A Player for A Princess: Dirty Players Duet #2 (16 page)

T
he moment Ava
and I see each other, we start to cry. We’re across the tarmac, hugging and laughing and crying, and I don’t even try to hold it back.

“Oh, Zee! I’ve never been so afraid in my life,” she says, wiping her eyes, still just as beautiful as ever when she cries. “I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep,” she says. “I walked around this place thinking I would go crazy, and you were so far away… and I was so weak. And this…”

She gently touches my hand, but I shake my head. “Don’t.” I pull it back. “It wasn’t your fault.”

More tears flood her eyes. “I wasn’t there for you.”

“You couldn’t be there. You’d been shot.” My brow lines and I inspect her torso. “Speaking of, how are you feeling? You look amazing.” I touch her soft dark waves, I touch her face. “You look happier than ever.”

“I am—now that you’re here, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. Two weeks ago, I thought I was going crazy worrying about you.”

“I heard you had a role in finding me.” I’m holding her hand when Rowan steps up beside us.

“It’s good to have you back, Zee.” He gives me a formal kiss on the cheek, and I squeeze his forearm as I smile.

“Thank you,” I say with sincerity. “For saving me.”

He shakes his head. “Cal would have saved you no matter what. I only did my best to help him find you faster. I’m sorry it wasn’t fast enough.”

We’re at the car, and the familiar driver holds the door for us. I don’t miss him smiling at me, and I do a little curious smile back.

Once inside, driving to the palace, the brothers are embroiled in their own conversation, but Ava’s and my arms are around each other’s waists. We’re together again. It feels right. I feel the stress start to melt from my body.

“When we heard about what happened to Seth…” her voice trails off, and she shivers.

I think about the night after our casino heist in St. Croix, him leaving me alone in the market, then I think about his gruesome demise.

“He betrayed me.” He gave me to Wade Paxton for money and then he was tortured to death. We don’t even know why.

“You were right never to trust him,” she says. “I’m sick every time I think how I encouraged you to date him. I’ll never question your judgment again.”

“It was the worst time of my life. I thought I was in hell.” My voice is barely a whisper. “I can’t believe Seth would do that to me.”

“Oh, god,” she starts to cry. “They would have killed you.”

“Hey, Ava-bug,” I exhale a laugh. “I’m okay now. Let’s focus on that.”

She lifts my hand and holds it. My thick gauze bandage and metal brace have been replaced with a flesh-colored nylon pressure glove, and I’m able to wear my engagement ring over it.

“I love your ring,” she says quietly. “I love how Cal treats you.”

“He’s pretty great,” I say, unable to stop the grin splitting my cheeks. “Who knew Zelda Wilder would ever settle down?”

“Marrying Cal hardly counts as settling down, buuut….” She singsongs, reaching out to rub my midsection. “Being a mama might slow you down a little bit.”

Placing a hand over my eyes, I can’t help shaking my head. “Don’t even say it. I can’t believe I’m going to have a little princess.”

“I’m being replaced!” She fake-pouts right before starting to laugh. The tears glistening in her eyes now are happy ones. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to dress her up in all the little clothes and bows and shoes and tiaras…”

“You’ll have to visit us in Tortola.”

“Oh,” she looks over her shoulder at Rowan. I follow her gaze and see his calm blue eyes observing our reunion. Her cheeks pink. “I don’t think Rowan will let me be gone that long.”

That makes me laugh. “What is he, your father?”

“No.” Her voice goes quiet, and a naughty look passes over her face. “He likes me to be here for him.”

My eyebrows rise, and I glance from the future king back to my little sister. “Okay,” I say before changing the subject. “About this wedding…”

“Oh!” She scoots forward in the seat, holding my hands. “Everyone keeps saying how we have to plan it for a year because there are so many balls and events and things leading up to a royal wedding.”

“So we’re looking at a year of parties before you can marry him?”

“That’s just it,” she leans closer. “Rowan thinks we can skip all of that. He hates all the balls and parties anyway. So we’re going to do one enormous gala and then poof!” She moves her slim fingers in a starburst motion. “We get married.”

