Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

“Can I come by tomorrow?” I asked. “I’d like to see her. You and I can talk. And I’ll bring Kenley.”

She nodded. “If Kenley’s coming, I’ll have my attorney here.”

I laughed. “Kenley isn’t representing my legal interests. She’s no longer my royal manager.”

“She’s not? Then why is she here?”

I put my hand on the door. “We’re together.” I kissed Adaline on the cheek, ignoring the shocked expression on Sophia’s face.

“And I’m leaving one of my men here tonight at the house.” I warned her with a glare not to protest. “Skip the attorney. I’m sure we can figure this out. I agree with you on one thing. Our daughter deserves only happiness.”

I walked out, closing the door behind me.

30

Kenley

Everything about Nic was different the minute he slid into the car. He greeted me with a long slow kiss, wrapping his hand around my neck. I moaned when his tongue flicked over mine.

“It went well?” I asked.

“Let’s talk when we get to the house.” He nodded forward at the window. Kurtis had the shield cracked.

“Ok.” I didn’t want to wait that long.

It was another forty-five minutes before the luggage was unpacked and the house was running like a royal summer home. Nic and I sat on the deck. One of the aides brought us a pitcher of sweet tea, a local specialty.

The ocean roared in front of us. The staff was inside preparing dinner. We finally had a few minutes to ourselves.

“Ok, tell me,” I pleaded. “What happened with Sophia? Did you see your daughter?”

He grinned. “I did. She’s perfect. The perfect baby. She has these dark curls you won’t believe.” He looked at me. “You get to meet her tomorrow.”

“I do?”

He nodded. “Yes. Sophia agreed to another meeting. We’re going to iron everything out. Adaline can’t just be ripped away from her mother.”

“Adaline?”

“Yes. Sophia named her after her grandmother. Yet another thing I didn’t have a say in.”

I held his hand. “I’m sorry you’ve missed so much.”

“It almost didn’t matter when I held her. It wasn’t for long, but when I held her, the responsibility hit me. I have to do what’s best for her. Fighting Sophia every step of the way, isn’t what’s right for Adaline.”

“Did Sophia say anything else? Did you get any answers?” I asked.

“I think she was fucking scared as hell. That’s what it comes down to. She didn’t want her daughter to grow up as a princess.” He shrugged. “But she has royal blood. My blood, Kenley. She’s mine.”

“I know she is. I can’t wait to meet her.” I twisted my lips together. “So…”

“Hmm?”

“So…does that mean you told Sophia about us?”

He laughed. “You should have seen her face. I didn’t get into any details.”

“That’s ok. It’s not important.”