Recklessly Royal
Page 63

I curled up in the chair and propped my chin in one hand. It felt odd to be taken care of, but I was so tired and worn out from the panic attack I didn’t have the energy to argue. I could feel that anxiety dancing just on the edge of my consciousness, waiting for me to fall into its dark pit of fear. Instead I watched the flames of the small fire dance across the logs and let my mind blank. Any time my brain started to even touch upon the idea of pictures . . . No, I couldn’t go there. I just focused on the flames.
“Well, I found a cook and a maid.” David walked back into the room with a cup of hot tea on a saucer. “And Jeanine, the maid, said she would bring us some board games.”
“Thank you.” I took the cup from him.
“Oh, I didn’t make it. The cook wouldn’t let me even open a cabinet.” He cleared a spot on the table in the center of the sitting area when Jeanine brought out several boxes and a pack of cards. “What will it be? Monopoly?”
“No!” I laughed at his surprised face. “Alex has ruined Monopoly for me. Take my advice and never play with him.”
“Good to know.” He looked at the other boxes. “It looks like the rest all require more players, so how about a card game?”
“That sounds good.” I set my cup down. “How about Go Fish?”
“Go Fish?” David blinked in surprise. “If that’s what you really want to play—”
I burst out laughing. “I’m joking. I can’t believe you fell for that.”
“That’s it. Your choice has been revoked.” He shuffled the cards before starting to deal them out. “Crazy Eights. Do you know how to play?”
“I do.” I slid out of my chair so that I was sitting on the floor next to the table. “Are you any good?”
“It’s a game of luck. I’m as good as anyone else.” He shrugged out of his jacket and undid his tie before joining me on the floor.
“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.” I raised an eyebrow in challenge. If there was anything I had picked up from my brothers, it was their competitiveness. My nerves were still shot, but just being next to David seemed to help. He had a way of making everything important seem unimportant. He put things into perspective, and right now, Crazy Eights was much more important than anything lying photographers could make up.
Though there was one thing that bothered me and I couldn’t shake it. Where had the photos come from and just how bad were they? And why? Why had someone taken pictures of such an intimate moment? It had to be for the money they got when they sold the photographs to the magazines.
After I beat David three times in a row, he conceded defeat and packed up the cards. Sitting on the couch, he patted the spot next to him and I took the seat. With a comfortable ease, he tucked me against him.
“I loved hearing your laugh.”
“I loved seeing you lose.” I giggled when he mock-groaned.
“I just wanted you to be happy.” He smiled at me.
“Riiiight.” I shook my head, but scooted close against him. “Whatever you have to tell yourself.”
“That’s how it’s going to be, huh?” In a swift movement he had lain back on the sofa and shifted me so that I lay on his chest.
My ear rested just above his heart and I closed my eyes to listen. There was something soothing in the rhythm combined with his steady breaths. The fire crackled and popped as it slowly faded from existence and I found it hard to keep my eyes open.
“Will you stay?” I tucked one of my hands under my cheek. I felt safe in his arms, and even if those photos made an appearance in the morning, it wouldn’t feel so bad with him here to keep me calm.
“Yes.” His answer was quick. “Go to sleep.”
“Are you comfortable?” The words came out in a mumble.
“I’m fine.” His arm tightened around my waist.
“Thank you.” For holding me. For keeping me calm. For staying.
“You’re welcome.” He dipped down to kiss my head.
NINETEEN
“WHY DIDN’T YOU tell me?” Selene stood on the stairs, her voice angry. The younger nurse stood beside her with big eyes.
“What?” I rubbed my eyes, confused. Was I at the palace?
“The pictures. You could have let me know. I have people sending me e-mails left and right.” She was using a cane, but the expression on her face was fierce.
“I didn’t want to upset you.” Fat lot of good that had done for me. I was tucked next to David on the couch, his arm still over my waist. I sat up and let his arm fall to the side. “Who let you have a computer?”
“I got out of bed and took it. I’m not asking for permission anymore.”
“Why are you up? I can deal with this.” But the truth was that I could taste vomit in the back of my mouth. The pictures were out and people were seeing me with David in a very private moment.
“Because I know.” She shook her head sadly. “I know what you’re feeling right now.” Taking the steps slowly, she made her way down to me.
The nurse was helping her, but I hopped up to assist her myself. “You’re going to kill yourself.”
“Sitting in that bed, stressing over not knowing what is going on, will kill me faster.” Selene grabbed my arm and looked into my eyes. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I don’t know what to do.” Tears prickled at the backs of my eyes. “What do I say?”