The Prince and the Player

He gives me a pointed glare. “Probably because he couldn’t reach you.”

“We were planning to go for dinner, Reg,” Cal interrupts. “Can’t whatever it is wait?”

“Is that so?” he says, still watching my expression.

My heart is beating so fast, it hurts. “Yes,” I say softly. “We were.”

“Then perhaps I can drop her at the restaurant. This shouldn’t take long. Where are you going?”

Cal pauses, and I can tell he’s searching for an argument.

“It’s okay,” I say giving him a confident smile. It is so, so fake. “I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”

“The Brasserie at Columbus,” he says, glancing at his uncle. “I’ll be there in ten.”

“We’re right behind you,” Reggie says, taking my arm.

Cal steps forward and kisses my cheek. “See you in a bit.”

“Tell Rowan his race was thrilling.”

He does a little smile, and we part, me headed to face the consequences, him completely ignorant.

We walk quickly through the breezeway under the metal bleachers out to the parking area where Reggie’s town car waits. The driver holds the door as we climb in, and it isn’t until the doors are shut and we’re driving away with the security glass firmly in place that he turns to me.

At first he doesn’t speak, he only studies my expression. I swallow the knot in my throat. I don’t have a leg to stand on, and I know it.

“It appears your sister has won the heart of the crown prince,” he finally says. “While you were off playing with his brother.”

“I tried, Reggie.” My voice is too soft, too weak. “I really did.”

“I set it all up. I gave you multiple opportunities. Then you sneaked away in the night after you twisted your ankle? You were supposed to have breakfast with the future king!”

After I’d just spent the night with his brother. “He wasn’t interested in me.”

“He never had a chance to know.”

With a sigh, I look out the window at the passing trees and flowers. “Can’t we change the plan? Ava’s not a member of the nobility or anything. Can’t she be the one to help you out?”

Reggie’s eyes narrow. “The plan wasn’t for him to fall in love with a beautiful orphaned girl from America. That’s romantic enough to enchant the nation!” His voice rises a bit, and I flinch. “The plan was for him to fall for you, a phony heiress he thinks would secure Monagasco’s economic future. It would show he’s too inexperienced, too shallow to be our leader. He was to be led around by his cock and duped by someone like you!”

My chin drops, and embarrassment burns in my cheeks. Why did I ever agree to this job?

“That’s not Rowan at all. He’s none of those things,” I say quietly. “He’s very serious about his position. Every time we’re together, he’s reading something or taking a phone call. He’s very fit to be king.”

“Even when he’s planning to race the Grand Prix next week?”

“What?” My eyes widen. “Why would he do that? It’s too dangerous!”

“Because despite w

hat you think, Rowan is irresponsible. Apparently, he thinks national security is less important than the pursuit of his hobbies.”

He turns his phone to me. On the screen is the headline, CROWN PRINCE TO RACE IN GRAND PRIX. My jaw drops. I can’t believe what Reggie is saying.

“He wouldn’t…”

“It seems he already has. Even better, he’s done it with the race only days away.”