37
Damon
Georgan waited for me behind The Titan. The door closed as I left and I knew I’d never be back. I had paid Lesage in full. All traces of my name in the club had been destroyed. The House of Sauvage would be represented by my brothers now.
“Sir.” Georgan held the car door. He stared straight.
“Thank you. I need to make one more stop before we return to the palace.”
“Yes, sir.”
I ducked into the backseat. “I’d like to stop by Vitania’s.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
We sped away from the club. That chapter of my life was closed. No more nights feuding with Sebastian over women. No more drunken parties that ended in one night of fucking. One tender had changed that. It had changed me.
Georgan communicated with the security vehicle behind us. We arrived at the rear entrance of Vitania’s. It was unconventional, but I was steering our path as far from royal tradition as I could. Something about the unsavory exchange with my mother had pushed me further. There was value in the history and the tradition of our family, but there was also an ugly side. A side that had made my mother a bitter woman. She was controlled by the confines of the past. Those shackles wouldn’t hold me down any longer.
I waited in the car while the officers did a quick sweep of the patrons.
“It’s clear. There is no one shopping.”
“Thank you.”
The officer pulled the door open for me. A small bell jingled as I entered. I hadn’t been in this store since I was a child. It was the official jeweler of the royal family, but they usually made house calls. It was one more way I was bucking the system. I could shop for myself.
The woman inside the store nodded. “Your Majesty, this is an honor.” She seemed flustered, immediately straightening her apron.
“Thank you. I could use your help today.”
Her glasses were attached to a chain around her neck. She had thick spongy hair like a curly helmet.
“Anything you need. What are you shopping for today?” she asked. “I-I really am honored you have chosen today to shop.”
I walked toward the first glass case. I didn’t see anything I liked.
“An engagement ring,” I stated.
The woman gasped. “Your Majesty!”
I put my finger to my lips. “Shh. It’s a secret. My family has shopped at Vitania’s for years because of the discretion here. I’m sure that hasn’t changed.”
Her curls shook. “It has not. I will not tell a soul.”
“Good. Then I’m looking for something with sapphires.”
“We have a beautiful selection. I have some pieces in the back. Let me gather a few. I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her.
The guards stood like statues at the doors. I wouldn’t be able to maintain the secrecy for long, but after tonight I wouldn’t have to.
A few minutes later the shop keeper returned with a black velvet tray. She pulled back the cloth covering the surface to reveal three stunning pieces of jewelry.
“Your Majesty, we can also custom make any design you like if these don’t suit you.”
I plucked the middle one from the tray. I held it toward the light. It was flawless. The sapphire was the perfect shade.
“I assume these are perfect quality.”
“Oh yes. These are the highest quality diamonds and sapphires. If you would like to exchange a stone for one of your family stones, we can do that as well.”
“That’s not necessary.” I didn’t like the suggestion. I wanted a new beginning. I was tired of the same rings being handed down for two hundred years. That wasn’t Molly.
She was a breath of fresh air. She was light and beauty. She was my sapphire, and I was going to buy her the most expensive pure gem in this city.
“This is the one.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to look at some others?” She seemed surprised I had made my decision so quickly.
“That’s the one.” I handed it to her.
She had a toothy smile. “Of course. It’s a beautiful ring. You have wonderful taste, Your Majesty.” She scurried to the back for the ring box.
This woman didn’t need to say it. I knew I had excellent taste. I had chosen Molly.
***
The wooden case was nestled inside my suit jacket. Georgan stood by the car door as I walked through the private palace entrance.
Security was behind me.
I was on a mission. I had one goal. Take the elevator to the top floor and put this ring on Molly’s finger.
Enough with the family dissent. Enough with politics and worrying about the sanctity of the crown. I was in love with this woman. I couldn’t think of a single reason to wait.
After all, I wasn’t a patient man.
“Your Majesty.” Kenley rushed me as soon as I crossed the threshold. She was out of breath.
“Kenley.” I turned for the elevators. I wasn’t interested in being pulled into a royal matter.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your afternoon.”
“What is it?”
“Dominic, sir,” she whispered. “Can we step into the sitting room?”
I walked into the closest open room, shutting the doors behind us.
“What has he done this time?” I quizzed her. I could only begin to guess what kind of episode one of his binges had caused.
“He showed up drunk to this morning’s library dedication for the children’s wing.”
“He did what?” I roared. It was worse than I thought. Getting drunk on a golf course or at a cocktail party was one thing. Around children was completely unacceptable.
Kenley closed her eyes. “He stumbled into one of the librarians.”
“Good God. Did you get him out of there?”
She nodded, wincing. “But not before two flasks fell from his pockets. The children saw, sir. There were cameras and phones everywhere. I can’t contain it. It’s already on social media.”
“Fuck,” I whispered, not caring if I swore in front of her anymore. “Where is he now?”
“Sleeping it off,” she answered. “I left him in his apartment. There is a guard outside the door. He can’t leave his suite. Although, I don’t think he’ll awaken anytime soon.”
I ran my hands through my hair. “Why was he drinking so early? I thought the morning events were the safe bet.”
“He never stopped after the ball. I put him to bed, but he didn’t stay there.” Her eyes hit the floor. “He left the palace with a woman. I don’t know who.”
I clenched my jaw. “Kenley, it’s your job to know everything. How did he leave the palace?”
“He passed out,” she fired back. “Or at least he pretended to pass out. He was asleep when I left him. He made the library engagement on time. By the time I realized he was drunk it was too late.”
“Damn it.” The fallout from showing up drunk to a children’s event was going to be catastrophic. We had managed his vices so far, but at some point he was going to crack the shield we tried to protect him with. It had finally happened.
“I’m sorry.”
I inhaled deeply. “It was going to happen, Kenley. We all knew it was only a matter of time.” I sat in a nearby chair.
What kind of brother had I been? I dealt with my demons while Dominic dealt with his. As if we were on islands separated by a vast ocean instead of under the same roof, of the same blood. He was my family. My responsibility.
“I need to see him.”
“Would you like me to go with you?” she offered.
“No. I appreciate everything you’ve done, but this is a conversation between brothers.”
“I understand.” She spoke softly. It wasn’t Kenley’s usual demeanor. I could tell what happened this morning had rattled her.
“Kenley, what I said earlier.” I paused. “Dominic’s drinking isn’t your fault. I shouldn’t have said what I did.”
“I could have stopped him,” she argued. “I shouldn’t have left him last night.” Regret was written in her eyes.
“You carry no blame in this. He’s not Dominic right now. And I need to face that. So does he.”
I rose from the antique chair and squeezed her shoulder gently as I walked past. “Thank you for taking care of him all this time. I’ll take it from here.”
“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”
As I turned for the door, the ring box struck over my heart with a thud. My ribs closed in around my lungs, seizing the air. I straightened my shoulders and steeled my resolve. Today wasn’t going to be the day. My brother needed me.