Suddenly Enthroned

by C R Riley

  “I changed my mind Zach. I think I’d rather take my chances here in Chicago.” She stands quickly and heads for the door.

  “Larkin.” I say her name, stopping her dead in her tracks. “Sit back down … please.”

  A shiver seems to work its way through her body. She is standing in front of the door opposite mine and slowly twirls around to face me. “No.”

  The smirk that overtakes my face when I notice her raised eyebrows, as Larkin dares me to try and make her. He defiance has me wondering what it would be like to really have it out with her. Would she stomp that foot at me again like a petulant child, like Isabel does when I have to correct her? I bet she would yell at me like Gabriela has done several times these last few years when I refused to allow her some freedom. Perhaps she would even get in my face and tell me exactly what she thinks about my stubborn unwavering ways, like they both have done when I stand my ground. It is definitely something I think I’d like to experience, and the only way I can do that is if I can convince her to join this team.

  “Zach told me if I want the best architects this firm has to offer that means I need you on this team. I won’t settle for second best, so that means I need you.” And as soon as I say those last three words something inside of me softens.

  “You said that?” The uncertain tone in Larkin’s voice has me even more determined to get her to understand her true potential.

  “I’m not sure I said those exact words. I believe I just tried to cover the fact that you also tend to overreact when feeling overwhelmed.” He ducks when a pen flies out of her hand. “See what I mean.”

  “You killed it in Mexico City.” One of the guys next to Zach notifies her.

  “Thank you, Cameron.” Larkin’s head lifts slightly as she gains some confidence back.

  “I think if you had been in the States when this project first came across my desk, your name would have been added to the short list.” Bradley tells her.

  I know him because I met with him a few days ago when we were in negotiations.

  Now her shoulders square, and I know we are close to getting her to say yes. So, I turn to the third guy and the young woman seated at the table, hoping they will say something.

  The young woman speaks first. “Plus, it will get you away from Chandler before he decides to make his move again. Not to mention it gives you and me a chance to really get to know each other while we make a name for us. I mean if you are up for that and all.” She cups half her mouth, as if she is revealing a secret. “I have connections in case you forgot. If you promise to not enlighten my father about what I do on my own time, I promise to lie about how good you are at your job.”

  That seems to make the room burst into a fit of hysterics. I don’t believe I have seen a room laugh so hard.

  Larkin has to take a seat in the empty chair so she doesn’t lose her balance and fall on her butt again. I learn right then and there that Larkin’s laugh is the sweetest sound that has ever invaded my ears.

  “Okay. One condition.” She finally says after the room settles down.

  “Whatever it is you want; I can promise you it is yours.” I confidently tell her as I breathe a sigh of relief and snag one of the empty chairs.

  “You think you are powerful enough to grant me such a wish.” Her mocking tone has me holding back a snicker. If only she understood the powers I have at my fingertips.

  “Antonio is a very powerful man Larkin.” Zach also seems to be enjoying her unawareness way too much. “Perhaps you should …”

  I hold up my hand to interrupt him. “Please Zach, let me hear this. I am certain that I will be able to accommodate her request.”

  Larkin crosses her arms and stares at me, without even blinking she makes her request. “I want an apology for earlier.”

  I start to give it to her, but she lifts her hand to stop me. So, I close my mouth and motion for her to continue.

  “I want you to get on your knees and beg for my forgiveness. Perhaps when you stand you can also bow once, to prove you are earnest about it.” I realize she is taunting with me for how things went down earlier.

  I can see the others are mortified by her request and want to put an end to this before it goes too far. However, I don’t plan on letting that happen, because right then I realize that this woman is going to bring me to my knees so many times before we are ever done.

  “If I do these acts you’ve requested, you will put our earlier mishap aside and join the team?” She nods once, and then tries not to laugh as I stand and start to get down on my knees.

  “I’m kidding.” Larkin shrieks when she realizes I am about to do as she requested.

  Funny thing is I am pretty sure she could have asked for the moon and I would have done everything in my power to get it for her.

  “You sure?” I begin to lower myself again. “This could be your one chance to get me on my knees, begging you for your forgiveness. You may never get a second chance to make such a request of me.”

  For the first time since I ran into her this morning, I notice her cheeks growing a little red. “Yes. I am positive. While it has always been a fantasy of mine to have a man falling to his knees before me, I can’t ask you to do that. I can however ask that you give me a personal tour once we arrive in Hermosa Islas. And let me be clear on why I am asking, so you don’t get the wrong idea. This project is passionate to you, so I want to establish what your likes and dislikes are. It will give me a better understanding of the direction we should go as a team. What do you say Antonio, do you think you can handle being my personal tour guide?”

  I glance around the table and notice Zach shaking his head, truly understanding now why I requested he not reveal my true identity just yet. There is no way Larkin would have so boldly asked me, the King of Hermosa Islas, to escort her around my beautiful kingdom.

  “It would be my pleasure, Larkin. I will offer you a tour that only someone with my knowledge and rapport can. It shall be the very first act of business I insist we partaken in as soon as everyone is settled.”

