Page 17 of Heavy Crown

“I’m Brice. Alex sent me to get you some clothes.” He sneaks into the room and sets the bags on the end of the bed before backing up.

“You went to my apartment?” I press my fingers into my temples at the idea of Prince Brice picking out various pieces of clothing for me. I really hope he didn’t go into my period underwear drawer. No one should ever go in there.

“Oh, no. And actually, I didn’t get those clothes.” He waves at the bags. “Personal shopper. She got your size off the items down in the laundry.” He leans against the doorframe and stuffs his hands in his pockets. “Not sure if they’ll be salvageable or not. Your head wound bled quite a lot.”

“Right,” I say as I absorb the opulence of a personal shopper. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

Prince Brice examines me for a beat. “So, if Alex gets his way, you’ll be baking for us and living in an apartment on the estate.”

A flush rises to my cheeks. “I didn’t ask him for the job or the apartment.” Does he think I’m a gold digger? An opportunist trying to take advantage of Alex’s good will? This fairy tale could quickly turn into a nightmare if everyone in the royal family hates me.

He grins. “Never even crossed my mind. When Alex gets an idea in his head, it’s very hard to put him off it. He is the proverbial bull in the china shop.” He peruses me with undisguised curiosity.

The three brothers were born on a gradient. Alex is midnight hair, eyes like coal, and a don’t fuck with me demeanor.

Prince Nicholas, from the photos I’ve seen, is dark-brown hair, hazel eyes, and a reputation as the royal playboy. Though the pictures of him and his soon-to-be-wife are the talk of Bellerive now. How much they love each other is so, so clear. Inspiring, actually. The first time I saw their photo on the front page of the national newspaper, I caught my breath, and then I glanced at Derrick. I’m never going to have that with him ran through my head for the rest of the day. At the time, the realization should have been a jolt to my system. But I forgot about it until just now.

Then there’s Prince Brice, who is still in the doorway taking in the scene. He’s the fairest of them all with light-brown hair and golden-brown eyes. There’s a buoyancy to him that shines through in photos and, apparently, in person.

“Is Alex going to be in trouble for offering me a place here?” After what I witnessed between Derrick and his parents, and what I’ve seen from my family, I understand how complicated family businesses tied to family dynamics can be. How much more convoluted can you get than a royal family? If binging The Crown has taught me anything, it’s that there’s an ugly side to upholding public appearances.

Prince Brice chuckles. “Alex doesn’t really get into trouble normally. So it’s hard to say.” His expression softens at whatever he sees on my face. “They’ll be pleased he’s showing you kindness, of that I’m sure.”

I wish I was in a position to turn down Alex’s offer, gather my things, and walk out of here with my head held high. But the reality is that I don’t have enough money to replace my phone, purse, keys, car, passport, and who knows what else I’m not remembering. Going back to work for Derrick’s family, besides being incredibly awkward, will barely keep my head above water in this country. I’ll never make enough to thrive. Although we didn’t talk about exact dollar amounts, Alex seemed upset enough at how Derrick’s family treated me that it should be at least a bit better here.

“He saved my life last night. Doesn’t seem right for him to have more problems because of me.” If one of us owes the other, I owe him. How do you repay someone for dragging your unconscious body out of a vehicle before it topples over a cliff into the ocean? A thank-you card doesn’t seem like nearly enough. Now he’s going above and beyond for me again—a total stranger.

Brice grins. “It’s nice you’re worried about him. You might be the first person in the history of the world to believe Alex’s stubborn streak isn’t his own fault.” He backs out of the doorway. “I’ll let you get dressed if you want. Hopefully Tanya came up with something decent. I told her it was for my girlfriend.” His grin turns naughty. “So who knows what she bought you.” Then he’s gone from the doorway.

His footsteps retreat down the hallway, but he’s left the door open. While I’m pretty sure it’s just Stella out there, I don’t need Alex turning up while I’m struggling to get dressed. Gingerly, I climb off the bed and sweep the plastic bags into my hand. I’ll have to find out how much was spent and get Alex to take it off my first paycheck… assuming I end up hired. Alex made it sound like a done deal, but Brice seemed less certain.

In the en suite, I riffle through the bags. Everything is from the high-end clothing stores in the center of Tucker’s Town. I can’t complain about the quality, but the idea of putting on anything constricting with all my bruises makes my body ache.

At the bottom of the second bag is a jersey shift dress, and I breathe a sigh of relief. The various pairs of jeans, skirts, and fitted tops are super cute, but with the way I feel right now, I just cannot face them.

In the shower, I wash my hair as carefully as I can to avoid the waterproof bandage on my forehead. I’m not even sure how deep the cut is or whether the bandage needs changed. Do I have stitches or that glue stuff they use now?

When I get out, I stare at myself in the mirror and cringe. Pale, bruised, and tired are not good looks on anyone. With a guilty feeling in the pit of my stomach, I open the drawers in the vanity. A toothbrush, toothpaste, and a hair tie would make me feel about a thousand times better. It’d be nice to know I’m not going to knock Alex over with my dragon breath when he comes to deliver the news about the potential changes to my life.

It’s funny—I wasn’t sure I wanted what Alex was offering, but now that it might not be a sure thing, I’m sad at the prospect of leaving here and never seeing him again. If I’m living and working on the property, we might run into each other from time to time, but if I’m scrambling in my old life, I won’t have time for anything or anyone. Not that Alex would want to spend time with me. A ball of anxiety forms in my stomach.

I should be sad about Derrick, shouldn’t I? We were together for two years. Just last night I was hopeful we’d do something fun to celebrate my birthday, and instead I found him with his ex-girlfriend.

But the last eighteen hours have been a whirlwind of newness, and I’m not sure anything is sinking in.

I open the last drawer, and a solitary toothbrush, still in its package, a small tube of toothpaste, and a comb are laid out in a neat row. Oh, thank God.

Once I’m feeling presentable, I realize the dull ache in my skull is starting up again. I cross to the dresser where I saw Alex make a note in a book before giving me medication earlier. There, I find a detailed record of all the medications I was given throughout the night. I don’t remember waking up and getting anything from him. I run my finger across his neat scrawl and marvel that he did all that for me. The only other person who’s taken care of me like this is my mother.

Gratitude and confusion mingle in me as I pop the top off the pill bottle and take two as per the instructions. I note the time underneath Alex’s last entry.

“Stella!” I call, and my head throbs at the pitch of my own voice.

“Yes, ma’am?” She appears in the doorway, a newspaper under her arm.

“I don’t want to bother Prince Alexander, but is it possible to get some lunch?”

“Of course,” Stella says. “Whatever you’d like, I can call it into the kitchen.”