Page 2 of Stalking Rose

“This is Elvis,” Damien tells me, and I blink several times, trying to figure out why in the hell he would name the dog Elvis. Oh well, I have other concerns right now. There’s tension filling the air around us, and I realize my brother is waiting for me to make the first move. It’s a tactic I taught him.

Giant, Forrest, and Logan all look like they’d rather be anywhere but here. I’m debating how to ease this tension when my brother tells me, “My wife is dealing with a difficult pregnancy. I won’t have you upsetting her. Get over yourself and be nice or I’ll throw you out.”

Logan groans under his breath while Forrest mutters, “Son of a bitch,” behind me.

“Did you just tell the King of Belldonnia to get over himself?” I ask, knowing my brother loves to give me shit when I speak in the third-person. He’s the only person I pull this trick on, just to watch the fucker grit his teeth when I do it.

“I did. And stop talking about yourself in the third-person. It makes you seem like a mental patient.” Damien doesn’t disappoint me.

Laughter bursts from my throat at the look of dismay on his face. “The third-person thing really is too much,” I agree and pull him close for a hug. A real hug, not the girly, sissy shit most diplomats use. “It’s good to see you, little brother. I see you’re still a pain in the ass.”

“That won’t ever change.” Relief lights Damien’s smile.

I look around, wondering where my new sister-in-law is. “Where is Milly?” I hope she isn’t terrified of me.

“I think she’s passed out on the sofa. This pregnancy is kicking her ass.” He leads us to the living room and points at the gorgeous woman stretched out on the sofa, snoring softly. I saw her briefly at her parents’ funeral, but the stress of the day colored my perception.

“Why don’t you let her rest?” Milly has dark circles under her eyes, and I don’t want to add to her difficult pregnancy. “I’d like to see your newest video game.” Actually, I want to kick my little brother’s ass. I don’t usually use my money and influence unnecessarily, but I couldn’t help myself this time. I procured a copy of his latest video game before its release, and I’ve been spending all my free time practicing playing it. Our sibling rivalry will never really end.

“Follow me.” Damien signals for me to follow him before turning to my bodyguards. “This house is a goddamn fortress. You two can set up in the guest quarters.” I nod my head to Forrest, letting him know I agree with my brother’s request.

“This is my sign to leave,” Giant cuts in and turns to leave.

“Stay.” I need at least one witness to my victory. “You can watch the King of Belldonnia kick his little brother’s ass at video games.”

“You’re doing the third-person shit again.” Damien shakes his head. God, it’s good to see my brother. I didn’t realize how much I missed him until he started giving me hell. He’s just about the only person on earth that gives as good as he gets. “And there’s no way you’re going to beat me at the game I designed.”

“We’ll see.” I don’t say too much. I don’t want to tip my hand.

He points out several rooms on the way to the last room at the end of the hall. “My wife calls it my man cave.” She’s not wrong. This room is a grown man’s wet dream.

I quickly count the monitors lining the walls around a massive U-shaped desk. Who in the fuck needs ten monitors? On the far wall, my brother has the biggest television I’ve ever seen. It takes up the entire goddamn wall.

“This is what I call an office.” I whistle under my breath, impressed as hell. “I need one of those.” I plan to get a massive television installed in my personal parlor in the palace.

“You can watch up to twenty stations at once,” he brags.

“Goddamn. It’s the ADHD of televisions,” Giant mumbles, and I laugh with Damien.

I hold my own for two hours. “You’ve been practicing on this game,” Damien grumbles. After years of sibling competition, he isn’t shocked.

“The King of Belldonnia has his ways.” I can’t resist. I love to see the steam pouring out of his ears when I continue to speak in the third-person.

“Fucking third person,” he growls and kills my character on the screen. Damien smirks at me while my character graphically dies on the screen. “You’re good, but not as good as me.”

“Fucker.” I’m about to give him hell. The fucker deserves it, but the door opens and my new sister-in-law comes in. Years of royal protocol training kicks in. “Milly.” I walk over to her and smile. Her shoulders visibly relax, making me feel like a tyrant. “It’s so good to see you.” I softly kiss each of her cheeks. Okay. I might have two purposes there. I get to play nice with my new sister-in-law and fuck with my brother at the same time.

“Hello, King Lorenzo.” Milly smiles at me before chewing on her bottom lip. “I’m not sure how to handle this.” As a red blush moves over her adorable face, I can see why my brother fell head over heels in love with her. “Should I curtsy?”

“Absolutely not. We’re family, and I don’t require such demonstrations.” It feels good to relax and enjoy myself without anyone watching over my shoulder.

Chapter3

Lorenzo

We’re driving through the small Texas town on the way back to the airstrip when a life-changing attack comes out of nowhere. Only, this isn’t a threat to my security. It all starts when the driver pulls up at a stop light and I glance out the window.

My goddamn heart takes a direct hit when I see the curvy beauty step out of a car. She looks over and smiles at someone, causing an unfamiliar emotion to slam into me. Her fucking smiles should be mine. And mine only.

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