The Crown Read online

  “I take it back.” Nico watched the whale lower itself back in the water. “That was the most remarkable experience.” Then the whale crested the water again, blowing water and air out the blowhole on the top of its back. Another surfaced beside the first and they moved past the four wave runners as if they were matchbox boats.

  The four finished the day after many more of the most remarkable sights. The staff had set up hotel rooms for them near the night club, with their clothes and everything they needed to shower and get ready. Sierra joined her in one room.

  The moment the door shut, she squealed and jumped around like she had when they were in middle school. And Jo couldn’t help but smile. Then she calmed and sat Jo down on the bed. “Julian wants to marry me.”

  “Oh! I knew it would happen! I’m so happy for you, Sierra. I’ve never seen a more perfect couple than you two.” She didn’t say it, but they made her want to gag at times.

  “Perfect except for the two of you. You two are everything.” Sierra smiled. “When those whales floated by, he turned to me and asked me, right then. Spontaneous.” She giggled.

  “This is the best news of the day. Congratulations.” She hugged her friend, happy for her.

  They showered, and she pulled on a glitter blue straight dress that hugged her curves and barely touched the top of her knees. Sierra did her make-up, and Jo’s green eyes shone. She slipped on strappy heels, her tan legs stretching for miles. And she smiled. If she was going to have to leave this awesome life, she would give Nico something to remember her by.

  They entered the club with just a nod at the doorman from Nico. Cameras flashed at their backs. And a soft feeling of worry began to pester her. At least they avoided a mob. She didn’t know how much the press followed him in other countries, or how much they cared.

  Nico led their group to the main dance floor. “Easier to hide in here. I just want to have some fun.” He pulled her tight. “And you look too good for all these eyes to be glued to you.” The protective glint in his eyes warmed her. Something about him caring enough to watch out for her made her happy.

  They moved to the center of the room and the four of them danced together. Song after song played. They started slow, casual, talking to each other. And Jo stretched her arms out to her side in happiness. She loved how she and Nico shared the same hobbies, the same ways to let loose and handle stress. The longer they danced, the better she felt, the more of her worries slipped away. During one song, she watched Nico move at the center of a crowd, his face wrapped up in pure enjoyment, and she opened her heart up to the idea that they could perhaps make it work, that she might be strong enough.

  He held his hand out to her and as she joined him, the crowd cheered, jumping all around them. She let the exhilaration fill her and then she moved with Nico as they had at the Tiki Rumble, as if they were meant to be together. The crowd chanted all around them, but their noise dimmed as she focused only on Nico and wanted nothing more than to be his forever, always at his side. He pulled her close. ‘Say you’ll stay.” His eyes pleaded, at the same time that they promised. She stared into those depths and realized nothing mattered unless they were together. “Nico, I...”

  Hurt flashed in his eyes, but he pressed his lips to hers, her body molding into his, and she forgot everyone else. Until cameras flashed around them. They broke apart, her mind foggy. Bouncers dragged two men out, breaking their cameras on the way.

  “What?”

  Nico frowned. “I don’t know how they got in with the cameras.” A flicker of concern passed across his face but then he turned. “Let’s really get this going.”

  “You’re on.”

  Monique approached, just as they were running for the stage. And she handed Nico a drink. “Your favorite.”

  She raised an eyebrow in challenge.

  He turned to Jo, offered her a sip which she declined, shaken that Monique was even at the same club. And then he downed it in one swallow. He reached for Jo’s hand and together they made it to the stage.

  Sierra and Julian stayed put, surrounded by the Baldeez brothers, Monique, and several other women Jo had never met. But she soon forgot them.

  They danced harder than ever, moving in carefree fun, until Nico seemed more reckless, drawing the crowd’s attention, seeking it, catering to it. They shouted and cheered, many chanting, “Nico.”

  He was a regular here, it seemed. When the music slowed, he stumbled towards her and she realized how affected he was by the drink.

  “What did Monique give you?”

  He laughed. “It’s nothing. Just a local drink they have.”

  “Seems kind of strong.” She laughed as he stumbled, just missing her toes. Unease began to tighten her stomach. “Maybe we should go party it off on the boat.”

  But he frowned. “Don’t be like that Jo. We need this. Can’t you see how much we need this?” He held his arms out to embrace the whole room.

  She knew he needed to let loose, but she began to worry about what he might do while he wasn’t thinking.

  She caught Monique’s eye, and the snake smirked before turning away.

  After a wobbly half effort at a slow dance, Nico jumped in place when the music pounded again. He waved his arms around, ready for another round. Jo joined him, but her concern marred her fun as she worried about what Nico might do or what might happen. She hated being in this position. Kevin, her old boyfriend used to tone down her partying, used to encourage her to be so responsible that she no longer had fun. She didn’t want to be that person in Nico’s life. But she wasn’t sure what to do.

  He ran along the edge of the stage high fiving all the people below. Most of them women, cheering up at him with adoring eyes and revealing tops. Surely they knew that from their upper stage angle, not much else was left to the imagination.

  “Come on, Jo!” He reached for her.

