Page 51 of Devilish

“I’m fine,” I assured him. “Can’t say the same for The Veil, though.”

“Fucking hell.” Theo shook his head. “Why did no one contact me?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, your country is literally hosting a party in your family’s honor. Pretty sure King thought it best to keep you in high spirits.”

“Screw that. I would’ve been there. I could’ve helped. What do you think happened? Who was it? Did you take something that wasn’t yours?”

Kai tensed beside me, and were I not so attuned to him I wouldn’t have noticed—and, luckily for me, Theo didn’t. The last thing I wanted was for Kai to think about Rupert right now.

“A disgruntled customer. That’s all.” I slipped my hand under the table to rest it on Kai’s leg, and he curled his fingers around mine and squeezed. “King’s on it. He suggested we should get out of town for a while, just to make sure they don’t target anything else of mine.”

“Damn.” Theo blew out a breath. “Seems like both our lives are blowing up in our faces. Can’t say I’m upset to have you here, though, especially through this trying time.”

As if on cue, fireworks went off somewhere in the distance, and I arched a brow. “Yes, so trying.”

“I mean, it’s not even nighttime and they’re setting off confetti and sparklers into the sky. I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this.”

“I assume until the wedding. When is that, by the way?”

Kai picked up his flag and held it out to me. “The date’s right here.”

“Oh.” I laughed. “So a few months yet, huh?”

“You know what, fuck you, Vale,” Theo said. “I was going to offer you the royal yacht this weekend for the big race. But I’m thinking that you should just watch it from the sidelines with the rest of the crowd.”

“No you’re not.”

Theo pursed his lips, then grinned. “No, I’m not. Plus, I like Kai, and he deserves to experience Monaco’s number one day in the most outlandish way possible. Despite your horrible manners.”

Kai laughed joyously as he looked between the two of us. “Are all your brothers as over the top as you both are?”

I eyed Theo with a smirk and mouthedthank youas he saluted us with his wine glass. Then I pressed a kiss to Kai’scheek and said, “Every single one of them. Now come on—you have to try some of this pissaladière.”

19

KAI

OUR JAM-PACKED SCHEDULE, along with the delayed jet lag, finally caught up with me the next day, and we decided to stay close to the villa for most of it. Swimming, relaxing, napping. The last because I wassurethat heading to the yacht that evening would lead to a night I’d want to be very awake for.

Hours later, I found I was right.

With a view of the Circuit de Monaco that would be perfect for the main event tomorrow, we anchored alongside the many yachts and boats off the Mediterranean coastline. The difference, though, was the sheer size of the royal yacht, not to mention the wide berth security required to prevent anyone from coming near—even though it was just the two of us with a small crew that kept mostly out of sight.

I stood at the railing and looked up at the stars, trying to find the ones Lucien had pointed out to me. I bet if I asked nicely, he’d show me a few more, but I wasn’t feeling quite so…nicethis evening. In fact, I’d put on a G-string from the designer we’d visited a couple of days ago, and I didn’t think Lucien had noticed it in the pile when he told the shop staff to ring it all up.It was a surpriseforhim, after all, and I couldn’t wait to see his face when he unwrapped me later.

Hopefully nottoomuch later.

“Did you find Perseus yet?” Lucien said as he strolled onto the deck and joined me.

I pointed at the ones I thought were right, and he braced his hands on the railing, caging me in. Then he pressed a kiss against my neck.

“Good boy.” The deep rumble of his words had a seductive tone that sent a shiver of desire through me. “Can I reward you with an exquisite dinner for two?”

I turned to face him. “Areyouon the menu?”

“Do you want me to be?”

“Oh yes.”

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