to try to dig up dirt on him. Though the rumor he had loved another woman a long time ago never dissipated.
Fury pulsed from him, his knuckles turning white around the paper in his hand, his focus on the two sitting in the chairs on the other side of the desk.
Theo and Eloise sat quietly, not appearing fazed by their father’s ire. Both dressed impeccably, appearing fresh, like they went to a spa last night instead of drinking in a club.
“Do you two understand everything you do is watched? Judged. You are role models. Royals! You cannot be careless or stupid like others your age can. We are held to different standards than others!” He smacked the newspaper in his hand down on the desk, shoving it at his children. My focus darted down to the front page.
Fuck.
“Royals caught in club brawl. Princess carried out by mystery man!” The headline was boldly splashed across the front of the paper, the image underneath a dark, blurry picture of figures getting into a black SUV. You’d never know if it was us, but the outline of a man looking to be carrying a girl in his arms was circled, drawing your eye there.
Bloody hell.
That was me.
Theo shoved it away. “It’s not even Eloise being carried out.”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s actually Eloise. They don’t need facts to write headlines.”
“No one can even see that it’s us.”
“Oh, I’m sorry… Did you not see the picture inside?” The king’s voice was taut and filled with condescension. His fingers flipped open the page, stabbing at another picture.
Theo and El leaned forward, their throats bobbing in unison as they took in the picture. I couldn’t see it, but clearly, the media had a better picture to prove it was them.
“What were you even doing in a club like this?” Alexander peered between his kids.
“We were there because—” Eloise started.
“Ben and Charlie,” Theo finished for her, tossing his buddies under the bus to protect her. “It was a welcome home for me.”
The king took a deep breath, his head shaking. He didn’t seem surprised by this; I guess he was no stranger to their antics.
His head lifted, blue eyes landing on me. His intensity was a punch to the lungs.
“Ms. Sutton.” He said my name like a lash of cold wind, whipping Theo’s head to me. “Do come join us. You can eavesdrop from here better.”
Fuckityfuck.
“Your Majesty.” I curtsied, sweat instantly dotting my hairline and back. “I-I apologize.”
“No better time to meet my son’s girlfriend, I guess. You were part of this debacle as well?” He motioned me to enter. My armpits and neck were already sticky and coated in terror.
I stepped into the room, noticing Lennox and Dalton standing against the wall behind me, both wearing dark suits with gray ties. Silent and so still they could have been statues. Dalton’s head dipped in the shallowest nod, recognizing my existence in the room while Lennox stared straight ahead. But bugger that guy was so hot it made me angry. His personality had to ruin the eye candy.
“Your Highness. It’s an honor to meet you.” My voice shook, my legs rattling as they dipped again. My father told me I had met the king before, running right up to him at an event. Bold as brass, and only three. Fair to say I didn’t remember this prior meeting.
“Baron Andrew Sutton’s daughter.” He said it more like he was reading it from my CV. “I’m not sure I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your father. But I’ve heard about your family.”
There was no compliment in there. He said it so evenly, with not one facial twitch, yet I had no doubt he found my family… less than.
“Majesty.” I dipped my head in answer.
“Father…” Theo rolled his eyes, standing up next to me. “Can we have one thing in this family that’s normal… like meeting my girlfriend? Not drilling her as if she is interviewing for a position here.”
Alexander’s gaze slid to his son.
“There is nothing and will never be anything normal about us,” he replied firmly. “And being your girlfriend, Theodore, is going to be a full-time job for her. After introducing her to me, to the world, she is no longer some girl you can casually date. She is Great Victoria’s.” He placed his palms on the desk, leaning into Theo’s face. “Do you both fully understand that?”
“Yes.” Theo’s chin lifted, his hand touching my back, not hesitating a moment. I, on the other hand, wanted to