by Ana Adams
Table of Contents
Prince's Revenge Baby
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
ANOTHER STORY YOU MIGHT LIKE
Royal’s Baby
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Prince’s Revenge Baby:
A Royal Romance
By Ana Adams
All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2017 Ana Adams.
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Chapter One
“Please promise me you won’t bet my pearl earrings tonight.”
Antonia smirked at her best friend in the gilded mirror in her hotel room as she fixed her hair. Gabriella sent her a stern look.
“I promise I won’t bet your pearl earrings tonight,” Antonia repeated, clipping a barrette over the wisps of hair escaping her updo. As she fastened her own pearl earrings into place, she added, “But that doesn’t mean the rest of our outfits are off limits, right?”
Gabriella smiled, slipping into a pair of nude pumps. “Depends on who you’re betting against. I wouldn’t mind seeing what these Monacan men are made of.”
Antonia lifted a brow. “As long as we just look. I’m here to win, remember.”
“Win the poker tournament, yes. But that’s not until Monday. For now, we’re here to enjoy the weekend. You need to let off some steam before you go all in.”
Antonia huffed. “Playing poker helps me destress.”
“Yes, but sometimes it’s wise to destress in a new way.” Gabriella winked at her through the mirror. Antonia knew exactly what her friend was getting at and narrowed her eyes. Every time they took a girls’ weekend somewhere, the same pushiness emerged in her friend. Gabi made it a habit to acquaint herself with a man from every region, it seemed. They always booked separate rooms, so each could do as they pleased without any awkwardness. But if Antonia ever brought back someone—which was a rarity—they never made it past groping and kissing.
“You stick with your destressing methods, and I’ll stick with mine.” Antonia puckered her lips, liking the new dark lipstick she’d paired with the form-fitting maroon dress. Her eye makeup was sparse but fierce. A wisp of curly dark hair hung down at the front of her face. She was ready to take Monaco by storm and win all the bets.
“Fine.” Gabi smirked and the pair wandered toward the door of her suite. The two of them looked killer, which was par for the course. Gabi liked it because it helped her meet men; for Antonia, it was more of a gaming strategy. Most men took one look at her and figured she didn’t know what the hell she was doing. She even had a little shtick to back it up, playing the part to the hilt.
The Grand Monaco hotel was a sprawling oasis of luxury. Even on the “low-rent” seventh floor, the rooms were still spectacularly plush. Her poker tournament was slated to begin Monday—and depending on how long she could stay in the game, she might be here for another full week. She wasn’t complaining—it sure beat her room in her parents’ home back in Milan. She really had to move on, she told herself for the millionth time in the last six months.
Even a weekend away from the family business would help her mood. Her father had been driving her nuts the past few months with trade negotiation drama. She just wanted it to be over. A few hands of poker would start the weekend off right.
“I’ll go get us drinks while you head to the poker table,” Gabi offered during the elevator ride to the lobby. “That way you can get started, and I can start prowling.”
Antonia grinned. Though they were odd best friends, they worked. “Sounds like a plan.”
The elevator doors parted on the ground floor and Antonia strutted out, blowing Gabi a kiss as her friend peeled off toward the bar. Smoothing her dress, Antonia took a few measured breaths before pulling open the gilded door of the casino.
Clamorous voices greeted her inside; cigarette smoke wafted from somewhere despite the no-smoking rule, and rows of blackjack, poker, and roulette tables arched toward the far wall.
As always, it was mostly men playing, their well-groomed companions watching disinterestedly. Antonia wasn’t sure where she’d gotten her gambling streak—nobody in her family shared the affinity, and certainly nobody was as lucky in cards as she was.
She strutted down the main aisle, scanning the room for the perfect table. She wanted men—burly, bulky men with glinting rings and roaming eyes who would size her up and peg her to lose. That sort was her easiest kill. The gold-flecked carpet contrasted nicely with the sweeping fabrics pulled into elegant bundles on the sides of the room—fabrics that she herself had designed at her family’s studio in Milan.
The casino at the Monaco Grand was her biggest buyer to date—and seeing her handiwork firsthand never got old.
Especially when she’d soon be raking in thousands of euros.
There—at the far end, the perfect group. Excitement prickled beneath her skin, and her chest tightened. Let the games begin. She nodded at the dealer as she eased into an open seat at a table full of dark-haired, dark-eyed men. All eyes fell on her as she sat down. She cleared her throat, settling into the demure version of herself.
She glanced between the men at the table then at the dealer, eyes wide. The dealer approached her, shuffling cards. “You wanted poker, right?”
Opening her mouth, she didn’t answer right away. Already she saw question marks swirling in the others’ eyes. “Yes. I want to try.”
The dealer smirked. Just as he was about to deal, the man next to her excused himself from the table, phone pressed to his ear. The dealer shook his head. “Almost had it. Waiting on one more.”
Antonia fiddled with her earring, casting nervous smiles toward the other men. They had no idea what would hit them. She’d sweep the table, leave in their Ferraris, take home their firstborn.
