Page 36 of A Queen and HER Bad Boy
Chapter Eleven
“Uhoh,troubleinparadise? Our two friends don’t look like they’re ever coming back!” Deedee announced, all while recording the shadowy exit where Achilles had left with Charisse. “Maybe you need to go after them, girly.”
Bris felt her temper snap like a brittle twig. “If you call me girly or bestie or babes one more time…”
“You bet, Sugar-pop!” The camera phone was back on her. Deedee threw her fist over her hip, doing her best impression of Jessica Rabbit come to life in a little black dress, all curves and predatory grace, her red hair cascading over one shoulder. “Spill the tea, Queen Bee. Inquiring minds want to know—what’s the real drama with your missing husband?”
“I don’t know.” Please say this wasn’t live? Misery consumed her, and she shrugged with what she hoped was a casual air. How had she been reduced to the PR team sent to clean up her husband’s messes? “It’s honestly not as big of a deal as you want to make it.”
A firm hand pressed her arm. “Your Royal Highness.” She turned, seeing Phoenix materialize beside her like a magician, and he further proved his powers of defying the material world by sliding her away from Deedee’s hungry camera lens, blessedly helping her disappear through the thickening crowds of glittering socialites, and then strangely, through a deserted hallway where the oppressive weight of watching eyes finally lifted and she could breathe again.
Her shoulders relaxed for the first time all evening. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure how to get out of that one… although, I think…” Her eyes veered back toward the ballroom, catching glimpses of the sparkling party through the doorway. “—something must be done about Achilles. Sometimes he doesn’t care if people talk, but…”
Was Phoenix even listening to her? He steered her even further away from the party, their footsteps echoing against marble floors and soaring ceilings adorned with classical frescoes. Her stomach twisted with unease. This didn’t feel right. “Where are we going?”
“Away from that camera.”
That’s what she thought, but must they really go this far to be safe? At least it felt nice to finally be away from the spotlight.Bris only had to get through this night and then retreat… to a suite that she shared with Achilles. And then she’d have to wait to cry.
Just another reason to get separate rooms. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Phoenix, I think it would be wise to arrange for Achilles to be moved to the Blue Suite. Tonight.”Rip this off like a Band-Aid already!
He nodded curtly. “I’ll clear the arrangements with your father tonight. Consider it done.”
Without warning, he led her through ornate double doors into what once was her grandfather’s private library. Floor-to-ceiling shelves stretched toward coffered ceilings, filled with leather-bound volumes that seemed to absorb the golden lamplight.
Her eyes scanned the rows of books. How many of these had her father read to her as a child? She barely remembered those moments, only snatches really, of sitting on his lap and cherishing those rare moments. Rare, since he was gone so often.
Now that she was married herself, her thoughts wandered to her mother. Had she been as lonely as she was? How cruel and unfair that her mother had finally lost her life to the cause that took her husband so often from her.
“Meet the Earl of Alexopoulos,” Phoenix hissed against her ear before melting back into the shadows.
Her heart plummeted like a rock, and she twisted on her heels, facing a sun-kissed man with the bluest eyes she’d ever seen against such an olive-toned face. Distractingly gorgeous in the most unsettling way. Was this the man that had caused so many problems on her brother’s ill-fated cruise? Every part of him was chiseled to perfection, including the precise cut of his satin suit. The top buttons of his piercingly white shirt were undone to show more of that sculpted chest.
Ew! The guy was definitely giving her “ew” vibes. No doubt!
Her skin crawled as his hooded eyes ran over her slowly, deliberately. What was she? A piece of meat? “Is this our latest hopeful for queen?” His voice… it was worse than those eyes—deep, cutting.
Glancing around, she saw that Phoenix had vanished completely. Shock ran through her. How was she left alone with this man? Was this her father’s idea? Achilles had warned her repeatedly to stay away from the Earl, and now she understood why. She backed up instinctively, the way she would from a venomous snake, but trying to stay inconspicuous about it. This particular snake held her destiny in his hands.
“Perfection,” he said stepping closer. “You are far too pretty, and young… did your father just rip you from your cradle?” His fingers slid over her bare arm with the casual confidence of a man who was used to women never denying him anything.
She stumbled backward, whipping her arm away from his touch. “The Earl of Alexopoulos?” She still tried to sound casual, a hard thing to do. “Is that right? Achilles mentioned you crashing my brother’s yacht party.”So keep back!She had far too much dirt on him.
His smile turned hungry, confirming every terrible thing Achilles had implied. “What a shame you weren’t there to provide some… distraction from that tediously boring excursion.”
She didn’t like his eyes—those clear blue orbs watched her with far too much familiarity, calculating and lusty—did she use that word? She did tonight. The way he looked at her made her feel exposed.
“I’m delighted that we finally can be properly acquainted,” he said, taking another step forward, using his considerable height to loom over her.
She stepped back again. Her shoulder blades hit the leather spines of ancient books. “Oh, that—that is… you uh…” She hada weapon in her arsenal that she’d never possessed before. She was married! Bris moved her hand to her necklace, flaunting her ring—the pearl one that Achilles had slipped from her index to her ring finger with such tenderness. His gentle touch had seemed so sweet at the time. She caught her breath at what a sentimental fool she’d been.
“I believe my husband has the distinct honor of capturing my heart,” she said.Little good that did her now with him taking off with that little home-wrecker.“How about we find him, so you can catch up on good times?”
“Hmm,” the Earl mused, his smile turning cruel. “I saw him leaving the party with an American. Charisse Oshear, wasn’t it? He seems… otherwise occupied.”
“Well, not for long…” Bris hurried to say, all while her cheeks flamed with embarrassment, helplessness, and fury. “He needs to discuss… business. You know the Oshears come from very influential financial circles…”
“You are absolutely fascinating.” His hand moved to her diamond necklace, his fingers brushing against her throat where she clutched the jewels like a lifeline. Bris’s first instinct was to slap his hand away, but her father’s orders to do everything possible to gain the High Consortium’s acceptance stayed her hand. This man was vital—so vital that Phoenix had delivered her to him the moment her husband’s back was turned. “I am here to talk business too,” he said.
