The Playboy Prince and the Nanny (Royal Duology 1)

She looked into the older man’s face. It was clear where his sons got their good looks, and the determined set of his jaw was very much like Diego’s when he got something in his mind and wouldn’t let go. “I appreciate that, sir, but for Emilia and Max’s sake, maybe it would be for the best.”

“And take away another person they’ve come to love

? I think not. We’ll handle this the way we always handle things in our family. Head-on.”

Raoul nodded. “We’re looking at all the time stamps for vehicles leaving the grounds after two a.m. There aren’t many. Stephani is also checking logs with Marco, as he and his staff did stay on duty until the last guest had gone.”

“But it doesn’t make the story disappear. And it doesn’t explain why Diego isn’t here, either.” She checked herself and met the king’s gaze. “I apologize, sir. I seem to have abandoned the proper protocol.”

His gaze softened and she would swear he got the same sympathetic look that Stephani had given her only a few minutes earlier. “Rose, it’s no secret to either of us that you and Diego have formed an attachment.”

Her cheeks flamed.

“None of us can control who we love. No one knows that better than I. Even when it makes life ten times more complicated.”

“I see.”

“Diego has left for Africa. There’s been an ongoing issue with one of his charities that needs his attention, and he also has a friend meeting him there. Ryan.”

She scrambled through her memories of their chats. Ryan—his mate from universitywho got him in and out of scrapes. “I know who you mean. But why Ryan?”

“To bury the story,” Raoul said. “Didn’t he explain before he left?”

“I haven’t seen or spoken to him all day. Not since . . .” She swallowed, realizing she was speaking to King and Crown Prince and not just brother and father. “Not since before I saw you in the garden.”

Alexander and Raoul shared a look.

Then Raoul turned to her with that same pitying expression and the ball of dread bounced back.

“To bury the story, he’ll create a new story, Rose. He’ll put himself front and center and take the focus off of me and Marazur.”

“With . . . Ryan.”

“With Ryan, and very likely a few lovely ladies in a very public place.”

She pictured it and felt a little sick to her stomach. Just last night he’d said he loved her. Over the last few weeks, he’d convinced her that she made him a better man. That his reckless days were behind him and he wanted to be taken seriously. Now he was going to flaunt himself around on a whole other continent as if she meant nothing.

“He’ll hide your scandal by creating one of his own.”

“Exactly.” Raoul leaned forward, looking into her eyes. “It’s just for show, you know. I don’t know why he didn’t tell you before he left, but I know he loves you very much.”

She sat quietly for a few minutes. First of all, imagining him living it up at some exotic club with an exotic woman was like taking her biggest insecurity and stabbing her in the heart with it. And even if it was for “show,” as Raoul put it, she knew that he’d be back to square one, at least publicly, in shedding his bad-boy-prince image. It would be a hit to their relationship . . . if they even truly had one.

Because what hurt the most was that he’d gone without saying a word to her. Without letting her in on the plan, without consulting with her, without saying goodbye.

As if she wasn’t important enough to say goodbye to.

“I should get back to the children,” she said quietly. “I ordered one of the maids to stay with them until I returned. She’ll probably get in trouble with the housekeeper.”

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t,” Raoul assured her.

“Rose,” Alexander said, “let’s keep this meeting between us, shall we? Until we find out where the picture came from? Our entire household staff signs a confidentiality agreement, as you know. It’s possible someone has violated those terms. Keep it between Raoul and Stephani and myself, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all.” She looked at Raoul and felt her temper rise a bit. “I can’t imagine who would want to hurt you or the children after all you’ve been through. It’s despicable.”

“I agree. That’s why they need you, Rose. And I’m truly, truly sorry that you’ve been put in the middle of our family drama.”

She lifted her chin, indignation a welcome reprieve from the self-pity that had threatened her moments before. “I was already in the middle, sir, when I . . . when we . . . well, you know what I’m trying to say, I’m sure. Please excuse me. I’ll have the children ready for dinner shortly.”