Page 41 of Royal Player
“Hello,” he says, standing as I approach. “Would you like a drink?”
I glance around. There’s no servants here. “Are you preparing it?”
“I can call for whatever you want. Or I could pour you some scotch or brandy.”
“I’m good for now, thanks.”
He gestures for me to take a seat on the sofa. I do, crossing my legs and folding my hands in my lap.
He sits next to me. “So I hear you’re on board with the casino.”
Heat creeps up my neck. I hope Oscar didn’t reveal too much of the circumstances around his gesture for me. “It was generous of Oscar, and I’m very glad to be part of it.”
He studies me intently. “That vineyard was just sitting unused anyway.”
My gaze snaps to his. “Vineyard?” Oscar went to check on his vineyard.
His lips press together. “He didn’t tell you?”
“He just said he cashed in. I asked him if it was ancestral land and he said no.”
“It wasn’t ancestral. He bought it with money he earned playing pro football and intended to build a house there, ultimately, for his family. It was the last thing he had from his football-playing days and had a great deal of sentimental value. Football is something he shared with our father.” He watches me closely. “That’s how much he wanted you to be part of the team.”
Football is gone forever for him. Lina told me Oscar was forced to retire due to an injury. I’m gutted. I hadn’t known that football was his special thing with his deceased father. My God. He gave up the last thing he had from what must have been a golden time in his lifefor me. I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my ears. It was heroic of him, incredibly so, and I can’t believe what he’s sacrificed for me. And he asked for nothing in return. It’s the most selfless, amazing thing anyone has ever done for me. I don’t know how I can ever repay him.
My voice comes out choked, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. “Why would he do that?”
He cocks his head. “Why do you think he would do that?”
I stare straight ahead. “I don’t know,” I whisper, but part of me does. He kept me safe from Peter and Charles, preserved my birthright, and made me part of a business venture that would help my family down the line. Why would any man make such a heroic gesture? He must care for me. But he said he wanted me to take my rightful place as queen, which is a future that doesn’t include him. What does this mean? What do I do?
Just then the door bursts open, the laughing chatter of Anna and Alice breaking the tension of the moment.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Adrian says under his breath.
I just sit there, stunned by the realization I may have something I never thought I’d have—a real connection with a wonderful man—and I don’t have a clue what to do about it.
Gabriel, Lucas, and Oscar step inside the room a moment later. My gaze locks on Oscar smiling and joking with Lucas, even Gabriel is smiling slightly at his brothers’ ribbing.
Oscar is my very own hero.
I’m on my feet before I even realize what I’m doing, crossing the room to him. Anna calls to me, but it’s a distant sound, all of me focused on this incredible man with his overly good looks that match an overly good heart. He’s gorgeous inside and out, and I’m blown away.
I stop in front of him, my heart thundering in my chest. “Oscar.”
He stops smiling and pulls me aside, away from the others. “What’s wrong?”
“You did something for me, something so incredible I can hardly believe it. You sold your legacy, the land meant for your future.”
He looks over my shoulder and glares. “He wasn’t supposed to tell you.”
“I’m so humbled, so grateful.”
“You already thanked me,” he mutters. “It was nothing.”
“It wasnotnothing! No one has ever done something so amazing for me in my life.”
He gives my hair a tug. “Yeah, well, you’re pretty sheltered.”
