9. Lennon
LENNON
My pride warned me it was going to be hard.
My nerves warned me it was going to be scary.
But my heart... my heart whispered it was going to be worth it.
—Lennon’s Secret Thoughts
Atticus
Dad just asked if you’re coming home for Monty’s father’s party. What do you want me to tell him?
Lennon
Maybe don’t tell him I’m in Kroydon Hills.
Atticus
Acca-scuse me?
Lennon
Grown men don’t quote Pitch Perfect, Atticus.
Atticus
Grown men don’t know what they’re missing out on. It’s fabulous, and I’d bend that uptight little blonde over until she was singing my name.
Lennon
Eww. I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Atticus
Morning sickness?
Lennon
No. Brother sickness, you twat.
Atticus
Okay, you’re in Kroydon Hills. Have you seen the mafia prince yet? Does he know he has super sperm?
Lennon
Remind me why I put up with you.
Atticus
Because if you kill me, you’re one step closer to the throne, and none of us want that.
Lennon
Point taken. Fine. You may live.
Atticus
There’s my evil queen. Okay. You’re in Kroydon Hills. What’s the plan, Stan?
I shake my head. I swear, having a conversation with my brother can be utterly exhausting sometimes. Our parents had him tested for ADD once, and to all our surprise, he doesn’t have it. Keeping this man on track is hard. Matching his level of energy is even harder.
Lennon
I don’t exactly have a plan.
I walk into the living room of the penthouse suite I’m renting and find Maria already sitting on my couch instead of the room I rented for her, one door down. We got in late last night, and she and I went to our own rooms, but Maria always has a key to my room. I guess she let herself in while I was showering.
I may have overslept a bit. But in my defense, I’m not sure I’ve ever been as physically and mentally drained as I am right now.
She looks up from her laptop, nods, then goes back to work.
A woman of few words.
Atticus
Okay. How about this? Tell the baby daddy he’s about to be a daddy. Then go for round two, and let him be your DADDY before you have to come home and marry the douchey duke.
I stare at the message, with ice coating my veins, reading it and rereading it.
I may not have planned anything about this pregnancy or even thought I wanted this, but all it took was hearing that galloping little heartbeat for me to fall in love. And the thought of still marrying Monty and letting him anywhere near my baby scares me to the core.
Lennon
I don’t know, Atticus. I just... I don’t think I can.
Atticus
Pretty sure you don’t have a choice, princess bride.
Lennon
OMG. Stop with the pop culture and be serious. And while you’re at it, try reading a book for a change.
Atticus
Blasphemy.
Lennon
Proud you could spell that.
Atticus
Thanks. Me too.
Grandfather will never let you break this engagement. Monty’s family is too important to the crown. He forced his own daughter into an arranged marriage. Do you really think he’s above doing it to you?
Lennon
... ... ...
It takes me so long to respond, my phone actually falls asleep.
Lennon
I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know what I don’t think I can do.
Atticus
Seems to be a theme. You flew halfway across the world. Pretty sure it’s time to figure it out, don’t you?
Lennon
I think I need to talk to Maddox before I make any decisions. He might not even want any ties to the baby.
Atticus
Denial isn’t just a river in Mexico.
Lennon
It’s Africa, you moron.
Atticus
I thought it was in Egypt.
Lennon
Which is on the continent of Africa.
How did you pass your secondary school exams?
Atticus
I blew a professor or two.
Lennon
Sounds about right.
Atticus
Maybe try blowing the mafia prince. Maybe you could get him to put a hit on Monty.
Lennon
Please tell me you’re not serious.
Atticus
Nope. If I thought that would work, I’d put the hit out myself. But he’s like a cat with nine lives. He’d probably come back a bigger asshole than he already is.
Lennon
Truth.
Atticus
Hope you’re wearing something that shows off your tits. He may take the news better if he can see the fun bags.
Lennon
I hate you.
Atticus
You don’t.
Lennon
Fine. I don’t. But you’re a pain in my ass.
Atticus
I accept that. Call me later and let me know how he takes it.
Lennon
Love you.
Atticus
You too.
I sit down next to Maria and drop my head back against the cushion, wondering how I ended up here. Absolutely furious with myself for feeling so helpless. For allowing myself to even be in a position where everyone else has more say over my life than I do. But completely unable to see an answer through the maze laid out before me. “Any chance you can use your super-secret spy skills to find me a needle in a haystack?”
Maria cocks her eyebrow and turns her computer my way.
A website for West End Bar & Grill stares back.