My eyebrows rise. “I like it! How can I help?”

“Just be here for me.” She turns in her seat as the car slows to a stop.

We’re at the palace, and I peek out the window. I still feel like a fish out of water with all these people, but I guess if Ava is happy here, I can help her with her wedding. I don’t even go into the fact my own fiancé, the father of my baby, is one of these pampered insiders.

I’ve just never thought of Cal that way. It’s not how we relate to each other.

“So I was thinking a masquerade ball would be the most amazing thing. I saw pictures of the spring masque in Venice, and it is unbelievable…” Ava is off in planning mode, and I’m following along after her.

A quick glance behind us, and I see Rowan talking to Hajib, but my guy, my Cal, is standing beside the car watching us go. I lift my hand and do a little wave. He laughs and gives me a wink in reply. I really do love that guy.

W
e’re
in Ava’s plush bedroom. I’m lying on an enormous four-poster topped with a pillow-soft white duvet. Material swatches and magazines are spread all around us, and she’s showing me sketches from hopeful designers wanting her to pick their dresses.

“It’s so weird,” she says quietly, as if someone might be listening in. “They all want me to use their designs. It could make their careers if I wear their dress!”

“You’re going to be a queen, Ava-bug. You’ve got to get used to what that means.”

Nodding, she pushes a long piece of dark hair behind her ear. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.”

That makes me frown. “Are you unhappy being engaged to Rowan?”

“NO!” Her eyes are big. “I love Rowan. He’s amazing. He’s sexy and strong and kind and perfect. I just… I’m not used to this kind of attention.”

“I understand that.” Picking up a piece of tulle, I turn it over in my hands. “You’re pretty valuable now. Cal said the people are in love with you.”

Her cheeks flame red, and I love my little sister. “They say I’m like a Cinderella. I guess they don’t know I grew up stealing watches and cufflinks off security guards.”

Wrinkling my nose, I laugh. “I think it gives you depth. You’re not just some bubble-headed bimbo.”

Pressing her lips into a frown, she gives me exasperated eyes. “Thanks, Zee. Love the vote of confidence over here.”

“Ava Lavinia Wilder! You know I’m your biggest supporter. Hell, I’ve finally managed to get you into the life I wanted for you since I dragged you out of foster care!”

She shakes her pretty head. “You’re still small time, Zelda Wilder. You tried to get me to go to community college, get a business degree, and a nine to five.”

“Hell, you’re right!” I laugh. “I am small time. You said fuck that, I’ll marry a king.”

We fall back on her fancy bed, our heads together as we look up at the vaulted ceiling. “It is a fairy tale,” she says quietly. “And as much as I tease you about it, I confess, I’m always looking over my shoulder. I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I guess I’m small time, too.”

Turning toward her, I grip her arm and look her straight in the eyes. “It’s not going to drop, Aves. You deserve this. You were born a lady. I’m small time but you’re not. Rowan loves you, and you’re going to have a beautiful life.”

She blinks up at me, and I know she’s hearing me. Ava has always trusted whatever I tell her, and as always, it’s something I take very seriously. I won’t let my small-time fears, my penchant for looking over my shoulder, trickle into her happiness. My sister is going to marry the king of Monagasco, and anyone who tries to rain on that parade can deal with me. After what I’ve survived, I’m feeling pretty badass.

A soft rap on the door makes us look up. I’m the new kid at the palace. When we were here before, all our adventures were at the beach estate in Occitan or at the Paris Hotel. Now we’re in this place, and it’s all very official and palatial.

“Come in,” Ava calls, and the door opens slowly. I’m not sure who I expect to see, but it is definitely not Cal’s mother, the queen looking curiously into my sister’s room.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you?” Her Royal Highness actually seems to be asking if it’s okay to join us.

“Not at all! Please come in.” Ava is as beautiful and inclusive as ever, and I can tell she’s worked her magic on this old lady.

I remember very well her skeptical attitude toward my sister on the yacht before the grand prix.

“I’m sorry to intrude,” the old woman says. “I know how sisters love to have their special time together.”

“You’re not intruding at all,” Ava says kindly.