  Chapter 6

  Antonio

  Three days later we are about to board my plane to head back home. I have been gone for nearly three weeks.

  The first week was part of my responsibilities as King. I had meetings with a few world leaders, keeping alliances strong.

  The second week was more personal, but still a critical part of my job as ruler over a thriving kingdom. It is my duty to ensure our economy flourishes and that we are able to keep our business connections on the forefront worldwide.

  My youngest brother, Lorenzo, will eventually take over the business dealings our family is involved in. Esteban had been planning on doing that, but after my father’s passing his role shifted to becoming the Heir Apparent. A position he will continue to learn until I marry and then produce an heir of my own, which right now could be never with the way things are progressing.

  I mean since I haven’t even had time to consider all the requests that have been rolling in, asking me to consider them as my future queen. Or maybe it’s that I just don’t want to think about that right now. I have no desire to marry someone to simply fulfill the position as queen. We all understand how an heir comes about after all, and the thought of using a woman like that holds no interest to me.

  Sure, I guess it is possible for me to start considering my options amongst the prospects that have been presented to me. One of them I suppose could be the woman I am hoping to find. Except when I think about sorting through them one by one, I suddenly feel ill to my stomach.

  I should probably get over that quickly though; since I agreed to host several formal balls where a select few of those elected prospects will attend. After years of hounding, accompanied by the fact that I truly don’t have the time to do this on my own, I finally have consented to do it their way. But if I am being honest, I have my doubts that it will lead to more than just a very huge headache on my part.

  Week three was for me. Most of my time
was spent entertaining my youngest sister Isabel. We spent our days doing what any eight-year-old girl would want to do. Our first stop had been to The American Girl store where of course we couldn’t leave without buying a custom-made doll, along with a few outfits to go with her. We spent an evening on the world-famous Ferris wheel and then watched fireworks from the pier. Visited the Skydeck where I got to watch a little girl lie face down as she took in the scene below her. Those are just a few of the activities Isabel talked me—as well as my security team—into doing that week.

  I have done exactly what I told her mother I would do, taken my job as her guardian seriously. She lives with me in the King’s quarters along with Helena. I hired Helena a few years ago when I realized I needed a fulltime staff member to run my household. She cooks for us, cleans (or oversees the cleaning), keeps Isabel’s schedule up to date with her day au pair Beatriz’s assistance, along with making sure that we have what we need in the evenings.

  Of course, I have also taken some time to conduct personal business with Manchester International. I made sure it didn’t interfere too much with the time I got to spend with Isabel. After all my little sister is topnotch when it comes to laying on the guilt trip. Plus knowing everything I know about why I am responsible for her may have me wanting to make up for the mistakes of her parents.

  By the time Isabel and I make it to the private airstrip, everyone else is already loaded and ready to go. I should probably apologize since we are a whole hour late arriving, but it had taken us longer at Shedd Aquarium than first predicted. We were on a private tour and got held up with the belugas, what can I say; I’m a sucker and have a hard time making Isabel leave when she is having such a good time.

  No one really seems to care. It’s not as if my staff has ignored them. They were instructed to make them as comfortable as necessary while waiting on us. After all I am the King and if I can’t be late then what really is the purpose of holding such a title.

  After we are in the air, I begin making my way around the cabin ensuring my guests are comfortable. I later decided to retire to my small office located on the plane, so I can go over emails and respond to a few executive matters that require my immediate attention.

  An hour later I return to the absolutely most perfect scene. Isabel has somehow convinced Larkin to join her in the sitting area. There are hair bows and jewelry scattered all around.

  Isabel’s hair has been braided in a way I have never seen it done before. It starts at the base of her neck and ends slightly at the side at her crown, where it has been gathered into a ponytail. Her long spiral curls are left dangling and two plain white flowers have been somehow secured in her dark hair, making her look every bit the Princess she is.

  And while that is something I certainly notice, it’s not what has me leaning against the wall so I can just watch. That would be Larkin seated on the floor in front of Isabel, so that my little sister can fix her hair. She must have about ten bows strategically placed throughout her hair by her young stylist.

  Hope joins them and expresses what a lovely job she is doing. Then she pulls out her phone and snaps a photo.

  “I swear Hope if that ends up on social media you will regret it.” Larkin lifts her gaze and then notices me standing there.

  “Let’s just call it blackmail for another day.” Hope puts her phone away and laughs.

  “I am going to have to insist on taking a look at that photo.” I inform the younger woman.

  She retrieves her phone and hands it to me without questioning why.

  It’s a lovely blackmail photo I must admit, so it is rather unfortunate that it will need to be deleted. Isabel’s face is glowing behind Larkin and I cannot allow this to remain on Hope’s mobile. There are no pictures of the young princess floating around that have not been approved first by my PR department. I am very protective of her identity being exploited, which is why I pass the phone off to one of my security personal.

  “Please have Isaac take care of that for me.”

  “As you wish … Sir.” My staff has been informed to not address me in any way that would give away my royal status.

  “Are you serious? I can delete it if you are worried about something getting out with Isabel’s face on it.” Hope pleads not understanding how serious we take this.

