Once Upon a Royal Billionaire Page 4

  There weren’t many images after that one. Their phones had been replaced by assistants and extremely busy schedules as they finished up doctoral programs and began their responsibilities as adults.

  She whipped through some of the press shots she’d saved in the early days when she’d missed him like crazy and he’d seemed too busy to care. There weren’t many the next year. And she knew what filled that hole—pictures of her and Jackson. She kept scrolling through the remaining images she’d not deleted from that terrible time in her life, and then stopped on one she’d never seen before. At least she didn’t remember it being there. Her wedding. But this photo was of Rhett. He’d been there—a lot of the guys had come—and someone had taken a shot of him watching Emily and Jackson dancing.

  Emily zoomed in on his face and then looked away, clutching her heart. Her face squinched in pain. She looked again, the lines of sorrow on Rhett’s face breaking her heart. He’d thought himself unobserved in a quiet corner, and the pain was obvious as he watched the dance that they both thought would separate them forever. She ran a finger over his face, and the image shifted under her touch. “I’m sorry, Rhett.”

  “What did you do now?”

  She sucked in her breath and wiped her eyes. Brooks stood in the doorway.

  “Brooks?”

  “Hey, superstar. I’m here to help get you pumped for your pitch.”

  “Oh, right, thank you.” She smiled, trying to recover. She felt like her heart had been torn again, and she had to take three deep breaths before she could convince herself that she and Rhett were in a good place. It might not be perfect, but no one’s heart was broken.

  Brooks pulled up a chair. “So, what did you do to Rhett?”

  Her eyes flashed to his.

  He leaned back. “Okay, no need to answer that. Let’s talk about your presentation.”

  She pulled up the PowerPoint file, even though she had it memorized. He was a world-renowned business expert—it would be stupid to turn down his offer.

  She went through the speedy version, and he listened, his razor-sharp eyes catching everything. Then when she finished, he flipped back to the beginning and refined every slide with angles, emotion, and detail she would have never considered.

  She took notes furiously.

  When he was finished, he turned to her. “You’re gonna blow this out of the water, babe. They won’t know what hit them. They’ll come stumbling forward with their wallets open.”

  She laughed. “Well, I hope so. I could use the funds.”

  He brushed a hair out of her face. “What’s this about?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean Mountain Blue has never run investor campaigns. You’re not a startup. What’s going on?”

  She pressed her lips together.

  “Say no more. You have enough capital in this meeting to save a small country. But if you need more than financial backing—consulting, advice”—he rested a hand over hers—“support. You know where to come.”

  He was so kind. His eyes were earnest. She stared deep into them, wondering where he was going with his offers of help. What exactly did he want from her? Could she picture him with Lily? She had so many things to think about in response to his simple gesture.

  “Thank you, Brooks.” She pulled her hand away.

  “Yes, thank you, Brooks.” Rhett stood in the doorway, his displeasure obvious. The room shrank a little bit with the two tall, broad-shouldered men filling it. Rhett stood taller, and Emily was reminded clearly that a king to an island nation stood in her office. Was there anything left of the boy she’d known? Perhaps. But at this moment, he made the air sizzle with power. And testosterone.

  Brooks stood. “Rhett.”

  Rhett nodded. And waited.

  The two men stared at each other for a moment more, then Brooks shrugged. “If you need anything else, just shoot me a message. I’ve got your back.”

  She stood and leaned forward to hug him. “Thanks for everything.”

  His arms felt tender, his gentle kiss on her cheek was warm. Then he dipped his head and brushed Rhett’s shoulder as he left.

  “Rhett, what are you doing?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Standing there with all your kingly status.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You literally forced Brooks from the room.”

  “Do you want me to call him back? Is that what this is about?”

  “No, what good would that do? Look, he came early to help me with the presentation. It was nice of him.”

  “I could have done that. I’m here.”

  She shook her head. “Come in. Shut the door.” Everyone would be arriving soon.

  Rhett wiggled his eyebrows as soon as the door was shut, which made her laugh and dissolved some of the tension. “What are you doing here, really? Besides trying to scare away Brooks?”

  Not many could scare that man away. Brooks had probably left only because he didn’t want Emily to be uncomfortable, which she appreciated.

  “Just checking on you.” He reached into the drawstring backpack he carried. “I brought you something.”

  When he pulled out a unicorn, she laughed and ran to him. “Is this?”

  “Pointy.”

  “What!” The white on the hoofs was scuffed up and the point of the horn seemed a bit bent, but it was obviously Pointy. “How did you find it?”

  “I’ve had it for years. I just wasn’t sure what to do with it.”

  She hugged it to her chest. “I can’t even believe it.” He’d made fun of her unicorn for almost the whole time they’d known each other, but he knew why she loved it. “No one believes in them, but that doesn’t make them fantasy.”

  “Yes, I know.” He reached for her. “Even though I haven’t been around, and you probably had plenty of moments you could have used a friend, I guess I just want you to know I believe in you.”

  Tears welled up. “Oh, Rhett.” She allowed him to enfold her in his strong arms. And the strength that came from his declaration filled her. “Do you?”

