by Wendi Zwaduk
“Right.” He pressed the rabbit to his face and breathed in Zara’s scent. “I’d like to clean up my place so I can figure out what to do next.” He growled. “Fuck. I’m going to be on the hook for the damage. I can’t afford this.” Plus, he needed to pay somehow for a plane ticket to Lysianna. He needed a passport, too. Christ, there were too many rules.
Corinne placed her hand on his chest. “I talked to Charlie.”
“Who?” He tucked Zara’s ID in his shorts pocket. “What?” He shook his head again. “I need to get dressed and I can’t even get to my clothes.”
The man with the jacket snapped his fingers. Corinne nodded and directed Luke down the hallway.
“We’ve got a change of clothes for you in our apartment.” Corinne stood beside him in the elevator. “Charlie is Catherine’s brother. He believes you and Catherine are a match.”
“Great.” He followed her to the apartment she’d shared with Zara. “So what?”
“He’s on your side,” she said. “Do you have faith you belong with Catherine?”
“Zara,” he said, correcting her as she handed him a pile of folded clothes.
“Yes. Do you?”
“Yes.” He ducked into the bathroom. He needed to check on his canvases and protect the art from anyone wanting to filch it. He dressed in moments, then left the bathroom. “Now what? I’ve got shit to retrieve.”
“Luke, stop.” Corinne touched his arm. “Charlie is going to help you.”
“He is?” He tamped down his aggravation. “Why should I believe you?”
“You shouldn’t. I screwed up and I’m paying for it, but I’m also heading to Lysianna,” Corinne said.
“How?” He stared at her. Nothing made sense.
A guy who looked a lot like the male version of Zara, except taller and thinner, strolled into the living room. He had the same shade of dark blond hair and dark eyes. A half-smile curled on his lips. “You must be Luke.”
Good thing he’d gotten dressed. “Do I know you?”
“I’m Charlie, Zara’s brother.” He gestured to the four men with him. The guys, sans gold piping, reminded Luke of secret service folks. Charlie notched his chin. “I want that apartment cleaned up and everything belonging to Luke brought up here to this apartment. Now.”
Luke stood next to the sofa. He should be irritated at Charlie taking control, but honestly, he needed someone to handle the madness. Charlie was Zara’s brother. Maybe he’d have her best interests at heart. “Why are you doing this?”
When the men left, Charlie closed the apartment door and gestured to Luke. Corinne exited without a word. Once she was out of the room, Charlie spoke. “They’ll move your stuff up here where it’s safe. I don’t want you to be exposed.” He dipped his head. “I saw your art and I’m impressed. I’ll admit I don’t want to see my baby sister in such a manner, but I know how she feels about you. If she trusted you enough to be that vulnerable, then you’re special to her.”
“She’s special to me.” He tensed as the first guy brought back Luke’s camera and phone. Luke nodded to show appreciation and tucked the phone into his pocket. Her brother didn’t need to see the photos he’d taken—not all of them. “Whose clothes are these? The ones I’m wearing?”
“Mine.” Charlie grinned. “You’re about my size and those aren’t covered in blood or glass.”
“Thanks.”
“Now, the problem is, you’re being watched and could be attacked,” Charlie said.
“What about you?” Wasn’t Charlie exposed, too?
Charlie laughed. “Like my sister, I wanted to get out and experience the world. I’ve got a man at the palace who looks enough like me to give me the chance to get away. My folks think I’m there.”
“What about Zara?”
“All in good time.” Charlie nodded to the bed. More men brought in Luke’s art and his computer. Once they left again, Charlie sighed. “I see she left you the rabbit. It’s so like her. She’s innocent in a lot of ways.”
“It’s silly, I suppose, for her to leave it, but she said she’d find her way to me,” Luke said. He fingered the soft fabric of the rabbit, happy to have something of hers so close.
