Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
During the coup attempt, Damien returned to Belldonnia to help me stabilize our country and was fucking miserable the entire time. Fortunately, the loyal residents of our small European country rejected Uncle Leon’s attempt to steal the throne. Our uncle’s small band of rebels realized the people wouldn’t betray our family and abandoned their efforts. Most are either in prison or on the run. Working day and night, we gained control of the situation and created a new cabinet to help me establish our new government. Our courts tried Uncle Leon for his crimes, and I sentenced him to exile for the rest of his life.
Once things started to level off, Lawrence Delacour, the US Ambassador to Belldonnia, and his wife were killed in a plane crash on their way back from a meeting in New York. At their funeral, I promised the ambassador’s brother, a popular Hollywood director, that the crown would assume responsibility for the Delacours’ twenty-one-year-old daughter, Camilla. I thought arranging a marriage contract between my younger brother and the diplomat’s daughter would be the perfect solution.
I believed that marrying Milly Delacour would convince Damien to return to Belldonnia to assist me in ruling, but my fucking brother pulled a fast one on me. He met Milly, fell in love, and convinced her to stay in Silver Spoon Falls permanently before I knew what was happening. They married shortly after meeting and have a baby on the way. Things haven’t worked out according to plan, but I’ve accepted the situation. While I don’t want to ruin my relationship with my younger brother by causing problems, I’m in town to check things out for myself and to talk them into returning to Belldonnia with me until the baby is born. I’d feel better knowing the princess and royal child are under my protection.
“Ouch,” Forrest mumbles under his breath as I pull on the scuffed boots. “You look… interesting.”
“Bite me,” slips out before I can stop it, shocking both of us. This might be too unconventional for my bodyguard to handle.
“Not right now. I haven’t had my rabies shots,” Forrest retorts while Logan chokes on a sip of water. Getting a glimpse of the carefree friend I knew before my ascension to the throne is worth letting him get away with the slight. I miss our young and carefree days, but my duty to the crown comes first.
“I should have you thrown in the dungeon for that comment.” We both know it’s an empty threat. I rely on Forrest to keep me safe, organized, and sane.
“Belldonnia got rid of the dungeon a century ago,” Forrest reminds me.
“I could always bring it back.” Not really. I answer to my people, and they would never allow me to act on my threat.
Giant’s ear-splitting whistle echoes around the small metal hangar. “Do I need to separate you two?” The gruff expression on his face reminds me of Uncle Leon’s favorite sour look. This asshole needs to get laid and relax a little. A black SUV with dark-tinted windows pulls up at the hangar door. “Your chariot is here.”
We load into the single vehicle, and I instantly feel apprehensive. I’m used to at least four cars in my convoy. Giant hops in the front seat and looks back at me. “Don’t worry, Your Majesty, you’re perfectly safe. We’ve been watching the last of your uncle’s rebel cell, and none are in the area. This is the best way to transport you to Angel’s place without drawing too much attention. Black SUVs are a dime a dozen in Silver Spoon Falls.” It makes total sense, but I won’t breathe easy until I return to my home in Belldonnia. My uncle’s past treasonous acts have made me paranoid. I never know when the next attack will come.
Chapter 2
Lorenzo
Giant points out the turn-off for the Silver Spoon MC compound as we drive to Damien’s new home. Evidently, the MC brothers have been dropping like flies, and Giant is the only single one. He sounds a little bitter about this turn of events, but I keep my thoughts to myself. No use telling him I’m happy without the baggage love brings. “All the brothers live near our clubhouse,” Giant explains before muttering, “Assholes,” under his breath.
We stop in front of a large two-story home, and Forrest and Logan jump out. “Thank you for everything,” I tell Giant, meaning every word. Knowing my brother has good friends to watch out for him eases something in my soul.
Damien opens the door and steps back to let us in. I watch him glance around until recognition lights his gaze. Bloody hell. My own brother didn’t recognize me in this get-up.
“I know it’s ridiculous.” I glance down at the white band t-shirt and faded jeans Giant forced me to wear and grimace. “But Giant thought I needed to blend in.”