Page 26 of Royal Hottie
Anna is not happy. She scowls. “Gabriel threatened to shut the whole thing down and kick my guests out of the palace if I can’t get them under control. Phillip still has to go on, and you know with his royal hottie rep he’s the headliner. We need him to have his turn.”
I turn to her. “Don’t worry. Gabriel knows I’ll keep it clean. He was just blowing off steam.”
My brothers agree.
Anna smooths her hair. “I suppose you’re right. I’ve just never seen him so angry. I had to talk him down before he yelled at our guests.”
She’s still relatively new to Gabriel, a newlywed, and doesn’t fully grasp his warrior-like tendencies. “You know you married a relic, right?” I ask her.
Her brows shoot up. “A relic? He’s only thirty.”
“He’s a throwback to our Viking ancestors. He should’ve been a warrior king. Ask him; he’s always said that. You have to understand that’s who he is on the inside, and everything else, the royal protocol and customs, are something he abides by only by sheer strength of will.” I used to think duty was easy for him, until he recently spelled out exactly what it would be like if I took his place as king (in the case he abdicated to marry commoner Anna). My parents relented and allowed the marriage because Gabriel was groomed from the start to be king, none of us were as well prepared, and they understood love, having such a strong marriage themselves.
Anna looks thoughtful. “You know, that actually explains a lot. A warrior king.” She goes up on tiptoe and kisses my cheek. “Thank you, Phillip. Knock ’em dead. Do whatever you want. I trust you.”
I incline my head. “As you should. Could you direct security to stand closer to the catwalk?”
“Absolutely.” She heads back through the curtains.
“You’re seriously afraid of a small group of women?” Oscar asks.
“They’re harmless,” Adrian assures me. “They just want to get to know us. We’re a novelty to them.”
I cross my arms. “I’m not afraid. I just prefer not to be mauled. One of them already ripped the pocket right off my trousers for a souvenir. I wouldn’t put it past them to rip my shirt or yank out a lock of my hair.”
“And he’s got such lovely locks too,” Lucas teases, ruffling my hair.
I knock his hand away. “Piss off. If it weren’t for you showing off, we wouldn’t be dealing with a riot situation.”
“Oh, please,” Lucas says. “It’s sixteen women.”
“Seventeen. Ruby’s here.”
Lucas smirks. “Aha. I see where you’re at.” He turns to Oscar and Adrian. “Did you hear how he said her name?”
Adrian leans in. “Do you think she has the funds to win you?” He’s still zeroed in on his stake in the betting pool.
I shrug one shoulder, not wanting to let on about my part in helping her win. “Maybe.”
Adrian abruptly leaves. Now where is he going? He’s not going to sweet-talk Ruby, is he? The whole point of me being here was to keep Adrian at a distance from her.
Anna’s voice carries through the microphone. “Everyone back to their seats! We’re about ready for the royal hottie—”
She’s cut off by a high-pitched group scream and a mad scramble of high-heeled women to their seats. So much for calming everyone down; instead the brief intermission has built up the anticipation. The music lowers in volume, still a sexy thumping beat. I break out in a sweat and drag a hand through my hair. This feels too much like a performance, and I have never been a performer. One on one, hanging with friends at a party or a club, great. Going on stage, even in front of a small audience, no.
I eye the exit, the muscles in my legs tense, ready for escape.
No, it’s for a good cause. For Anna. For Villroy. For my insane jealousy.
“Should we bring him out?” Anna hollers.
“Yes!” the women scream.
I suck in air, working on a calming deep breath.
Anna lowers her voice. “Let’s let him know how much we want to see him. Royal hottie, royal hottie…”
The women pick up the chant. I will hear it in my nightmares forever. They get louder and louder and louder.
