CHAPTER FIVE - ENZO
I dried my suit at the hand dryer in the bathroom as Lucas came in. “What the hell happened out there when I left?”
“She spilled water on me. At least it wasn’t one of those damned blue cocktails they’re serving.”
“I see you tried to lay on the charm.” He laughed at me and leaned against the counter as the bathroom attendant stepped around the corner to give us some privacy. Well, don’t worry. Her bosses had ahold of her when I came in. They’re letting her have it good. Even pulled her away into the kitchen. She’s probably getting fired as we speak.”
“Shit. She doesn’t deserve that. She said the guys were lewd. She was just scared. I should go out and make things right.”
“Why bother?” He took a mint from the basket on the counter and popped it into his mouth.
“Because I don’t want her to lose her job. Where do we know her from? She seems so familiar to me, but she swears she doesn’t know me.”
Lucas laughed. “I know it’s a blow to your ego, man, but not everyone knows who you are. You’re the prince of Aramis, not Wales.”
“Very funny. And might I remind you, you’re still my assistant.” I gave him a hard glare, and he let out a deep breath as I headed to the door.
I went out to find her in the kitchen and my cock even stood up at the sight of her this this time. Memories from that night at the bar came flashing back. I concentrated on her gorgeous silhouette, which held the same generous curves as that feisty woman I couldn’t get out of my mind. There was no way of knowing for certain, but something told me she was the same girl.
I’d imagined her as a sexy vixen, and she was that and so much more. I hadn’t prepared myself for the incredible regal beauty of this goddess before me. A delicate round face, with deep hazel eyes. Her lips were full and stained with a dark cherry lipstick. She had satin blond locks that fell over her shoulders, framing her full perky breasts just right. Next my gaze went over her long neck that I couldn’t help but picture myself making a trail of kisses on, down to her breasts. I found myself needing to adjust my pants.
God, she’s incredible. I’ve got to find out more about her.
She was standing next to two women who seemed to be in charge of the evening. They were standing with her, and one was swinging her arms around in a dramatic way as she lit into her.
The woman stood there taking it. She remained a stunning sight even when she was embarrassed and angry, which I could tell by her expressions, she was.
The other staffers tried to keep busy, but when they saw me come in, a few eyes widened.
I walked up, and the women bowed their heads.
“Please, that’s unnecessary.” Not only because they looked like two ridiculous fools, but because I was not their prince and they owed me no courtesy.
The taller of the two women met my eyes. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I can assure you that she’ll be taken care of.”
“Put down your pitchforks, ladies. I have come to offer my apologies for being most inappropriate to her.”
She looked at me like I’d lost my mind and then gave a half-hearted smile.
“That’s really not necessary, I was terribly rude about your friends, and I am afraid I acted impulsively.” Her eyes sparkled with tears which I was certain was more a product of staving off anger than anything else.
“You had every right. I am sure you were shaken from being assaulted by my security detail, which I have taken care of.” I turned back to the sisters. “So, you see, the poor girl was shaken up. Please accept my apologies—I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“I’m Cindy Peterson.”
“Cindy, that’s a lovely name.”
“Cindy here is our newest employee.” The shorter of the sisters offered me a big smile with the information.
“Yes, and Cindy needs to get back to work. I’m afraid this has been enough of a scene. But I’d much like to talk to you, Prince Enzo. I don’t know if you remember me, but we met the last time you were in town for the charity gala season.” She smoothed down her hair, and Cindy slipped away as the woman held onto me with useless conversation tainted with flirting. I suddenly knew how Cindy had felt.
“I’m not quite sure I remember that, but it’s nice to talk to you now.”
Her smile only faltered a moment, and then a slow, sly smile spread her lips. “If you’d like, we could take you back to our table and share a bottle of wine.”
“That’s a generous offer, but I really need to be getting back to business at hand. I have a few other foreign donors to persuade. The night is about the charity, after all. I wouldn’t want to go putting such pleasures before them.” I turned to Lucas who was taking in my every word with a grin on his face, knowing my goal was to feed them lines.
“Of course, perhaps later?” The woman seemed a bit eager, and she looked me up and down like I was her prey.
“We’ll see. If you two ladies will excuse us. Lucas was just about to introduce me to someone.” We stepped away, and the women watched as we went to the back of the room and approached a couple of our friends who were leaving.
After we had said our goodbyes, we stayed there huddled close, trying to hear each other over the music.
“Isn’t she gorgeous? She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve seen in some time.”
“She’s a beauty indeed, but also a plain presentation. Bella Lora has more style.” Lucas shrugged.
I narrowed my eyes and curled my lip in distaste. “I don’t care about style. Those things can be bought, but natural beauty, sincerity, strength- those things can’t.”
“Your mother isn’t going to care about any of that.”
“Esme will. I need a good example for my daughter. Not some shallow, insensitive gold digger like Bella Lora who’d care more about her title than me and Esme.”
“Maybe you’re right, but you won’t find the girl you need here. Looks alone won’t cut it, my friend. Not when it comes to being the queen. She’ll have to work a crowd, be charming.”
I was certain that Cindy knew how to work a room with her line of work, doing it for a country couldn’t be much different. Especially since the people gathered at the gala were ten times more vicious.
I only just met her, but I had always been a man of instincts. It was what led me to making my best choices to date, most notably taking on the role of being a father to Esme even with the disapproval of the royal family – mostly my mother. My father, on the other hand, always told me to follow my heart. He said that was how he made tough choices as a king and it always head him to prosperity and would do the same for me. Thus far, this advice served me well in life and I didn’t see why it would be any different now.
I glanced over to see where Selena had gotten off to, and when I was certain that she and her sister weren’t watching me, I looked around for Cindy.
I glanced across the room and back. “Do you see her anywhere? I wasn’t sure if she’d slipped out the back while we were talking.
Lucas shook his head and took a drink off of a passing tray. “No, she’s probably working. Let’s go mingle with a few of the other guests.”
“You go ahead, my friend. I think I’ll go find her.” I clapped him on the back and turned to walk toward the kitchen with him hurrying to keep up.
“You mean to tell me you’re going to go hang out in the kitchen for the rest of the evening?”
I let out a long breath. “I’m not asking you to go with me. Go have your fun. I’m interested in Cindy, and I want to spend some time with her.”
“You’re going to bring her back to the house where your daughter is?” He rolled his eyes and looked away. He knew better.
“Maybe she’ll take you back to her slum apartment. Might I remind you that you fired our security and we only have one driver?” He chuckled. “You can’t be out in the city alone.”
“You’re a big boy and so am I.” I stopped and turned back and put my hand on his chest. “Go mingle. Maybe you’ll find someone to take you home.” He was only worried about bad press, and with that stupid reporter lurking around, I could see why. A month out from the throne and we didn’t need any drama.
He followed me all the way to the back where I found Cindy giving orders to the rest of the staff that it was time to start their closing duties.
She was a good leader and commanded respect without talking down to her crew. I liked that in a person, and I tried to use the same approach with my own staff. She carried herself with her head held high and her back straight, and even though she was a good head shorter than some of the others around her, she seemed much taller with her authority.
I was beyond impressed and taken by her. Even after the ordeal she’d just been through with her managers, one would never know by the look of her now. It was inherently clear to me that this woman had an inner strength that withstood challenges thrown her way.
“Wouldn’t she make a lovely Queen?”
“Don’t tell me you’re that hung up on her. You barely know her, and your mother would never approve.” Lucas’ voice sounded over my shoulder.
I turned and met him right in the eye. “Fine. I won’t tell you.”