Married for the Prince's Convenience

Going to the window, she gazed out at the twinkling lights of San Domenica. This place was now her home, for better or worse.

She intended to do everything in her power to make sure it was the better.

She was going from delinquent to princess. Was she being selfish in asking for the icing on the cake?

Yes! She wanted it all.

Tears slipped down her cheeks before she could stop them.

‘You’re crying. Tell me why.’

She whirled around.

Reyes stood a few feet away, dressed in only his boxers, intense eyes scouring her face.

‘I wasn’t crying.’

One eyebrow was raised at her wet cheeks. ‘Unless it’s raining in here and I’m not aware of it, I beg to differ.’

‘I never cry. Tears are for the weak.’

His eyes narrowed. ‘Who told you that?’

‘A gang leader years ago.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry. That whole trip down memory lane has dredged up things I’d rather forget.’

He stepped closer, cupped her cheeks. ‘And that’s what woke you?’

About to nod and let that assumption hold, she hesitated. And spoke the words that scrapped up from her shredding heart. ‘Are you sure you’re making the right choice, Reyes? Not for your people, but for you?’

His eyes grew wary. ‘Why the sudden introspection?’

‘I know we’re only doing this primarily for the baby, and for your people. But we’ll be in this marriage, too.’

Jaw clenching, he paced in tight circles in front of her. ‘What are you saying?’

‘That you need to be sure before we take a step we can’t retrace.’

He froze. His nostrils flared as he jerked his fingers through his hair. ‘What’s going on, Jasmine? Why are you crying? Are you having second thoughts?’

She swiped at her cheeks and grappled with what to say. Settling on a half truth, she met his gaze. Slowly, she nodded. ‘Yes, and I think deep down you probably are, too.’

His brows clamped together. ‘Don’t put words in my mouth.’

Jasmine would’ve given anything not to utter the words. ‘Then tell me in your own words.’

He stared at her for a long time. Then shook his head. ‘I don’t have the luxury of being whimsical about this situation. It is what it is.’

The vice tightened around her heart. ‘What about love, Reyes? Surely you have a view on whether you want love in your life or not?’

His hand slashed through the air. ‘My father married for love. Look where that got him.’

‘Are you saying if you fell in love and were loved back, it wouldn’t be enough for you?’

‘I’m saying love is never equal, no matter what anyone says. Someone always loves more, and that person has the most to lose.’ Shadows flickered in his eyes before he turned to pace the room again.

Her beautiful eyes clouded. ‘You really believe that, don’t you?’

Striding to her, he grabbed her arms. ‘I don’t believe in fairy tales. And my reality speaks for itself.’

She pushed out of his arms and padded to the window. Tugging the sheet closer, she wrapped her arms around herself.

Reyes watched her, the action both angering and disturbing him. ‘Jasmine?’

After a moment, she turned. ‘How is your father?’

He frowned, struggling to keep up with everything she was throwing at him.

Waking up to find her gone, he’d had a chilling sense of déjà vu, before he’d remembered he was back home, in a place where Jasmine wouldn’t be able to escape him easily. Except she was trying now. The woman he’d gone to sleep certain of spending the rest of his life with was having second thoughts.

And probing subjects he didn’t want to discuss. Yet he found himself answering. ‘As well as he can be considering his heart and organs are days away from failing.’ The throb of pain the thought brought made his breath catch. His father had had a good day today. Straight after his council meeting, Reyes had gone to see him. They’d talked for a full hour, during which Reyes had stumbled over himself in his plea for his father’s forgiveness for treating him so harshly.

His father had merely smiled and said, ‘Finally, you love,’ before he’d fallen asleep.

‘Can he speak?’ Jasmine asked.

He shoved a hand through his hair. ‘A few words when the medication isn’t strong enough to make him sleepy.’

She nodded. ‘Can you do me a favour? The next time you see him, ask him if he’d do it all over again. Love your mother with unconditional love.’