  She ran to him at the edge of the stage. Then he kissed her, missing her mouth in a sloppy attempt and fell back onto the hands of the people below. He waved.

  And she grit her teeth. He was being ridiculous. Or was he? Was she just bothered she didn’t feel the same amount of recklessness? Either way, she smiled and waved back as his body bounced along on the hands that held him up. And then they dumped into the arms of Monique and that whole group. He put his arms around both Monique and Henry Baldeez and the three began a dance of their own.

  12

  As they were leaving, Nico had invited everyone he saw, to come back with them. He had downed another drink walking out the door while Julian was insisting it was time to go. Of course, only the ones with transportation out to his yacht could follow. He waved his hand at the staff to go back and fetch more from off the shoreline.

  Jo stood at his side, quiet. She was probably just tired. Not everyone could keep up with him. She could rest now that they were back, and he would talk to their guests, keep the party going. Where was Henry? Monique came forward and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Whoa there.” She laughed as she nearly tipped him over. “Just like always.”

  He reached out to pull Jo to him on his other side, but his hand grasped air.

  “She left, honey. You’re stuck with just me again.” Monique’s voice sounded like honey and golden butter.

  Monique seemed in the mood to party. She would do. And Jo could rest. “Let’s go up top.” He stumbled. The drink was affecting him more than usual. He shrugged. He’d sleep it off.

  The group followed to the top deck, and the music blared, competing with the pounding beats that echoed off the shoreline. The boat bounced and swayed with their movement.

  He danced until he couldn’t move. And then he sent everyone home. He stood in the breeze that had picked up. For the first time in many hours, he felt sober. Clarity sharpened his reasoning, and he felt some concern for Jo. The Baldeez brothers sat back in the chairs on the deck behind him.

  Monique had gone below.

  What was he doing? He dipped his head to study the water. He had
used the night to blow off steam, to let go of his stress. And just like he used to, he let loose at the exclusion of everything else. What kind of husband could he be to Jo if at the first possible moment, he ignored her so completely.

  It was the drink. That first one must have been more powerful than usual. He had felt it almost immediately.

  Monique said his name. Her voice sounded strange so he turned. Her face, pinched, tears already forming, she ran into him and threw her arms around his back, crying into his chest.

  Jo heard the last noisy partiers pull away in the transport boat. She pulled her hair into a bun on top of her head, put on a pair of leggings and her most comfortable t-shirt and went in search of Nico.

  The boat was a mess. She stepped around a maid who had already begun cleaning everything up. As Jo looked from room to room, she admitted to feeling a growing angst. And she walked faster.

  At last, Julian directed her upstairs. She heard low murmurs of talking from the top deck. So not everyone had left. She climbed up the ladder that led to an opened hatch on top. As her head peered out the top and she felt the night breeze on her face, she wished she could scoot back down and hide.

  Nico stood, clinging to Monique as though she were his life thread. His hands, anguished looking, clenching, his head in her neck.

  She was about to turn around and retreat back the way she came, shaken and alone, but Henry waved and caught her attention. He shook his head and motioned with his hand that she should go to Nico. Her heart tore at the sight. It would have been easier if Nico had been locked in a kiss with some woman who meant nothing. This sight hurt in a deep way because he seemed to be reaching out to Monique for comfort. But Jo took a deep breath and forced herself to be brave. She was still his fiancé after all, the potential queen to his country. That had to count for something.

  She cleared her throat. Monique jerked her head over in surprise. She had been crying. Jo was shocked at the pain in her face. And she worried about what she would discover.

  Monique stepped away, held onto Nico’s hand in a lingering way, too long, then whispered, “I’m sorry.” And walked away.

  Jo stepped closer. “Nico?”

  His face crumbled. “Oh Jo!” He pulled her into his arms, sobbing.

  She clung to him. “What is it? What has happened?”

  He gasped twice, trying to take a big breath, then he said, “Father.”

  And Jo knew the king had died.

  “I’m sorry Nico.”

  She pulled him to the side, and they found a bench near the railing. He grabbed handfuls of his hair in his hands, leaning forward with his arms on knees. Tears fell to the deck beneath them.

  Everyone had cleared off the top deck, leaving them alone. She sought words that were difficult to create. “Nick.” She ran a hand along his back. “I’m here for you.” They sat for a moment, sounds of the cleaning staff working below them. “I love you.”

  He turned to her, anguish in his eyes. “I need you, Jo. Will you stay?” He pled with her, choking on another sob.

  She nodded, wrapping her arm across his shoulders. “Of course I’ll be here as long as you need me. Let’s get through the funeral and co-coronation and everything together.” She tried to squeeze him, to take away the pain, even knowing she could not.

  They sat in silence until his body stopped shuddering and he leaned back against the railing behind them. “I thought I had more time.”

  She nodded, linking their hands together.

  Julian approached and cleared his throat. “My deepest apologies your majesty.”

  “Julian.” Nico’s voice was sharper than she had ever heard it.

  “We have received word from your mother. She asks that we return as soon as possible.”

  Nico nodded. “Alert the captain, we leave at first light.”

