Truth or Spare (Princes Take New York #2)

Epilogue

Schonbühel, Austria, nine months later…

Dewey hadn’t felt nervous until the limousine turned into the castle’s courtyard and an army of uniformed servants came out to greet them. He had thoroughly enjoyed their week in the Umbrian countryside with Theo’s aunts, uncles, and cousins and was surprised at how normal his childhood home in southern Austria was.

But Dewey would never get used to the opulence and the formality of the world Theo and his brothers existed in once they stepped foot in Austria. They had flown first class and a limo and a security detail were waiting when Theo and Dewey landed in Vienna with Walter. They couldn’t bring the whole family so Roddy was minding their other five dogs and three cats while they were away. He had moved back into his old room a few months earlier and was enjoying his new role as pet uncle.

A stuffy, little man named Johann had dogged Dewey’s steps their first day in Vienna, asking for his preferences and measurements. Dewey had quietly asked if it would be frowned upon if he pitched Johann out the nearest window, but Theo explained that he was Dewey’s butler for the duration of their visit. Even Walter had been assigned an assistant to see to his walks and meals and make sure his vests coordinated with Theo’s ensembles.

Johann had been Dewey’s first glimpse into just how heavy handed the Foundation could be. A massive suite at the Palais Coburg had been prepared for them and Dewey’s luggage had been confiscated. His entire wardrobe had been replaced by Johann and Theo had to notify people if they wanted to leave the hotel so their itinerary could be cleared and security arranged.

“It isn’t always this strict,” Theo had murmured in Dewey’s ear as they were leaving the city for the hour-long drive to Schonbühel. “We’ve made the Foundation nervous because you’re an American. They’re keeping us on a short leash until they know how you’ll behave.”

“Me?” That had gotten a chuckle out of Dewey. “They should have done their research. I’m the last one to start trouble.”

“They did do their research,” Theo said, grinning proudly at Dewey. “There was nothing to find and that is just as worrisome as a criminal record. No one’s background is that spotless so it makes them suspicious. You’re a great, big American mystery,” he explained.

Dewey thought that was depressing. For Theo and his brothers. It was just a short term inconvenience for Dewey, but Leo and Theo had spent more than half of their lives under the Foundation’s oppressive thumb. “I can see why you don’t enjoy cities and think that Oslo is paradise,” he said, earning a sad sigh from Theo.

“It’s better in New York, but the Foundation is extra etepetete when any of us are in Austria because ‘all eyes are on us!’” he said with sneer. “They are tedious in London too, but they will back off while we are at Schonbühel. Leo is allowed his space because there isn’t much to do except for hiking and some rather pedestrian sightseeing. We can be ourselves there.”

Dewey hadn’t minded having all of his clothes replaced with better fitting, higher-end versions of the things he’d brought. And he had tolerated wearing a suit to dinner when they were in Vienna because Johann had insisted. But he was already relieved to be free of his Austrian shadow as they headed to Schonbühel and his mind boggled at how Theo and his brothers had tolerated the Foundation for so long.

Of course, Theo had escaped to Oslo, Matteo had set up shop in Manhattan at the Olympia, and Elio was well-insulated with his studies at Cambridge. That left Leo to bear the brunt of the Foundation’s scrutiny and Dewey had a whole new understanding of what it meant to be a von Hessen as he stepped out of the limo at Schonbühel.

The castle itself was something from a fairy tale, with flag-capped turrets, ivy-wrapped towers, high walls, and a drawbridge, but it looked like a beautiful cage to Dewey. Instead of being impressed by the size and orderliness of the staff or the extensive gardens, Dewey pitied Leopold von Hessen as he took in the extravagant castle and courtyard around him.

“There they are!” Theo had declared when the doors were opened by footmen and a more dignified and impossibly elegant, older version of Theo came down the steps. Dressed in a formal, dark gray, three-piece suit, he certainly looked the part of the proper margrave. A beautiful younger man with blond hair was at his side. Unlike Leo, he was dressed in an oversized ivory sweater, paint-smudged jeans, and Converse.