“It’s actually you I would like to see.” She turns her attention to me, and I feel my cheeks heating.

“How do you do, ma’am,” I say, sliding off the bed and doing a little curtsey.

“I believe we’ve met before.”

I don’t point out I’ve met her three times now, because that would be rude. “Yes, ma’am, I met you with Sir Winchester at the rose gala.”

“Heavens, with all those other young ladies.”

“It was a pretty packed field.” I nod and glance at my sister.

Ava’s not even following our conversation. She’s too preoccupied with having to choose a designer for her dress—or more accurately, with having to reject five other designers when she picks the one she likes. My sister might be too kind for this role.

“MacCallum is my favorite son.” Her voice is wobbly, and I’m not sure how to answer that. Is it okay to admit you like one child more than another? “Rowan is my noble leader, but MacCallum is my heart.”

“He’s quite a charmer.” It’s all I’ve got.

“I heard through the royal grapevine he asked you to marry him.”

“Oh… well…” Did Cal want to tell her this together? I can’t remember.

“I further heard you’re expecting his child. A baby girl.”

“Wow!” I tease “And I thought we caught that rat at Occitan.”

Ava’s eyes blink up, and she heard that last part. “It was a girl named Juliana. I caught her, you know?”

“You have always been so clever,” I say, not even caring if I sound like a doting mother. I’ve been looking out for Ava a long time.

“Is it true?” The queen’s voice has adopted that air of authority. Because she’s a queen.

My chin drops, and I wonder where my man has gone. “Y-yes ma’am. I’m pregnant with Cal’s baby.”

Sneaking a glance, I see her blue eyes studying me, sizing me up, and as much as I’ll defend Ava until the cows come home, I can’t bluff about myself. I’m no lady.

“You’re going to marry my son?” Her voice is sharp, and I’m sure it’s because she knows I’m a con artist and petty thief.

Everybody knows this, right? It’s essentially what led to me being in a prison camp for the last six weeks. Poor life choices. I want to tell her my picture is beside
poor life choices
in the encyclopedia. I’m the visual aide.

The queen is not a terrible person. She’s a mom who wants the best for her admittedly favorite son. I get that. If I thought I was good for Cal, I never would have run away in the first place. I believed he deserves someone better, with more class than me.

“I love Cal very much,” I say quietly. “I love him like I’ve never loved anyone in my life. Except for Ava.”

“Then you should be here with us in Monagasco. Taking him and moving to such a remote location sends a message.”

“That we like living in paradise?”

Her cool blue eyes narrow at me. “That there is disapproval at home.”

I’ve never been very good at keeping my mouth shut. “Isn’t that sort of the truth?”

She stands. “Of course not. I approve of anything Cal chooses.” Going to the door, she stops and looks down. “Except when he chose to snort coke off the naked bodies of two supermodels and was caught on camera. I did
not
approve of that.”

My mouth has fallen open, but I quickly shut it. I’m not surprised Cal would get busted doing something like that, but I’m floored his super-proper and ultimately controlled mother, The Queen, would acknowledge it out loud and in front of us.

“You should get your rest,” she says before closing the door.

When Ava turns to me it’s like looking in a mirror—both our eyes are round as saucers. Then we start laughing.

“Oh my god,” I wail softly. “Is she the worst or what?”

“I haven’t decided,” Ava’s voice is thoughtful, and her eyes return to the closed door. “She wants what’s best for them, and you’re always saying we gotta do better.”

“I can honestly say we’ve done better than I ever dreamed when I said those words.”

She looks down at the large prints in front of her then up at me again. “So what do you think? I think I’m going with the Nikki Rodriguez.”

I join her on the bed to look at the simple, full-length design. A delicate network of silk covers the bodice, and thin spaghetti straps are over the shoulders. The skirt is long, flowing silk, and in the hair is a jeweled tiara.

“I think it’s gorgeous,” I sigh. “It’s perfectly you, and it’s perfect for this beautiful place.”

She nods studying the print a moment longer. “I’ll let him know. Then I want to go to Occitan. The palace is too stuffy, and we can spend every day at the beach and go barefoot and live in bikinis…”

“No arguments here!” I say, giving her a squeeze. “Let’s go!”

