Page 11 of Royal Player
“Kiss-ass,” Adrian says.
Lucas smiles and folds his hands behind his head. “I’m CEO. I don’t have to kiss ass.” He leans forward and taps his fingers on the table. “You might need to kiss my ass if you want that casino.”
Adrian shuffles the cards. “You said it was a good investment.”
“It could be,” Lucas says. “So could a restaurant. Either way, I want the spa to earn out before we build anything new.”
“The spa opens in three weeks,” I say. “How long for it to earn out?”
“I don’t know,” Lucas says. “Depends on how many clients we bring in. We’re booked for the summer, but beyond that we’re guessing.”
“Guessing? Isn’t it your job to know?” I ask.
The table goes silent. Alice and Polly are listening in.
Lucas keeps his mouth shut, and I realize it’s a conversation for a more private time. We’re all careful not to share too much information with outsiders, especially discord. Polly isn’t exactly an outsider, being related to Anna, but she’s not exactly an insider either. Our family’s reputation must be protected at all costs, especially after some recent bad press. Swear to God, it sounds like I’m making this stuff up, but there was a furry wedding here (yes, people in stuffed-animal suits) covered in detail in two popular bridal magazines. Not to mention my sister Emma bailing on her wedding, and her ex telling the world we’re a family of cheating liars. Never a dull moment.
Alice pipes up. “Maybe it would be a good idea to do some research into a casino as a first step. I always do research before I dive into a new book.” She turns to Lucas with a big smile. “Remember the ball at Versailles during our fake engagement? Fantastic research!”
“And when we fell in love,” he says.
“Is that when?” she asks, going nose to nose with him.
He kisses her tenderly, and I look away. I’m surrounded by lovesick fools. At least Adrian has his head on straight. He’s twenty-four and in no danger of settling down anytime soon.
“Maybe we don’t have to go into debt for a casino,” Adrian says. “We could fund it ourselves. Oscar, do you still have money invested from your football-playing days?”
I shake my head. That money went into Villroy’s initial start-up costs for the spa. The rest is tied up in land that he knows I would never sell. Sentimental value. It was the first thing I bought with money Iearnedthrough a lifetime of hard work to turn pro. I brought my father there to see it—a gorgeous vineyard in Italy. He was so proud and happy for me. He even said: “If my brother hadn’t abdicated the throne, forcing me to become king, I would’ve struck out on my own just as you’ve done. Maybe one day you’ll raise a family here. Your own personal kingdom.” I like imagining that, knowing it’s something he wanted for me. No rush, though. Marriage and family is way, way down the line. Maybe in ten years when I’m thirty-seven. Or later. I like my bachelor freedom.
“You played football?” Polly asks me. “You mean the American kind where they slam into each other or soccer?”
“The real kind,” I say drily. This is probably my least favorite topic, given the way I was forced to retire.
“I played soccer too,” she says enthusiastically. “And basketball and lacrosse.”
I incline my head, hoping she’ll let it drop.
“You were a jock,” Alice says to Polly. “Finally I get to be friends with a jock! I’m a library-loving history nerd.”
They laugh.
“I have some money set aside,” Adrian says, glancing at me and then Lucas. “And I know the manager of Casino de Monte-Carlo. Maybe he’d go in on it with us.”
Lucas shakes his head. “Gabriel said no outside investment. They’d want a piece, and we want to retain control. You and Oscar, that’s fine. A third-party outsider, no. This is why I went to the bankers for a loan to ramp up manufacturing. And, like I said, I don’t want to take on any more debt right now.”
I jump in. “Even with an outside investor, splitting the costs three ways, Adrian and I would have majority vote on decisions.”
Adrian points at Lucas. “And you’re in charge of business decisions now, Mr. CEO, not Gabriel. As long as we own majority share, it could work.”
Lucas rubs his beard. “Maybe it could work with therightinvestor.” He leans back in his seat. “But I’m not convinced a casino is the way to go.”
“That’s why I suggested a research trip,” Alice says.
“You didn’t say a trip,” Lucas says.
“Now I am. Let’s go to Monte Carlo, see how it works with the high rollers, ask questions, and roll the dice!”
I lean forward. I can almost taste victory. Lucas loves a good time, and he’ll do anything for Alice. If we all go to Monte Carlo, he’ll enjoy himself; then he’d be more likely to agree to it.
