Page 49 of Royally Arranged

I shrugged out of his grip. “I didn’t call anyone. What could I even say? You, of all people, know how dire this situation is.”

He didn’t respond, he just surveyed me in that judgmental way he was good at.

I was compelled to keep talking, terrified of the silence creeping in. “I didn’t call because there was nothing to discuss. I’m the only one who can wear the crown. The only one who can marry Nova Valentine. That’s just the way it is.”

Unable to handle my brother’s intense blue eyes, I looked behind us. Sammy was talking with Scotch; the two of them laughed, Sammy’s hands lovingly caressing her round stomach. As I watched, Scotch touched her by her navel. She was feeling the baby kick.

It’s on my shoulders to keep everyone safe.

Costello’s eyes burned into my skull. Meeting his stare evenly, I shrugged. “It’s seriously fine. Ma’s thrilled. She never expected me to get married, you know? Good ol’ blackmail, making dreams happen.”

His frown remained solid. Reaching out, he gripped my shoulder, fingers digging in. “You should’ve called me. Or messaged me. Thorne, I’m your brother. I was worried about you.”

I almost pushed his hand off me. Almost. Somehow his touch was giving me strength beneath my new burst of guilt. I couldn’t deflect when faced with his honesty. “Thanks. But you don’t need to worry, okay? It is what it is.”

He clenched my shoulder harder, then dropped his hand to his side. “How has it been living under the same roof as them?”

Them.The Valentines, people my brother hated more than even I. Last winter, when Darien had gone off the rails and attacked Gina at the club, Scotch had stepped in and saved her life. It had been a bloody mess that ended with Darien accusing Scotch of trying to kill him. The Valentines had gone on the offensive. It was a miracle no one had died.

Thinking about Darien made me think about Larchmont ... then Kurtis ... then Richard. Valencia and Darla swirled at the bottom of the toilet bowl in my mind. All of these people were awful in their own crazy ways.

All but Nova.

“Let me pick my words tactfully.” I paused. “It’s been shit.” Costello cracked a half smile. “The only saving grace is how big this castle is. I don’t have to see anyone if I don’t want to.”

He glanced at the huge structure. “It’s strange to imagine Dad growing up here.”

“Tell me about it.”

“And Nova?” he asked, studying me with new interest.

I locked my knees. “She’s ... good. Nothing like her family. You’ll understand when you meet her.”

Costello scrutinized me more intently. I squirmed. “I do want to meet her. I don’t think doing that will change what matters, though.”

“And what’s that?”

“She’s a Valentine.” Ducking his head, my brother walked away from me. “That makes her our enemy.”

- CHAPTER NINETEEN -

HAWTHORNE

The coronation party took place in the grand ballroom of the castle. The staff had started preparing for the event two days ago. They’d done as much cooking as they could, my mother helping to organize the menu, pick colors, anything they’d let her get her hands on.

And though she’d only arrived recently—never mind being quite pregnant—Sammy jumped into the fray to show off her party-planning skills. I knew her wedding business had taken off soon after she’d helped make Francesca’s dress last year. With her own marriage last winter, the honeymoon, the baby on the way ... I didn’t know how she found time to brush her damn hair. Who could manage so much? I was overwhelmed with juggling the list of things my father continued to send my way.

It had gone on that way since I’d moved into the castle. It only got worse after the engagement became official. Whenever I thought I could dodge some boring meeting with another elected official, or business mogul, or son of a son of some other son I could never keep straight ... Dad would send a new maid darting after me to drag me where he wanted me to go.

But today? Today was different.

Instead of being called on to do things, people kept stopping me to ask how they could help. The reality of me becoming king had sunk in. The servants wanted to gain whatever favor they could, in any way they could. My shoes for the coronation had been shined by five different people already.

It was strange to be fawned over. Having my siblings around, busting my chops, helped me feel stable. Between breakfast and lunch I’d harassed them all, which was easy, since they’d been put up in my wing of the castle. I could even hear Fran while she shouted about how she’d forgotten to pack theperfectdress for the event tonight. It was like being back at the estate. Like being home.

Then everyone kicked me out so they could get ready for tonight. Now I studied myself in front of my floor-length mirror, adjusting my red tie, wondering what else I could do to fill the time. I was fully cleaned, shaved, changed. What was left?Maybe I could write a speech.Did I have to? Were they expecting that?

Fiddling with my phone, I sat on the bed.

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