Once Upon a Royal Billionaire Read online

  The sky was dark, but he knew the sun hid behind the storm clouds as it made its way down past the horizon. Rhett grabbed Emily’s hand and held it high, both of their chests heaving for air. “Victory!”

  She shouted to the wind. Her hair whipped around her, her face glorious in achievement, and he knew in that moment if the two of them worked together, they could accomplish anything.

  “King Santoro. We’re going to need you to wait for a secure pick up.” The security team’s loudspeaker blared at them.

  But they ignored the copter for a moment more.

  “Look at everything,” Emily said. “So small.”

  “That’s important.”

  “I know.”

  Then the wind picked up as the helicopter moved closer, the pilot motioning for them to descend to a lower location. Reluctantly, they each took another look and then carefully moved back down the trail. The bird hovered next to them, and the doors opened. Military men held out their hands and pulled them in. The doors shut, and the helicopter moved away from the ridge.

  For a moment, everyone was quiet. Then Kenworthy, his PR man, handed him a set of earphones. “We have a situation.”

  “Can we talk about it later?”

  “It depends on how you want to handle Emily.”

  “Can we get her a set of earphones too?”

  Emily was handed her own pair, and then Kenworthy said, “The press knows you’ve been up here, alone. They’re already speculating on a renewal of old feelings.”

  “I don’t see the problem.” Emily shrugged. “Let them speculate. It will go away. These things always do.”

  “While I respect your opinion, Miss Harrington, I feel that if we come out with a statement now, it will cut all speculation and allow us to move forward with more important things.”

  Rhett felt Emily bristle even though she wasn’t sitting near him.

  “So, Emily, I’m going to need you to say—”

  “Excuse me, Kenworthy, but perhaps you don’t remember. I don’t need your words. I can speak for myself.”

  Rhett bit back his groan. And that was another aspect of their relationship he’d sort of forgotten. She was vehemently opposed to Kenworthy or anyone on his staff feeding her words—controlling the message, as they liked to call it.

  “Please, Your Highness, if we are all on the same page with our statements to the press, we can alleviate the public’s concern that you are actively considering…”

  “You overstep, Kenworthy. In many ways.”

  Emily smiled weakly at him and then turned away.

  “We’ll let the press think what they want to think. No comments will be made except for the ever-useful phrase, ‘no comment.’ ” He knew Kenworthy had more to say, and he was certain he’d hear more of it later, but for now, the conversation was at an end.

  They rode the rest of the way in silence, and when Emily was dropped off at a separate location and shuttled into her own royal limo, he let her go. Watching her car drive away as the helicopter rose up into the sky, he had no way of knowing where they stood, no better than he had when they’d started their climb up the mountain.

  8

  Emily woke up the next morning to about two hundred notifications from her staff at work.

  She scrolled through most of the emails, glancing at the subject lines. “What on earth.”

  Finally, she found the original email from her assistant and clicked on the video link he’d included. “New Queen of Aegira?” Someone had caught video of them singing into pretend microphones, getting out of the Jeep, and stretching in an overly dramatic way before taking off together into the woods.

  Other emails had headlines of “American queen of rugged outdoors store doesn’t stop at retail.” “Emily and Rhett are back at it again?” “Once wasn’t enough for the dynamic duo.” She groaned and called her dad.

  “Hey, it’s her royal highness.”

  “Oh brother. Has it hit the news there?”

  “Not really. I’m getting calls from board members, but not the tabloids. Yet.”

  “Why would they even care?”

  “He’s a bit of a hot commodity, Em. He’s called the elusive bachelor king.”

  “What?”

  “Truly. For years he was the talk. Who would he marry and make the queen?”

  “I don’t remember any of this.”

  “Well, you were a bit distracted back then.”

  “Fair. So are you saying this might hit it big?”

  “Maybe. Either way, I’ve hired our security guys back. Mostly for Lily.”

