Page 113 of Three's A Crown

Why is he running away?

“Thank you, Greyson.” My father smiles. “Thank you for your understanding.”

No. This isn’t right.

“And, yes, I am happy for you to be back for the wedding.” Greyson nods. “You may go.” My father dismisses him.

No.

Greyson stands and walks out of the office with his father.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask once we have the room to ourselves.

“I’m doing what’s best for you, for the crown, and for the country,” he tells me.

“By sending away the man I love.”

“No. By giving you time to fall in love with Rosalie.”

“That’s easy. I’m already falling for her,” I confess to my father. His eyes widen in surprise. “She’s an amazing woman.”

“Then give her the one-on-one time she deserves, Auggie.” His voice softens. “It’s four weeks out of a lifetime.”

“And if we do this, and if after four weeks apart, we still need Greyson in our lives, will you accept it?” I ask.

“Yes,” he answers, surprising me. “My only stipulation is that I will need you to make sure that the only heirs she carries are yours, Auggie.”

“I understand. We all understand.” He simply nods. “I know what I have with Rosalie and Greyson is not whatyouwant forme, but it’s whatIwant forme.”

“What happens if you grow tired of the three of you?” he asks.

“For fifteen years, Greyson and I have been together. I haven’t managed to get sick of him during that time.”

“And what about Rosalie? It’s new. The foundation isn’t there.”

“I’m working on it.Weare working on it,” I tell him.

Father still has a scowl on his face.

“Rosalie understands her duty, as do I,” I remind him.

He nods again.

“I’m trusting you, Auggie.”

And with that, I leave his office on the hunt for one stubborn bodyguard.

36

GREYSON

“What the hell do you think you’re playing at?” Auggie yells as he barges into my room.

I knew he would be angry, but he looks like he’s about to have a heart attack, he is that furious with me.

He rushes at me, his strong hand wraps around my throat, and he pushes me up against the wall. His nostrils flare. His chest heaves. Those ice-blue eyes are flaming at me.

“It’ll be for the best.”

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