The dealer whistled as he shuffled, eyes lighting up as someone approached from behind her. “There’s our last.”
A man hurried to the open seat, nodding at the dealer as he joined the table. His arm brushed against her, his figure full and tall beside her. As he sat down, a whiff of exotic cologne greeted her—something musky and mixed with vetiver. Her mind clouded over. He adjusted the cuffs of his suit jacket, his wide, tanned hands snagging her attention.
“We can begin.” The newcomer spoke French—probably he was from Monaco. She glanced at him, eager to catch a glimpse of his face.
He was looking at her as she looked toward him. Cool green eyes greeted her, a hint of amusement on his face. Her heart stalled. His clothes fit his trim body so perfectly, they had to have been custom tailored. Each strand of his dark hair lay precisely in place. So much so, she wanted to reach up and muss it—just a little, just to see what he’d do. Her voice disappeared in her throat, and she fought to rip her gaze off him.
“Bets, please,” the dealer called as he dealt the first hand. Antonia pushed two chips toward the ledge, heart pounding as the stranger’s face lingered in her memory, as if she’d been staring at a lightbulb too long. At her side, she sensed him shift. G
oosebumps emerged on her forearms.
“Good luck.” His rich voice resonated through her. It was so husky and unexpected, she looked around to make sure he wasn’t talking to someone else. It had to have been directed at her. She forced a girlish laugh, glancing at him nervously.
She knew enough French to understand him, but she responded in Italian. “I’m sure I’ll need it.” Except I won’t. The dealer finished laying the last two cards to each player and she lifted her hand to look at it.
“Have you played before?” The stranger switched flawlessly to Italian.
“Here and there.” A King, Queen, Jack and two low cards stared at her. Her throat tightened. Almost a straight flush. The stranger’s heat at her side distracted her from her hand.
“Let me know if you need any help.”
***
Louis couldn’t believe his luck. He’d come to the casino tonight for one thing only—to start sniffing out Antonia Giovanni, the only daughter of Francisco Giovanni, Monaco’s previous sole linens supplier. He had no idea that she’d put herself in his path when he’d barely started the hunt.
Almost a straight flush stared back at him in his hand. Unbelievable. He was good at poker, though never usually so lucky. But winning the game didn’t matter to him—he was here on a mission. He just hadn’t expected she’d fall into his lap so quickly—or be so breathtaking in person.
He’d read up on her before arriving, only able to find a handful of dated pictures from when she was still in college. He hadn’t planned for the striking elegance that shrouded her, the plumpness of her lips, or the way those dark eyes raked across him whenever she looked his way.
Made his job more pleasant, then. Because he was here to seduce her. Plain and simple.
She looked nervous beside him; maybe a little out of her element. As one of the only women in the sea of men populating the card tables, he could understand why.
“Get a good hand?” He was here to seduce her, so if it took going easy on her in poker and losing a few hands, he’d be a gracious loser.
“I guess we’ll find out.” She shifted beside him, releasing a waft of sultry perfume. His forearms prickled. Even if he hadn’t been hell-bent on getting back at her father, the Italian merchant who had made his life hell the past couple of months, he’d be pursuing her. That face, those eyes practically guaranteed it.
The dealer asked for bets again as he dealt the last two cards of the hand to each player in turn. A few people at the table folded. He laid down his cards—he’d managed a straight flush. And so had she. And she had the higher top card.
He lifted a brow as she flushed with accomplishment. The dealer pushed the chips her way and collected the cards to deal another hand.
“Impressive.”
“Same to you.” She flashed a coy grin. “But I think it’s just beginner’s luck for me. We’ll see.”
“What’s your name?” He already knew it, but was eager to hear it from her own lips. Her voice came out like a sultry sing-song. It left him wanting more.
“Antonia.” She offered her hand, and he shook it, letting his gaze linger on her face. “And you?”
“I’m Lou.” Giving his full name would tip her off. And if she hadn’t recognized him by now, there was a good chance she had no idea he was the heir to the throne. That meant his plan could go off without a hitch—seduce and destroy. Get back at her father for the heinous lies he’d spread in all their business and social circles, denouncing him as a traitor, a liar, a diseased womanizer. Gossip magazines weren’t kind to him from the get-go, even as a royal. Her father had gone so far as bribing women to claim they’d been his lovers and denounce him. Pure trash. Disgraceful lies.
So wouldn’t Signor Giovanni find it quite a surprise when his only daughter was linked to the supposedly scandalous Prince Louis of Monaco? Oh, he could already taste the other man’s fury, and it was a sweet nectar.
The only revenge he deserved was one deliberate, painful. This would get him where it hurt. And his daughter being a bombshell made it even easier for Louis. Antonia would fall over herself for a chance in bed with him, he was sure of it. He wasn’t a playboy, but it wasn’t hard to get women to fawn over him. He knew how to work charm, power, and looks to create a landslide effect.
