Page 59 of A Royal Disaster
Hell, if he could pull this off, it might just solve all his problems.
The car slowed to a crawl and turned in to a curving cement drive that led to a stately three-story limestone mansion surrounded by lush vegetation and a towering wrought iron fence that would keep even the most determined paparazzi at bay.
“I guess this is it,” Elena said, forcing a wobbly smile.
“Just be yourself and they’ll be as taken with you as I am,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to it. He had every confidence she could handle the diplomats with her usual wit and charm. And he didn’t give a damn if a bloody drink or two got spilled as long as he closed the deal.
“And exactly how taken are you?”
Completely. Utterly. Entirely.
“Stay at my place tonight and I’ll show you.”
“Is that a promise?” she asked, arching a brow.
“It’s a guarantee.”
Ethan opened the door and Liam stepped out onto the concrete drive, then turned to help Elena out of the car.
“What a beautiful house,” she said, studying the intricately carved balconettes that decorated the second floor. The home itself was a testament to understated elegance—something the Valerian monarchy had never mastered—but the details were lovely.
“It’s stunning,” he agreed, “but not half as stunning as you.” He brushed his lips across her cheek, and they made their way to the portico.
First business, then pleasure.
The front door swung open and the ambassador greeted them personally. Liam had never met Juan Pereira, but he recognized the man from his headshot.
“Bem vindo! Welcome, Your Royal Highness,” he said, bowing slightly.
“Boa noite,” Liam returned, exhausting his knowledge of the Portuguese language with a simplegood evening. He extended his hand and the ambassador gave it a quick shake.
After a brief round of pleasantries, Pereira invited them inside for cocktails, promising dinner would be served shortly. He led them up a sweeping marble staircase to the second-floor drawing room, where several other guests—likely embassy personnel—mingled with the ambassador’s family. Juan did another quick round of introductions, and a server appeared with a tray of wine.
Lena’s face blanched at the sight of the dark liquid, and he could see the panic in her eyes as she no doubt imagined the burgundy liquid finding its way onto the pristine white furniture.
He took the first glass and offered it to her with an encouraging smile. She accepted and gripped the stem so hard it was a wonder the damn thing didn’t snap. Liam helped himself to a glass as well.
Nothing to grease the wheels of a negotiation like a little alcohol.
Liam turned back to Pereira. “Will the Minister of Economy be joining us soon?”
Pereira’s cheeks flushed at the pointed question. He was a politician and recognized a power play when he saw one. Not that Liam gave a damn if the minister showed up late to his own dinner. Being the first to arrive just meant Liam would have an opportunity to get the lay of the land before his quarry made an appearance.
“Yes, the minister should be along shortly,” Pereira said, shifting his weight. “Washington traffic.”
Bollocks. He’d bet his crown the minister was next door at the embassy building. Probably using the extra time to revise the terms of the trade deal.
Elena chuckled, breaking the tension. “New York is one of the greatest cities in the world and we haven’t managed to solve the problem of rush-hour traffic, either. I guess some things are just universal.”
Pereira laughed politely, and Elena steered the conversation toward his duties and tenure as ambassador. Pereira’s wife joined the conversation and Liam tuned them out, nodding and smiling as appropriate, but keeping his eyes fixed on the door, where Jack and Ethan stood, looking bored.
Poor bastards. Probably wishing they could have a drink right about now, too. They’d been putting in long hours on this trip with very little relief. He’d have to give them some downtime when he returned to Valeria. Fin, too. They all sure as hell deserved it.
Come to think of it, he could use a vacation, too.
He glanced at Elena, who was smiling indulgently at the ambassador as he regaled her with stories of his adventures abroad. Perhaps he could take her away somewhere private. Some place where they could spend their days lying in the sun and their nights making love under the stars. It had been ages since he’d had a proper holiday.
They could go to Fiji. The Maldives. Bora Bora. The choices were endless, and the truth was, the destination didn’t matter as long as Elena was by his side.