  “Believe in you? Absolutely. If Emily Harrington is involved, magic happens. You can do anything you put your heart to.”

  She nodded. “Thank you.” She stepped away, took one more look at Pointy, and put it on her desk. “Let’s do this.”

  He opened the door. “After you.”

  As she passed him, he whispered, “And it was good thinking to involve Brooks.”

  She eyed him in suspicion then nodded. “Thank you.”

  They made their way down the hallway, and she had the absurd wish to hold his hand. But he’d given her Pointy, and that was enough.

  They opened the door to the conference room in the chalet she’d rented. It was huge, and a table filled most of it. At the table sat some of her best childhood friends and all the princes from the newly formed Prince Society. She’d also invited the women she most admired in the area. Sera sat next to Trane. She smiled at that. Hopefully they could make things work.

  She moved to take her place at the head of the table. Brooks sat at her left, and Rhett moved to sit at the opposite end of the table. He winked. She took a deep breath and began.

  While she talked, she felt Brooks’ support, and she sought out Rhett’s response. How was it coming across? Would he approve? But he showed no emotion as he studied her, just as he had last time they were together. But she thought about Pointy and what he’d said. “I believe in you.” And those words carried her.

  She felt like a fraud, and she knew she was in essence begging for money—but he believed in her. She could do this. Mountain Blue could overcome its challenges and rise to what it once was.

  “And so as a team we can push Mountain Blue into a new decade of continued growth and returns.”

  Brooks clapped when she was finished. “That was awesome, Em. You have our full support. We’ll take the highest investment percentage possible.”

  Others joined
in his exuberance, and by the end of the meeting, they’d all signed on in one form or other. Except Rhett.

  The guys all headed to Rhett’s boathouse to practice. The competition was five days away.

  Brooks high-fived her. “You nailed that.”

  “Thanks to your additions. Really, Brooks. It made all the difference.”

  He shrugged. “I’m here for you, Em.” He looked over his shoulder at Rhett still standing in the back of the room. “No matter what.”

  She nodded. “Thank you. That means a lot—all of your support does.”

  “Call me. Let’s talk about what’s really going on. I feel like there’s more I can do there, too.”

  She hesitated and then nodded, slowly. “Maybe.”

  “Good enough.” Then he turned and left, nodding at Rhett.

  The room was quiet for a moment, then Rhett approached. “So, why the huge pitch for financial backing?”

  “I told you. We’re moving into new opportunities, new avenues, diversifying…” She let her voice trail off, feeling unaccountably guilty that she was hesitating to disclose their hardship. But she refused to offer more.

  “I can free up some of the capital of Aegira and be an official sponsor, or I can be like the other guys and sign up for a percentage from my personal investment portfolio. Tell me what would be the best fit.”

  She didn’t know what he was asking. “Whatever makes the most sense for you, I guess.”

  “That’s fair. But, Emily, is there more I can do? I’d do anything for you. Why do I feel like this is a cry for help more than an investment opportunity?”

  His face was open, curious, concerned, but she couldn’t bring herself to disappoint him, to show herself as the failure she was. How could she tell him her last three ventures had failed in the few short years she’d been at the head of Mountain Blue? That she wasn’t sure anything else she wanted to try wouldn’t be an equal failure? She couldn’t. Besides, the company could turn around. People asked for investors all the time. This was nothing different. “You’re misreading. This isn’t a cry for help.” She swallowed back her half-truth, hoping it wasn’t obvious on her face, and tried to mask her worry.

  “I’ll give you whatever you need, Emily. You know that.” He lifted her bag and put it on her shoulder, “And now what I want to know is are you ready to hike Nepo?”

  Her shoulders relaxed. “More than anything.”

  “Okay, let’s go.”

  “What, right now?”

  “Sure. I’ve got the Jeep packed.”

  “Just like that? Take off?”

  “I’ve cleared my whole day.”

  Suddenly, she felt free and ready for some fun. Her pitch was done. The guys had supported her. Now she was free to have fun like she used to. “Okay, I’m ready! Let me get changed.”

  Soon they were both sitting in his Jeep. The doors and top were off, and wind blew through her hair. She knew that a security detail was following, but she tried to ignore them. She knew that someone might see them and take a picture, but she didn’t care. For now, the world circled around Rhett and Emily like it used to, and they were going to hike to their favorite spot. Everything would look small from up there, and it would all be okay.

  She shouted, “Woop, woop!” and turned on the music.

  Rhett laughed and smiled at her, reaching for her hand. She let his fingers twine with hers and the ache of familiar tingles made her heart grow. Her chest seemed to expand with acceptance. She wanted more—happiness, security, partnership. And Rhett seemed to offer all those things. She could allow herself to pretend, for a day, that there was a ‘what if’ when it came to Rhett—if he didn’t run a country, if she didn’t have to worry about Lily, if the last ten years hadn’t separated them.

  Even though all of those things mattered, and opening up even the tiniest weakness to Rhett could prove disastrous, she let go and planned to just enjoy the day.

  7

  Rhett exulted in the beautiful woman at his side. In his Jeep was one of his favorite places to see Emily. Her thick, deep-red hair filled the air behind them until she pulled it back into her signature ponytail. He echoed her shout. “Alright, let’s go! Woop, woop!”

