Page 23 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

Nate pressed his lips together. He wanted to get to Eldoria as quickly as possible, but given the late hour now, he didn’t want to show up on the palace’s doorstep first thing in the morning. “Uh, sure. We’ll leave bright and early tomorrow. Another few hours won’t kill me.”

Charles clapped Nate on the shoulder. “Thanks. I’m sorry to ruin your plans, but it’s probably better to fly out tomorrow anyway. There’s a storm coming tonight.”

“Yeah, I’d hoped to beat that weather system, but this is fine, too.”

Nate twisted, coming face to face with his brother. He cleared his throat as he offered him a slight, consoling smile.

“I guess you’d like to gloat,” Stephen said.

“No,” Nate answered with a shake of his head. “No, I did my fair share of stupid stuff after Chloe, too. I’m just sorry she’s still costing this family.”

“Thanks to my stupidity,” Stephen answered. “I didn’t touch her, though.”

“I don’t doubt that. I know you, Stephen. We may havehad our issues, but you’d never hit a woman. Dad taught us better than that.”

Stephen bobbed his head, his eyes sliding sideways.

“Listen, umm, Maddie and I are flying to Eldoria early tomorrow. We were going to leave earlier, but we’re postponing until tomorrow morning. Why don’t you come with us? Get away from all of this…and her.”

Stephen smirked at him. “Yeah, I’m sure you want me around ruining your good times with the royal family.”

“I do want you around, Stephen. You’re my brother. And…I’d still like you to be my best man. I think some time away could be good for you. Head out with us.”

“I don’t know…” His brother answered.

“Well, I mean…it’s up to you, but I think you could really use a break. Think about it.”

Nate offered him another tight-lipped smile as he stepped around him and headed for the door.

“Hey, Nate,” Stephen called after him.

He twisted to eye his brother.

“Thanks. I, uh, I think I’ll take you up on it if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. Get packed. We’ll leave right after breakfast tomorrow.”

Stephen’s fleeting smile was more than he’d seen in a while from his brother. He headed upstairs, informed his sister, and retired to his room for a private meal before he went to sleep, eager to put the day behind him.

Severe thunderstorms raged through most of the night, tapering off just before morning. Nate rose before the sun, dressing and readying his suitcase to be stowed in the car.

He strode through the halls to Stephen’s room to check that his brother was still going with them. Stephen pulled his door open a few seconds after Nate knocked.

“Hey, you ready?”

“Yeah,” Stephen answered as he reached for his bag.

Nate’s gaze fell to a heap of clothes on the floor, muddy and wet. Stephen’s eyes snapped to them, noticing Nate’s interest. He kicked them behind the door before he shifted his bag into the hall.

“I’ll tell them to grab your bag,” Nate said, his brow still furrowed as he took a step back.

“Thanks.”

Nate’s mind swam with curiosity as he considered the clothes on the floor before he dismissed it, descending the stairs and heading into the dining room. “Well, I think we’re all set.”

He eased into his chair next to his father.

“Unfortunately, Nate, I don’t think you’ll be going anywhere just yet.”

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