by Ally Summers
27
Corbin
South Carolina was hot as shit. I held Elena’s hand as we descended the stairs to the tarmac. It didn’t look like the local sheriff’s office had followed all her requests. There were a few cars parked near the gates with lights flashing.
I smiled and waved and we ducked into a leased black car. I was pleased there wasn’t a mob of reporters. So far, we were flying under the radar. I needed it to stay that way.
I had never been to my sister-in-law’s home state. My U.S. trips were always the heavy hitting cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and I’d tried Dallas.
The speaker crackled. “I have the itinerary for the trip, Your highness. It says I’m driving you and Miss DuBois to a home address? Would you rather go to the residence first?”
“No. The itinerary is correct, Kurtis. Please take me there now.”
I rolled my eyes at Elena. Of course, Kurtis had no idea what was going on. The last thing I needed was Sophia seeing a picture of the jet before I could knock on her door. I didn’t know what she’d do. Would she try to run? Would she hide out? Would I scare her? I didn’t want any of that to play out.
Our residence during our stay in Charleston was a coastal home. Elena had been able to lease it for as long as we liked. I preferred staying somewhere other than a hotel. And for this trip, it seemed more fitting. Leave it to the woman I loved to think of everything.
Elena was on her tablet, clicking through emails and messages. Every few seconds she looked out the window.
“Are you all right?” she asked. “The GPS says we’re only ten minutes away.”
“Are you asking if I want to slow down?”
She nodded. “Do you? We can take a pause, Cor.” Her fingers curled around mine. “Just say the word and I can tell Kurtis we need a break. It’s perfectly understandable if you want to process this some more. We can take it slower.”
“Not at all.” I wasn’t backing down. I had flown across the Atlantic Ocean to see my daughter. And if things went the way I wanted, she would be flying home with us.
I was going to make the most of my new lease on life. I had wasted two years being wasted. The memories were blurry and hazy. The few times I stayed sober were only the in between times. I missed my brother’s wedding because of it.
And the demons hounded me that maybe Sophia had reconsidered when she was pregnant. Maybe she had wanted my help. Wanted to tell me, but when she heard I was a drunk, she stayed farther away. Maybe it was the bourbon that sent her to South Carolina. I was never going to let a drink be the reason someone made a decision about me.
I inhaled, filling my lungs until they burned. My knuckles whitened in a fist.
This was the moment.
This was exactly why I spent fifty days getting sober. Fifty days making sure I’d never go backward. I was never going to be a perfect man. I had sins yet to commit, but they weren’t going to be while I was drunk. My children would never know that side of me.
It was in me to be the kind of father my father was. There were five of us, and he managed to be our dad while ruling the country. It had never seemed as significant as it did to me now. I knew Alaric was sorting through the same emotions. Only he didn’t have to face the betrayal I did. What Sophia did was unforgiveable. She had stolen the most precious thing from me.
The car drove over uneven cobbled streets. I looked outside. It was quaint and charming. Part of me was relieved Sophia hadn’t had to resort to a penniless existence. Tall oaks lined the streets and there was a park on one side of us. Not the worst place my daughter could live. We pulled in front of a row of townhomes.
“This is it,” Elena whispered. She leaned over and brushed her warm lips on my cheek. Ten minutes had passed like ten seconds. “I love you, Cor.”
“You aren’t going in?” I already knew the answer.
She shook her head. “You should meet your daughter first. This is going to shake Sophia. Having me there will only threaten her more. I want this to be special for you.”
Kurtis walked around to the door. “Your Majesty.” He held it open for me.
I kissed Elena. “I love you, baby.”
She smiled. “Good luck.”
Luck wasn’t what I needed, but I smiled and walked up the stone staircase. The royal guards flanked me, scanning the bushes and sidewalk.
I rang the doorbell and waited.
I heard footsteps in the hall. The door opened.
“Hello, Sophia.”
28
Elena
I had waited in a car for Cor to carry out royal business so often, there were too many times to count. As his manager, there would be times when he had to meet with officials off the record. I’d spend my time in the car working on press releases or re-organizing his schedule. Now, with my title gone, I felt useless and powerless. The rest of the trip was planned. Until he had information from Sophia about his daughter, I didn’t have another move.
The front steps of the townhouse rose out of my view from the car. I crouched on the seat, looking for Cor, but the porch was empty. My skin prickled. He was already inside the house.
I was desperate to know what was going on. I may have been able to convince him I wanted to sit here patiently, but I was dying to hear the conversation. To see the look on his face when he saw his child. To know Sophia had to say about what she had done.
They had a lot to discuss. I had a feeling she wouldn’t handle the news about having a shifter baby as well as I had. I was wrapped in the throes of passion when Corbin laid it out for me, but still I think I would have taken it the same way. I loved him. I had always loved him. And that wasn’t going to change because sometimes he wanted to run through the woods with fur instead of running shorts.
I was already used to his moody growls and ravenous hunger. I had embraced his sexual appetite. I was ready to be his mate.
I wrung my hands together. It was complete torture waiting to find out about Sophia.