W
aves break in a gentle swish
, and my head is in Zelda’s lap. She’s wearing a black and white string bikini and her skin is golden. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail and little pieces fly around her face as she reads the tablet in her hand. I can’t see her blue eyes for the aviator sunglasses she’s wearing.

“Mrs. Kensington, you are so beautiful,” I tease her.

“Yes,” her pink lips curl with a smile. “
Austin Powers
is hilarious.”

Her hand moves to my hair, and she threads her fingers in the side absently, still reading. My eyes move down to her breasts behind those small triangles of her bikini top, and I wish Ava wasn’t in the water behind us.

“You are so beautiful,” I say with complete sincerity this time. “I love being here with you. It feels like our place.”

That makes her lower the device. “It is the first place you seduced me and totally ruined my assignment.”

“You would never have been happy with Rowan.” Turning my face, I kiss her barely rounded tummy. “Hear that, princess? Daddy knows best.”

She starts to laugh, and I sit up to catch her cheeks and kiss her gently. She exhales a little sigh, and I want to carry her inside. “I was pretty much done for after that night. It only took our next few nights of fucking to know for sure.”

“I was pretty completely freaked out.” She smiles, tracing a finger along my jaw. “I was supposed to be seducing your brother, and you kept seducing me!”

“You’re the one who never wore panties.” I lean forward to kiss the line of her neck. Definitely need to carry her inside now.

She sighs a little laugh. “I miss your texts.”

“I like checking the status of your underwear.”

“It’s simply a matter of efficiency. If you’re going to be around, it saves time to skip the panties.”

“That’s my girl. Now I have to carry you in the house and fuck you.”

“Cal,” she laughs more. “I’m reading.”

“You can read.” Her hands are on my face, and I hear the noise of feet squeaking on the sand.

“Don’t mind me!” Ava calls out as she passes us. “I’m just going inside for lunch.”

I break away and look up. “Oh, hello, Ava. Didn’t see you there.” She laughs and waves over her head as she continues up the boardwalk. I glance behind us toward the ocean. All clear. Perfect.

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I do a quick roll, replacing her position on the beach chair, and holding her in a straddle on my lap. She smiles down and I spread my hands over her waist, sliding my thumbs across her bare stomach.

“I thought I was going to read?” She’s teasing, and I’m hard as a rock.

“Read aloud,” I say, running my eyes over her breasts still hidden behind that bikini top.

“It’s a pregnancy manual.”

“Hmm…” I trace my fingers along the line of her top. “Maybe we’ll learn something.”

Her eyes narrow, and she looks at the small tablet she’s holding. “Good prenatal care is one of the most important ingredients in making a healthy baby…”

Hooking my finger in the center of one triangle, I slide it to the side allowing her breast to spill out. “And here I thought it was just semen,” I say before covering a taut nipple with my mouth.

Her voice wavers as I slide my tongue around the hardened tip. “Don’t delay…” she sighs, and I trace my finger along the edge of her bottoms starting at the top of her hip and moving quickly down.

“As soon as you have a positive… Oh, Cal…” Her voice breaks when I reach the center and slip a finger into her slippery core.

“Mm…” I say, kissing across her chest to the other beaded nipple. “A positive what was that?”

My finger curls inside her, and the device hits the sand. She cups my cheeks and our mouths collide, tongues searching frantically, hands everywhere, quickly pushing what little clothes we’re wearing aside.

With a brief lift, we both groan as I sink deep into her clenching insides. “Cal,” she sighs, pushing against the chair. It’s the greatest feeling in the world.

I’m leaning back, watching her ride my cock. My hands are on her sides, and I slide them higher to circle her beautiful nipples with my thumbs. The bikini top is pushed away to the sides and her breasts are full and spilling out, bouncing with each thrust.

“You are so beautiful,” I murmur, sitting forward to cover them with my mouth. She whimpers and rides faster.

My arm moves around her waist, and I pull her soft body flush against my hard one. Leaning up, I kiss her mouth, and our tongues caress. Her warm lips move against mine.