  Gratitude filled her. “Thanks, Dad. If we have to bring the tutors back in, do that too.” Just like they had when Jackson was a threat and Emily was busy at work.

  “Will do. Look, don’t you worry. We’ve got this. If you want to make things work with the king of a small country, we will support you.”

  “Very funny, Dad. He really is great, but there are so many complications. We couldn’t hang out for four hours yesterday without some of the old stuff coming back up. It’s complicated running a country.” She knew she sounded ridiculous—of course it was complicated. “And I hate Kenworthy.”

  “Is he still running the show?” Her dad humphed. “He’s half the problem.” She could almost see her dad pacing. “And what about Lily? Honey, have you thought this through? Because I see lots of red flags here, and I—”

  “Dad, I told him no.”

  “Oh, you did? Now, are you sure about that honey, because he’s a great man, complications or no. Sometimes it’s worth all the trouble if you really love him.”

  “What are you saying?” She felt her frustration rising. “Pick a side.”

  “I don’t know. I’m just saying choose wisely and carefully.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” But he’d been no help. In about thirty seconds he’d created doubt on both sides of her decision. If there even was a choice to be made. Who knew if Rhett wanted to pursue anything or if Kenworthy would let him.

  She drafted an email to the board and to her staff. “Rhett and I are old friends. The press is trying to read into an afternoon spent hiking a mountain, but that’s all it was. If anyone asks, your answer is, ‘No comment.’ Not because I have anything to hide, but because I don’t feel that my personal life is for public consumption.”

  She felt good about that response. Then she scrolled through the mess until she found an email actually relating to her job.

  The investments were coming in. Finance was thrilled. She felt more grateful than ever for her friends. Now, to put their funds to work on some of her new ideas.

  She was certain they could pick up the pieces and make something special out of Mountain Blue once again. After a couple hours of touching base back home, she packed her backpack. Today she was going to train with the water ski team. With a skip in her step, she made her way down to the car. But as soon as she walked outside, she was surrounded by press.

  “Why are you here? Do you hope to win a crown? Couldn’t stay away? Some say we don’t need Americans here—that you should keep your liberal ideas to yourself.” The reporters’ questions assaulted her from every side.

  “Wow,” she muttered and tried to push her way through to the limo. But the reporters wouldn’t budge. “Please. I need to get through.”

  “Just answer a few questions for us. How’s Mountain Blue? How do you respond to questions about the solvency of your business?”

  “Mountain Blue is doing better than ever.” Or would be as soon as she could get some of her new ideas going.

  “Now that you’re siphoning off some of the royal treasury.”

  “No, that’s not…”

  “Step aside.” Three men in black suits pushed their way through the crowd.

  The reporters parted. The men had the royal crest embroidered on the front of their suit jackets. The closest gestured for her to join them. “King Santoro sent us. He asked if you wouldn’t mind coming with us.”

  She b
ristled and then nodded. “Thank you.”

  They pushed their way through the reporters and the curious crowd. She saw few looks of recognition, but she knew she would see more once they saw the news. Perhaps it was time to go home. She’d already gathered most of the investors she would need.

  She slid into the limo’s back seat, and the car started moving. “Hello.”

  The driver nodded to her.

  “Where are we going?”

  Her phone rang. Rhett. “Hey. Thanks for saving me back there.”

  “Does that make me your knight in shining armor?”

  “Um, maybe shiny limo?”

  “I would have come, but it would have only drawn attention.”

  She looked out the window. “So, you have me hostage. Where are you taking me?”

  “Hostage, huh? Does that mean you are at my beck and call for once?”

  “It appears so.”

  “I’m meeting you at our smaller chalet on the coast.”

  “The one with the lavender?”

  “Yes.”

  “And the swing.”

  “Yes.” His voice was quieter, and the distance between them suddenly felt more intimate as her last memory of the swing played through her mind. And the kiss that followed.

