Royally Benevolent (Resplendent Royals #4)

7. Caught in the Act

7

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

ODETTE

I wanted to focus on Wyatt—this gorgeous man who talked about transportation like it was his magnum opus. His kind brown eyes and slight stubble captivated me. However, my phone kept buzzing with Karin’s threats. She knew I’d slipped out without my detail or her. I feared the press spilled the beans. God, he was beautiful! Why could I not have a fair shake at this and charm him before the press took a bite?

Karin

I know you escaped. Ring me NOW or I will send the police door-to-door.

I ignored her message, continuing my investment in this blissful moment. I was womanly—a desired being. Once I left, it would end. I decided to wait her out and soak it up. She could threaten whatever, but I knew that would be considered a waste of police resources. She wasn’t dumb, just annoying.

I needed to focus on this—whatever it was. I wanted to think about how he swirled the drink, how his slight smile looked under low lights, and how hot he looked when he loosened his tie. Damn . I don’t know why that was the thing that set me off .

Wyatt continued, filling me in on the process. A slight blush came to his face, revealing he was a little nervous but always passionate. Wyatt’s grin was earnest in a way I hadn’t seen before. He didn’t want to offend me. He also cared about our conversation enough to want it to go well. This man was trying . Then, things went completely off the rails.

He explained something about funding, then said, “Tell me fuck off if you aren’t interested.”

I giggled as my phone buzzed. Damn it .

Karin

I’m going to ring the palace and tell Her Majesty you are missing!!!

I knew I had a few minutes before she did it. If she lost me, the blame was partially hers. I was an unreliable twenty-something princess. She was a thirty-something professional who couldn’t keep tabs on me in an emergency.

“Emergency?” Wyatt asked, sweet face concerned.

“I guess. I must go. Apologies. I’ll email you,” I said. “We can continue this. I’d like to know more about grants.”

Wyatt nodded, looking slightly disappointed. I made an impression—only to be pulled away. I could have strangled Karin if it wasn’t her job to handle me like this. She was only doing her best to keep my world spinning.

Me

I’m coming, okay? Don’t squeal. I’ll meet you at the back door.

I crossed the street, praying no one saw me sticking out like a sore thumb in an evening gown. Annoyed, I entered the car.

Karin glared. “Don’t do that again.”

“How did you know I ran off?”

“Because we pulled the security footage. You escaped with the billionaire. He’s more than a decade older,” Karin said. “It’s ridiculous.”

She was always blunt, but why did she seem so cruel today? I’d lived a moment of freedom; all she could do was pull me back down and remind me this wouldn’t work. I set my jaw defiantly as the motorcade rolled back to the palace. I wouldn’t apologise for getting a rare moment to myself.

“I will not say anything,” Karin agreed. “But only because I think you don’t want to be put back on desk duty again—nor do I.”

“Thanks.”

I wasn’t as grateful as I was relieved. I didn’t know why everyone around me got to be wild—everyone but me. I had to be an angel.

At the palace, I slumped on the family room couch, watching a reality show. Contestants were allowed only to text one another and given nothing more than a messenger handle. They had to propose via text and marry in a month.

“That show is terrible!”

Rick entered and sat on the other couch.

“Says the man who married the woman he was set up with,” I chuckled. “In record time, too.”

“I still wish you saw it as a fairytale,” Rick sighed. “You finding out it was a setup and our love only a happy accident broke me. Ingrid was too nosey.”

Rick and Alexandra’s marriage had been one of convenience—initially. However, they fell for one another. By the time they said ‘I do,’ they were in full-blown love. Alexandra sanitised most of this because Ingrid and I were still so young. We looked at it with rose-coloured glasses, thinking Rick was a white knight who had come to save us from the regency and evil grandmother who controlled our lives.

“Ingy is always nosey,” I said. “She and Astrid are too clever.”

“Damn them both.”

We both watched TV for a moment.

“It might be nice, honestly,” I said. “Any recommendations? It’s my only chance to find someone, Rick.”

“Nonsense.”

“Why are you up?”

“I had a toddler yowling at me. I didn’t want Lex to wake,” Rick said. “He’s settled now. Why are you back so soon?”

“The event ended when the fire alarm went off. I have no idea if it was legitimate. ”

“That’s too bad. But it was otherwise fine?”

I shrugged.

“What aren’t you telling me, kid?” Rick asked affectionately.

“Can I tell you something in confidence?”

“Sure. I’ll just put on my big brother hat.”

He gestured as if settling an enormous cowboy hat on his head.

“Stop it!” I laughed.

“I’m serious. What is it, Odie?”

“I have a stupid crush on someone. Turns out he’s Wyatt Worthington?—”

“The billionaire?”

“Yes. I ran into him in town. He didn’t know who I was back then. And he’s… well, I find him utterly charming. Anyhow, we escaped together. Karin nearly skinned me alive over it. She threatened to tell Alex. I swear I’m not acting out. This isn’t mania?—”

He smiled. “No, it’s just a crush. On a man much too old for you.”

“You should talk!”

Rick chuckled. “Perhaps. Don’t worry. I won’t say it. It’s okay. I see all your work and how hard you try to stay healthy, Odette. I know what it is like to be the flake. My only excuse was I am stubborn and often selfish.”

“I disagree,” I said. “Not about the stubborn bit, but the selfish one. Maybe you were. I don’t know. But now… you’re only going to take care of us. It takes someone lovely to take on four sisters and a perfect dad to manage this chaos.”

“I’m touched you think that, Odette. My point, though, is it’s unfair that you constantly beat yourself up over it. I get it. I was labelled the fuckup. I’d know.”

Rick smiled kindly, knowing what really worried me. His voice softened, “You aren’t your dad, Odie. Alexandra and I aren’t Celeste. We aren’t here to torture or judge you. I know it’s hard sometimes, but let that go and live. What is it you want out of life, sweetheart?”

“I want respect,” I said. “I want to be loveable—admirable.”

“You are, Odie,” Rick assured. “You are always loveable and very admirable. I am sorry you don’t always see that. You will someday.”

“But will I ever meet someone who feels that way? ”

“I think you will,” Rick said. “If I could find the person who saw the good in me, I have hope for you.”

“I’ve settled on being the family spinster,” I sighed.

“Come on, you got a billionaire to follow you… where did you go? Should I ask?”

I laughed. “It wasn’t too sinister. We went to Keys.”

“Ah, that’s on-brand.”

I snickered.

“Well, he chased you there, Odette. You charmed him. I think it’s good for you. He’d be stupid not to see how smart and kind you are. Give yourself some credit.”

I wished I could believe Rick.

“Overall, other than the boy—man—you found, how did it go?”

“Really great,” I answered. “I felt good. Can I tell you another secret?”

Rick smiled. “Anything, kid.”

“I want to prove my worth to Alexandra. I want this Vision 360 patronage to be mine. I know I can help her.”

“I can try to put in a good word—maybe point it out?”

“Could you?” I asked.

“If it makes you happy, Odette, I’ll do my best,” Rick promised.