Page 29 of Royal Player
Polly’s cheeks are flushed pink, her voice animated. She’s in her element and loving it.
They wind down, and the intensity in the room instantly flatlines.
Polly looks elated. Charles is eyeing her like candy he can’t wait to devour. Too bad! She’s all set to marry some guy useful to her kingdom. The thought leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
Lucas asks a few more questions about running the place, especially concerned about handling the money that’s brought in and out each day. Finally, he stands and thanks Charles for his time.
Charles returns the greeting absently as he pulls a business card from his pocket. Then he turns, handing it to Polly. “Call me if you have any questions, or for any reason.”
“Thank you,” she says brightly, sliding the card into her purse.
I grind my teeth, biting back a sharp retort. Charles has been helpful to us and could be even more helpful down the line. I can’t ream him out.
We take our leave and head back to the atrium, gathering in a quiet corner.
“It’s an interesting prospect,” Lucas says, “but I think we need to put it on the back burner. Wait a bit for some money to come in from the spa. Then we could take out a loan. It was one thing to have Charles investing, someone Adrian knows, but now we’re talking about a referral to someone we don’t know.”
“A referral could be fine,” Adrian says. “If Charles trusts them, we could. I’ve known him for years, and the royal family here trusts him.”
Lucas shakes his head. “Trust by association? Too risky. Sorry.”
“Consider me,” Polly says. “I’ll be your investor. I’m so jazzed about this. I have a business plan.” She pulls a thick folded packet of papers from her purse. “Just hear me out. I can refine it based on what Charles said. I’d like to be one-third partner with you two.” She indicates me and Adrian. “I’ll have to depend on you to make some decisions without me since I’ll be back in Beaumont, but I’d like to be consulted on the major decisions. What do you think? Will you consider me? I could go over everything with you. All my ideas.”
“Do you have that kind of money?” Lucas asks bluntly.
“Yes,” Polly says. “I mean, not yet, but I can get it.”
Lucas rubs his beard. “I like you, Polly, and you’re related to Anna, which keeps it all in the family. If you want in, I’m all for it.”
Adrian raises a brow at me.
I nod once. “Polly, let’s head over to the restaurant, find a quiet spot, and you tell us about your ideas.”
Polly beams a smile at me, and my breath hitches. She should always be this happy. It’s a beautiful thing.
An hour later, I’m wrecked. She’s not just warm and fun. She’s supersmart, bold, and confident. Her plan to dovetail with the day spa, offering incentives and rewards that keep customers at both the spa and casino, is brilliant. Her idea to blend traditional decor with a fun hip vibe is brilliant.Sheis brilliant.
I want her and I can’t have her, and now she’s going to be my business partner—a whole new level of forbidden.
And I’m wrecked.
~ ~ ~
Polly
I return to my room in a blaze of glory. The brothers are on board. I’m beyond psyched about building this casino from the ground up. I know it was an impulsive move since I don’t have the funds yet, but I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by. Good thing strategic thinking is my specialty. I needed funds to get rid of Peter anyway; now I just need to think bigger to accomplish both things. I could hock the last of my jewelry. My parents would be furious if they knew what I hocked already for my adventure in the US. That’s property of the US government now. If I let any more of my jewels out into the world, it could get noticed. It’s really bad form to let go of them. The jewels belong to the family, passed down for generations. I’m meant to pass them on to my children one day. Okay, jewels are out.
I pace my room. I need to think next level. Ugh. Time. I need more time. Unfortunately, it’s the one thing I can’t work around.
That’s when I notice my room phone is blinking with a message. I listen to the message, and it’s the front desk clerk asking me to call. When I do, the clerk says, “Charles Blanc would like a dinner meeting. Call if you’re available this evening. He says you have his number.”
“Thank you,” I say and hang up. Dinner meeting? Is this a date or business? If it’s business, I’m interested. Maybe he has an idea for funding. Wait, how did he know where I’m staying? Maybe someone noticed the royal group here. He probably has eyes all over town, and this hotel is next door to the casino.
I fish his business card out of my purse and call him. “Hi, Charles. What’s this about?”
“Hello, lovely. I have a business proposition for you. Are you free tonight for dinner?”
“Yes.” I write down the time and place he gives me. It’s a casino restaurant. “Is this about funding the Villroy casino?”