  “I’ll meet you there in the helicopter, and then we can figure this out.”

  “Sounds about right.”

  “It’s gonna be fine.”

  “But very inconvenient. I could just go home.” She waited, hoping he didn’t want her to go, but at the same time hoping she could.

  “Stay. For now. At least let’s talk.”

  “I’m already on my way. Don’t have much of a choice.”

  He laughed. “Exactly.”

  She hung up and enjoyed the passing scenery. They were on a main road, but to the right and left were homes she didn’t often get to see. Villages of small stucco homes, shops, and the occasional gas station. The ocean sparkled in the distance, and flowers filled every garden. They passed groves of oranges and lemons. Then as they neared Lukeia Village, rolling hills of lavender filled her view. She rolled down the window and breathed deeply. The lavender fields reminded her of the unique, sweet smell of her grandmother, her bath salts, and most powerfully, the royal chalet in Lukeia.

  Memories of Rhett flooded her mind. They’d spent some of their happiest times in this place. Trees, fishing spots, horses. She leaned forward to see out the front. Hopefully they could get out on the horses. Did the chalet still have them?

  The car slowed as they approached the front gate and cleared security. Then they continued down the long lane that led to the front of the house. “It’s exactly how I remember it.”

  “Have you been here before, miss?”

  “Oh yes, I spent every summer of my younger years here.”

  “Then welcome home, is it?”

  “It sure seems like it. And thank you.”

  He pulled up to the house. Long, tall pillars lined the front, their white stone sparkling in the sunlight. And she welcomed the shade of the large oak tree in the yard.

  She wanted to run and fling her arms around its trunk, or climb to the top like she used to, but instead she nodded to it subtly and then turned to enter the house.

  Their housekeeper, Mrs. Halstead, would no longer be with them, but Emily noticed with delight that the woman to greet her at the front door had Mrs. Halstead’s eyes.

  “Welcome to our home.” She gestured for Emily to follow. “The king should be here soon and asked that we provide every comfort. Perhaps you’d care for some refreshment out on the verandah?”

  “I would like nothing more. Thank you.”

  She followed the new Mrs. Halstead through the front rooms. The whole space was airy and cool and beautiful. Marble floors, exquisite furniture, flowy drapes, and a light breeze that smelled of lavender and the ocean. Emily had entered a new form of heaven. “This is even lovelier than I remember.”

  An older woman sat in one of the chairs on the verandah. “You were too busy running about to appreciate the finer things back then, Em.”

  “Mrs. Halstead?” Emily ran to the older woman and knelt at her feet. “Can it be you after all these years?”

  “It is indeed, and you’ve met my daughter?”

  “I recognized your eyes.” She turned back to her guide. “Hello.”

  The younger Mrs. Halstead smiled in response then nodded and left them alone.

  “Have something to cool yourself, child.”

  The lemonade was poured, and Emily almost choked when she saw her favorite cookie. “You remembered.”

  “We did indeed. There’s not much about you any of us can forget. You’re a dear. Tell me, child, how are you doing? I heard that evil husband of yours is out of the picture?” Her eyes sparkled in mischief.

  “He is. I wish I’d had you to counsel me during those days.” She shook her head.

  “And you’ve a daughter?”

  “Oh, Lily is my light and my joy.” She pulled up pictures on her phone. “She’s smart as can be and perfectly delightful.”

  “She takes after you. What a beauty.”

  Emily scooted her chair over as close as she could to Mrs. Halstead, and they chatted about old times. By the time they spotted Rhett walking up, Emily felt they’d relived every moment she’d had with him back then. “Has he changed much, Mrs. Halstead?”

  They both watched him approach. His broad shoulders filled out his suit, he held his head high, and there was energy in his step. As he neared, Emily could see the light dancing in his eyes.

  “Oh, he’s excited to see you.” Mrs. Halstead patted her hand. “He’s not changed, not in the essentials. Besides the obvious, of course. This specimen you see before you is obviously not fifteen anymore.”