Muriel Hormsby appeared at the young man’s side and offered them a regal nod, but Leo’s entire demeanor changed the moment his gaze settled upon Theo. A huge smile filled his face and his eyes glittered as he jogged down the stairs. “Welcome back to Schonbühel!” he said as he tackled Theo, pulling him into a tight hug. He cradled the back of Theo’s head as he rocked them, laughing ecstatically. “Mein Gott, I’ve missed you.”

Theo’s eyes were closed as he held onto Leo and Dewey saw a tear roll down his cheek. “I’ve missed you too.”

The young man next to Dewey offered him a little wave but neither wanted to interrupt Theo and Leo’s reunion and allowed them as much time as they needed to laugh, cry, hug, and muss each other’s hair.

“You look good and you are well,” Leo said as he held Theo away from him and looked him over, sounding relieved as he nodded. He smiled as he turned to Dewey, offering his hand. “Welcome to Schonbühel and our family, Doobie,” he said as he clasped Dewey’s hand in both of his and shook it firmly. “Thank you for taking such good care of Theo.”

“Thank you, Leo, but it was my pleasure,” Dewey replied. Theo had advised Dewey to address Leo informally since they were all family at Schonbühel. None of the von Hessens could use their titles within Austria and were all referred to as “Herr.” But Dewey still felt awkward and was overwhelmed by Theo’s imposing older brother until Leo introduced Jonathon.

The stern, reserved lord transformed into a lovesick puppy the moment Leo’s eyes met Jonathon’s. “Doobie, this is my Jonathon. Jonathon, this is Mr. Dewey Brooks of Oslo, New York,” Leo said and Jonathon looked amused as he offered Dewey his hand.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Doobie. I’m Jonathon, formerly of Manhattan, New York. Welcome to our home,” he said as he shook Dewey’s hand, turning towards Muriel. “I believe you’ve already had the pleasure of meeting my aunt.”

She had her lorgnette out and was sizing Dewey up. “You’re looking better. Well done, Theobald.”

They were given a tour and served a light lunch, then Dewey was surprised by an invitation from Leo to accompany him on a walk. “Only if you are feeling up to it,” Leo insisted. “I know you have a condition and you’re probably still jet lagged,” he said, but Dewey shook his head.

“I could use a little exercise and fresh air. I had a great time in Italy, but I’ve been cooped up in cars and hotels since we arrived in Austria.”

“If you’re certain,” Leo said as he led Dewey out the dining room's terrace doors and down the back steps. “I prefer being outdoors and get restless too easily,” he admitted.

“I’ve never been good at sitting still either.”

“Gut!” Leo clapped him on the back affectionately. “You will let me know if you need to rest or if we should turn back,” he commanded as they set off.

“I’ll be fine,” Dewey said and whistled at the fountains, rows of sculpted topiaries, and classical statues decorating the castle’s extensive garden. “Although, I don’t envy whoever’s in charge of all of this,” he said, making Leo chuckle.

“Herr Eder and his team are very skilled. But tell me, how are you managing your condition? I have read that the prognosis for myasthenia gravis is generally positive and that you can live a nearly normal life with treatment, a good diet, and regular exercise. Remission is possible as well,” he said hopefully, but Dewey shook his head.

“I think I might be outside that window. It took me a while to realize something serious was wrong, and then it took my doctor a while to put the clues together.”

“Schade,” Leo whispered sadly and Dewey waved it off.

“I’m doing a lot better now and I can go days without feeling it.”

“That’s good,” Leo said with a broad smile and Dewey realized that the concern was not as much about his well being, but Theo’s.

“I wasn’t in good shape when I first met Theo,” Dewey admitted. “But I’m taking much better care of myself now and I’m working a lot less. That’s my priority because I need my energy to keep up with Theo and I don’t want to miss out on any of the fun.”

“I can’t tell you how much that pleases me,” Leo said warmly, giving Dewey’s shoulder a squeeze. He didn’t talk as much with his hands as Theo and Matteo, but Leo was just as tactile with those he cared about.

