Page 33 of A Royal Disaster
Liam listened patiently as Elena vented, the words flowing from her in a rush, as if the dam holding back all the frustration, anger, and embarrassment had burst from the pressure of keeping it all contained.
“I’ll be back to public enemy number one by this time tomorrow,” Elena said, visibly deflating as she ran out of steam. “And my abuela. I can only imagine what she thinks of all this nonsense.” She kicked a small rock with the toe of her sneaker, watching as it skittered across the wooden floor and down the steps. “I should’ve taken Nia’s advice and confronted the asshat the minute he served me with the lawsuit.”
Liam fought the urge to laugh. He could easily imagine Elena and Nia dishing out their own brand of vigilante justice, and he for one did not want to be on the receiving end of it. He’d paid the purple price for his own transgression and he had no interest in a repeat performance.
“I’d understand if you want out of our deal,” she said quietly, not meeting his eyes.
Was she serious? He didn’t want out. If anything, the broadcast had renewed his determination to help her save the studio. There was no way in hell he was going to walk away and leave her to handle this mess on her own. “I’m not going anywhere. I made you a promise and I intend to keep it.”
She straightened and when she looked at him, her eyes were guarded. “Why put yourself through all of this when you could just as easily walk away?”
As if it were truly that easy. He could no more walk away at this point than he could sprout wings and fly to the moon. “Because now that I’ve gotten to know you, I can’t imagine anyone less deserving of such a raw deal. The fact that you’re willing to let me out of our agreement, even if it means you might lose your studio, just goes to show what a truly incredible woman you are, Elena Murphy.” He paused. “You still haven’t told me why Chad’s suing you.”
Elena grimaced. “Because ofthe incident.”
“The incident,” Liam repeated, curiosity stirring once more. What could have possibly spurred her ex to sue her?
“Like I said, dating Chad was like having an overgrown child around,” Elena said, lifting her chin and squaring her shoulders. “He was always leaving his crap all over the place. In my apartment. In the studio. Once I even tripped over his skateboard and nearly fell down the stairs. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t half as funny as it is in the movies.”
Jesus Christ. She’d almost fallen down the stairs because that careless prick couldn’t pick up his shit? White-hot anger flared in his gut, and he pressed his lips flat, afraid she’d stop talking if he interrupted.
“One day, I was painting my toenails and I accidentally spilled nail polish on the coffee table. Shocker, right?” She gave a self-deprecating smile that nearly broke his damn heart and his vow of silence. If only she could see what he saw. She was smart, talented, and independent. Any man would be lucky to have her, and if that fucker Chad hadn’t appreciated her, it was his loss. “Anyway, when I went to pick up the bottle, a teeny tiny drop—I swear it was the size of a pencil point—got on one of Chad’s comic books and he freaked the fuck out.”
“Wait a minute,” Liam said, snapping his jaw shut as the full impact of her words hit him. “Are you telling me all of this is about a bloody comic book?”
Elena nodded.
She was serious. “It must have been priceless. What, was it the original Superman or something?”
“No,” Elena said, rolling her eyes. “I can’t even remember the title, but Chad was sure it was going to be a collector’s item someday.”
Liam snorted. He’d been gobsmacked at court more than once, but he was hard-pressed to recall the last time he’d heard such an outrageous story. “What a wanker.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
“I know he’s a fool for letting you go.”
A slow flush spread over Elena’s skin, starting just above her breasts and climbing up her neck to stain her cheeks. It was then Liam realized that this woman, so full of passion and life it positively radiated from her, wasn’t used to receiving the kind of compliments she so clearly deserved. The knowledge didn’t sit well and reaffirmed his opinion of Chad and every other bloody fool she’d ever dated.
“What about you?” Elena turned to him, her expressive face open, if not a bit wary. “Why are you single really?”
Liam hesitated. “My royal duties keep me busy. My social life is rather lacking, truth be told.”
Elena arched a brow, skepticism lining her eyes. “You’re handsome, charming, and a crown prince to boot.”
She thought he was charming? That was new information. He grinned at the admission, filing it away for later as she continued.
“And under that carefully crafted royal veneer,” she went on, “you have a heart of gold.”
“Is that what you think?” The assessment surprised him. No one had ever described him as having a heart of gold. Stone, yes. Gold, no.
“It’s what I know.” She grinned and poked him in the chest playfully. “You might have the rest of the world fooled, but I’ve got your number, William Stanley. You care deeply, and not just about your own people. You believe in helping others, even when there’s nothing in it for you. And you have a strong sense of loyalty, as evidenced by the fact that you’re still here.”
“I fear you see only the best in me.” If she knew their arrangement was intended to stave off an unwanted engagement, she might feel differently.
“Even if that were true,” she said, laughing, “you’re the World’s Most Eligible Bachelor. Surely there are plenty of women who’d love to date you.”
The problem was, they didn’t give a damn about him. What they wanted was a crown and all the titles and privileges that came with it. “Those women don’t interest me,” he said, holding her gaze meaningfully. It was the truth. He wanted nothing to do with the list of crown-approved duchesses his mother was cultivating. There was only one woman he wanted…and the Royal Marriages Act made a future with her impossible.
