‘Mackenzie Roberts?’ A man clad in a surgical gown entered the small waiting room another hour later. ‘Prince Devereaux is asking for you.’
Gabe stood at the same time Mac shot to her feet.
‘I’m sorry, Your Majesty,’ the hospital employee said. ‘Just one visitor at a time.’
Gabe smiled at Mackenzie. ‘I’m glad I don’t need to knock any sense into him, but be warned … I’ll give you two ten minutes alone together and then I’m exercising royal privilege and coming in regardless of hospital policy!’
Mac couldn’t wait to see Devereaux and wished the man with her would walk faster.
When she was ushered into the post-surgical ward and finally saw Dev, her heart somersaulted. Even though he was paler than normal and had all sorts of electrical monitoring leads attached to his body and a tube running from his arm up to an intravenous drip, he still made her pulse race.
He sent her a tired smile and raised his arms up, even though he winced for a moment from the pain and effort of the gesture. ‘Come here, sweetheart.’
Geez. She was turning into a regular water fountain, but she couldn’t hold back. Even biting down on her lip, she couldn’t stop the flow of tears down her cheeks as she went to his side and took his hands in hers.
‘God, but I needed to see you. Thank you for being here, my darling.’
‘Where else would I be?’ she asked through her tears.
His lips twisted. ‘I wouldn’t blame you if you were on a flight back to England.’
‘You’ve had a fixation with getting me on a plane back to England since the first day we met,’ she scolded. ‘I thought you’d have learnt by now that you won’t get rid of me so easily, Prince Devereaux.’
He laughed, then grew serious as he turned her hand palm up and smoothed his fingers there. ‘But you did go back to England. How have you been this last month?’
‘Missing you,’ she admitted.
‘Have you been able to come to terms with Grayson’s death?’
She sent him a brave smile. ‘Yes.’
‘Mackenzie, I know part of you will always love Eliza’s father, and that’s the way it should be. But I’m hoping you might find room in your heart for me.’
‘You’re already there, Dev.’
His eyes shone. ‘I love you, Mackenzie.’
Even though her heart swelled, she sent him a mock look of disbelief. ‘Can I be sure that isn’t just the drugs talking?’
He chuckled. ‘I seem to remember having declared my love for you before I got into the ambulance.’
She scrunched up her nose. ‘Could’ve been the pain.’
‘My, you’re a hard woman to convince.’
Squeezing his hand, she allowed her happiness to blaze forth. ‘You might have to tell me several times before I believe you.’
‘But you want to believe me?’
‘I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more in my entire life. I’ve missed you so much and I was so jealous of Lois—even when I knew you weren’t really interested in her. She got to be by your side and I was back in England.’
‘But you needed to be back in England to work through things. You told me that.’
‘I wanted to be with you. I wanted to talk you out of your mission, but Lois warned me if you pulled out at that stage it would look suspicious and would put you in danger.’
Dev swore.
‘She said Eliza and I might also be in danger.’ She raised one hand and ran it through her hair as she relived the choice she’d had to make. ‘Lois said I needed to leave so you could concentrate on the mission, and she swore she’d look after you.’
He cursed again. ‘The bastards manipulated you and me. I was ready to drop the whole thing because nothing was more important to me than being with you!’
‘Really?’
‘Really. As for Lois … She was brought in as a ruse for Gabriel, not to protect me.’
‘Pardon?’
‘I told you Gabriel had made it clear that if I didn’t have a serious relationship soon, he’d start looking for a suitable woman to marry. I didn’t want him to start dating you!’
‘Oh, Devereaux! I like your brother very much, but I wouldn’t have dated him!’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ He tugged her hand towards his lips and kissed it. ‘I want so badly to kiss you properly, but—at the risk of sounding like a sook—I’m in agony every time I move.’
She laughed. ‘Serves you right for hanging out with the wrong crowd.’
‘You’re tough.’
‘Mm. But seeing as I want so badly to kiss you too …’ She moved closer, bent her head and brushed her lips lightly against his. When she would’ve drawn back, he lifted his arms, held her there and took command of her mouth. He kissed her even while a tortured sound of pain came from the back of his throat.
He held her like a drowning man held a life buoy. Each kiss was delivered with an intensity that spoke of the depth of his love and passion for her. Mac was the one who ended up drawing back.
‘You have to rest, Dev.’
‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘There’s too much we need to talk about, darling.’
The endearment sent little thrills through her chest.
‘About Vito?’
He nodded. ‘Vito, and all those women I’ve been photographed with over the years.’
Ah. At last. His insistence to clear the air made her so happy. She had so many questions. ‘I’ve spoken to Lois. I know Vito was a criminal.’
He made a short sound of affirmation. ‘Vito is the son of a Mafia Don, Maurizio Scampinelli.’
