Page 8 of The Prince's Game
“Indeed.” He gave me a quick hug that lacked sincerity, and focused on the crowd. “Ladies, I’ll be back soon. Enjoy the wine while I’m gone.” There were a few mewls of disappointment as he led the three of us out of the room, the crew minions hot on our tail. Amber looped her arm through his, and Georgiana took the other side, leaving me to trail behind them.Yep. Not awkward at all.
The four of us and two cameramen squeezed into the elevator. We started with the third floor, where both Georgiana and Amber were staying. I waited with one of the cameras in the elevator while the other followed the trio into the hall. I was in charge of holding the open button.Fun. When Evan returned, his hands were in his pockets and his jacket reeked of perfume. That didn’t stop the goosebumps from prickling my neck when his arm brushed mine.
“Four forty-seven?” he asked me.
“Yep.”
“Did you enjoy talking to Will?”
“Sure. He seems nice enough, but I didn’t expect him to pick me.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know.” I followed him out of the elevator and down the hallway. “I figured he’d go for someone else.”
“I did, too, but something you said impressed him.” He stopped at my door and gave me a look I couldn’t interpret. “I’m looking forward to finding out exactly what that was, Miss Summers.”
“Right, well, I’m sure you will.” I put my key in the door and opened it. “See you tomorrow?” I had no idea what I was supposed to do or say in this situation.
He looked me over, his gaze uncertain. “You will.” He caught my hand as I was about to walk into the room and pulled me into his arms. I hugged him back and breathed in his woodsy scent. It was strong at the center of his chest and overpowered the stench of perfume.God, he’s hot. His arm tightened around my waist as he dropped his lips to my ear. “Your act isn’t fooling me, sweetheart. I’m onto you.” The words were so soft I wasn’t sure I heard him right.
“What?”
“Good night, Miss Summers.”
4
The Personal Assistant
“Welcome back toThe Prince’s Game.” We were in the lobby, standing in a semicircle around Carrie and Joseph. It was day two of filming, and Evan was nowhere to be seen.I’m onto you. What the hell did that mean? I stayed up most of the night thinking about it. Did he know Abby set me up, or was he onto something else? Was I in trouble for something?
“I’m Carrie Gavins,” our hostess continued, “and this is my handsome cohost, Joseph Grisham. We’re here with the twenty gorgeous women vying for the Prince of New Orleans’s heart. So, ladies, how excited are you to be here?” A cue card was held high from the crew, instructing the girls to scream. It wasloud. “A third gone, three to go this week. Who will it be?”
“So, today is going to be a bit different.” Joseph’s tone was conversational.
“Oh? And why’s that, Joseph?”
“Well, Carrie, it seems our prince wants to put his women to the test.” He gave the camera a conspiratorial look. “He spent years working in hotels all over the world before gaining control of the Mershano empire, and he wants to give the girls a dose of that. To better appreciate his life’s work.”
“Is that why he sent all the staff home this week?” Carrie’s acting skills were impressive. I almost believed she was surprised.
“That is indeed why he did it.” Bright blue eyes took in the semicircle of uneasy contestants. “Ladies, he wants you to run the hotel for the week.”
“He wants us to work?” The one who spoke flipped her long brown hair over her shoulder and pursed her lips.
“Perfect.” Paul mouthed the word and honed in on a few others as they chimed in with their disapproval. The lines were all part of a script the writers handed out to specific people during breakfast. They skipped me.Smart move.
“Uh, yeah, I’m not here to work.” That came from a tall redhead.
“You expect me to wash dishes? That will, like, totally ruin my nails.” Some blonde Valley girl.
“Isn’t the whole purpose to be his new princess? If he wants a maid, he can hire one.” Another redhead. I was sensing a theme.
“Oh, stop your yappin’. Evan spent years workin’ in the industry before taking over the Mershano empire.” Amber’s hands were on her hips. “I think Evan wants us to prove that we can respect his hard work and what he’s built. If y’all can’t do that, then there’s the door.” She pointed to the exit.
“Buh-bye,” Georgiana added with a theatrical wave.
Chaos ensued as insults were hurtled back at the pair. The minions Amber adopted this morning were quick to defend their queen bee, evoking a huge grin from Paul. I fought the urge to roll my eyes as everything went to hell in a handbasket fast. At the crest of the complaints, Paul silenced the group with a loud “Cut!” He then continued in a normal tone, “That was fantastic. Joseph, we’re going to pan back to you as you try to silence them all. When that doesn’t work, Carrie, I want you to whistle. Got it?”