The men returned to the apartment with Luke’s safe, his books, personal belongings and clothes. The art and photos from the wall ended up in a pile on the table. His art supplies were stacked in Zara’s former bedroom. Even the rangy potted plant was brought to the apartment.
Corinne returned to the living room and Charlie left his seat. He paced the length of the room. Luke wanted to do something, but what?
“Do you have everything?” Charlie asked. “Is it clear?”
“Yes, my prince.” The first man bowed. “Clean, save for the furniture already belonging in the apartment.” The group of men left again.
“They’re doing one more sweep,” Charlie said. “It’s being handled.”
“Is it?” Luke held tight to the rabbit. “So, I’m here. Am I safe?”
“You are now.” Charlie dismissed Corinne again and she left the apartment. “She’s not a threat. Just a woman who made the wrong choice on account of rum.”
“It happens.” He stayed on the sofa. He wasn’t sure he trusted Charlie or anyone.
“First, people within the kingdom knew about Catherine coming here,” Charlie said.
“Zara.” He preferred calling her by that name.
“Right.” Charlie smiled. “She always seemed like more of a Zara than Catherine to me, too. But back to the point. People knew she was coming her. Advisors encouraged us to branch out and get experience. What some failed to realize is that she’s the only one of us who can produce an heir. I could, but not with my future partner.”
“Because you’re gay? You could have a surrogate.” Luke shrugged. “It’s done.”
“I could, but the crown won’t accept the person producing the egg is good enough. The advisors who wanted me to get experience would claim the woman and child aren’t worthy.” Charlie held up both hands. “It’s a mess.”
“Then I guess it’s no different than if Zara and I had children.” The very idea of having a family with Zara blew his mind. He wanted children eventually and could see her as a mother. She’d be great. But so soon? What if she didn’t want kids?
“True. Zara is the one who can produce heirs, though,” Charlie said. “She’s supposed to be in a relationship approved by the crown—at least one that’s been approved by the time her portrait is revealed.” He shook his head. “My position in the kingdom isn’t important right now—keeping my sister from having a shitty fate is. There are people around her that don’t want what’s best for her.”
“Corinne?”
“No. She just made a bad choice.” Charlie waved his hand. “I mean the others. The second issue is those others. Did she or Corinne mention Elmore?”
“The duke? Yeah, they both said he’s gross, older and not the one Zara likes,” Luke said.
“That’s him.” Charlie smiled. “I didn’t think he’d won her over.”
“No.”
“Our parents tried to push certain people in our direction to encourage a match. Our parents aren’t a love match, but rather a strategic one,” Charlie said. “It shows.”
“They sound miserable.”
“You could say that.” Charlie sat on the arm of the chair. “They didn’t choose each other and don’t believe a thing.”
“Of course.”
“Baby girl believes in love and romance,” Charlie said. “Elmore’s not in love with her, but with the crown.”
“He’s probably kissing up to an advisor, trying to get someone to convince Zara to marry him,” Luke muttered. “He wants her for his own reasons and it’s not love.”
“Bingo.”
Luke stared at Charlie. “You’re joking. He’d do that to her? For a title? Money?”
“Both.”
“Fuck.”
“Elmore wanted her to fall for him because he’s ol
der and has money. She wasn’t impressed with his title or that money. She saw right through his power grab.”
“Plus, she didn’t like him.” Luke settled back in his seat. “He’s not the happy ending she deserves.”
“Correct.” Charlie nodded. “We can’t be sure and the police are helping with the investigation, but it’s assumed Elmore was behind the shooting.”
“Why?”
“To scare you and Zara. To make her think she’s in danger when she’s with you.” Charlie shrugged. “It didn’t work.”
“She was shot. Whoever did the shooting grazed her.” Luke tensed and he bounced his foot. He couldn’t shake the edginess. “I want to see her. I want out of here and to go to her. She’s my heart.”
“I knew that from the moment I saw you.” Charlie clapped his hands. “I’m not happy she was hurt, but I’m forever grateful you protected her.”
