Page 4 of The Duke

She eyed the limo, the girl closest to the window had rolled it down and leaned out cheering to the night sky. “Looks about the same to me.”

He shook his head. “Things are going to change. I’m working on it.” He held her eyes in his gaze. “Trust me.” It was a question as much as a statement and he waited, her eyes searching his own, running over his face. As her gaze swept over him, he thrilled. It felt almost like a caress. Then at length she said, “I don’t have room in my life for a repeat of what we had. I have a tiny-” She held up her fingers close together. “little bitty space for something new.” She eyed him with caution, and more than a little distrust. “Be careful with my heart Trane.”

He swallowed. Again the ache associated with her returned. “I won’t let you down. Let’s go slow.”

She didn’t respond, but he knew he had an in, tiny though it was. And he would make the most of whatever she would give him.

When he hopped back in the limo, he felt lighter than he had in six months. Something about Seraphina in his life made everything seem better.

He turned to their group, “Who’s ready for the after party, party?”

They cheered, most loudly the little brunette at his side. He winced a little at her shrill sounds but laughed with his brothers. Everything was looking a little up.

Then he got a text. Seraphina. “Luann? You’ve got Luann on your arm? Forget it Trane. I’m not one of your groupies anymore.”

“No!” He texted back. “It’s not like that. She’s with Lucan.” He eyed the other girl who completely monopolized his brother’s attention. “Sort of.”

She didn’t answer.

He continued. “You know how it is. She just got in. This means nothing. Please Phina. Let me try.”

She posted a thinking emoji face and he took that as a positive sign. He slipped his phone back in his jacket pocket. A thought bugged him, but he knew he should just get used to it. The gossip chain amongst royals was tight and faster than a human could travel. She heard who he was with that fast. This go round he would try to stay off that radar.

Chapter 3

Seraphina finished reading her published article, smiling. “The Duke’s Brother.” It detailed the wedding proceedings, the new couple, and the awesome bride, Jo; but the focus was on Tripp. She loved the picture she had took of Trane and his brother. Trane looked more handsome than any man had a right to look. His hand gripped Tripp’s shoulder and he smiled such a look of support that she warmed every time she looked at it.

Her boss walked by, the editor of the Gatekeeper, her country’s main newspaper. He tapped his finger on her desk. “A great piece. Lots of emotion. We’re already getting positive feedback, more hits online, all of it. Well done.”

She smiled until her cheeks hurt. She was building her way up through the paper’s positions. She was still just a junior reporter who had her own cubby space. But, at least she wasn’t running coffee to the board room any more. Right now her assignment included coverage of the royals. She already had access to most of the royal events all over the world. They were a tight bunch, not always friendly, and definitely exclusive, so her inside scoop pleased her editor. As long as she didn’t betray her fellow royals, she was in a good spot. She twirled her pencil before placing it in her hair. But she was after a press association award, and she needed to step away from the fluff society pieces if she had any hope of landing it.

Thoughts of her work with the oceanic animals, especially the rays, whales, and dolphins shifted through her mind. The Valdez Family was wonderful to curb ocean dumping, to help preserve the environment. She wished other Mediterranean countries could be so like-minded. And then there were the yachts to consider. If tourists knew what those yachts dumped into the sea, just off their beaches, no one would swim in the sea. She was sure of it. They had to suspect though, when trash bags, feminine hygiene pads, old condoms, needles and more washed up on their shores.

She shook her head. But there was no human interest in a piece about ocean dumping. She snorted, no human interest besides self-preservation. But that’s not what changed lives. A human interest story that pulled at people’s emotions, that encouraged wide spread change,thatwould win her a Pulitzer. She knew the committee of deciders were partial to the environment but a human element must be involved. She wanted these accolades not just to receive an award, but because that was the kind of journalism she valued. She had begun this writing journey, chasing the job of reporter, because she wanted a voice and sought an audience of readers.

Trane’s picture showed up on her phone. It was from a dinner a year ago. He was looking at her like he would hold her forever if he could. She picked up her phone. “Hello.”

“Phina.”

“Hi.” She breathed out. She couldn’t help it. She became a puddle whenever he was involved.

“Hi.” The smile in his voice was so obvious she almost giggled like a tween. She and Trane were ridiculous. Their whole situation was ridiculous.

Her boss waved to call her into his office.

She held up a finger and mouthed, “Royal.”

He nodded and went inside to wait for her, she guessed.

“So, Trane, how are you?”

“I had a minute so I thought I’d call.”

She was shocked into silence. Finally she cleared her throat. “Just like that?”

He laughed, his smooth, deep tones shivered through her. “Yup, just like that. I’ve been watching Nico. He makes it work. He and Jo just carve out time. So now if I have a minute, it’s yours.” He paused. She was too stunned to speak. “So, how’s work? Doyouhave a minute?”

“I do. I just told my boss to hold on a minute. Ha. He’ll be fine. He thinks I get all the intel on royals for him so I can chat.”

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