“Damon, if this is some kind of psychological hook to keep me from drinking again, it doesn’t work like that. You can’t dangle something like your child’s life in front of me and think that will make the difference.” I swallowed. He didn’t know what the thing was that made me crave sobriety more than I craved whiskey.
“It’s not,” he hissed. “I need to know that if I drop dead like Dad did, that my wife and child will be safe. That you’ll take care of them. That I’m not leaving them alone to defend themselves in front of the court or the country. I need that.”
We never talked about him. We never talked about his death. But I understood the fear that ran through my brother now. Damon was fearless. What did death matter when there was no one to leave behind? But with a pregnant wife, death had suddenly become the only thing he could think about.
I knew that feeling.
Our father had died so unexpectedly, it had left its mark on all of us. We were bound to be scarred in some way for the rest of our lives.
I clasped my hand on his shoulder. “I will take care of them. I’d be honored.”
He let out a long breath. “Good.”
“But really, I’m just going to hand the kid off to Isabel.”
We laughed. Why was she still in Spain?
We turned to the shore again. “It’s good to be home.”
“I told Kenley to start the schedule light. She knows how to ease you back into things, but I didn’t want her to have pressure from the crown.”
Oh shit. I needed to get back to my apartments. Kenley was waiting. A flash of her legs was the first thing I thought of.
I tossed the two-hundred dollar cigar in a nearby flower pot. “I’ll tell Molly thank you for dinner on my way out.”
“You can stay. Catch up.”
“It’s been a long day. I woke up in rehab and I’m going to bed in the palace. I need to wrap my head around that.”
Damon walked toward me, putting his arms around me.
“I don’t want you to ever go back there.”
I stared at him. “I won’t. I can promise you that.”
6
Kenley
As soon as I heard his footsteps in the foyer I twisted my hands together.
“How was dinner?” I asked, greeting Dominic next to the giant orchid in the hall.
“American pasta,” he answered. “Molly’s going to be an interesting addition to the family.” He followed me into the next room. He raised his eyebrows. “What’s this?” He pointed to the table behind me.
“I couldn’t decide,” I explained. “But if you don’t like them, we can play chess.”
I had assembled every board game I could find in the palace. It was probably overkill. I couldn’t settle on any of them. Dominic’s coat was slung over his shoulder. I suppressed a sigh. Did he have to come home looking sexier than ever?
“Should we—” He shook his head. “Never mind. I was going to suggest some drinks.” He huffed. “Old habits die long painful deaths I guess. Maybe even longer in this place.” He looked around.
I wondered if the apartments were a sanctuary for him, or if the walls were only full of painful memories.
“I can have something prepared. Anything you want,” I offered. “The chef is happy you’re home. She’d love to make something.”
“No. I have to learn other ways to fill my time. I can’t eat every time I think about mixing a drink.” He pulled out a chair. “Starting with trivia.” He reached for the first box on the top and slid the rest of the games out of his way.
His eyes raked over my body. “What are you wearing, Kenley?” He looked irritated.