Page 49 of Devilish

“What’s wrong?”

“Um, I don’t think we’re allowed to just walk up here.”

“Why not?”

“Those security guys, for one thing.”

“Well, I’m sure they do a great job of keeping out the nefarious types. We, on the other hand, are meeting someone for lunch.”

Kai’s mouth fell open as I led us to one of the gates. We were immediately let in, and his jaw dropped even further.

“What is happening right now?” he whispered. “You know the royal family? Oh God, areyouroyalty?”

I laughed at the thought. Wouldn’t that be a riot? A royal sex club owner. I could only imagine the headlines.

“I can assure you that’snotthe case. We’re just meeting up with a friend of mine.”

“Afriend?” he squeaked, but he clamped his mouth shut as we bypassed the palace and found our way into the garden instead. The stone pathway was shaded by overhanging trees and bright purple blooms, and the view overlooking the water was by far the best in the city.

At the end of the path, it opened up to a beautiful pergola with vines of roses laced through the overhead beams. A table set for three awaited us—along with the man who stood as we approached.

He took one look at me, then Kai, then our joined hands, and grinned as he shook his head.

“Lucien, you devil,” he said, then brought me in for a back-slapping hug. “How long have you been in town without telling me?”

“Longer than you. I heard you just got in last night.”

“Yeah, well.” He rolled his eyes. “I wassummoned.”

I smirked. “Theo, this is Kai Daniels. Kai, meet Theodore Rinaldi.”

Kai’s eyes widened a fraction as he looked from the flag back to the man in front of him.

“Rinaldi? As in… Isn’t the wedding for a Prince Rinaldi?”

“My brother,” Theo said with a nod. “Me? I’m just the spare, and don’t even think about bowing.”

Kai looked at me as though I’d lost my mind, before managing to find his tongue. “Uh, it’s nice to meet you, Theodore.”

“Oh, God, don’t call me that. Too much pomp and circumstance between friends.” He held out his hand. “And I assume wearegoing to be friends, right, Kai?”

Kai’s cheeks turned pink, and I had a feeling it had more to do with Theo’s direct question than the sun.

He slipped his hand into Theo’s. “I’d like that.”

“As would I,” Theo said, then looked to me. “Plus, any friend of Lucien’s is a friend of mine.”

My eyes narrowed on the green ones twinkling with mischief.

“Il est charmant, Lucien,”Theo said in French, one of the many languages he and I spoke fluently.

“Il l'est, et il est déjà pris,”I responded, then added not to be rude and speak English so Kai could understand.

“Of course—my apologies, Kai. Sometimes I forget what country I’m in and my tongue slips.”

“Yes, well, just make sure it stays inyourmouth during our visit.”

“Green looks good on you, my friend.” Theo winked at Kai and gestured toward the setup beneath the pergola. “Come, eat—that way, my mouth will be busy.”

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