  “Your phone will be returned to you shortly Hope. Photos of Isabel are not allowed I’m sorry.” I hate how that sounds, but one can never be too careful.

  “It’s because I’m a Princess. Antonio wants to protect me from the world.” My ever-chatty sister reveals.

  “And what a pretty princess you are.” Larkin leans back as she smiles up at the young girl. “You are very lucky to have a brother who looks out for you like that. I wish I had a brother like him.”

  “Do you want him as your brother?” The little stinker makes a face. “I might be willing to sell him for a price.”

  “You’d miss him. Who would look out for you if Antonio weren’t around?” She stands and drops down onto the small sofa next to Isabel.

  “I have two other brothers. Esteban and Lorenzo. They will take over for him.”

  Larkin glances over at me, with her hair completely a mess, courtesy of my little sister. And when I tell you that she never looked better I mean it. In that moment I felt like I got to experience a side of this woman very few people are privy to. I realize that we aren’t alone, on this plane thousands of miles above the ocean, but I doubt that she goes around letting random little girls fix her hair. And since we have a long flight, eight hours to be exact, I get the impression she is letting her hair down so to speak.

  “I get the sense your brother would put up a stink about that. So, tell me something Princess Isabel, if you are a princess does that make Antonio a prince.” I know she thinks this is a game that a little girl is playing, but I don’t want Isabel to say too much, so I have to be careful here.

  “No, it would make him the King.” She blurts out smiling, letting me know she has figured out no one knows the truth about it all being factual. “Would you like to be Queen, Larkin?”

  “Okay enough.” I push off the wall. “Time for the Princess to say goodnight. Hermosa is seven hours ahead of Chicago; therefore, by the time we land it will be morning. We have at least six hours to go, and after our earlier adventures, I have no doubt that you will crash shorty after lying your precious head on the pillow.”

  I wait for her to tell Larkin and Hope goodnight. She even makes a show of it with the three men that joined us, trying to drag it out as long as possible. Finally, we are off and met by her au pair Beatriz, who shuffles the trouble-making Princess off to her private sleeping quarters.

  Once I make my way back to the main cabin, I find Larkin cleaning up the mess her and Isabel made playing hairdresser. She is alone once again. Hope has made her way to the front, and is struggling to strike up a conversation with Franco.

  “You didn’t need to do that. I have staff that would have taken care of it for us.” I tell her as I reach down and pick up a hair tie.

  “My mother would shame me for hours if I didn’t pick up after myself. She always said that it wasn’t the job of the house staff to pick up after me when I was too lazy to clean up my toys. I guess you can say old habits are hard to break.” Larkin shoves the last bow into the container and then passes it off to one of my stewardesses, who appeared out of nowhere.

  “You grew up with house staff?” I ask as I plop down in one of chairs and accept the glass of bourbon the other stewardess brings me. I always have a few sips before bed, to help bring me down and as a salute to my father.

  Larkin stares at the tumbler in my hand as I swirl it around and seems lost in thought. When I stop swirling and take a sip, her eyes follow my movement, and the instant the cool glass hits my lips she bites hers.

  “Would you like something?” I ask her as I bring it back down and rest the tumbler on the arm of the chair.

  “I don’t drink.” She shakes her head once a
nd begins to explain a few details on why. “Product of an addict, so I never wanted to take the chance. My parents never kept alcohol in our house growing up so that it was never a temptation. Since they were both physicians, they understood how at risk I was and didn’t want to take any chances. Once I got older, I decided that it was best to not test the waters and steered clear.”

  I lift my hand to call over the stewardess. When she comes to check on me, I hand her the tumbler and order us both a cup of cinnamon sleeping tea. My mother always made us drink a cup before bed when we were children to calm us down and help us sleep. It also has several health benefits and I guarantee it is way better for me than my usual bourbon.

  “You didn’t need to do that.” Larkin’s eyes lock with mine and I notice a swirl of emotion pass through hers. “I had a friend who …” she pauses and closes her eyes as a tear slides down her cheek.

  I lean forward and lay my hand over hers. “I’m sorry. He must have meant a lot to you.”

  “He meant the world to me.” Larkin’s eyes are now open again, but instead of looking up at me she is now staring at my hand. “Alcohol I believe gave him the courage to do something he probably wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.”

  There is a long drawn out moment of silence that isn’t interrupted until our tea is served. Meaning that I have to remove my hand from hers so I can pour us both a cup.

  And in case you were wondering, it is very rare for the King to pour his own cup, let alone pour a cup for someone else. So, when I wave the stewardess off, it’s no wonder why she does a double take and acts confused about my actions.

  “Larkin,” I softly whisper her name. “I never thanked you earlier for entertaining Isabel.”

  A very pleasant smile crosses her lips as she sips her tea. “I can honestly say I enjoyed myself. It has been a very long time since I did anything like that. My girl cousins and I used to take turns doing each other’s hair. They were quite a bit older than me, so I believe I made them look a lot like Isabel made me look. You have done an excellent job with her.”