Page 103 of The Prince of New York

“Perspective matters. Just think about it this way. Until my leg heals, I’m going to be the laziest principal on the planet, at least until the fever hits in earnest. And when it does? I wish you the best of luck. You’re going to need it. And Eddie? If Madelyn’s ex shows up, just get involved in the fight over the body. He is not the kind of man to make kind nor sweet overtures to someone he viewed as his property.” I grimaced and glanced Madelyn’s way. “I’m sorry. That was callous of me.”

“You’re not wrong. I’ve been told a few times now, and they’re right. I’ll get therapy, but in the meantime, if I see the bastard, I’m to hit my alarm, because if he’s coming near me, he’s not coming for any good cause. And the fact he’d spend any money to come to California? He’s hoping to cash out on my life insurance policy. I already removed him as a beneficiary and notified the life insurance company he might attempt to kill me to get the money. He’s the first person to be investigated if anything happens to me now.” Madelyn’s expression darkened. “I’d beat the shit out of him if I could, but I’ve already been taught well enough that I can’t.”

“Self-defense courses are on the agenda,” I promised her. “In the meantime, just stick close to us. You won’t have anything to worry about.”

If one of the others didn’t handle the bastard first, I would take care of the problem once and for all, no matter the consequences.

TWENTY-NINE

I did not appreciate the stench of dung in vast volume anywhere near me.

Upon findingout that Madelyn’s ex was on the prowl and headed for California, Geoff decided he would be on shift during all waking hours, and not even His Royal Majesty of Montana could dissuade him. The dispute, which served as our dinner entertainment, started from the instant California’s queen instructed the RPS agent to go to his suite and relax after dinner and lasted throughout the entirety of the meal. Eddie delighted in the older agent’s presence and determination to stick around, and I figured the young Texan didn’t get to see his father as often as he’d like.

Madelyn kept shaking her head over the whole thing, but she relaxed enough she engaged me in conversation.

As she had in the hospital, she tested my knowledge of science and natural disasters, inquiring on why there had been so much of a fuss about quicksand when she’d been a child—and if a pit of cow dung could actually kill somebody.

Not once had she seen quicksand, and judging from her disgusted tone, she had expected to encounter quicksand atleastonce a year.

The cow dung thing made sense, as New York had plenty of farms, and people were even invited to go on tours and learn more about the cattle industry.

I’d gone once, and learned I did not appreciate the stench of dung in vast volume anywhere near me.

“Hey, Rachel? Do you know how common quicksand incidents are in New York?”

“We don’t have the appropriate geography for quicksand. Maine has some in a limited area, and I refuse to go anywhere near said area. Quicksand is only located in a few kingdoms, but you’re most likely to encounter it here in California, if you’re foolish enough to go near the Santa Ana River, and Florida. I highly recommend against venturing into Florida, and quicksand is only the start of the problems with that kingdom.” My sister frowned, and she tapped her fork against her mouth. “The original states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah also have quicksand. I make a point of checking if I am being led to my death by evil monarchs whenever I am coerced into visiting a kingdom with quicksand.”

Ethan snickered. “It’s true, Mom. I had to reassure her several times that we were not going to lure her to the Santa Ana and leave her to perish in quicksand. When do we expect our special guest to arrive?”

Ethan’s mother sighed and raised her hand. “You may as well brief us on his location.”

“He has been met at the airport by a reporter, who judging from the conversations our planted agents have recorded or overheard, has been duped into thinking Prince Ian has kidnapped Madelyn for nefarious purposes.”

How despicable. “Are you sure I can’t punch him, Rachel?”

“You can’t punch him,” my sister confirmed. “However, I’ll allow you to kidnap the woman. As I am the final authority on who can marry who in New York, you have my permission to convince her to deal with being your wife if you’d like. It would solve numerous problems—and if that reporter is idiot enough to level such an accusation, you can display the marriage certificate along with the cleared record of status from New York.”

Then, because my sister was as smart as she was ruthless, she reached down, grabbed her purse, and pulled out a bulging envelope, which she offered to Madelyn. “I took the liberty of acquiring certified copies of all documentation before I boarded my flight in case any loopholes needed to be closed.” With a wicked grin, she fetched another envelope, which she waved at me, holding it out of my reach. “I own you, Ian.”

The battle over the envelope lasted a few minutes, during which Madelyn giggled at our antics before I managed to snatch the damned thing out of my sister’s grasp. “I’d say the girls own me, but they’re still in bed.”

Dr. Stanton chuckled. “They’re likely to stay in bed until tomorrow. Both of them, bless their hearts, are completely wiped out. And if they don’t, Barb and Celeste are on babysitting duty. They aren’t on shift, so they can take care of the girls while you’re resting and recovering. And yes, they are being paid to watch them. I’m genuinely surprised the fever hasn’t gone for your throat yet. So, what’s in the envelope?”

I opened it, wrinkling my nose at the New York Royal Emblem embossed on the sheets, which meant the documentation had been approved by the damned politicians destined to give me my first gray hairs. I removed the sheets, unfolded them, and began the tedious work of skimming through legalese. Halfway down the page, I comprehended that my sister had, two days ago, gone into a session and acquired permission for me to marry anyone she had deemed fit. Then, because my sister both loved me and wanted to see me perish at Madelyn’s hand, had explicitly barred me from wedding anyone other than Madelyn for a period of five years, after which she could adjust the documentation should no marriage be consummated.

As the papers involved her, I handed over the sheet to Madelyn before reading the next, which officiated both Danielle and May into the royal family properly, establishing their official order in the succession. I sucked in a breath, as they came behind any flesh and blood children either of us might have but were in the linebeforeany of our half-siblings. “Rachel?”

“You can thank Senator Louisa Devonni for that gem. Upon learning about the girls, she went, had their records pulled, and investigated both of their parents. Their mother is elite, and their father is borderline elite, which qualifies them for the succession. We suspect that those monsters had the girls to weaponize them, abusing them for that purpose. To say the least, I assigned her to crafting the list of charges, as I’m not in New York to handle that matter personally. Mom, I’d like to borrow Cassandra’s parents for this,” Rachel requested. “The girls are probably waveweavers, and I fully intend on shipping them to Texas after Pat recovers to find out if they have lightningweaving, which is what their asshole parents were trying for. If they can work storms like Jessica, we’ll start sending them to Texas yearly to help out—and to help California during the wildfire season.”

Ethan’s mother sighed, shaking her head at the news. “I’ll give them a call. I sent Thomas and Cassandra to their place due to the terrorism event. It’s bad enough Mike and Rob are loitering.”

Ethan’s brothers grinned, and Rob blew a kiss at his mother.

Ethan’s father shook his head. “The RPS panicked at the thought of the entire succession out and about, and the palace is easy to defend, especially with two angry New Yorkers around. The one New Yorker will be suppressed, but with his temper issues? I foresee a replacement suppressor needing to be ordered. Mike, assign yourself to Madelyn and make yourself useful. If anyone looks at her wrong, dispose of them. Ian, please don’t trash your suppressor and let Mike do the heavy lifting. If youmustuse your talent, please take your suppressor off first.”

As I used my watch suppressor, I took it off and held it out to Madelyn. “If I seem too fevered for responsible talent usage, tell me to put the watch back on. That thing cost me a fortune, and if I break it, I will start crying, and nobody wants to deal with me crying over a damned watch.”

She laughed and took my suppressor. “That’s sensible. What’s this paperwork about?”

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