The Playboy Prince and the Nanny (Royal Duology 1)

Diego frowned. “Hmmm. She’s Raoul’s assistant, not mine.”

“Don’t ask me, mate. Just get packed and in the air. You know you’re dying to get back to her.”

He was. He and Rose had a lot to discuss that had been postponed for over two weeks while he put out fires and played the part of the playboy.

“Call me at any time,” he said to Ryan, signing the last piece of documentation needed today. “And if you and Brenna can stay a bit longer, and liaise with the office staff here, that’d be fantastic.”

“Gives me something useful to do.” Not to mention Ryan had taken on the responsibility of security for the school as well as acting as Diego’s personal bodyguard.

Diego got up and gave Ryan a quick man hug. “Thank you,” he said gruffly.

“What are friends for?” Ryan asked, and then chuckled. “Besides spending your money, that is . . .”

Diego was still laughing when he left the office, but his laugh settled into an apprehensive frown as he packed, headed to the airport, and settled on the jet headed back to Marazur.

If he was free to go back, it meant they’d found the source of the leak. And since he’d been provided with no details whatsoever, he could only assume it wasn’t good news.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Despite Stephani’s directive to report to Raoul’s office on his arrival, Diego got Marco to deliver him to the back of the castle and the staff entrance. It was still early—just past seven—and he snuck in the kitchen, knowing Senora Ortiz would already be at the day’s baking.

She was just taking a pan of hot rolls out of the oven. Diego leaned casually against the doorframe and waited for her to notice him. When she did, she put her hand to her heart. “You are just as sneaky now as you were as a boy!” she chided, then laughed. “Welcome home, Diego.”

“It’s good to be home.” He went forward and kissed her cheek, and she flapped her hand at him as she blushed. He grinned. The last two weeks had been so exhausting. Normally he came and went as he pleased, but now he was thrilled to be home. It felt right.

“I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving,” she observed, but then took a few rolls and put them on a plate. “Here. And there’s coffee if you want it.”

He buttered the rolls, watching the yellow goodness melt into the warm bread instantly. The first bite was pure, airy heaven.

“You flew all night?”

He nodded. “Most of it, yes. I was summoned.” He wiggled his eyebrows. Being summoned wasn’t the annoyance it used to be.

And then he let his smile fade. “How is Rose?”

“Quiet. She doesn’t come to the kitchen as much and takes her meals upstairs.”

“You took her the cake?”

“I did. I think she understood, but she’s upset, Diego. Seeing the pictures of you in the papers . . . and she feels responsible for everything. I can tell.”

“I’m going to see her first.”

“Better hurry, before she has to be up with the children.”

He crammed the last of the roll into his mouth, passed on the coffee, and headed to the stairwell. He couldn’t wait to see her. Hold her and kiss her and assure her it was all going to be okay now.

She answered his knock, but her face blanked in surprise when she saw him there. “Good morning,” he said, and smiled. She looked so beautiful. Nothing fancy or different than usual. But after two weeks of clubs and women—other than Brenna—who were anxious to get their five minutes of fame with the prince, Rose’s simple trousers, blouse, and topknot were pretty and refreshing.

“You’re back.”

His brows pulled together at her flat, unenthusiastic tone. “No one told you I was coming? Raoul sent for me yesterday. I’ve just arrived from the airport.”

“You must be tired. You had a busy few weeks.”