‘You went up against a Mafia family?’ she asked him on a swift, shocked intake of breath. ‘Good grief, Dev! What on earth possessed you to do that?’
‘My sister was murdered by a drug dealer.’
‘Queen Sabihah told me.’
‘I followed the trail. The Scampinelli family supplied that dealer.’
‘And you were determined to avenge Eden’s death?’
‘These drug dealers are the scum of the earth.’ The loathing in his voice made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. ‘They’re ruining so many lives. I needed to do something to try to stop them.’ In contrast to the savage intent of his words, he traced his fingertips gently over her palm. ‘I tried to bring them down financially—destroying their companies—not putting myself at any risk and fighting them openly.’
‘What changed?’
‘MI5 tracked my activities.’
Mac drew in a huge, shocked breath and felt her eyes go round. ‘You’ve been working for MI5? That’s who Lois works for? Who Gray worked for?’
‘Yes. I’ve been involved with MI5 for the last couple of years.’ He patted the back of her hand in a small, comforting gesture. ‘They wanted me to get close to Vito—close enough to plant bugs. They needed someone to attend his parties to see who he spent the most time with—who he left the main party with to meet with in private.’
‘God, Dev.’ Her heart thumped in trepidation. ‘If you’d been discovered …’
‘I wasn’t. Even now he won’t know I was undercover.’
‘Lois said the same thing.’ She sighed in relief.
‘Ever since Eden’s death I’ve been focused on bringing down the Scampinellis. Once I’d finished with them, I planned to go after another drug family, and another. The problem was that I kept Gabe in the dark and hurt my relationship with him by pretending to be someone I’m not.’ He smiled up at her. ‘I have accomplished my initial goal. MI5 have got Vito, but even if they hadn’t arrested him by now, I told them I was only prepared to work with them until today. I’m handing the fight over to others and instead I’ll do what I can to educate people—especially youngsters—about the dangers of drugs. I also want to set up rehabilitation centres in Eden’s name.’
‘That’s a fabulous plan.’ She was so proud of him.
‘You made me realise I was living in the past instead of enjoying the present and planning for the future.’ The blue of his eyes became deeper as he said. ‘You’re my future, Mackenzie. You and Eliza.’
It was as though champagne bubbled through her bloodstream because she was so happy she felt intoxicated.
‘You saw past the playboy image to the man I truly am.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘I desperately want to marry you, Mackenzie. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife and making me the happiest man on the planet?’
‘Oh, Dev. I love you. Of course I’ll marry you.’
‘You will?’ He beamed up at her.
‘Yes! Oh, yes!’
‘Ten minutes is up, Mackenzie, and my timing is obviously impeccable. Congratulations!’ Gabe announced from the doorway. ‘I knew you two were right for each other the first time I saw you together.’
‘Shit, Gabriel. You sure know how to make an entrance!’ Dev accused.
‘Well, I can see you’re in good spirits. I’ll leave you two alone and come back again later.’
‘No. Wait. Come in.’ Dev moved his arm a little gingerly to wave him into the room. ‘You say you knew we were perfectly suited? You don’t mind about me marrying Mackenzie?’
Gabriel laughed with genuine happiness. ‘My God, Dev, you are the blindest man I’ve ever met. I could see from the outset that Mackenzie was your perfect match. I invited her to join us all for dinner expressly so you’d have time to see her socially. I thought I’d failed. You seemed so reticent to act upon what was clearly a mutual attraction that I pretended I was interested. I was trying to get you off your butt so you’d act on it.’ He lowered his voice. ‘I had no idea at the time that your whole playboy charade was just a ruse and that you were part of an MI5 operation to sting the Scampinelli family—’
Dev winced again as he sat straighter.
‘Lie still,’ Mac told him.
He ignored the direction, and got himself settled more comfortably against the pillows as he asked Gabe, ‘You know about my undercover work?’
‘Hans came to see me the moment he learnt you were on your way to hospital and he told me all about your role with MI5 on our flight here.’
‘The Scampinellis were the ones who trafficked the drugs into France. They supplied to the guy who killed Eden,’ Dev explained.
‘I know all that now. I’ve learnt all your secrets.’
‘Not quite. There’s something else I have to reveal.’
Gabe grinned again. ‘No, Dev, I don’t think there is.’ He took a step closer to the bed. ‘I’m not as ignorant as you think of all your financial activities. You think I didn’t see a pattern?’ He shook his head and clicked his tongue against his palate. ‘First of all, I could see that Ploutos Corporation was showing an avid interest in the business and industries of our kingdom.’
‘You know.’
‘That somehow you’re connected with whoever it is that owns Ploutos?’ Gabe shrugged and pulled a bit of a face. ‘Only for the last five years! Did you go to university with the person or persons behind Ploutos?’
