“You’ve been locked in negotiations for two days. The press has been hounding us for a statement. The blue ball room is appropriate.”
 
 “Who made that decision?” I asked.
 
 “Sutcliffe and I discussed it,” she reported.
 
 I groaned. This had to stop. But I was in the middle of the fucking sandstorm. I couldn’t do anything until it was over.
 
 “You, Sutcliffe, and I are going to have a meeting. Soon,” I warned. “But not today. Evidently I have to get through a signing ceremony and answer questions from the press.” I didn’t tack on my plans with Molly.
 
 “Anything you need, Your Highness.”
 
 “I need a bourbon,” I muttered.
 
 I saw her blink. She was used to chasing drinks out of my brother’s hand.
 
 “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, Kenley.” I pressed my lips into a thin smile.
 
 “We should go.” Her eyes never looked up.
 
 “Yes, let’s get this over with.”
 
 Eighteen
 
 Molly
 
 As hours passed, I grew less intrigued and more annoyed by my summons. What was I doing here? I pushed the curtains away from the window and looked at the manicured lawns below. There was a fountain nearby that was illuminated. I was too high up to count the tiers of water that splashed into the pool.
 
 I retied my hair bun for at least the tenth time, stabbing it with the pencil. I crossed my arms and began another lap around the apartment.
 
 I heard the gentle bell of the elevator and stopped in the middle of my track, behind the couch. My heart sped up. My palms tingled. I waited for the doors to open.
 
 “Who are you?”
 
 Her voice was high. She was dressed in a long white gown that shimmered when she moved.
 
 “I-I—who are you?” I retorted. Although, I didn’t know how much power I had to demand answers in this situation.
 
 Her perfectly shaped eyebrows rose. “Princess Isabel.”
 
 Shit. Holy shit.
 
 “Oh, I’m sorry.” I cringed.
 
 She placed a hand on her hip. “I take it you know where my brother is?”
 
 “Actually I don’t.” I rounded the couch. “I’m Molly.” I extended my hand.
 
 She looked at it. I didn’t know if I had just made a royal faux paus, but she took it with a mild shake.
 
 “Nice to meet you, Molly.”
 
 I smiled. “You don’t know where he is either?”
 
 “I came straight from Sangreaux. I haven’t even changed. I need to discuss a few domestic matters with him.” She walked to the bar, letting the train on her dress slide across the floor.
 
 I could see traces of Damon’s features. The dark hair and dark eyes. But Isabel had a certain grace, as if she floated on her designer shoes. I had to remind myself not to stare.
 
 “Drink?” she offered.