Our lives had always been intertwined. And in my heart, I knew he was the only man I could ever love. I’d always known.
Every time I looked in his eyes, I could see our children. I could see home. For the first time, I knew Cor saw the same thing. It may not have been his dream two years ago, but it was his dream now.
I rested my nervous hands over my flat belly. Was he right? Was it possible I was already pregnant and we didn’t know it? It would still be a few weeks before I could take a test.
I had gone from employee to mother of his child. I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to explain what had happened between us. But maybe that was the magic of us—I didn’t have to. I didn’t have to justify our feelings or our relationship. We knew that it was real and passionate. Tangible and erotic. We loved each other in every way possible.
Now that the king knew, and Wallace, we were free to love without restraint. We had a royal blessing. In my book, the king might as well have married us on the spot. Once he had made up his mind, we would have his full support.
Eden’s visit yesterday proved it. I only knew bits and pieces of the inner workings of their relationship from Cosette, but I knew he loved her more than the crown. And they had an intense connection.
I fished through my clutch, looking for my phone. There was one person I hadn’t talked to about this. And I realized there was something useful I could do while I waited for Cor.
I called Cosette.
“Elena. I can’t believe you’re calling.” Her voice was hushed.
“Hi. Are you free for a few minutes?”
I watched a mother jog by, pushing her baby in a stroller with three wheels.
“I just stepped out of the room so the queen can change for dinner. I have a few minutes. How is the trip going?”
Galona was six hours ahead of us.
“We only landed a little bit ago. It’s just getting started.” I felt nervous talking to Cosette, yet I needed her sanity right now.
“I’m sorry I co
uldn’t see you off.”
“It’s ok. We left early and I wasn’t going to interrupt your service.” The knots of awkwardness twisted in my gut. My closest friend was still a royal manager and I wasn’t. How were we going to cross this new river I had created?
“The queen mentioned to me you’re in her home state. It sounded like she wanted to go with you.”
“It would have been nice to have some company.” I cringed. The queen wasn’t supposed to be company. I was flailing. “I meant. I just needed to talk to someone.”
“Nothing should be any different. You can call me anytime.”
“You’re sure? You don’t feel strange?”
She laughed. “Of course it’s strange, but you have been in love with him since I’ve known you. I’m not going to stop being your friend because he finally realized he was an idiot for two years.”
I giggled. “Well, when you put it that way.”
“Did something happen?” she asked.
“No.” I sighed. I couldn’t betray Cor’s trust but confiding his secret to someone else. “He’s in the middle of a meeting. I’m outside waiting.”
I couldn’t mention Sophia or the baby.
“Oh. Is it hard? Not being his manager any longer?”
“Yes. It’s natural, you know? I immediately want to do things I’ve always done. And I can’t turn my brain off from thinking like a fixer.”
“How could you? It’s what you’ve known.”
“Exactly.”
“But you don’t have any regrets?”
I shook my head, pressing into my belly. I smiled. “No. I don’t have any. I wouldn’t change a single second of it.” The corners of my eyes stung. The tears were unexpected, but she had tapped into something. I loved him more than anything. And I had a life I’d never dreamed of because I took a wild reckless chance.
“No regrets,” I whispered.
“Then focus on that for today.” I loved Cosette’s practicality. She always steered me back to center. “You have no regrets. How many people can say that about love?”
I grinned. “You’re right. So, so right.”
“Then keep that as your focus.”
“I will. Thanks for listening. I’ll let you get back to the queen. I know you have a lot to do, especially this time of the day. I’ll try to call later and let you know when we plan on returning to Galona.”
“Have fun on your trip. I’m here if you need me.”
“Thank you.”
I hung up and tucked the phone in my purse.
I rested my head on the back of the seat. I felt better after talking to Cosette. It was going to be an unconventional friendship inside the palace, but I hadn’t lost my best friend. We’d figure out how to make this work, just like Cor and I had.
But like the great friend she was, she reminded me I had no regrets.
29
Corbin
I didn’t know what to expect the first time I saw Sophia. It sure as hell wasn’t supposed to be flashbacks of the last time I saw her.
I’d relived that day enough to turn it into a novel. I didn’t need another run-through, but it was exactly what my heart felt. I saw her dark hair and dark eyes and I felt nothing but pain.
I balled my hands at my fists. This woman had ruined me. And it ended today.
“Corbin?” Surprise turned to fear.
“I’d like to come in, Sophia.”
She spotted the agents next to me. She folded without much of a fight, opening the door wide enough for the three of us to walk inside.
The townhouse was quaint, fitting for the location. A crystal chandelier hung over a round antique table. The small hallway was tiled with black and white checked marble. It somehow felt classic and modern.
“What are you doing here? What’s this about?”
She had pivoted to the dining room, but I turned in the opposite direction.
“Corbin!” she screeched.
I didn’t hear her anymore. There was a travel crib at the edge of the living room. There was soft music playing and the blinds were drawn, but I knew that was daughter sleeping. I walked toward her. The inches felt like miles. Something in my chest welled. I didn’t know if it was pride or love, but as soon as my eyes fell on her sleeping face I almost sobbed.