“The easiest thing to do would be to call him. But if that’s not an option, I’d start here.”
I pull her computer onto my lap and run a finger over the screen.
Looks like I’m finally going to West End.
* * *
W alking into the bar is like walking into one of Maddox’s stories. He talked about this place so often and in such detail, I feel like I’ve been here a hundred times before. Edison bulbs are strung from the ceiling, and beautiful old, repurposed wood gives the place a chic, warm vibe. It’s cool without trying, and I love it. It’s also packed for barely noon. Even if my body hasn’t acclimated to the time and thinks it should be closer to dinner than lunch.
Waitresses walk by, busy with trays of food that smell phenomenal, and my stomach growls. Shoot. When was the last time I ate?
A plate of fries passes by, and my mouth waters.
Ohh... I need some of them.
Shoot.
Focus, Lennon.
Maria hangs back, giving me space and the small semblance of privacy I asked for as I make my way to the bar and an unfortunately familiar face.
“Well, well, well,” the youngest Beneventi brother grins when he sees me. “Look who decided to grace the common folk with her royal presence.”
I cross my arms over my chest and glare. “I’m sorry... Have I done something to offend you or are you just naturally an asshole?”
He blows me off and fills two pints of beer while I wait for an answer, with my frustration growing incrementally by the minute until he turns my way again. “Did you want a drink, princess?”
I shake my head. “Is Maddox here?”
“Nope.” The jerk seems really happy about that answer too, and I don’t have the energy to overanalyze that little nugget.
“Could you please tell me where I can find him?” I ask as sweetly as possible, but Lucky Beneventi isn’t impressed, and I’m losing my patience.
“Why should I? The last time he saw you, you bailed. In our world, that makes you worthless.”
Well hell.
Little Beneventi just called me worthless.
I’ve been called quite a few things in my life, but that’s a new one.
I narrow my eyes, attempting to hold my temper at bay. “If I remember correctly, you’d just informed me that your brother had slept with my cousin.”
Even hearing myself say those words still stings.
“Were you two dating?”
“Excuse me?” I bristle, and I immediately see Lucky perk up.
He likes the fight.
Of course he does. He’s Maddox’s brother.
Ugh...
“You and Maddox. Were you dating? Exclusive? In a relationship?” he rattles his questions in quick succession. “Did he break a promise by fucking your cousin?”
“Maybe you should ask your brother that if you really want to know,” I counter. “In the meantime, how about you tell me how to find him.”
“Do I look like I’m my brother’s keeper?” he argues.
My frustrations mount, but years of social graces being drilled into me refuse to let me make the scene I wish I could. “You look like you’re enjoying this.”
He completely ignores me and grabs a rag from the back of his jeans and starts wiping down the bar until I slap my hand down on top of it, stopping him. “Listen, I’m asking nicely, and I’m using small words, so I’m fairly certain you can understand me.”
Lucky tries to pull away, but I grab his wrist and lean in conspiratorially against the bar, then motion for him before looking over my shoulder. “Do you see that woman behind me? The one in the blue suit?”
I follow Lucky’s eyes as they search for Maria. She’s not hard to find. She sticks out like a sore thumb in the bar full of low-key patrons here to enjoy lunch and drinks. My royal protection officer looks like she’s about to murder someone. Something I may be able to use to my advantage.
When he brings his eyes back to mine, unimpressed, I smile. “She knows 150 ways to kill a man and has diplomatic immunity.”
“Looks more like a glorified nanny to me,” he huffs.
She doesn’t.
He’s bluffing.
“Would you like to find out?” I push harder.
I really don’t want to call Maddox.
This is a conversation that needs to happen in person, even if it would be so much easier if I didn’t have to stand in front of him and tell him this.
“Lucky... please,” I ask as nicely as I can. “I’m not here to hurt him.”
Shockingly, little Beneventi softens for a split second before he grinds his teeth. “He’s probably at il leone.”
“Could you please tell me where that is?” I ask with a smile and have a pretty good idea of what il leone is.
He did it.
He talked about it for ages.
He’s opening his restaurant.
This beautiful man is putting all his plans in motion.
And at this rate, I won’t be here to see any of them.
How can I when I’ll be a continent away, raising his child?
Lucky looks over my shoulder again before grabbing a cocktail napkin and jotting something down. “Don’t fuck over my brother, princess. You might think your girl back there is a good shot, but my mom’s better.” He pushes the napkin my way but doesn’t lift his hand yet. “That being said, I may have underestimated you.”
I tug the paper away and tuck it in my purse. “You’re not the first person.”