  When Julian left, Nico said, “I’m sorry about tonight, Jo.”

  She waved her hand. “Don’t worry about it now. Let’s do what needs to be done. We can talk about it later.”

  He stood. “I’ll be in my room.” And he left. Without a backward glance, he took the ladder rungs down and disappeared.

  She followed, bleak and lonely. And completely shut out. She didn’t know what more she could do for him, but knew she must stay. She’d have to figure out how to best help her father, to encourage him to lay low through all of this and then figure out what to do with her life when it was all over. And to be at Nico’s side in everything, to be whatever strength he needed. Because she loved him, she would stay, at least until things settled.

  13

  When they arrived home, Monique was there, sitting with the Queen, both with red eyes. She hugged each of the brothers, lingering in Nico’s embrace, nodded at Jo and then left. Normally Jo would have rolled her eyes but today she felt left out. Nico had barely talked to her at all on the plane. He seemed in a distant place, one she could not reach.

  She offered her condolences to the queen, but the woman just patted her hand and soon looked past her as if she were dismissed. Julian was distracted, and more busy than usual, and each of the brothers disappeared as soon as they could. Everyone seemed tasked with responsibilities except her.

  For the next couple of days, she saw very little of anyone. Group breakfasts had been postponed until further notice. Even the staff seemed too busy when she asked for directions out to the back gardens.

  She walked among the hedges and the flowers, wondering why she was even there. But she knew she couldn’t leave. Being invisible here was at least not causing stress or strain by leaving.

  Monique came and went as if she belonged there. And Jo refused to care. Though she did. But how could she care so much about their treatment of her when they were each dealing with so much? She felt completely selfish even as she continued to feel the hurt of being shuffled aside.

  Her phone dinged. The funeral and viewing and national service had been scheduled. She was given all the times and places she was required to attend.

  Since they had never officially announced their engagement, Jo wondered if she would even be seated with the family.

  Then a text from the queen came through. “Could you come to my office please?”

  She turned around and immediately made her way back toward the palace.

  Her lungs filled with the biggest breath she could manage, then she let it out slowly. Her knock sounded weak and timid.

  “Come in.”

  The queen sat on her settee, off to the side of her desk. She had a box of tissues and she held her hand out to Jo. “Come sit with me, Jo. We have neglected you dreadfully.”

  A spark of guilty hope that she might become a larger part of the family warmed her insides. She sat beside the queen. “I’m just so sorry about all this. I feel terrible.”

  “Thank you, my dear. He always liked you, you know. Supported you when…” she looked off out her window. “well, always. He knew when Nico was set on marrying you, and he accepted our son’s choice, as unconventional as the idea was. He told everyone that a unified marriage was the best thing for our nation.”

  Nico had told her often of his father’s words of support for their marriage. She remembered clearly, at his bedside when Francisco awoke from a coma, he had been so kind in his support of them both. Nico had proposed shortly after, in the hospital room in front of all his family.

  She smiled, thinking about Nico’s loving eyes, his hope for their future. Perhaps they still had a chance. “I loved the king. He was a good man.”

  The queen nodded. “He was.” She reached for her agenda. “I asked you here because we need to discuss some matters of state.”

  Jo sat up straight in her seat.

  “We will need to step carefully in the coming few days regarding you and your relationship to Nico.”

  Jo’s concern grew.

  “We have yet to make a press announcement, and now is not the time for news such as your engagement would be. Nor does Nico wish to be answering question
s at a press conference about you and your Alzheimer’s scandal, and your father and everything that package entails. It is just simply not the time, which I am certain you appreciate.”

  Unsure what exactly to say, Jo stammered, “Certainly. I have no desire for those things to become matters for the press.”

  “And yet they are. They will need to be addressed.” She leaned back in her seat, signs of fatigue lining her face. “But I see us having a few choices. We can have the funeral, squeeze in your wedding the day after, and then move quickly to the coronation so that the nation sees a unified couple when Nico is crowned King.”

  Jo’s heart stammered. What was the queen suggesting? Married in four days? And didn’t she just say she didn’t want a press conference about her relationship with Nico?

  “Or, we act as though your relationship is still in its growing stages and move forward with a single King, allowing your relationship to progress naturally in whatever direction.”

  The queen obviously preferred this option. She also seemed to prefer the idea that she and Nico were still as yet, an undecided couple.

  “I don’t know. I think I need to discuss it all with Nico. I’m not sure what he wants…”

  She waved her hand. “Nico doesn’t even have time or emotion to make these sorts of choices. You will soon learn, if you are to be at his side, these types of choices fall into our hands. We simply let his assistant know and he shows up.”

  That didn’t sound like what Nico would want, but at the same time, she had never seen him so immersed, so overwhelmed. Truth, she hadn’t physically seen him for more than a passing moment, and he had barely registered her presence even then. Perhaps his mother was correct. A concern niggled at her. If such distance were to continue as normal, she wondered if she could even be happy. She cleared her throat. “Perhaps you have heard, things are in an awkward state for us right now.”

  Her eyes widened and then narrowed, calculating. “Meaning?”