The trip to the island now seemed ridiculous.

  At least I’d met the most gorgeous man alive.

  Then I’d fled like a scaredy cat. Boy, I was truly batting a thousand at this point, acting more like a teenager than a grown woman. No, back to real life.

  Whatever the hell that meant.

  Sighing, I remembered that I had committed to handling an event on my own, a charity casino night for a pet rescue organization. Now that was something I could get behind. I adored animals. I’d always wanted to open a sanctuary for unwanted fur babies of all types.

  As my father said, it was a huge pipe dream.

  As I slipped into my Mercedes convertible, a bribe from my parents to continue my royal duties since I had to be seen in a fabulous, expensive car, I fanned my face. The dreams I’d had about the man could burn down an entire ten-story building.

  I was careful when pulling out, checking my rearview mirror a half dozen times until I was certain the coast was clear. There was no way either Dugger or my parents would have a clue as to where I’d gone. How ridiculous that at my age, I needed a bodyguard.

  Yep, my father was a hated man back in Australia, but this should be a clean slate for him, no matter the nefarious men he’d been reported to have ties to.

  I sped along the interstate, hating the traffic already but I had no intention of big city living. I wanted to go to a beach community, maybe open an art gallery. I couldn’t paint or draw but I could create a profitable business in a heartbeat.

  Maybe I’d add music and other forms of art. Yeah. That sounded amazing.

  I had a trust fund. I could afford a building of my own.

  Maybe.

  If dear Daddy hadn’t locked down the funds, holding them over my head.

  Laughing, I noticed a cop behind me and slowed down. I also had a lead foot, the number of tickets I’d received in Sydney ridiculous. The last thing I needed was to obtain a ticket here. My father would kill me if I used the old line of diplomatic immunity. He couldn’t afford a single additional scandal, or his world would be tossed upside down.

  So, I’d resigned myself to be a very good girl.

  For now.

  Maybe.

  My favorite word. I wasn’t making any promises at this point. Obviously, I sucked at keeping them.

  Even with the horrific traffic, I was thankful it was the middle of the day, able to get to the adorable diner only fifteen minutes later.

  This was Ashton’s favorite place, the kind of a dive where you could get the best Bloody Marys and bottles of wine for the cheapest in the business. Even as I parked, I studied the rearview mirror, shrinking down when I noticed a dark sedan rolling past the parking lot. I glanced into the side mirror, finally taking a deep breath.

  The vehicle was like thousands of others in the capital city. Between black SUVs and huge black sedans, it would seem all politicians were coddled with drivers as well as bodyguards. When I was certain the car had disappeared, I climbed out, adjusting my sunglasses. With my long hair in a ponytail, wearing jeans and tennis shoes, I doubted anyone would recognize me.

  Even though all the controversy had crossed the big pond on several occasions.

  Infamous.

  There was another word.

  The moment I walked into the quaint joint, my mouth watered. We had several chefs at our beck and call, but I was finished with four- or five-course meals consisting of food I couldn’t pronounce.

  Of course I could, but contrary to what Braxton had witnessed, I was a down to earth gal preferring American cheeseburgers and fries dipped in ketchup. For me, that was a true delicacy.

  Ashton squealed before I’d made it to the table, throwing her arms around me for a huge hug.

  “I wasn’t entirely certain I’d ever see you again,” she breathed, squeezing my arms before pulling away. “You look incredible. You’re glowing. You got a job.”

  I laughed as we sat down at what we’d considered our favorite diner while attending Georgetown. I ripped off my shades, leaving them on the table. “Not yet but I am working on it.”

  “Is that your hot red convertible?” she asked, giving me one of her mischievous looks.

  “Yeah, a gift from dear old Daddy. He’s just trying to keep me in line.”

  “Way to go, Pops.”

  A Bloody Mary was almost immediately placed in front of me and I grinned at the waitress.

  “Are you ladies ready to order?” she asked.

  “Not yet but can we have a basket of your homemade chips and your famous creamy jalapeno ranch dip?”

  “Sure can, sugar. Just let me know when you’re ready to order.”

  Ashton was laughing. “I tried calling you a couple days ago, but I had to leave a message.”

  “Yeah, I was a little out of pocket.” I hated myself that I couldn’t get Braxton off my mind, but he had a way of tattooing his personality and his scent all over anyone he hungered for. Maybe that was why I was glowing.

  “Out of pocket? Your parents allowed that to happen?”

  “I forced it. They were too busy settling in their mansion to worry.”

  “Well, where did you go? A little vacation?” She took a sip of her drink.

  I sat back, tossing my purse further away. I’d already turned off the phone’s ringer. I certainly wasn’t interested in being harangued during lunch. “Something like that.”

  “Oh, come on. Spill it.” Ashton pushed my arm.

  “Let me ask you a question. Have you ever heard of the Royal Players Club?”

  She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head slightly as she thought about my question. “Yeah, it’s a Caribbean island catering to rich people. Right?”

  “That’s only half of it. There are two islands, one near St. Thomas and one near St. Martin. They not only cater to the rich who want to get away and be ensured privacy, but the resort also sports high dollar casinos and clubs. Extremely posh. Only accessible by private jet services. The island I was staying at had incredible beaches too. If you’re into that kind of thing.”

