Page 58 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“Hey, thanks for agreeing to the whole girls’ afternoon thing. My mom, she…just wants to get to know you.”

“Of course. I would expect nothing less.”

“I’m glad you’re taking it in stride.”

He dropped her at her apartment with a sweet kiss good night. His walk back to his car, parked at the office, was like walking on a cloud. The weight had lifted from his shoulders. He’d told her the truth, and she’d accepted him.

She hadn’t fled or accused him of being a liar. She’d understood his reasons. Their relationship had withstood the test. He threw his head back and grinned at the stars in the sky.

His drive home took far too long. He couldn’t wait to get there and check his phone for messages. If he didn’t have one waiting from Elena, he’d send her one.

He brought the car to a stop outside the front door and pulled his phone from his pocket. A picture awaited him of her bear next to the carousel he’d bought her after their first date.

With a smile, he typed a message back.He looks good there!

He climbed from his car and pushed through the front door. His footsteps slowed to a stop as he spotted Stephen waiting for him, his arms crossed, his stance wide.

“Hey, Nate, have a good night?”

Nate shook his head, putting his hands on his hips. “What do you want, Stephen?”

“To warn you.”

“About?”

“Don’t get too comfortable, big brother. Because you’re a screw up. And nothing is going to work out for you.”

Nate swallowed hard at the words, but the ones that came next chilled him to the core.

“I’m going to make sure of that,” his brother hissed.

He strode away as Nate stood frozen in the foyer, wondering what his brother would do to ruin his life.

CHAPTER 13

ELENA

Elena tightened her grip on her purse strap as she wove through the busy city sidewalk. With the invitation to dinner and the girl time that would precede it, she needed a gift that could express her gratitude for the invitation.

Caroline hurried behind her. “Your Highness, is there a reason you are running?”

“Please stop calling me that in public, Caroline. You’ll blow my cover.” She forced her steps to slow, trying to channel her nervous energy.

“I am sorry, but old habits die hard. And it is still appropriate. You have not abdicated. At least not the last time I checked.”

Elena pressed her lips together, shooting her ladies’ maid a warning glance. “Bite your tongue. No one is stepping down from the throne.”

“Well, I am pleased. And not just because one day I will beladies’ maid to a queen, but because I think you will make a perfect monarch.”

Elena sucked in a breath as she stared into a shop before she shook her head.

“But you haven’t given up on your young man.”

“No, and I have more hope than ever that it can work out now.”

“Because of his admission. I still don’t understand how you took it so in stride,” Caroline said as they perused a shop.

“Caroline, you can’t be serious. I am doing the same.”

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