Page 25 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“Then this is just a formality,” his father said with a shrug.

Nate’s jaw clenched as the uniformed officer stepped forward with breathalyzer. “Take a deep breath and blow into–”

“Yeah, I know the drill,” Nate answered,annoyance edging his voice as he held up a hand to stop the officer’s spiel.

He placed his lips on the device and blew into it until a beep sounded. The officer glanced at the reading and flicked his gaze to Charles. “He’s clean, sir. Zero alcohol.”

“Thank you,” Charles said, flicking a hundred-dollar bill toward the man with a nod.

“Happy now?” Nate asked as the officer strode from the room.

“I’m ecstatic, son. Really proud of you.”

“Yeah, but not proud enough to believe me.”

“Son…” Charles started.

“No,” Nate said with a shake of his head. “Just stop. I don’t want to hear it. I’m…look, I get the concern, but I’m not drinking, okay? And sometimes I need to live my own life.”

Charles puckered his lips. “You’re my son, Nate. I just want to be sure you’re living safely.”

Nate slid his eyes closed, allowing the mortification that he felt during the conversation finally pass. “I’m going upstairs.”

“Nate,” his father called as he spun on a heel and strode from the room. “Nate!”

He kept going, taking the stairs two by two as he climbed them before he navigated to the quiet solitude of his room, locking the door behind him.

Tossing the bag onto his bed, he sank onto the mattress with a sigh. He supposed he’d deserved what had just happened, but he still hated it.

He tugged his phone from his pocket and toggled it on. He typed a message to Ellie and sent it on its way.So, how was the rest of your day?

He flopped back into the soft duvet as he hoped for a response from her. He swallowed hard as time seemed toslow. Each passing second without a response from her triggered his fears that his past would haunt him again.

Finally, his phone chimed. He snapped it in front of his face, his arm hovering in the air as he checked it, finding a message from Ellie.Interesting. How was yours? Did it get any better?

He smiled up at the screen as he typed:It just did.

A knock sounded at the door, drawing his attention and removing the smile from his features as he stared at it. He didn’t want to deal with his father, and he was certain that was who was on the other side. Likely with a half-hearted apology coupled with another explanation about why he’d done it.

“Nate?” Maddie’s voice called.

He breathed out a sigh of relief as he climbed from the bed and crossed to the door, unlocking it and pulling to open.

She flicked her eyebrows up as she stared at him through her eyelashes. “Hey, can I come in?”

“Sure,” he answered as he stood back and motioned for her to come in.

She wandered across the space and plopped on the bed as his phone chimed again. He checked his messages, a half-smile crossing his features as he read Ellie’s latest message.Really? I think you’re a flirt. I bet you say that to all the girls.

“Is that Ellie?” Maddie asked as she toyed with a frayed portion of her jeans.

“Yeah,” Nate said with a chuckle. “You didn’t say anything did you?”

“Nope. Do you have a picture of her?”

Nate typed back a message.Not even close.

He snapped his gaze to his sister. “I don’t. But maybe I’ll get one soon.”

---