I’m thrusting up now, chasing my building orgasm. My pelvis floods with tingling heat that grows tighter as her inner muscles massage and pull me. Sliding my hand down her ass, I move my fingers along the line between her cheeks, clutching her soft bottom and scrubbing her clit against me. We’re moving in one fluid motion when all at once she breaks.

“Oh, god!” she whimpers as her body buckles toward me in a shuddering wave of orgasm.

Her insides clench around me, and I let go, allowing my own release to pulse through us, blanking my thoughts and bonding us together.

Her movements slow, and my hands slide over her heated skin, moving around her waist. I hold her flush against my bare chest, and I can’t help smiling as her warm lips touch the side of my neck.

“I’d say that was very positive,” I tease, rolling us so her body is beside mine in the chair.

She props her head on her hand and pretends to scold. “I’m trying to learn about all this pregnancy stuff. I’m completely ignorant.”

“It’s pretty amazing how women had babies all the time before those books were written.”

“Yes, but they also had mothers to tell them what was coming.”

I kiss her nose. “Not always.” My kiss moves to the top of her cheek, and when I pull back, I can tell something’s troubling her.

“What’s wrong?” I lean further back.

Her lips press together a moment before she says it. “You should be here.” Her expression is almost guilty. “Your mother says Rowan needs you here.”

“Are you saying you want to move back?”

She blinks down and then out to the water. “No.”

“Good, because I really like our villa. I also think we should add another pair of panties to the roof at Bomba’s.”

That makes her laugh. “Relationship goals?”

“Definitely.” I kiss the side of her jaw.

“I’m worried about being so far from Ava. I’m not sure she’s safe here.”

“Rowan will not let anything happen to your sister. Trust me.”

She exhales a sigh. “I wouldn’t have let anything happen to her, but it still did.”

Catching her chin, I bring her eyes to mine. “We’ve gone over this. You were alone when that happened. Now you have us, and we know what we’re up against. She won’t be hurt again.”

Her eyes move over my shoulder, and I see her thinking. “It’s true.”

“Stop worrying.” I hug her to me. “We’ll stay for the wedding, then we’re going back to our place.”

“Our place,” she repeats softly, and a smile hints at the corner of her mouth.

I give her another kiss. “With our little princess.”

L
ogan has
the satellite images spread across the thick mahogany table of the war room.

“Entry points are here and here,” Reggie says, using a stylus to show the critical spots.

“Do we have a positive ID on his being there?” I say, arms crossed over my chest as I survey the entire layout.

The photographs are blown up, and like a puzzle, we’ve arranged all the prints to show the house, the grounds, the driveway—even the road leading to his compound.

“I’ve captured his image going in and out on more than one occasion,” Freddie says. He’s sitting at his laptop. “He’s definitely there.”

Logan nods and straightens, stepping back from the table. “I’ll go in and take him out.”

Possessive anger tightens my chest. “I’ll take him out.”

Our eyes lock briefly before my brother enters the room, breaking our moment of conflict.

“What’s going on here? Meeting already started?”

I move my angry gaze from Logan’s to my brother. “Freddie has a positive ID on Wade Paxton. He’s at this compound in Twatrington. I’m planning to dispose of him.”

Rowan’s blue eyes flash to mine. “I said we wait.”

I can’t stop the explosion. “I can’t do that, Ro. He has to pay for what he did.”

“And he will,” my brother’s voice is firm. “When the time is right. We’re not going to be implicated in an act of aggression against a neighboring country.”

“We have all the evidence we need to build a case—” I start, but Rowan cuts me off.

“Hampton is giving him asylum. We have to respect his authority and observe our borders.”

I can’t even speak I’m so livid. Throwing my hands in the air, I step to the window to look out at the emerald coast. Rowan steps behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“I know how you feel, but we have to observe protocol.”

Looking over my shoulder I meet his blue gaze. “And if he starts recruiting?”

“We’ll know.”

I don’t like this. It feels dangerous. It feels like we’re playing with fire. Still I can’t cross Rowan. I have to support him as king.

And I’m redoubling the watch on Wade Paxton.