your own to fend for yourself. At least if I’m here, we can both watch over the bakery. We can keep an eye on each other’s backs for any sign of Beckett. I can help.”
Luca gulps, standing up. He stares at me. “You would do that?”
I chuckle. “I’m not that much of a hermit.”
“You haven’t spent more than a few days away from Argyle since you were ten.”
I grin. “Okay, maybe I am that much of a hermit. I just don’t like being in the public eye. It’s not for me.”
“The media in Farcliff are vultures. If they catch wind that you’re here…”
“I’ll take that chance. I’ve spent the past couple of decades staying out of the public eye. I think I can do it here, too.”
“You’d do that for me?”
I nod, not trusting my voice. I’ve spent so much time away from Luca that it feels right to stay here with him. He needs me more than Theo does. Our King is surrounded by the castle walls and thousands of palace guards.
In a way, I feel like Luca deserves Ivy’s love. He should stay here and be happy with her, if that’s what he wants. He went through the most horrible accident I could imagine, broke his back, learned to walk again, was betrayed by the woman he loved, only to find someone who he loves even more.
I’ll stand by him.
Before I can react, Luca wraps his arms around me in a bone-crushing hug. He lifts my feet off the ground—not an easy feat, considering I’m an inch taller than him—and sets me back down with a thud.
When he pulls away, Luca’s eyes are misty. “Thank you, Dante.”
“I’ll call Theo to let him know.”
I give him a smile and turn toward the door, pausing when I reach it. I glance over my shoulder. “You got any clothes I can borrow? I only brought one sweater, and I don’t think it’ll do much against the cold.”
Luca laughs, nodding. “Yeah, but you’d better not stretch it out. I’ll get someone to buy you a winter wardrobe.”
“Thanks.” I grin at my brother.
When I walk out of the study, I let out a sigh. Something significant has shifted. I’m stepping out of my cocoon to be here. I’m going out on a limb to stay by my brother’s side, and it might mean facing the public scrutiny. It might mean being photographed and talked about—especially considering I’m living with one of the most famous celebrities in the Kingdom.
But Luca’s worth it. He’s my brother, and I’ve been away from his side for too long. If my job is to keep him safe, then I’ll have to do it from here.
I walk down the hallway just as the front door opens. Margot steps through, locking the door behind her. My eyes sweep over her curves, and I long to tangle my fingers in her long, golden hair.
Maybe a small part of me wanted to stay for her, too. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve met a woman who can make me feel the way she does.
As if she senses my stare, Margot turns around and meets my gaze. Heat floods my body from my head down to my toes, swirling around my chest and landing somewhere in the pit of my stomach. My veins ignite, and every bit of my body wants to get closer to her.
The actress gives me a small curtsy as she blushes.
I frown. “What are you doing?”
“Curtsying, Your Highness.”
My frown deepens. “Curtsying? Your Highness?” I fight the grin off my face. “Ma’am, you have me mistaken for someone else. I’m Todd. I just fixed your pool pump.”
5
Margot
I would laugh harder if I wasn’t so mortified. I giggle, covering my eyes with my hand.
“Don’t make me re-live that,” I groan.
The Prince chuckles, walking toward me. “You don’t have to curtsy every time you see me, Margot. I’m living in your house.”
I drag my gaze up to meet his, and a dagger of heat pierces my stomach, staying lodged deep in my center. Gulping, I nod. “Okay.”
The Prince nods to the door behind me. “Everything okay out there?”
The way Prince Dante’s eyebrows draw together makes me feel like he really cares. His shoulders straighten, and as he closes the distance between us, I feel safer than I’ve felt in a long time. The persistent, nagging feeling that something bad is going to happen fades away, and I’m able to breathe easier.