“What are you going to do about her getting hurt?” Luke asked. “I’d give my life to keep her safe.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to capture the bastard who did it and have him go before the crown. He won’t get away with it.” Charlie sighed. “But I knew you’d do that. I needed to hear it, but I had the feeling. I do have a question. Why did you have her pose in such a vulnerable manner?”
“For an art project.” The images had been for a project. For all he knew, his college career was over. “She volunteered to model for me.”
“She’s always had an adventurous streak,” Charlie said and held up one of Luke’s drawings, the one of Zara on the balcony. “This one speaks to me. It says she’s lonely and broken, but still has her spirit.”
“Exactly.”
Charlie turned his attention back to Luke. “I would like you both to be able to finish your respective degrees. You’ve worked too hard to be stalled now.”
“But?”
Charlie smiled. “You’re smart. You can see the endgame. She won’t be able to return to college until Elmore is in custody. No one is safe here—not even you. So…I’d like you to become my personal artist on the palace grounds.”
Luke stared at her brother. “Wait. What?” Charlie had to be joking.
“I need a personal artist. One who understands the nuances of the subject, can evoke motion and happens to be in love with my sister,” Charlie said. “Sounds like you.”
The wind rushed out of Luke. He knew to his core that he loved Zara, but hearing the Charlie vocalize Luke’s thoughts was almost too much to take.
“You do, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Good.”
“She wanted me to marry her,” Luke whispered.
“And you hesitated.”
“I didn’t want her to be tied down to me if she thought I wasn’t worthy. I don’t want her to do something that isn’t right for her.” He couldn’t see his life or future without Zara in it, but he refused to force her.
“Luke, I can’t get you married to her now,” Charlie said. “She’s going home to the court where our parents will give her the tongue-lashing of her life. She might even be barred from leaving the castle grounds.” He leveled his gaze at Luke. “If you love her in the way I think you do, then prove it.”
He gripped the arm of the sofa and pieced through what Charlie had said. Luke had a chance to be with Zara again.
“I can’t guarantee you’ll get to see her right away. They’ll probably have her under lock and key for a while, but you can establish yourself at court and do art,” Charlie said.
“And when the family sees my art?”
“They’ll want to string you up.” Charlie folded his arms. “So what? You’ve never faced issues for your art?”
“I have.”
“Then don’t sweat it.” Charlie crossed his legs. “I’ve taken care of this apartment and the one you occupied. There will be no charges against you and our court will deal with the police now that you’ve given your statement. The royal police have taken Zara home and recorded her statement, too.”
“Shit. Talk about efficient.” Luke toyed with the ear of the rabbit. “I guess you’ll get your man.”
“I wish,” Charlie said. “Oh well. About Corinne. She’ll be sent back to Lysianna and dealt with there. The job of court artist is open and if you work with me, you’ll get what you want.”
Luke nodded. “Let me contact my professors. I’ll try to get them to let me do my work remotely.”
“Call this an internship.” Charlie shrugged and uncrossed his body. “I’m leaving at one this afternoon. Get yourself in order and we’ll go.”
“How are you able to get all of these things done with such speed?” Luke asked.
“I’m a prince.” Charlie grinned. “I’m a prince, I love my baby sister, I want one of us to be happy and I’m tired of my people being walked on. If this helps one of us, then it’s a win.”
Luke couldn’t argue with the logic, especially if he could be back with Zara. “Let’s do this thing.”
* * * *
Four hours and a brand-new passport later, Luke sat on a private jet streaking across the sky. The plane wasn’t huge, but large enough and bigger than Luke would’ve expected. Rich wood covered many of the surfaces while plush carpet cushioned his footsteps and screamed luxury. He’d never been in a private jet before, just a packed flight from Ohio to Colorado once.