  Emily blushed and then stood. His eyes lit up as she ran to him and tugged on his hand. ‘Look who is here!”

  “Ah, you’ve found our dear Mrs. Halstead.”

  “And she’s reminded me of every naughty thing I’ve ever done.”

  “All your naughty behavior was limited to this house?”

  “Pretty much.”

  He laughed then tugged her hand, bringing her into a too brief hug. “Glad you’re alright.”

  Mrs. Halstead shot him a look. “And why wouldn’t she be alright? You’re not endangering our child, are you?”

  “She’s not quite a child any longer.”

  “I’m glad you noticed.” She pointed her finger at Rhett, making Emily laugh.

  “I have indeed noticed.” He sat. “Oh, and they’ve served your favorite cookies.” He sighed.

  “Is that a problem?”

  “Well, I do prefer the strawberry ones.”

  “And you’re not the guest, are you? King or no.” Mrs. Halstead winked. She waved over a servant with a plate of strawberry cookies.

  “I knew it! Thank you.” After snarfing down two in rapid succession, Rhett leaned back in his chair. “You always did like Emily best.”

  “And why wouldn’t I?”

  “Exactly what I say. Why indeed.” The gaze he turned to Emily stole a bit of her breath. His intensity said way more than his words had admitted. And Emily wasn’t sure what to do with the feelings that flooded through her. He reached for her hand, and when their fingers were laced together, Emily felt like everything in her life was finally fitting together.

  “Shall we talk out here or in one of the conference rooms?” All the warm, cozy feelings shifted, and Emily almost shivered. Kenworthy stood in the sliding glass doorway, the breeze lifting up just the few strands of hair at the front of his head.

  “The conference room. No sense ruining this beautiful view or dear Mrs. Halstead’s peace of mind.”

  “Very funny.”

  Emily stood. “I’m certain there are items of national urgency that must be discussed, is that what I’m here for?”

  “Kenworthy seems to think so.” Rhett squeezed her fingers. “But when we’re fi
nished, how about you and I ride out into the lavender fields?”

  “Oh absolutely. Yes!”

  They made their way back through the beautiful home into a room that belied the relaxing Mediterranean feel by being filled with the latest technology. Once they were seated, a screen lowered, with several people already up and live in a video call.

  Kenworthy took over the meeting. “It’s great to have you all here. With a new face in the media world to consider among us, it is important that we are all on the same page about her purpose and presence here in the country and with the king.

  Emily tensed, but Rhett rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. Perhaps he would make everything right. She just really didn’t like Kenworthy. He’d disapproved of her from the beginning.

  “To begin, Emily, is there anything in your past that we need to be made aware of?”

  “Pardon me?”

  “Skeletons in your closet—issues or actions that might be viewed in a questionable light by the crown?”

  Emily sat up straighter. “If by the crown, you mean Rhett—”

  “I’m sorry. To be clear, the crown in this instance would mean the royal family, the cabinet, and members of the royalty.”

  “I see. At any rate, the answer is no.”

  “And the man you married but then divorced, is he beyond reproach?”

  “Of all the ridiculous questions. He is not beyond reproach, obviously. Or I’d still be married to him. We stay as far away from him as possible.”

  “That’s interesting because this image was taken just yesterday at your daughter’s school.” He pulled up a grainy shot of Jackson talking to Lily right next to a line of school buses.

  Emily sat up. “I’ve got to call my dad.”

  “We’ve done that for you. He’s aware.”

  “Oh, well, okay. I’ll call him after our meeting, then.”

  “If you wish.”

  Emily was starting to feel closed in. She didn’t like the power this man had or the continual efforts he made to encroach upon her private life.

  She searched Rhett’s understanding eyes. In the past she’d felt he wasn’t worth it, and she’d run back home to America. She was beginning to think she might have been right.