for years, and the royal family here trusts him.”

  Lucas shakes his head. “Trust by association? Too risky. Sorry.”

  “Consider me,” Polly says. “I’ll be your investor. I’m so jazzed about this. I have a business plan.” She pulls a thick folded packet of papers from her purse. “Just hear me out. I can refine it based on what Charles said. I’d like to be one-third partner with you two.” She indicates me and Adrian. “I’ll have to depend on you to make some decisions without me since I’ll be back in Beaumont, but I’d like to be consulted on the major decisions. What do you think? Will you consider me? I could go over everything with you. All my ideas.”

  “Do you have that kind of money?” Lucas asks bluntly.

  “Yes,” Polly says. “I mean, not yet, but I can get it.”

  Lucas rubs his beard. “I like you, Polly, and you’re related to Anna, which keeps it all in the family. If you want in, I’m all for it.”

  Adrian raises a brow at me.

  I nod once. “Polly, let’s head over to the restaurant, find a quiet spot, and you tell us about your ideas.”

  Polly beams a smile at me, and my breath hitches. She should always be this happy. It’s a beautiful thing.

  An hour later, I’m wrecked. She’s not just warm and fun. She’s supersmart, bold, and confident. Her plan to dovetail with the day spa, offering incentives and rewards that keep customers at both the spa and casino, is brilliant. Her idea to blend traditional decor with a fun hip vibe is brilliant. She is brilliant.

  I want her and I can’t have her, and now she’s going to be my business partner—a whole new level of forbidden.

  And I’m wrecked.

  ~ ~ ~

  Polly

  I return to my room in a blaze of glory. The brothers are on board. I’m beyond psyched about building this casino from the ground up. I know it was an impulsive move since I don’t have the funds yet, but I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by. Good thing strategic thinking is my specialty. I needed funds to get rid of Peter anyway; now I just need to think bigger to accomplish both things. I could hock the last of my jewelry. My parents would be furious if they knew what I hocked already for my adventure in the US. That’s property of the US government now. If I let any more of my jewels out into the world, it could get noticed. It’s really bad form to let go of them. The jewels belong to the family, passed down for generations. I’m meant to pass them on to my children one day. Okay, jewels are out.

  I pace my room. I need to think next level. Ugh. Time. I need more time. Unfortunately, it’s the one thing I can’t work around.

  That’s when I notice my room phone is blinking with a message. I listen to the message, and it’s the front desk clerk asking me to call. When I do, the clerk says, “Charles Blanc would like a dinner meeting. Call if you’re available this evening. He says you have his number.”

  “Thank you,” I say and hang up. Dinner meeting? Is this a date or business? If it’s business, I’m interested. Maybe he has an idea for funding. Wait, how did he know where I’m staying? Maybe someone noticed the royal group here. He probably has eyes all over town, and this hotel is next door to the casino.

  I fish his business card out of my purse and call him. “Hi, Charles. What’s this about?”

  “Hello, lovely. I have a business proposition for you. Are you free tonight for dinner?”

  “Yes.” I write down the time and place he gives me. It’s a casino restaurant. “Is this about funding the Villroy casino?”

  His voice is silky. “As a matter of fact, it is.”

/>   “Should I get Adrian and Oscar to join us?”

  “I’d like to speak to you in private.”

  “Why?”

  “All will be revealed this evening.” He hangs up.

  I press my lips together. What could he need to talk to me about in private? The only thing I can think of is that he wants to talk business and pleasure. Not a tempting prospect. Vaughn will be with me for protection in case Charles tries anything inappropriate. I’m just going to hear him out. I need something, anything, to get me out of this impossible corner with Peter and make something good come of it.

  My personal phone rings, startling me, and I pick it up. My parents.

  I answer in a cheerful tone despite my troubled thoughts. “Hello.”

  My mother’s voice carries through the phone, speaking rapid French. “Marge told us she’s sick. We’re so worried about her. Has she seen a doctor?”

  Guilt stabs at me. I haven’t checked in on Marge today. I switch to French. “Yes, and it’s nothing serious. Just a cold.”

  “I hope you haven’t caught anything.”

  “No, I’m fine.”

  “See to it that she has plenty of tea with honey and lemon.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “How’re you enjoying your time with Anna at the palace?”

  I pace, guilt fueling me with extra energy. But how can I tell her the truth? Saying I’m at a casino without a chaperone, drinking and gambling, would lead to an immediate trip home. “It’s wonderful. I’m so thankful I was able to be here for her and the baby. I’ll be in the delivery room with her.”

  “Oh! Don’t they have a doctor for that?”

  “Yes, but Anna and I are as close as sisters. I’m to be her coach.”

  “Polly, childbirth is a very difficult, very painful, personal thing. You took twenty-four hours to emerge. I thought I was going to die.” This is a story she’s told me many, many times, especially when I was giving her fits as a young girl. She always reprimanded me, saying, “You are not obeying! And after I almost died giving birth to you!”