Corinne sat across the aisle and alternated between quiet crying and tearing up a tissue. He wanted to help her, but wasn’t sure how. Why should she be pushed out of her job for one mistake? Zara was being held accountable for her actions, but still. Everyone needed a goof up from time to time.
Luke leaned over and touched Corinne’s arm. “Hey.”
“Hi,” she said, her voice soft. She stared out of the window instead of at him.
“Are you looking forward to going home?” Luke asked.
“No.” She balled her tissue. “I worked for the court and had standing. Now, I have nothing. My parents won’t allow me home because I’ve disgraced the family—and myself.”
“It’s not all that bad.” The situation looked bleak, but things could be worse. “This is your chance to be your own person, too.”
“You don’t understand. I had a job and a place to live.” She faced him. Her makeup had smeared and the circles under her eyes darkened. “It wasn’t great work and I complained, but I was secure. I had a good friend in Zara.”
“You still do.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re so young.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-three.”
A year older than him. Not ancient. “You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”
“I lost my best friend.”
“Zara isn’t as angry with you as you think.”
“Right,” she snapped. “How do you know?”
“Because when we got shot at, she made sure I was okay, Oren was called, then worried about you. Yes, she walked out of the apartment, but she doesn’t hate you,” Luke said. “It was odd to go by her name, but I get it. You wanted a taste of her life.”
“I did.” She averted her gaze. “I also hoped Charlie would notice me.”
“He’s gay.”
“I know.” She wasn’t crying any longer, but seemed more defeated. “He’ll never want me, but if I pretended to be Zara, I could pretend to be close to him.”
“Because he’s going to be important?” No wonder the family had trust issues.
“No.” She offered a half-smile. “He’s my only crush. That guy at the party…he was just an experiment. He thought I was pretty enough, I guess, and I thought if he could find me attractive, why not Charlie? You know?”
“There’s someone out there for you. He won’t care if you’re on the court or if you’re a working girl. He’ll see the beauty inside you and the sizzle will overwhelm you.” He felt that way about Zara.
“Is that what happened with Zara? So fast?”
“It is.” He fiddled w
ith his watch. He’d been given the timepiece when he graduated high school. He’d never have anything fancy or money to take care of Zara properly, but he could offer his heart—worn and battered like the watch. “I’m not good enough for her. I’m poor, my folks are dead, I’m an artist and I get too wrapped up in my art. I’d just as happily spend my money on paint and canvas as I would food.” He chuckled. “I had an ex-model tell me once I told Zara the truth and she saw my involvement in my art, she’d leave. I didn’t date my models until I met Zara. I also didn’t believe in love, then she came along.”
“You don’t believe in love?”
“I didn’t until I met her.” He focused on Corinne. “She came into my life and I didn’t think twice.”
“She does love you.”
“And someone out there is just waiting to fall in love with you.” He patted her arm. “Give yourself a chance.”
“I will.”
“What do you like to do? Art or writing or anything?”
She blushed. “No one has ever asked me.”
“I am.”
“I liked taking care of Zara. We talked about guys and clothes, but I love to sing. I used to sing while I cleaned her quarters.” She stopped playing with the tissue. “I like makeup, too. I used to do Zara’s when she went on official outings.”
He wasn’t sure how much he could help her, but he had an idea. “What if I put in a good word for you with Charlie and Zara, and got you in doing her makeup? It wouldn’t be as inclusive as before, but you’d get to see Zara and you’d have time to have a life, too.”
Her eyes watered. “You’d do that? Why?”
“You made a mistake and admitted it. One stumble doesn’t make you a bad person and doesn’t mean you can’t grow. You should be happy and if that means helping Zara and growing separate from her, then you should.”
“Thank you.” She left her seat and hugged him. “Now I know why she loves you. You really are a good person.”
“And she loves you.” He winked, then settled in his own seat.
Charlie strode past Luke and gestured to him, signaling him to head to the rear of the plane. When Luke joined him, Charlie held up his glass.