“I’m bowling again,” Dewey said to him and Leo’s brows rose.

“Wonderful. Ja? I know very little about bowling.”

Dewey nodded. “It’s pretty wonderful. I had to give it up for a while because I was killing myself with work and life. For a Brooks, that’s devastating. Like being from a long line of fishermen and having to give up the sea.”

“That must have been difficult.”

“It was, and I made it worse by being too proud to tell people I was sick. But Theo helped with…everything. I have more than enough help at the bowling alley, I get plenty of rest, and I’m eating better,” he explained, earning a knowing hum from Leo.

“Sounds like my brother’s work and just like what he needs. We all miss him—even Eli, in his own way—and we wouldn’t have allowed you to keep him if we thought he was being taken for granted.”

“You’ll never have to worry about that, Leo,” Dewey vowed. “He was always a prince to me, long before I found out he was an actual royal. The whole town loves him too. Lidia Wells would commit homicide if someone said a bad word about Theo and Cassie would help her bury the body.”

There was a long silence and Leo’s expressions fluctuated between befuddled to concerned to amused before he finally coughed and shook his head. “The less I know about that, the better. I am delighted to hear that Theo has found such a caring and supportive community. I think he’s craved that as much as a new purpose.”

“Will you be okay without him?” Dewey asked quietly.

Leo’s steps faltered and he sucked in a breath as if he’d taken a blow, then shook his head. He laughed softly, but a tear clung to his lashes as he marched on. “I am never without Theo. He’s always here,” he said, touching the center of his chest. “You can take him to New York or the moon, but he’ll always be with me.”

“You know, you take up a lot of space in Oslo. Not in a bad way,” Dewey told him, making Leo chuckle. “Theo mentions you at least once an hour and I get to eat all your favorite foods.”

There was pained gasp from Leo and he clutched his stomach. “I should ask Theo to make Cappellacci di Zucca while he’s here. The kitchen will be in an uproar and Frau Fischer will wring her hands, but Sabine can smooth it over,” he said and Dewey snorted.

“Theo would probably enjoy the uproar and have Frau Fischer in the palm of his hand in no time.”

“My brother never changes. I can count on that, at least,” Leo said, then grinned at Dewey. “Although, he has settled down for you. I used to worry about Theo’s…restlessness.”

Dewey rolled his eyes because he knew what Leo meant by that. “He said he was saving his heart for you and your brothers.”

Leo hummed seriously. “He has always been so self-sacrificing,” he said with a wink and they both laughed. “But I don’t think Theo could have found love until he accepted that Matteo and Elio could take care of themselves. He had to give himself permission to move on and that was difficult for Theo. It went against his entire nature to do that. I suppose that’s why he had to go all the way to Oslo to find himself. And you,” Leo said with a nod at Dewey.

The rest of the conversation was lighter, thankfully. Leo had many questions about the bowling alley and Dewey’s family and he was very interested in Bryce’s progress at Cornell.

“I’m looking forward to visiting Oslo the next time we’re in New York,” Leo said as they returned to the castle’s terrace and what looked like a parlor. Dewey could hear Muriel and Theo talking about Matteo and saw how Leo’s attention honed in on the conversation.

“You’re always welcome in Oslo,” Dewey said. “If you ever want to hide and pretend you’re not a prince,” he added jokingly but Leo’s smile faded and he looked sad as he shook his head.

“I don’t think I would have as much luck as Theo. For one, there is a GPS locator in my wrist, in case I’m abducted,” he said, holding up his hand. Leo’s gaze drifted around the terrace and the garden and he sighed heavily. “This is my place until the Foundation dispatches me to a grand opening or a ceremony to cut a ribbon, or give a medal, or perform a moving speech about our beautiful and noble Austrian heritage.”

Dewey couldn’t help but replace the word ‘place’ with cage and felt sorry for Leo. “Hey.” He offered Leo a conspiratorial nod and stepped closer so he could whisper. “I’ve got a pocket knife. I could jimmy that thing out of your wrist and we could make a run for it,” he said, completely serious.

