Page 18 of Royal Darling
I grin. “But I never had a little sister to tease.”
Her lips twitch. “No excuse.”
I chuckle despite Lucas’s eyes boring into the side of my head.
“And, yes, I know about philosophy, but also useful things.”
“What kind of useful things? Picking locks?”
She smiles mysteriously. “Among other things. My brothers underestimate me.”
I glance over at Lucas, and he makes a few hand gestures, pointing to me and then Emma. Jesus. The message is clear—finger through the hole, slash across the neck, and a jab in my direction. His brows lower, his gaze murderous. Message received—shag my sister and I kill you.
I face front. “So Lucas is one of those overprotective big brothers?”
“No, that’s Gabriel. Lucas is just a pest.”
“I see.” I can feel him watching us. I keep my voice low. “No shagging expectations on this trip, right?”
She blushes bright pink, her fingers pulling at her collar. “N-no. I would never expect…” She coughs. “I don’t know why you would say that. I mean, you did say before…but then…let’s not talk about…” She clears her throat. “Okay?”
I can’t help teasing her. She can barely spit out the words after claiming she needed edgy. “What about—” I cough “—pushing you out of your, um—” I clear my throat “—comfort zone?”
She narrows her eyes before saying primly, “There are other sides to a woman besides her unmentionables.”
I’m dying to hear her say an unmentionable part. “What don’t we mention?”
“Shut it.”
I laugh.
Emma
I am furious. Not because of Jackson. I’m used to teasing from the men in my life. It’s Lucas. Bad enough he’s here, but does he have to stare at me and Jackson like we’re an exhibit at the zoo the entire trip to Italy? It’s embarrassing and terribly obvious. I don’t think he knows Anna warned me not to bring Jackson, because he hasn’t mentioned it, and she probably didn’t say a word about it, assuming I would’ve abided by her conditions, which I’d normally do, but one thing led to another, and now it’s done. Clearly, Lucas knows Jackson by his scandalous reputation. I’m not sure if Jackson and I are plastered all over the internet yet, and I don’t want to know. I’d really hoped to get to know Jackson a bit on the flight, but after Lucas interrupted our conversation several times, Jackson slouched down in his seat and pulled his cap over his face.
I do appreciate Lucas providing a safe getaway place for me. I just thought I’d be able to…let my hair down and explore whatever there is to explore within me, away from palace life. Lucas reminds me of home and family and duty. Not that he ever seems hampered by it. Maybe because he was the third-born boy. No pressure to learn how to lead as king, and my parents gave my brothers lots of freedom. Lucas isn’t what I’d call wild, or, if he is, he’s very discreet about it because you almost never hear salacious things in the press about him. He loves to party, though, mixing it up with A-listers, and lets loose easily. I sigh. Maybe I should try to be more like Lucas, except I don’t enjoy big noisy parties with inebriated people, and I go to bed promptly at nine thirty, which is before most parties start. I’ve followed a strict routine for years, telling myself the rules and high standards I set were necessary to carry on my role representing Rourke royalty. Now I’m at a loss.
We land at the Milan airport, where a car is waiting for us. Lucas gestures to a large wheeled suitcase that’s brought out of the jet’s cargo area. “Silvia packed some of your things for you.”
My cheeks flush with shame, my throat thick. Silvia is my one and only sister, whom I didn’t confide my worries to. I should’ve turned to her. We’re blood. And she still made this thoughtful gesture for me. “That was very sweet of her.”
Lucas inclines his head. “I’m curious what she packed you. She was pissed off that you were so unhappy and she never heard a peep about it. Maybe it’s full of old-lady clothes. Oh, wait, that’s just your regular wardrobe. Ha-ha.”
Jackson laughs, and my brother immediately frowns.
I glare at both men, even though Lucas is right. My wardrobe consists mostly of modest pastel dresses ending at the knees. Nothing remotely sexy. I don’t know why I thought I had any chance of seducing Jackson into liberating me from my old proper lifestyle. Even if I had a flattering dress, he’s supremely uninterested in me other than in a teasing big-brother way. Plus we have an obnoxious chaperone. I suppress a sigh. I will learn guitar and get some breathing room on this trip. That’s it. I must be grateful for what I’ve been given and hope that this time offers some clarity for my future.
A rented black Mercedes with tinted windows is waiting for us. Oliver claims the driver’s seat. Lucas insists Jackson take the front passenger seat so he can stretch out his legs, even though Lucas also has long legs. He’s only an inch or so shorter than Jackson. I slip into the backseat with Viktor, and Lucas takes his seat with us a moment later, looking smug.
He turns to me. “The villa is very safe, remote, and equipped with a state-of-the-art security system. There’s a caretaker, who will stop in daily to see to our needs.”
“That sounds wonderful,” I say with as much enthusiasm as I can muster given his behavior toward Jackson. “Thank you,” I add belatedly.
“Finally, a thank-you,” Lucas crows.
I grit my teeth and say nothing more. It’s dark now. Today has been the never-ending day, and I can’t wait to go to bed.
Once the car is in motion, Lucas pulls out his phone, texting rapidly, probably reporting back home that we’ve arrived safely.
