Page 51 of Some Like It Scandalous
“Yeah, you definitely love her. You don’t curse. You never miss a serve.” Richard caught the ball and bounced it against the ground, catching it. “So…what happened?”
“I love her more than my own life, but I don’t trust her.” He stared at his best friend. “She has one foot out the door. She hasn’t wanted to be here from the beginning—and if I hadn’t been an ass, she wouldn’t still be there now. And she needs to be out the door. It’ssaferfor her.”
“Maybe she wasn’t thrilled about seeing you again in the beginning—but I saw how she looked at you last night. I remember that look. Don’t let this go because you don’t think you deserve?—”
“Enough, Richard. It’s done. I should have realized that she made the right choice all those years ago and buried it then. I will not be a fool twice.”
“That’s the prince talking. Where’s my friend? You know, the guy who gets drunk once a year and reminisces about her?”
“He’s sober and the truth is not as attractive as the fantasy. That’s all she can ever be.” The ache in his soul ballooned open. He wanted to trust her words; he wanted to believe that they could make it work this time—a clean, fresh start—but this wasn’t a fresh start or a particularly clean one. Old wounds infected them both and new challenges were always waiting on the horizon. He’d put her in harm’s way, close quarters and familiarity did the rest. As soon as her life went back to normal, he wouldn’t have a place in it. As it should be.
“You’re an idiot.” Richard served and they went back to the game. Thirty minutes later, Armand buttoned his shirt in the private locker room. His security always arranged for one. Richard’s membership meant he could use any he pleased, but he left Armand alone until after the shower.
“I’m going to say this to you once.” Richard sat on the edge of a bench and tied his dress shoes. He would return to his office, while Armand had to go back to the tower.
To Anna.
“Really? I thought we’d discussed it a few times already.” The prince spared him a look in the mirror before looping the tie around his neck.
“I talked, you didn’t listen. A man in love isn’t usually the most reasonable of people.” Richard stood and reached for his own tie. “You less than most, but you forget, my friend, I was there when she left. You kept it together for everyone, you leaned on your duty and your honor so hard. I thought you were going to forget how to be a person. She hurt you. She’s a bitch?—”
“Watch your tone.” Armand’s gaze narrowed.
“Why? She’s just going to leave. Why does she deserve any kind of special treatment? Granted, she has a sweet ass but if the bitch couldn’t handle?—”
Armand’s fist flew and connected with Richard’s jaw. The impact burned through his arm and his knuckles caught on fire. The attorney stumbled back two feet and bounced against the front of a locker.
Shaking his hand, Armand continued to glare. “You don’t look at her ass and you don’t call her names.”
Richard laughed and rubbed his face. “Thank you for making my point for me.”
“You’re an asshole.” Damn Richard for playing him—but he’d always known exactly what buttons to push and when to call Armand on his bullshit. It didn’t make the pill of truth any easier to swallow.
“I’m paid to be an asshole, but for you? No charge.” Stretching his jaw, he winced. “Look, you tell yourself whatever you need to in order to sleep at night. But you haven’t looked at a woman the way you look at her since she left. You haven’tdone crazy, impulsive shit without her either. You have a chance to make it work now. She knows who you are—she knows what you are. Go for it. If she leaves, she leaves. But don’t make that the easy choice because you’re afraid.” Grabbing his jacket and slinging it on, Richard sighed. “Look, I have to be in court this afternoon. I’ll call you later, swing by for a drink. But think about it. You wanted this chance—you have it. Don’t piss it away because of fear.”
“Rick.” Armand stopped him at the door. “Thanks. And sorry about hitting you.”
“You’re welcome, and no, you’re not.” He grinned.
“No. No, I’m really not.” The hollow laugh felt good and he sat on the bench Richard abandoned. Alone, he stared at the three swelling knuckles on his right hand.
His phone rang in his pocket and he pulled it out. Anna’s face flashed up on the screen and he stared at it for a long moment. They needed to talk—but not over the phone. He declined the call and rose. After stuffing the phone back into his pocket, he finished his tie and pulled on his own suit jacket. He had to look the part before he walked out the door.
If she was destined to leave him, it shouldn’t bother him to break her heart first. Richard’s words echoed in his ears.Thanks for proving my point. You love her. So why not go for it?
Loving her could destroy her—she could heal from a broken heart.
They were living proof of that.
He stoppedat Daniel’s office on his way back to the tower. His cousin-in-law was already hustling it back to Beverly Hills. The thirty-minute conversation and two phone calls later, and thecouple were already on their way out of town. He slid into the SUV and the driver’s cell rang. Armand’s rang at the same time and several of his security detail closed in around the car.
Pulling the phone out, he saw Peterson’s number. “What’s wrong?” The sedans moved in closer, and the detail ranged out, with a man at each door to the SUV.
“Your Highness, there’s been an accident.”
“Anna?” His chest compressed.
“No, sir. Mr. Prentiss. About fifteen minutes ago, on the 5.”