  “Sounds incredible, but why do I get the feeling there’s more to this?”

  The girl knew me far too well. I made certain no one was listening in, even leaning over the table. “Let’s just say the other aspect they cater to is pretty much every dark proclivity and sexual activity you can think of. Imagine debauchery on a silver platter. No worries about reporters or sneaky photographers. Members, who can bring guests, are treated like kings and queens while getting their rocks off.”

  She had that look on her face I’d seen far too many times. One where she wasn’t quite certain whether I was joking or not.

  I kept a straight face.

  “You’re serious.”

  “Very.”

  “We used to talk about a little kinky stuff, but you went to an island devoted to it? I am… floored.”

  One sip of the Blood Mary turned into two more. I’d forgotten just how good they were. “I assure you that I didn’t go there for the kink. The gambling on the other hand…”

  She opened her eyes wide. “Ah, okay. Being a little card shark again?”

  Shrugging, I glanced out the window. I had missed being in DC, but not with my parents here. “I figured it might be the last foray into assuming the bad girl mode. I just needed time to myself.”

  “I understand completely.”

  There was no doubt she was scrutinizing me, making a list of all the questions she wanted to ask. She had a way of doing so that I used to hate but no longer. Mostly.

  “What?” I asked when she drummed her fingers on the table.

  “There’s more to this story. Isn’t there?”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Because you’re blushing and that’s not you.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “You could always read me so well. I assure you that I went there to make some money, feel like my name wasn’t attached to one scandal after another, and have a few drinks.”

  “But…”

  “But the owner caught me cheating at cards.”

  “Oh, shit,” Ashton gasped under her breath. “What did he do?”

  Made me his sex slave. I certainly couldn’t just throw it out there. “Make me a deal I couldn’t refuse.”

  “A deal. What kind of deal?” As the waitress walked closer, I took a deep breath. Admitting I’d been careless with my card skills was tough enough but letting her know I’d surrendered to a powerful man a dozen times was… Well, the truth.

  Another truth was how much I’d enjoyed doing so.

  “Have you girls decided?” she asked.

  “Yes, two big, sloppy burgers with American cheese and bacon. Real bacon. And fries with cheese sauce and ketchup. Lots of fries.”

  Ashton laughed. “I hope that was an order for both of us.”

  “Of course, silly.”

  “Comin’ right up,” the girl said after staring at us.

  Eating this way would eventually catch up to me but not right now. On this lovely afternoon, I was enjoying my soon to be full independence.

  I rubbed both hands over my head, rolling one finger around the ponytail. I used to do that in class, which drove Ashton crazy.

  “Come on. Out with it. What kind of deal did he make? Cleaning rooms as penance? Being a waitress?”

  “Not that simple.”

  “Then what? You’re killing me with the suspense here.”

  As I’d done before, I leaned closer, lifting the glass to hide behind it. Something else that wasn’t like me. Very little embarrassed me.

  Yet Braxton had managed to do so more than once.

  “Let’s just say he had carnal penance in mind.”

  It took her a few seconds to realize what I was saying. “Carnal. As in sexual?”

  “Well, maybe.”

  “Oh, my God. What a jerk. That’s horrible. Who was this dude? Are you going to turn him in to law enforcement?”

  “Oh, that would be great press to add to my illustrious and very notorious family. No. Plus, I had a good time.”

  Her grin was way too infectious. “You liked this guy?”

  “A little too much. I left quickly when he was still asleep.”

  “I have never known you to be a coward. What in the world?”

  “We live in two different worlds.”

  “Okay, his name. What is his name?”

  Cringing inside was the least of my emotions. “Braxton Royal.”

  She cocked her head to the point I could see recognition almost immediately. “I know that name.”

  “Yeah, he and his two brothers run several lucrative businesses.”

  She yanked her iPad from the seat beside her, something she never left home without.

  “I already looked him up. I know who he is,” I told her.

  “You likely know all the glossy stuff.”

  “Well, he is a powerful man like his brothers.”

  “This one?”

  Just seeing his photograph again brought about another series of wicked thoughts. “That’s him. Why?”

  “He’s not only powerful but considered dangerous.”

  “Aren’t all wealthy, influential men considered dangerous beasts?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Maybe but there have been several stories written about him I’ll find for you. Utter scandalous events. He’s a playboy too. I think he has a woman for all three hundred sixty-five days of every year.”

  I folded my arms, placing them on the table. “You think I’m afraid of some articles online after everything my family had been put through?”

  “Oops. I forgot. Just be careful. If the two of you are linked with a sex club, then all hell could break loose. If you think your news sources are terrible, American television and newspapers are much worse.”

  I hadn’t thought of that aspect. “Don’t worry. I’m not seeing him again. He doesn’t even know who I am. And I left without him knowing.”

  “Whew,” she said. “Well, he is incredible eye candy. I’d surrender to his needs.”

  Now we both laughed and I was thankful I’d come. This was exactly what I needed to soothe my soul.

