Page 13 of Naughty Prince
One guy almost drops his gun.
“Mind if I put some pants on?”
“What is goingon?” Ivy cries and clutches the blanket to her chest.
The leader of the group nods, then retreats from the room, his radio held up to his mouth as he explains the scene in our language to whoever’s in the other end.
“Did they just c-call you a pr— a prince?” Tears stream down her face as I pick up my pants and pull them on.
“They did. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just wanted you to know me as a man.”
Her chest heaves. “Why is this happening?”
I let out a sigh. I’m not even sure why something this extreme is going on. “Can you give us a second, guys?” I ask, and there’s a moment where they just look at each other not knowing what the hell to do.
“Get out!” I boom, losing patience. “As the crown prince of Fürstheim, I command you to leave us be.”
“I’m sorry, sire,” one of them says as he touches his earpiece. “Orders are to detain you.” He looks at Ivy. “Both of you.”
“What?” Ivy cries. “I didn’t do anything wrong.” She looks frantically at me. “We didn’t do anything wrong. Did we?”
“No,ástin mín. You did nothing wrong. You’re perfect, OK? Perfect.” It’s the last thing I get to say before the guards jump on me, twisting my arms behind my back as they drag me out of the room. “Don’t you hurt her,” I yell. “I swear to you, I’ll hang you all if she has a single scratch.”
“Luke!” she yells. And my heart yells right back.
* * *
“You’llhangthem?”Patrick chuckles as he paces the small room while we wait for my father in the security building at the castle. From what I’ve gathered so far, when he discovered I was no longer in Milan and wasn’t able to contact me, he ordered a full-scale manhunt to ensure my safe return. Now that he’s learned I was holed up with an American tourist having sex, he’s both embarrassed and livid. The consequences will be dire.
“Why are you laughing? If hanging were still a thing, it’s exactly what my father would do to you for orchestrating this whole thing.”
“Oh, so now it’s my fault is it? The way I see it, I did the kingdom a favor. I got you to do your royal duty, and I got you some royal booty—or is it the other way around, andyou’rethe royal booty?” He frowns then shakes his head. “Either way, everyone got what they wanted. And if your father wasn’t so untrusting and controlling of his almost-thirty year old son, I wouldn’t have needed to go to the lengths I did.”
It’s then that my father decides to enter the room. “Perhaps my almost-thirty-year-old son could try acting like he was almost-thirty and I wouldn’t have to keep such close tabs on him. Sneaking back into the country and hiding out with a couple of American women is very unbecoming of a man of your station. What got into you? Did you not think the security team would be alerted that someone shut off the alarm at the winter cabin? Did you not think your fan club would notice you sneaking back into the country?”
“To be honest, no,” Patrick says. “I didn’t consider that at all. But I’ll remember for next time and step up my game.”
“There won’tbea next time,” my father booms, his voice so loud my ears hurt. “I’ll have you deported from this country along with those filthy American whores you were cavorting with.”
Without a coherent thought, I’m across the room and my father is dangling from his throat as I hold him against the wall, growling and hissing in his face. “Call her that again,” I grunt. “I fucking dare you.”
“What are—guards!” My father’s eyes bug out as he struggles to fill his lungs. I’ve never wanted to hurt anyone before, and it isn’t lost on me that the first person I attack is my father. But he insulted myástin mín—my most precious love—and I won’t stand for it. King or not, father or not, no man speaks about her like she’s less than she is. My Ivy is perfection.
“Lucas! Let him go! You’ll never see her again if don’t put him down before the guards get here.” Patrick rushes to my side, trying to make me see sense.
Hesitant, I release my grip, my father sliding to the floor. “What is wrong with you?” he demands. “No son of mine would treat his father that way. What has that woman done to you?”
I reach for his shirt again, teeth bared, but Patrick jumps in the way, protecting his king.
“He’s in love with her,” Patrick gasps. “They met by chance and it was love at first sight. I saw it with my own eyes.”
“What?” My father looks from Patrick to me. “What is he talking about?”
“Her name is Ivy, father. I’m in love with her, possessed by the need to be near her. I’ll do anything,anythingto be with her. So step aside, or prepare to fight me until my dying breath.”
My father studies me with his pale blue eyes. At first they’re filled with concern, but then they’re filled with mirth. And hechuckles. “I don’t think it’ll come to that, son. A bit of rough-housing is part and parcel for most men. I can understand the coursing need to be with the woman you love.”
“Then you’ll let me go to her?”