Devereaux grinned. ‘It’s good to know I’ve still got something over you, brother. I’m not just connected, I am Ploutos!’
Gabriel’s eyes widened. ‘Hell! No wonder you weren’t phased when I threatened to cut off your allowance! How did you manage to keep it to yourself?’
‘You’re the owner of Ploutos?’ Mackenzie reeled.
‘Yes,’ Devereaux answered.
Dear Lord! The man she loved wasn’t just the sexiest man on the planet who happened to come with a royal title—he was also an incredibly wealthy man. The situation was surreal, but her gut instincts about him had been right all along. There was so much more to Devereaux than he showed to the world. Her pride in him knew no bounds. No idle playboy—he was a hard-working, self-made billionaire who placed himself in danger to achieve justice, and who spent millions of dollars each year helping those in need.
‘Gabe, I don’t understand how you even made the slightest connection between me and Ploutos,’ Dev said.
‘You covered your tracks well,’ Gabe said to Dev. ‘I first got an inkling because we discussed exactly where Santaliana needed more funds. The next thing, Ploutos, or one of the other shell companies associated with Ploutos, stepped in to provide whatever financial support was needed. I can’t believe you’ve made such astronomical wealth. My advisers were fools to tell me you shouldn’t use the degrees you’d acquired at university.’
‘They were. I worked all day and partied most of the night.’
‘To think I thought you were in your bed sleeping off nights of excess.’ Gabe clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth as he shook his head. ‘You’ve helped our kingdom much more than I.’
‘That’s not true, but I certainly did what I could.’
‘And all the time I berated you—telling you I expected more from you.’ Gabriel’s voice was full of remorse. ‘I should’ve known better.’
Mackenzie closed her eyes for a second. It seemed there was a whole lot of self-recrimination going around for misjudgement. She ran her hand over the back of Dev’s. ‘Eliza was right when she said you’re a hero.’ Warmth spread through her chest. He wasn’t just a hero, he was her hero.
‘When will you marry?’ Gabe asked them.
Dev looked lovingly at Mac. ‘I’d marry you today if it were possible.’
‘It’s impossible,’ Gabe underlined. ‘This will be a formal state occasion, Devereaux. Our citizens will want to celebrate your wedding in style.’
Dev nodded in acceptance. ‘We’ll marry in Santaliana as soon as this race series is finished if that’s okay with you, Mackenzie?’
‘Can you continue racing now you’ve been injured?’ she asked with concern.
‘The surgeon assured me I’ll be back at the helm for the next race.’
‘Then marrying immediately after the series sounds perfect.’ She hoped her smile fully expressed all the love in her heart.
‘I think this is the point where I make my exit,’ Gabe said. He reached out and shook Dev’s free hand. ‘Well done, brother.’ Leaning forward to kiss Mackenzie on the cheek he told her, ‘Welcome to the de la Croix family, Mackenzie. I’m thrilled for you both.’
When he’d left and after several kisses later, Mac said to Dev, ‘Gabriel might be thrilled, but I know someone who’s going to be even more ecstatic when she hears our news.’
‘Eliza,’ he guessed with a smile.
‘She adores you.’
‘She adores free access to the palace kitchens for endless bowls of ice-cream!’
Mac laughed. ‘You do my daughter an injustice. She’s not as shallow as you make out, and she knows a hero when she sees one.’
‘Agreed. She liked me way before you did.’
‘In my defence, you were yourself with Eliza. You didn’t show me your true self—I had to uncover you all by myself.’
‘I wish you would uncover me!’ he suggested with a wink.
‘Devereaux!’ She raised her hands to her chest in mock horror. ‘You’re in hospital, recovering from a bullet wound!’
‘Yes, but thankfully the bullet didn’t come close to the most vital part of my anatomy.’
‘Just as well.’
‘Just as well,’ he agreed. ‘So, you’d be happy to add to our family eventually?’
Little thrills trailed through her at his reference to their being a family. ‘Yes.’
‘That word suits you, my darling. To think that when I first met you, you kept telling me ‘no’.’
‘Ah,’ she said with a smile. ‘But when I met you, Prince Devereaux, you seemed quite reprehensible.’
‘And now?’
Mackenzie leant over and delivered a long, lingering kiss before she smiled. Love filled her heart and she could feel it flowing from her, just as surely as she felt his love flowing into her. ‘And now, I know you and I love you.’
‘I promise you, my darling, you’ll never have cause to doubt me again.’
‘I’ll hold you to that.’
‘I’d expect nothing less from you!’
Mackenzie knew he was a man who would honour his promise. She was entirely confident that their future together would be an extremely happy one. The irredeemable prince had well and truly redeemed himself.