Page 2 of The Prince of New York

The mention of my lessons, such as they were, served as a reminder of a second reason I’d come to the palace to learn my teacher had been called away due to an emergency. “Put in a good word for me when Carrie is back. I showed up.” Had I been wise, I would have checked my calendar.

I’d gotten so used to showing up for my empathy lessons I’d operated on autopilot.

“I’ll make sure she knows you intended to show up for your lessons,” Terry promised. “When are you headed back to your place?”

“I’ll swing by to see my sister before escaping. And before you ask, I didn’t even have any agents hovering today. I think they’ve given up all hope.”

The RPS agent lifted a hand to his temple and rubbed, likely attempting to ward away the headache my words induced. “When was a last time a pair showed up at your place?”

The last thing I needed was Terry involving himself in my business, but the man would verify my every word if he felt there was a need. As such, I could think of a reply that might convince him my agents were doing parts of their job. “My apartment or the junkyard?”

“I’ll accept either.”

If he checked my record, he’d discover I played down the situation—assuming my agents were recording everything accurately. “It’s been a while. I can take care of myself, and they’re bored out of their minds. They asked to be transferred.”

In reality, I didn’t even know who the head of my detail was anymore; I’d gone through six in the past few years. I only had myself to blame; I’d sent my best agents to North Dakota to help the monarchs recover from their kingdom’s civil war. Losing my best agents had begun the snowball.

I figured the current batch of agents had good reason to dislike me.

“I’ll take care of it. Do you even have an aide right now?”

“No.” After Sylvia’s death, I’d changed in more ways than one, and I’d taken to handling as much as possible on my own. While my sister made use of me at every opportunity, the reality of the situation bothered me.

She rarely needed me.

The people loved her, as did the monarchs of most kingdoms. Within a few years, I expected New York would gain a solid position and reputation within the Royal States. I would fade into obscurity, which I accepted readily enough.

I lacked a purpose, and once I found something to do with myself, things would improve.

“I’ll take care of it. I’m glad you’re here, actually. Rachel wanted to talk to you about a political issue. She needs someone to head a project, and she’s hoping that you’ll take on the work. She’s already put together an aide staff for you. When you aren’t traveling on her behalf, it would require you to be in the palace five days a week, but you can pick whatever suite you want. She is of the opinion you’d rather not make use of your old rooms.”

That counted as an understatement. “I can drive in, and when I don’t drive in, I’ll use the suite I like in the dignitaries’ wing.” The suite was new, I had no idea what my sister planned for it, but I’d claimed it the instant I had stumbled upon it.

If I left home early and waited until after rush hour, the drive wouldn’t cost me my sanity—and I could catch a nap in the staff quarters if needed. While Terry meant well, I doubted the situation with the RPS would improve, most of the palace staff hated me for one reason or another, and I would rather be in the comfort of my apartment at the cost of dealing with a commute.

Terry sighed. “Don’t you want to know what the assignment is?”

“Not particularly. If she needs help with a project, I’ll help her with the project. Just send me the schedule. If I’m going to be working at the palace, I need to go handle some things at home.”

First, I would go into the junkyard and find something to smash. Once I tired myself out, I would head home, dig through my closet, and figure out which suits still fit me. With luck, nothing would need to be dry cleaned.

“All right. Head home. I’ll talk to your sister once I’m no longer frozen through. Will you be available Monday?”

Having the weekend and a few extra days to work with would ease the sting a little. “Monday works, assuming her project can wait that long.”

“Her project can wait that long. Go while you can. It’s going to be a madhouse here for the rest of the day.”

When Terry said the palace would become insanity, the wise believed him. I delayed leaving long enough to escort him to his suite before heading to the parking garage to escape while I still could.

My sister would eventually remember me. By the time she did, I would be at home, safe from her trembling lip and ability to make me do whatever she needed.

* * *

My phone rang,and according to the screen, my sister had decided to take matters into her own hands. I checked the time, guessing she’d waited until after she thought I had had dinner before staging her ambush. I waited for the third ring to answer. “Hey, Rachel. Do you need to be titled?”

She made gagging sounds before replying, “I’d rather you not. I have finally escaped Ethan’s clutches.”

As my sister lived for being in her husband’s clutches, I narrowed my eyes. “Are you trying to pull a fast one on Ethan again?”

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