Chapter 26
Theo
“You're what?” Kaiden's face morphed from sleepy confusion to utter shock, his spoonful of sugary cereal stopping midway to his mouth, milk dripping onto the table.
I stood in the doorway of our shared apartment, half-packed duffel bag in my hands and heart thundering against my ribs.
The early morning light filtered through the blinds, casting stripes across the kitchen where my roommates sat nursing their coffees.
I'd rehearsed what I was going to say like a million times last night while lying in Ricard's arms, but now that I was here, my brain went blank.
“I'm leaving,” I repeated, my voice steadier than expected. “Today. With Ricard.”
Carter's coffee mug froze halfway to his lips.
“The duke? You're leaving with a client?” His eyebrows pulled together in that serious way of his, instantly going into protective big-brother mode.
“Theo, that's literally rule number one they drill into us during orientation. No personal relationships with clients.”
The word client made me flinch. It felt wrong now, like calling a hurricane a light breeze. “He's not—” I set the duffel bag down and ran a hand through my hair. “We're not like that anymore.”
“Holy shit,” Kaiden breathed, dramatically clutching his chest and slumping back in his chair.
His cereal forgotten, he switched into full gossip mode.
“Oh. My. God. This is like Pretty Woman, except with a duke instead of Richard Gere!
You're living the dream! Wait, is he whisking you away to his castle? Does he have a castle? Tell me he has a castle.”
Carter shot Kaiden a look. “Not helping.”
“What? I'm just saying what we're all thinking,” Kaiden said with a flick of his wrist. “Our little Theo, snagging actual royalty. I'm shook, but also kind of impressed?”
“Dead serious,” I said, leaning against the doorframe, aware of how completely insane this all sounded when said out loud. “Look, I know it's fast. I know it breaks every rule in The Ranch's handbook. But this is... different. He's different.”
“Different how?” Carter asked, his voice level but concerned, while Kaiden just stared at me with his mouth hanging open like he was waiting for me to spill the most epic gossip ever.
I understood his hesitation. If our roles were reversed, I’d probably be saying the same things.
But how could I explain what had happened between Ricard and me?
“He came back for me,” I said simply, hoping they could see the significance in my words.
“He left everything behind to come back. For me.”
Kaiden set his mug down, absorbing that information. “And you trust him?”
“I do.” The certainty in my voice surprised me, though underneath it all, a twist of anxiety gnawed at me. “And it’s not just about him. This is about Casey too. Ricard wants to help with Casey's treatment. We're flying to San Diego today to get him, and then... we're going to Avaline.”
“Avaline,” Carter repeated. “As in, the actual European country? With castles and shit?”
I nodded, a slightly hysterical laugh bubbling up in my throat. “With castles and shit.”
“So let me get this straight,” Kaiden said, counting on his fingers. “Your duke is flying you to San Diego today, picking up your brother, then taking both of you to live in his tiny European country where Casey will get treatment at some fancy European brain clinic?”
When he put it that way, it sounded batshit crazy. “Yeah, pretty much.”
For a moment, the kitchen was silent, my words settling in. Both of them knew how much I cared for Casey, and they could probably sense my nervousness about this leap.
Then Kaiden stood up and pulled me into a tight hug. “Holy shit, Theo. This is insane. In the best possible way.”
I hugged him back, grateful that he was on my side. When we pulled apart, I saw Carter’s cautious smile, and I felt a flutter of hope.
“If anyone deserves a fairy tale ending, it's you,” he said, stepping forward to join us. “Just... guard your heart, all right?”
“I will,” I promised, even though deep down, I knew it was already too late for that. My heart was already invested in this leap of faith.
We broke apart, and I glanced at the time on my phone. “I should finish packing. Ricard's waiting for me in the lobby.”
“The lobby?” Kaiden's eyes widened. “Ibrahim's going to have a stroke. Like, actual medical emergency.”
I grimaced. “Yeah, well... I think we're past following The Ranch's rulebook at this point.”
“No kidding.” Carter shook his head in disbelief. “Do you need help before you take off with your duke?”
The casual way he said your duke sent a flutter through my stomach. My duke. That still didn't feel real. “Actually, if you could help me gather my stuff, that would be great. I don't have much, but…” I gestured around the apartment.
“Say no more.” Kaiden clapped his hands together. “Operation 'Get Theo's Ass to Europe' is officially underway.”
