“Why don’t you go after her?” Tripp joined him at his side and watched Seraphina leave.

“Because she doesn’t want to get involved. I asked her to come to the palace tonight. To spend time with all of us. She only lets me get so close, then she runs.”

“Have you ever followed her? When she runs?”

Trane shook his head. “She’s so convincing about it I just let her go.” He tried to smile and lighten the conversation. “Besides, what kind of relationship could we have?”

“Nico and Jo do it.”

“Just barely. You saw what happened to them. It takes a special woman…”

Tripp shook his head. “And you don’t think Seraphina is that?” His face showed the skepticism Trane felt.

“I know she is. And she was raised with an equally busy life. I don’t know. I just get lost in my work, the committees, my responsibilities. She’s not happy when we are dating cause I don’t make time for her. She deserves better.”

Tripp didn’t respond but Trane knew he disagreed. Well, no matter. He hadn’t been there to witness Trane’s train wreck of a relationship last time he and Phina tried to date.

Lucan joined them. “She searches your news and photos at least once a day.”

Irritation grated. “Will you please stop watching her? She’s not a matter of national security.”

Lucan lifted one shoulder. “It’s not Phina I worry about, but some of her associates.”

Trane frowned. She had recently exchanged emails with a more radical environmental group. “They have the same goals as Torren.’’

“And have used radical means in the past to express themselves. Bombs. Threats.”

“Those were never officially attributed to the group.”

Lucan just widened his eyes and Trane knew he had his own evidence. Lucan was the head of their security team and he was very good at what he did.

“I’m just not comfortable with your group keeping her on surveillance. She would not thank us.” Unspoken, but also important, she might never speak to Trane again even in passing if she knew. He couldn’t blame her.

“All those close to the crown need surveillance. It’s for their own safety as well.”

“True, but she doesn’t know.”

Lucan didn’t even blink. To him, the family’s security was the most important thing. Any toes they stepped on to ensure their protection were worthy sacrifices.

Nico and Jo gathered their things as the DJ kept playing soft music, but everyone had gone home except for the brothers and a few of their closer friends, or as Trane liked to call them, hopefuls. He shook his head. Tonight each of the brothers had a few hopefuls looking for an after party invite to anything they did. He didn’t even glance over at them as he walked out the door. Then another guilty pang pinched in his throat. Seraphina used to be one. She was ready for fun with him whenever he was available. He didn’t blame her for stepping away. But he didn’t know what to do about it either, because if she wasn’t willing to be ready when he had a free moment, he just didn’t have time for a relationship right now.

With a sigh similar to hers, he pushed open the outer doors and climbed in the brothers’ limo.

Giggling entered soon after and he nodded to the women who joined him. Tripp, Thad and Daniel crooked an arm over their dates.

The brother swim-and-hot tub-movie-night was getting more crowded. He resisted the urge to text Phina. So often he resisted these urges. What if he stopped? What if he reached out to her every time he had a moment such as this? Were there enough moments to make a relationship? He had noticed Nico blocking out time on his day with his assistant. Jo time. Perhaps the Valdez’s were getting to a place in their family where Trane could step back a little bit. For years he had been the stand-in for Nico while Nico partied, while he irresponsibly created more havoc for the family. And then their father had died and all of the responsibility of the crown was thrust upon his older brother. But Nico was a different person now. And Jo was a lifeline. Perhaps he could step away, even a little, in his watchcare.

Two more girls jumped in and Lucan followed.

Trane raised his eyebrows when one came and snuggled in at his side.

Lucan shrugged and started telling his short blond some of their skiing stories.

Trane tried to be polite, to listen and enjoy himself. He looked out the window as their limo pulled away. Phina and her assistant stood on the curb taking pictures of all the departures. He groaned inside. Any chance with her was certainly not helped when she saw him with a last minute pick up date. “Stop the car.” He called to the driver who immediately complied.

Trane hopped out. “Excuse me just one moment.”

He ran over to Seraphina. She stiffened when she saw him. But he said. “I know you’re busy. I wish you could come, but I understand. Look, I just wanted you to know it meant a lot to see you again. Things are going to be different now.”

She eyed the limo, the girl closest to the window had rolled it down and leaned out cheering to the night sky. “Looks about the same to me.”

He shook his head. “Things are going to change. I’m working on it.” He held her eyes in his gaze. “Trust me.” It was a question as much as a statement and he waited, her eyes searching his own, running over his face. As her gaze swept over him, he thrilled. It felt almost like a caress. Then at length she said, “I don’t have room in my life for a repeat of what we had. I have a tiny-” She held up her fingers close together. “little bitty space for something new.” She eyed him with caution, and more than a little distrust. “Be careful with my heart Trane.”

He swallowed. Again the ache associated with her returned. “I won’t let you down. Let’s go slow.”

She didn’t respond, but he knew he had an in, tiny though it was. And he would make the most of whatever she would give him.

When he hopped back in the limo, he felt lighter than he had in six months. Something about Seraphina in his life made everything seem better.

He turned to their group, “Who’s ready for the after party, party?”

They cheered, most loudly the little brunette at his side. He winced a little at her shrill sounds but laughed with his brothers. Everything was looking a little up.

Then he got a text. Seraphina. “Luann? You’ve got Luann on your arm? Forget it Trane. I’m not one of your groupies anymore.”

“No!” He texted back. “It’s not like that. She’s with Lucan.” He eyed the other girl who completely monopolized his brother’s attention. “Sort of.”

She didn’t answer.

He continued. “You know how it is. She just got in. This means nothing. Please Phina. Let me try.”

She posted a thinking emoji face and he took that as a positive sign. He slipped his phone back in his jacket pocket. A thought bugged him, but he knew he should just get used to it. The gossip chain amongst royals was tight and faster than a human could travel. She heard who he was with that fast. This go round he would try to stay off that radar.