Page 35 of Princes of Sin
“We haven’t officially met,” he says slowly, holding a hand out. I look down at it, wondering about the four gold bands around his ring finger. I don’t say anything, though, and he continues. “I’m Alaric Cross.”
“I’d introduce myself but I can assume you know who I am,” I grumble, sitting down in one of the sitting chairs.
Alaric chuckles. “I do. Everyone in Britain and the world knows of Prince Alexander.” He sighs and runs a hand through his hair, but he doesn’t move to sit down, and it makes me uneasy. “I just spoke to the King. He’s supportive of this newendeavor of yours. He thinks it’ll let you earn some respect back.”
I scoff. “My fatherwouldbe proud that I’ve fallen in with a notorious crime syndicate as long as it reflects well on the royal family.”
Alaric cocks his head. “Am I right in presuming that you don’t want to be here?”
“Fuck no, I don’t want to be here,” I say quickly, rubbing my mouth with a shaking hand. “Imagine trying to mind your own business and then, quite literally, being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Or, the right place at the right time?” he asks, smirking.
“There’s no situation in which I will want to be here,” I tell him honestly. “Before you lot showed up, I was content nursing my wounds in private.”
“How sad,” Alaric muses, walking over to the back of my chair. I sit up straighter. “Letting the media and the general public decide your life for you.”
I open and close my mouth. “No onedecided,” I snap. “Very private health information containing my DNA was leaked to the press. I am not related to the King. My mother had an affair. I am no more royal than you. The media had a field day, as I’m sure you and the rest of the world remembers,” I finish, running a hand through my hair.
Alaric walks back around to stand in front of me. “Actually, one of my ancestors was King Henry III in the 1200s.” When I don’t respond, he sighs and takes a seat in the chair across from me. “My point is, the Lords always used to operate by noble blood. However, over the last year, we’ve decided that the Lords deserve to make a name for themselves, regardless of birthright or nobility status. It’s a chance for anyone to make a name for themselves.”
“Yes, for murdering people.”
Alaric huffs a laugh. “We do more than kill people, you know.”
I scowl down at the carpet, considering his words. He must know I’m mulling it over, because he doesn’t speak for several seconds.
“Can I offer some advice?” he asks, leaning forward.
I shrug. “Go right ahead.”
“Use this opportunity.”
My brows furrow. “How so?”
“You’re the laughing stock of the country, no?”
Frowning, I roll my eyes. “That’s a little dramatic. It’ll die down soon. The next royal scandal will take its place, and I will be forgotten. Which is exactly what I hoped and planned for.”
Alaric stares at me, and it’s as if he can see every one of my thoughts.
“But what if you weren’t forgotten? What if you one day grew to be respected?Revered?”
I laugh. “And you can promise me that?”
He nods. “I can. Join the Lords officially and we’ll make sure no one ever dictates the story of your life again. You can prove yourself and show the world who you actually are.”
“It’s all very tempting,” I drawl, cracking my neck. “But it also sounds like a lot of work. And I don’t like hard work.”
At this, Alaric’s smile turns snake-like. “I don’t believe that. You were top of your class. You studied law and physics, and you got top marks in all of your classes at Uni. You play rugby, football, and you regularly compete in marathons. Are you actually trying to tell me that you’re not used to working hard?”
I swallow and run a hand down my face. “You’ve got me pegged.”
“Is that a yes?”
I glare at him. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
Alaric stands up and claps me on the shoulder. “Smart man. Take tomorrow to get your affairs in order. I’ve sent for your things, and they should arrive later tonight.”