  But what I really needed, the one thing I craved was the one thing I couldn’t have.

  Damn it.

  CHAPTER 10

  Braxton

  San Diego.

  Sunshine. Beautiful people. Incredible scenery.

  It was the city I’d grown up in, the one where my stepmother still lived and the opulent location where both of my brothers and I owned houses.

  Or in our cases, incredible sprawling estates.

  While there was extreme wealth in the city, as well as just the opposite, we’d been born luckier than most, our father parlaying his original business idea and venture into a multimillion-dollar company. Now it was worth billions, thanks mostly to my brothers. Progressive Media Productions was a force to be reckoned with.

  While there’d been a significant change in operations nearly eight months before, sadly, our father now dead, the three of us still found time to operate both our lucrative wealth management firm and the Royal Players Club.

  Our baby.

  However, doing triple duty was as taxing as it was rewarding.

  The three of us juggled with long hours and little sleep, which meant for the most part our personal lives had been put on hold. Well, Valerio had been lucky enough to find the woman of his dreams. Maybe if I kept repeating he’d been lucky, I’d find the right one. Not a chance.

  Sighing, after parking my Lamborghini, my most prized possession, I yanked my sunglasses off, shoving them into my pocket as I walked into the massive steel and glass building housing Progressive Media. I’d returned from the island trip only a couple of hours before receiving the rather urgent call from Valerio that a meeting needed to be held.

  So, here I was, interrupting my day to see what the hell was so important.

  As I leaned against the elevator wall, crossing my feet at the ankles, my thoughts managed to drift to the lovely yet mysterious woman for about the thousandth time. It didn’t make any sense she’d had such a profound effect on me or that I’d felt a sense of loss when she’d disappeared.

  But I still felt that way.

  All I’d learned was that she’d taken her earlier illegal winnings, heading to Miami where she could board a plane to God knows where. Dozens of guests used the city as a hub instead of a destination. She certainly hadn’t left a message or a forwarding number. I rubbed my jaw, cognizant of the fact I hadn’t shaved since she’d left. It was ridiculous but maybe it was some odd way of holding onto her.

  Fuck me.

  She was a thief, a highly skilled card shark, and I was lamenting losing her. Especially when I doubted that I’d ever see her again. The elevator doors opened, bringing me back to reality.

  I headed to the suite of offices, pushing my way in through the double doors.

  “Mr. Royal. It’s good to see you again,” the receptionist said as I breezed in.

  “Nice to see you as well.” Sadly, I hadn’t learned every staff member’s name. Our father had controlled this world with an iron fist, which had pushed Gage and me into preferring to only come to the office for the quarterly board meetings.

  It still seemed surreal the Royal siblings were now completely in charge, but the heavy workload meant bigger profits.

  As if money was all that mattered in life.

  As I made my way down the bank of well-lit hallways, only a few employees bothered to glance in my direction. Few changes had occurred. There had been no need, our father’s iron fist matched with a decent heart.

  Valerio’s office was located next to mine, Gage preferring to have a smaller one on the opposite end of the building. So far, our father’s remained empty but at some point, that would need to change. It was tough to think he was gone, the events leading up to it difficult to process even after all these months.

  I walked in, the door partially open. What I noticed immediately was that it had yet to strike the noon hour and both men were indulging in a drink.

  The other aspect I noticed was the total silence.

  They didn’t even notice me when I walked in, both absorbed in whatever task they were performing.

  “What is this, a wake?”

  Valerio lifted his head first. “Close the door.”

  “O-kay.” I did and when I turned back around, Gage had risen to his feet from his original perch on the leather loveseat. They both looked anxious.

  I glanced from one to the other, smirking as I did. Neither one was the kind of man to allow anything to bother them.

  Ever.

  “I obviously missed something while I was gone,” I told them.

  “How was the island?” Gage asked.

  Shrugging, I headed to the bar. One drink wouldn’t kill me. Besides, I had plans on finishing up some paperwork and watching a game on the television. That was the extent of my day. “Beautiful as always. Several new members came on board and as to be expected, they didn’t read the rules. I also caught a poker card shark in action, which surprised the hell out of me.”

  “A card shark. Fascinating. What was he doing there?” Valerio flanked my side as I poured a scotch.

  “He was a beautiful woman and I couldn’t quite figure that out. I don’t think she needed the money. She definitely didn’t need to grab attention that way. She was pretty damn good too, the best I’ve ever seen.” I hated to fully admit she’d fooled the system to a point. If Travis hadn’t been trained to spot a card shark, something I’d also learned years before, her nefarious actions might not have been detected. Our guests weren’t exactly there to be observant. They trusted their little fantasy world to be safe.

  It was another reason I’d wanted to keep Jasmine quiet.

  “Jesus Christ. Did you have her arrested, at least tossed off the island?” Gage was grinning when he asked the question.

  I turned around, leaning against the edge of the bar. “No, I handled punishment my way.” How could I not grin?

  “Oh, does that mean you turned her into a sex slave?”

  I could tell Gage was mostly kidding. When I didn’t answer right away, keeping the mischievous smirk on my face, he stormed closer.