The Cinderella Princess Read Online Free PDF Page A

destination.
    Luc opened the door to the sitting area. His bodyguard, over six feet tall of inked muscles, leaned against the wall. The casual pose contradicted the man’s warrior strength and quick reflexes.
    Nick straightened. “Your tea’s been steeping, sir.”
    “I thought we were beyond using sir .”
    “Me, too. But then you ran away, bro.”
    And so it begins. “Saying I ran away makes me sound like I’m twelve.”
    “More like ten or eleven.” Nick didn’t crack a smile, nor did he sound amused. “I hope she was worth it.”
    Luc pictured sweet Vivianca with warm brown eyes, an infectious grin and dark blonde curly hair. “Most definitely.”
    “Is she royalty?”
    “No.” But that didn’t stop her from calling herself a princess and wearing the tiara he’d given her for her birthday.
    “She makes you happy.”
    Smiling, Luc sat near the tea service. “Very much so.”
    As did the other children helped by his Dream Big Alvernia foundation. In their young eyes, he was every bit a prince as his oldest brother, the Crown Prince, as royal as his Majesty, the king himself. Yesterday Vivianca had told Luc that she loved him. No one had said that to him in years. He doubted anyone else would say those words to him and mean them with the unconditional love of that beautiful child.
    Nick unzipped a duffle bag. “Don’t pull that crap again.”
    If Luc were needed, he wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever he had to do to get there. “I can’t make any promises.”
    “Figured as much.” Nick pulled something silver from his back pocket. “That’s why I brought handcuffs.”
    Luc picked up his cup of tea. “You’d have more fun if you used them on your beautiful wife.”
    Nick’s nostrils flared. “Don’t talk about Addie or—”
    “I’ll be known as Princess Lucy from here on out.” Luc took a sip. “Emily warned me.”
    “Not surprised. She’s the most organized person I know. Nothing gets by her.”
    Emily had appeared organized and competent, but she’d also spoken without thinking. The way her lips parted slightly had given her away, but her slip-ups made her seem human not a one-dimensional workaholic married to her job. “She’s wound tight.”
    “She’s been like that since she was a kid.”
    Luc couldn’t imagine the woman as a little girl. She would have sent her dolls to get business and law degrees before going out on a first date. “She doesn’t like me.”
    “Emily doesn’t like many people, but she gets the job done.”
    No doubt. She had with him. Luc had more questions, but he didn’t want Nick to take his interest in Emily the wrong way. “She’s not the only one. Your wife gave me the death stare to make sure I received Emily’s message.”
    “That’s my girl.” Nick’s grin made him look almost nice.
    Luc surveyed the sitting room over the lip of his cup. Empty plates. Half-filled coffee cups. No pretty faces to look at nor curves to admire. “Where are the ladies?”
    “At the van. Along with the luggage, including yours. Traveling light these days?”
    He ignored him, focused on the tea.
    “Hungry?” Nick asked.
    Luc’s stomach clenched. The shower had helped, but he wasn’t a hundred percent over the hangover. “Tea is enough.”
    “That’s what you get after a two-day drinking binge.”
    “Not two days.” Though he hadn’t slept much after he arrived, but that wasn’t due to partying. “Only last night.”
    “No need to lie. I’m your bodyguard, not your father.”
    Nick’s tone reminded Luc of Emily’s. No one believed him. “My father wouldn’t be standing here calmly.”
    “He knows you’re in Alvernia.”
    Luc bit back a curse. He sipped his tea without letting his emotions betray him. “What was His Majesty’s reaction?”
    Nick’s hard gaze narrowed. “He was livid you’d put yourself in danger by not bringing security.”
    Livid, not worried or concerned. Typical. His siblings ignored his calls and texts. His parents