For a moment, Leo seemed younger and lighter as he looked around. “There’s a backroad in the woods that would take us straight to the border. We could be in Slovakia by this afternoon.”

“Okay…” Dewey squinted as he tried to work out how they’d do it. “I have a feeling we should consult with Muriel. She probably has connections there,” he said and Leo laughed as he clasped Dewey’s shoulder.

“Maybe next time. But I appreciate your willingness. Matteo said you could be trusted in a pinch.”

“Doesn’t that worry you?” Dewey asked, concerned himself about why Matteo was establishing a network of accomplices in New York.

“I worry about Matteo the most.”

“Really? I would have thought Elio was the one who kept you up at night,” Dewey said, earning a pained groan from Leo.

“I worry about Matteo the most . That does not mean I do not pace incessantly about Eli. His saving grace is that he will listen to Theo and he’s a genius. He’s allowed to be wayward and obstinate because he sees the universe when he looks at numbers and everything is physics to him. That is why he rarely breaks a bone with his skateboarding and his climbing. Matteo will only go as far as his looks and his mouth can take him.”

“Do you ever get tired of this?” Dewey asked, gesturing around them. “Or not being able to say ‘fuck it’ and go wherever you want?”

“Nearly every day,” Leo responded obviously. “But like you, I care too much about how many people I’d disappoint. I knew what I was getting into and accepted that it was worth the price.”

“Was it worth it, though?”

Leo nodded quickly. “Absolutely! I have saved so much land and nature for our children and their children. My brothers are not penniless and they can be whatever they want. Elio will be a famous astrophysicist and Matteo will…do something,” he said with an eye roll. “And Theo can find himself in an American bowling alley. But it was him or me—or nothing—and I would never allow Theo to carry the weight of this for me.” Leo grunted and shook his head. “I have my Jonathon, so I can bear anything now. Theo would have done it, but he would have been miserable and he wouldn’t have found you.”

That comment rattled Dewey and stuck with him throughout the day. What if Leo had left like Roddy and Theo was the one carrying the von Hessen title? Leo had been chosen while he was still in school and groomed to be the Margrave from a young age. Theo had received a formal education like his brother and had prettier manners than Leo, but he would truly feel caged and being Margrave would have sucked all the joy and kindness out of Theo.

Dewey was glad that Theo had insisted they visit Italy and Austria. He still couldn’t believe he’d crossed the ocean and spent a night in London—at an actual Ritz—and a week in the Umbrian countryside. But Dewey understood Theo and appreciated his brothers and their bond so much more and felt a very real connection to Leo that would never have happened over the phone and video calls.

He had seen only the tip of the iceberg when it came to that bond, especially between Leo and Theo. You couldn’t truly know Theo or how his heart worked if you didn’t know Leo. They were as much a part of each other as their own limbs and Dewey wished that Wikipedia was big enough to explain who the von Hessens truly were.

“So… How was your talk with Leo?” Theo asked Dewey when they returned to their suite. “He said you had a pleasant chat and that he likes you very much. But you’ve been quiet all day.”

Their suite was just as large and elegant as their rooms at the Palais Coburg and Dewey hadn’t quite adjusted to maids and footmen coming in and silently working around them. They didn’t bother Theo. He slid out of his coat and tugged his tie loose as a young woman passed with a crystal pitcher of fresh water and left it on the sideboard.

“Good…” Dewey craned his neck and watched until she left them. “He’s great and I’m glad we came,” he said quietly. “I have half a mind to—” he paused when Theo’s butler arrived to collect his coat, tie, and cufflinks.

“Half a mind to…?” Theo asked as he held out his left arm and the older man worked on his wrist. Dewey cleared his throat and shook his head faintly, widening his eyes at the butler, but Theo snorted. “He can’t hear you, Brooks,” he said with a tip of his head in the butler’s direction. “He’s trained to see and hear nothing and anticipate everything. Isn’t that right?” Theo asked the older man but he worked as if Theo’s sleeve was floating in an empty room and calmly draped the coat and tie over his own arm before leaving. “Half a mind to…?” Theo prompted again as he prowled toward Dewey and reached for his tie.