The next twenty minutes flew by in a flurry of motion.
Kaiden and Carter swept through the apartment with surprising precision, collecting my belongings and stuffing them into my duffel bag and a small suitcase they’d somehow found.
“You know, this is basically Cinderella,” Kaiden remarked, folding one of my shirts, “except your Prince Charming comes with a private jet instead of a pumpkin carriage.”
Carter whistled. “Of course he does. Jesus, Theo, you hit the jackpot.”
“It’s not about the money,” I said, needing them to understand. “Or the title, or any of that. It’s about him. About us.”
“We know.” Carter’s voice was gentle. “We’re just giving you shit because that’s what friends do. But seriously, we’re happy for you.”
“Ecstatic, even,” Kaiden added, zipping up the duffel bag. “And low-key jealous as hell, but mostly ecstatic.”
I laughed, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. “Thanks, guys. For everything. These past few weeks... I don’t know what I would've done without you.”
“Oh God, don’t get sappy on us now.” Kaiden pretended to gag, but I could see his eyes getting shiny. “Save the tearful goodbyes for the airport scene in the Netflix adaptation of your life.”
We did one final sweep of the apartment to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything important.
As I looked around the small space that had been my home for the past few weeks, a bittersweet feeling washed over me.
Despite the brevity of my time here, despite the complicated emotions I had about my work as a companion, this place had felt like a sanctuary.
It had been my first step in the journey to help Casey, a means to an end that had unexpectedly led me to Ricard.
“You okay?” Kaiden asked, noticing my hesitation.
“Yeah.” I took a deep breath and picked up my duffel bag. “Just... processing.”
“That's a lot to process,” he said with a sympathetic smile. “But hey, if anyone can handle it, it's you.”
His confidence in me bolstered my resolve. I squared my shoulders and nodded. “Let's do this.”
“Wait,” Kaiden said, his normally joking face suddenly serious.
“This is happening too fast. I didn't prepare an emotional goodbye speech.” He put his hands on my shoulders.
“Theo Bennett, when you showed up here all wide-eyed and terrified, I took one look at you and thought, ‘This kid's not gonna last a week.’”
“Gee, thanks,” I said dryly.
“But,” he continued, “you surprised me. You handled every crazy thing The Ranch threw at you with more guts than guys who've been here for years.” His voice softened. “And now you're off to be with an actual freaking duke. Best career trajectory ever.”
I laughed, feeling my eyes sting a little. “I couldn't have survived this place without you guys showing me the ropes.”
“Damn straight,” Kaiden agreed. “When you're settled in your castle or whatever, you better video chat us, I'm sure Vincent would be cool with that. I need to see this fairy tale ending with my own eyes.”
Carter, who'd been quietly listening, pulled something from his pocket. “Here,” he said gruffly, handing me a small envelope. “Contact info for both of us. Email, phone, social media—everything. No excuses for losing touch.”
I took the envelope, surprised by the gesture. “Thanks, I—”
“And,” he continued, cutting me off, “if things don't work out with His Royal Highness, not saying they won't, but if, you call us. Day or night. We'll help you figure it out.”
The safety net they were offering hit me right in the chest. These guys who'd known me for just weeks were ready to have my back across continents. “I will,” I promised, my voice a little unsteady. “Same goes for you both. If you ever need anything...”
“Like introductions to Ricard's hot royal friends?” Kaiden suggested hopefully.
“Even that,” I laughed, only half-joking.
We made our way through the companion quarters and out into the main complex of The Ranch.
Despite the early hour, the resort was already buzzing with activity, staff preparing for the day, early risers lounging by the pool or enjoying breakfast on the terraces.
A few heads turned as we passed, likely wondering about the unusual sight of a companion with luggage, flanked by two other companions.
Approaching the lobby, my steps faltered.
Through the large glass doors, I could see Ricard standing near the reception desk, engaged in conversation with Vincent Stone.
Even from this distance, the sight of him made my breath catch, tall and elegant in a tailored suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean frame, his posture radiating confidence without arrogance.
As if sensing my presence, he glanced up, his eyes finding mine through the glass.
The smile that spread across his face was like something out of a movie, this warm, radiant look that made my stomach do a weird flip.
All my doubts and anxieties just melted away under that smile, replaced by a certainty that felt almost reckless.
This was right. We were right.