I looked at the angel before me. I touched her cheek gently, careful not to wake her. I shoved my hands back in my pockets and returned to Sophia. I nodded to the agents to leave us. They exited the house.
Sophia buried her face in her hands and started to cry.
“Don’t take her. Please don’t take her from me. You can’t, Corbin. You can’t.”
I glowered at the woman who I used to love. “What’s her name?” I asked.
She sniffed, and wiped her cheeks with the palms of her hands. “Adaline,” she answered. “I named her after my grandmother.”
“I see.” I pulled the chair away from the table and sat.
“I won’t let you take her.” Her eyes had turned as dark as coal.
“Let’s start with why you’re even in this situation, Sophia.” I turned to catch another glimpse of my daughter.
“I don’t have to do this. We’ve been over for a long time.”
I nodded. “We have. But you lied. And you kept my daughter from me. So, unless you want the wrath of the Marquis family crown, I’d start with some kind of explanation. You owe me that,” I hissed.
“You were there. You know how terrible it was at the end.”
“What I remember is you hated the headlines. You hated the paparazzi. They attacked you. I know all of that, Soph. They backed you into a corner and painted you as some kind of bitch. You seem to forget I offered to step down.” I grimaced, thinking of what I was willing to sacrifice back then. “But instead, you gave up. You took off. And that was the end.” I curled my fist on the table. “You never told me you were pregnant.”
“She has a normal life, Corbin. She doesn’t know anything about you or the palace. She doesn’t know what a curtsy is or how to speak five languages. She babbles and plays. She loves puppies and the color blue. She loves bananas and hates grapes. She gets dirty in the park across the street and plays on the swings. She doesn’t have a security detail. There aren’t reporters hiding in the bushes. We live a normal quiet life. And I’m going to do everything I can to keep it that.” She clenched her teeth. “You aren’t going to destroy the happiness she has.”
I heard a tiny coo and moved from my seat. She was moving in the small crib.
“Corbin, don’t,” Sophia pleaded, but she couldn’t keep me from my daughter.
I walked toward the crib and watched as the tiny figure sat up, rubbing her eyes.
“Bonjour, mi amour,” I purred. I reached forward, taking her chubby body between my hands. I lifted her and she stared at me still sleepy. “I’m your papa, princess. A little princess and you don’t even know it.” I brought her to my chest and inhaled her baby scent. This was my child. My blood. My flesh.
“Corbin.” Sophia sobbed.
I squeezed the baby gently again before I handed her to her mother.
She held her across her chest, kissing her rapidly. “Please don’t take her. This is all she knows. She’s happy and safe. No one knows who she is. She’s safe here”
“I want to know my daughter.” I swallowed. “I didn’t deserve what you did. I did nothing but love you Sophia. That love is gone now. But I never would have hurt you like you hurt me. I wouldn’t have hidden our baby. I wouldn’t have cut you out of her life.”
She closed her eyes, damp with tears. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
I ran my hands through my hair. “I need you to know something.” I stared out the window. I could see the long black car where Elena was waiting.
I pulled the letter from my jacket. “A nurse in France sent me this.” I handed it to her. After she read it, I continued. “I was in a terrible place when I got this letter. I started drinking after you left. I figured if y
ou and I couldn’t make it, then what was the point of pretending I was having any fun? I drank more at parties. I boozed until the booze was gone. And then I got this.”
I sat in a large striped chair. “The letter is what made me turn my life around. I got help. I’m sober. And I’m here. Because I want to be Adaline’s father. I love her and I don’t even know her. But I know I have to be in her life.” I cleared my throat. “But I don’t know the nurse who wrote the letter. I know she violated your trust. And there could be others that know as well. You can’t be naïve enough to think people don’t know about Adaline. You can’t protect her like I can, Sophia. I have the crown. What do you have?”
She froze. “I’ll move. I’ll keep moving.”
I shook my head. “It shouldn’t be like that. You don’t have to live on the run, waiting for someone to show up at your door. And are you going to constantly determine security threats to Galona? Are you going to ask Alaric to give you clearance so you know who is currently targeting the family? Because, I’ll tell you, love. It changes daily.”
“She’s just a baby. She shouldn’t have to have security guards.”
“You’re right. She shouldn’t. But she’s a Marquis. And she’s an heir to the throne. You have to be realistic.”
“I’ve only tried to keep her safe,” she whispered. Adaline was laughing as she grasped at Sophia’s necklace. “I almost lost her during the pregnancy. That’s when I moved,” she explained. “The doctor said I had to stay away from stress. I couldn’t do that in Europe, so I came here. I thought it was far enough away.”
“You have kept her safe. You have. But it’s time I take over. I can protect her. I can protect you both from threats you don’t even know exist.”
“Are you going to take her from me?”
“Soph, before I walked through that door, I wanted to, but I love her. And I promise to keep you both safe. I’m not going to break your heart a second time.”
I rose from the chair. I cupped Adaline’s head, ruffling her unruly curls.