“I was saying that I had half a mind to bust Leo out,” he whispered, making Theo groan.

“Mein Gott! I love you so much!” He grabbed Dewey’s beard and kissed him hard. Theo was laughing and his eyes sparkled as he searched Dewey’s face. “He would never do it, but I love that you would . You are such a good man, Brooks.”

“Well…” Dewey shrugged, spreading his hands across Theo’s back and holding him closer. He swayed, rocking Theo the way he did when they danced to their song. “I think Leo’s a good man and I wish he was happier.”

“Ja, genau,” Theo sighed as he curled an arm around Dewey’s neck. “I wouldn’t say that Leo is unhappy with his lot in life. He would do something similar if he wasn’t Margrave, he’d just have more freedom to be with us. He’s learned how to leverage his position and is much more powerful now. And he has his Jonathon and being here with Leo is all that Jonathon wants. They’re very happy together in this cage. I find a lot of comfort in that. Leo was miserable for years and it drove me crazy not knowing how to fix him.”

“He really is obsessed with Jonathon. Jonathon…is a little harder to read.”

Theo hummed sadly. “He was a victim of my brother’s success and the Foundation’s schemes. Their story was not as easy as ours. They faced dragons and were kept apart by a terrible spell that took years to break. We’ve seen what loving Leo cost Jonathon and how it’s healed him. He’s quiet about it, but Jonathon loves my brother deeply .”

“That’s good. There are an alarming number of portraits of Jonathon in Leo’s study. That didn’t seem very healthy but I wasn’t gonna bring it up if you all were fine with it.”

“There’s a story behind that as well,” Theo said with a sigh. “Jonathon is a brilliant artist and painted those while he was waiting for Leo to rescue him,” he explained, making Dewey whistle in disbelief.

“So Leo kept them to punish himself? He’s a masochist?” Dewey guessed.

Theo hissed and winced. “Nee, he kept them because he is obsessed with Jonathon and likes seeing his face everywhere. There are more but we told Leo it was weird and that he should limit them to his study.”

“Hmm. I guess this works for them, then,” Dewey murmured. “And you work for me,” he said as he lowered his head and brushed his lips against Theo’s. “Well… I wouldn’t say you work for me, but we work.”

A wicked grin stretched across Theo’s face. “Would you say we’re a striking pair, boss?”

“I’d say… That’s Quatsch and you should shut up and kiss me,” Dewey said, then turned when there was a swift tap and Leo strode into the room.

Theo spun, frowning at the clock on the mantle. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

“It’s Matteo… He isn’t answering his phone or responding to his texts. I can’t find his location,” Leo said, looking worried as Muriel hurried into the room in her dressing gown.

“He hasn’t been seen at the Olympia for a week and his accountant says he hasn’t touched a thing,” she stated, marching in front of the fireplace. She crossed her arms over her chest and humphed at them. “Theobald and I must return to Manhattan immediately.”

Theo bowed, nodding as he took out his phone and began tapping and swiping. “Let me see who I know in Manhattan at the moment…”

“I’ve already talked to Max,” Leo said to him. “He knows you’re incoming and is already looking for Matteo.”

“I’m going with you,” Dewey said as he went to check the other rooms for Johann but Theo stopped him.

“ Danke . I am hoping this is nothing, but I don’t know what I’ll do if he’s hurt or—” his voice cracked and Dewey pulled him into a tight hug.

“Matteo is fine,” Dewey said firmly, kissing the words into Theo’s hair. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about that one, he’s probably up to something and has an escape plan.”

Theo laughed shakily, wiping his cheeks. “Of course! You’re right and I am going to wring his neck when we get back to New York.”

“That’s the spirit,” Dewey said as he pointed at Theo. “Tell them to hurry up and pack all your suitcases and let’s go find Matteo.”

A year ago, Dewey would have laughed if anyone had told him he’d have his own prince and go on a royal adventure to Europe and Manhattan. Now, he had Theo and his remarkable family, making Dewey part of the luckiest love story to ever happen in Oslo, New York.

The End