She was practically already in bed with him.
Chapter Two
Several hands later, a miniature tournament had erupted at the table. She, Lou and a handful of other card players had forged an intense rivalry. Those who’d folded sat to watch, riveted by the interplay.
But more than just the gameplay riveted Antonia. The sexy man at her side could spark a fire just by his frustrated grunts and whoops of laughter. Every time their eyes met, moisture surged in her panties. This guy was too good to be true. And he seemed to like what he saw…or was she just imagining it?
It was hard to say. Between the pull of poker and the pull of his gaze, it was hard to discern fact from fiction. The way he played cards told her he knew what the hell he was doing, which made him even sexier. She’d still managed to make it seem like beginner’s luck, with tentative plays and hesitant joy. Nobody had caught on yet that she was going in for the kill.
Lou led right now because she let him. She’d pretended to consider folding during the last hand, only because she’d sensed his high hand. His tell was obvious, even after less than a half hour. He sniffed loudly while assessing his final hand, which usually meant he had a strong hand and was probably trying to keep a straight face. Poor guy probably didn’t even realize he did it. Or if he did, he probably didn’t imagine she’d pick up on it.
But that’s why she was the professional. The dealer dealt a new hand. Lou leaned in.
“Do you always spend evenings at the casino here?” He flashed a heart-stopping grin.
“Not often. I’m just visiting.”
“From where?”
“Italy.”
He nodded appreciatively. “I could tell.”
“Oh?” She pushed several chips forward for her bet. “What tipped you off?”
“Your accent.” He paused. “And the fact that nobody as gorgeous as you typically enters this hotel.”
She bit back a grin. He was definitely flirting now. “Are you saying Monacan women aren’t attractive?”
“Hardly. I’m saying that compared to you, they’ve got nothing.”
Butterflies erupted in her belly. He certainly knew how to woo a lady. But it was probably a tactic…though a pleasant one. “If you’re expecting me to return the compliment, guess again.”
She tossed him a wry smile and picked up her cards, surveying the first round. Let him try harder to flirt with her. Tension spiked at the table, as it always did as players first assessed their cards. When she looked up, Gabriella was at the far end of the table, sipping from a glass tumbler, making excited eyes toward Lou. She shot a glare toward her friend and studied her cards again.
It was a low hand, but she could wrangle a full house from them if she was lucky. She pushed some chips forward and waited for the dealer to lay out the remaining cards.
“Hopefully my ugliness doesn’t offend you,” Lou said in a low voice, a smile cresting his face. “I was only trying to pay a compliment where it was due.”
She laughed. “I’m far from offended.” Try totally turned on.
“Then you are certainly a tough nut to crack.” He looked pleased as he scooped up the newly dealt cards and looked them over. Two other players folded, which made excitement billow up inside her. She and Lou and one other player laid out their cards.
Antonia had come out on top with the hoped-for full house. Lou had scored a flush, and the other player a mere three of a kind. The dealer swept up the cards again and Lou leaned in.
“Looks like you’re learning how to play tonight.” His scent stung her nostrils, made her desperate for more. “What do you say we up the ante?”
“What do you mean?”
Lou glanced at the chips in front
of them, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. “This is child’s play. Let’s bet something more meaningful.”
Her heart rate quickened. This was what she lived for. “Do you have anything in mind?”
“Only if you do.” He leveled her with his gaze. His intent was clear—he wanted her. She swallowed hard, not breaking the gaze. Her thighs clenched against the seat. Something about him drove her wild. Yes, she wanted him…but how much of him?
“I’m only here visiting. My car and apartment are back in Italy.”
“Something else then. Let’s bet…” His eyes wandered over the table as the dealer shuffled, watching them. The game was between the two of them only—the other player had opted out after the last hand.
“Our room keys.” The words spilled out of her before she could think twice. Her eyes widened as the words burned between her ears. What the fuck are you doing? But it was the only thing of value she had here, except her pearl earrings. Who was she kidding? The earrings were the least valuable thing she had here.
His eyebrow lifted appreciatively. “I think we can manage that.” He fished his room key out of his pocket, dropping the sleek rectangle of plastic onto the green velvet tabletop. Antonia fumbled with her purse to get it open, searching out her own key. She slid it next to his, gulping back a knot of anxiety.
Gabi’s eyes were wide and hopeful across the table.
“May the best player win.” He picked up his cards to assess, and she looked at her own. It was a high hand—this could be good news. Her throat tightened, and she nodded at the dealer for the next round. The next cards came, and Lou sniffed hard beside her.
His tell. The good hand. Her own hand was four of a kind, strong enough to win. But with the room keys on the line…what should she do? She gnawed at the inside of her lip, not abandoning the demure act. Her cards had to be better than his. She’d guess him at a full house or a flush.
When the dealer asked to show cards, Antonia folded.
Lou’s eyebrows shot up and then he laid down his cards.
A flush only. She would have won. But you folded for a different reason.
