Hayden
When Gaz left his communications device at the house, I didn’t think it would be a big deal. I would simply drop it off to him on my way to work, where I would somehow manage to make it through the hours until I could see him again.
Only, that’s not what happened.
I knew something was wrong as soon as I stepped into the lobby.
First of all, there were two uniformed Orchidian police officers standing in the office. Even though I didn’t realize what the official uniforms looked like until I saw them, the resemblance to Gaz was undeniable. They weren’t blue, for one thing. They also looked incredibly serious, for another.
Sapphirans can be serious, of course. We can be really, really serious. We also know how to lighten the fuck up and have a good time when it’s appropriate. These guys, though? Talk about grim.
The other giveaway was the fact that the man facing off with Gaz looked exactly like him. I’m talking almost identical twins. Gaz never talks about Orchid or the things he left behind. He doesn’t talk about his family, so I had no idea until that moment he had a brother. Judging by the body language, I’d guess they didn’t part on amicable terms.
And now I’m standing between the two men and I’ve just learned that my boyfriend is secretly a prince.
Gaz, of all people, is secretly royalty.
Who would have guessed?
I wouldn’t have. Gaz lives a simple life. Oh, he likes fast cars and he’s had his share of women. I’m not naïve. I might not be sexually experienced, but I’m not clueless. I know Gaz has a wild side when he calms down enough to enjoy the world around him.
I also know that he’s sweet, and thoughtful, and caring.
I know he’s gentle.
I know he’s kind.
And I know, more than anything else, that is a brother is a real dick.
Gaz didn’t tell me about his family, and now I can see why. He left Orchid and now he’s an outlaw? His mother wants him back? He’s on the run? No wonder he’s such a private person. Leaving his whole planet behind must have been hard and painful.
Why would he want to go back now?
He’s got a good life here. He’s got a stable job and a hovercar and a house. He’s got friends, clients, and relationships. He’s become an integral part of this community. Gaz leaving now wouldn’t make any sense.
So why the hell would his brother ask him to?
I’m not naïve. It’s not my first day being around assholes. It is, however, my first time seeing Gaz look nervous and uncomfortable, and I realize he’s waiting to see what I’m going to do.
He thinks I’m going to take his brother’s side, I realize.
Well, fuck that.
“Fuck you,” I tell Rex.
“What?” Rex’s eyes pop open so wide I’m a little surprised they didn’t explode.
“Fuck. You.” I enunciate my words and poke Rex in the chest as I speak. “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, coming to Sapphira and causing trouble, but I don’t like it.”
Rex straightens up, steeling himself. “Why, I am the second-born prince of Orchid, heir to the throne.”
“Yeah,” I say dryly. “I got that bit, and I also got the part where Gaz told you he isn’t interested in the throne, so fuck off.”
I turn to Gaz and give him a hug.
“Are you okay?” I whisper in his ear, and he nods.
“That was incredible,” he says, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“I knew it!” Izzie shouts from her spot by the reception desk. “I knew you two were going to hook up! I called it.”
“Yes, yes,” Gaz waves a hand toward her. “Happy endings for everyone, I know.”
“Not for you,” Rex says, stepping forward. “Mother has demanded your presence.”
“Why?” Gaz says. Suddenly, he seems a little bit stronger, a little bit darker, and I wonder what he’s going to say to his brother. Rex seems like a weasel. He’s not exactly the type of person I’d want to be around.
He’s also nothing like my own brothers, who are kind and gentle and good.
Now Rex is the one who seems uncomfortable.
“Why would Mother, after all of this time, want me to come back to Orchid?” Gaz’s eyes narrow. “I stepped away from the crown, brother. I left that world, and it was made very clear I was no longer welcome on Orchid.”
“Well, she…”
“She what?” Gaz says, and then his gaze deepens. “Or is this not about mother at all? Is this about you? Have you finally realized what she expects from the crown prince?”
Rex looks suddenly nervous, anxious. He looks around, like he’s trying to find a way to escape.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” Gaz says, shaking his head, as if he can’t quite believe it. “We both know if I step foot on Orchid, I’ll be either arrested or forced to take the crown. That’s the whole point, though, isn’t it? You no longer want it.”
Rex shakes his head.
“You don’t understand,” he begins.
“No, brother, it is you who doesn’t understand.” Gaz steps forward and his eyes grow gentle as he looks at his younger brother. How many wonderful adventures did these two have together growing up? How many times did they play together before they realized the politics of the world? How many times did they find themselves isolated and alone with only the other for comfort?
Gaz looks at his brother with nothing but love and compassion.
That’s the Gaz I know.
That’s the Gaz I love.
“I left Orchid because I wanted a better life. Orchid has problems that cannot be solved overnight, issues that cannot be resolved in this lifetime.”
Rex suddenly looks defeated. His shoulders slump forward and he nods.
“May we speak alone?” He asks, jerking his head toward the Orchidian police, and suddenly I wonder whether they’re actually here to escort Rex around safely or if they’re simply here to escort him.
Maybe they’re supposed to make sure he actually leaves Sapphira and returns to Orchid.
“Of course, brother.” Gaz straightens up and turns to the guards. “Excuse us, please.” He motions that he’s going to go past them to his office. The officers exchange looks, and then one steps forward and addresses Rex.
“Your highness, perhaps it would be best if this conversation happened out here.”
“No, I think my brother is correct,” Rex says. “Please excuse us for a moment.”
“I’m afraid we can’t do that,” the other officer says, and I see a mental switch happen for Gaz. Suddenly, he’s not the outlawed prince of Orchid.
Suddenly, he’s the best fucking attorney on Sapphira.
“Gentlemen, perhaps you are not familiar with the Sapphiran proclamation of Altzlei, which declares an attorney may meet privately with his client regardless of police protection.”
The men exchange glances. They have no idea what he just said.
“No offense, uh, Gazley, but I think you, of all people, should understand that the prince of Orchid cannot be left alone.”
Gaz steps forward and lowers his voice so only the guards can hear. I don’t know what the hell he’s saying, but he scares them, and the scent of fear and terror fills the room.
“We’ll just wait right here,” the men say, finally, and take a seat in the lobby chairs.
“Hayden, you’re with us,” Gaz says, and I follow him and Rex down the hall to his office.
“Gentlemen, would you like some tea?” I hear Izzie ask in a sickly-sweet voice, and I’d bet anything she’s going to slip sleeping powder into their drinks.