  He used the digital console to casually adjust their music to his “Emily” playlist, and suddenly they were taken back in time to the music of their favorite band. Song after song accompanied them through the windy roads to the base of the mountain trail. By the time they hit the parking lot for the trailhead, they were both singing at the top of their lungs with pretend microphones in hand.

  The Jeep pulled to a stop, and Rhett tried not to notice the other cars in the parking lot and the straggling hiker at the drinking fountain. Hopefully they wouldn’t recognize their king and he and Emily could hike in peace.

  He shouldered a backpack. He’d filled it with extra water and trail mix. Then they hit the trail. “We’re so late heading up, I think we can hit the sunset if we pace it right.”

  “I’d love to see the valley in daylight first. And then we can watch the sun set.”

  Rhett set a clipped pace, hoping they would be able to do just as she wished. The first part of the hike passed through the woods that circled the peak. The ground was covered with a small-leaved holly, and the air smelled of pine. Now and then the air was cooled by a breeze that came off of the river rushing down from the peak. Their talk of memories carried them for the first couple hours of the hike, and then their trail opened up onto the bald hilltop.

  A rolling meadow spread out in front of them, and just as Rhett had been told, the wildflowers were in full bloom.

  The small gasp beside him was reward enough for all the effort to get them up there, for all the missed appointments and the rescheduling of his ribbon-cutting on a new wing to the museum.

  As he watched the woman beside him and relived their memories on this very hike all those years ago, he knew nothing could replace these moments. If only he’d realized their importance all those years ago, when he’d let her slip away. He knew his busy lifestyle, his inability to prioritize time with her, had driven her away. But he committed to not make the same mistake again.

  “Oh, wait.” Emily pulled out her phone. “Lily has to see this.”

  “Would you like me to take your picture?”

  “Yes, we should be taking more pictures, but do you mind if I FaceTime her for a moment?”

  “Not at all. I’d love that.”

  Emily’s phone connected after two rings. “Hello? Mom!” Lily’s excited voice made Rhett smile.

  “Hi, baby girl! Look where I am!” She turned her phone in a wide sweep.

  The squeals on the other end sounded so familiar to Rhett, like Emily from the old days. “That’s so pretty, Mama! Look at all those flowers.”

  “Look at this one, right here.” Emily zoomed in closer on a small, blue bloom. “This one reminds me of your eyes.”

  “Then your eyes, too. Right, Mama?”

  “Absolutely, baby girl. Now I want you to meet one of my old friends.”

  “Okay, who?”

  Emily moved to Rhett’s side and showed his face to her daughter. “This is Rhett.”

  “Uncle Rhett.” He puffed out his chest and gave a goofy smile that made Emily laugh.

  “I have an Uncle Rhett?”

  Emily smiled at him. “You do now. And guess what? He’s not just anyone. He’s a king.”

  “What!” She giggled. “If my uncle’s a king, does that make me a princess?”

  “Absolutely.” Rhett leaned in closer. “Princess Lily from now on.”

  “Okaaay!” She giggled again. “Grandpa, I’m princess Lily now.”

  Emily’s father peered into the phone, and Rhett felt his stomach turn. “Hello, Mr. Harrington.” Emily’s father hadn’t been overly pleased with Rhett’s lack of attention to his daughter, nor with his refusal to follow her to America and try to win her back.

  “Oh, it’s His Royal Highness.”

 
“Uh, you can just call me Rhett.”

  “Fitting, since I was the first and perhaps only person to ground you?”

  Emily bit her thumb.

  “Yes, precisely, gives you extra privileges.”

  “Emily, are you there too?”

  She peered in the camera at her father. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Hey, something a bit strange happened. Jackson called, wanted to talk to Lily.”

  Emily’s face went white, but she answered casually, “Oh, and did he?”

  “For a moment. But I stayed on the line, and it seemed fine.”

  “Okay. No visits, though, remember.”

  “Oh, I know. Don’t worry about that. How’s your trip?”

  “Great. We’re hiking Nepo.”

  “Oh, that’s a beautiful walk. Take lots of pictures.”

  “Will do, Dad. Gotta go. Love you, Lily. You being as good as ever?”

  “You know it! Goodbye, Mom, love you. And goodbye, King Rhett.”

  “Goodbye, Princess.”

  Her excited squeals were the last thing they heard before the phone disconnected.

  “She’s an angel. What a beautiful girl you’re raising.”

  “I pinch myself sometimes. She’s such a good girl. She’s my life now.”

  “She’s something special. I can tell.” He laughed. “She reminds me a whole lot of her mother.”

  “Really?” Emily’s excited expression warmed his heart.

  “Absolutely, brought me right back to our tree-climbing days. Same voice. Same inflection. And even the same energy.”

  Emily’s steps were lighter and had a definite bounce after talking with her daughter.

  “Do you miss her?”

  “Like I left my arm at home.”

  “Bring her sometime. Anytime. I’d love to spend some time with her too.”

  Emily’s troubled expression said more than any words would have. She wasn’t ready to involve him in Lily’s life. So Rhett let it alone.