The Royal Mess Read Online Free PDF Page A

Do you have any idea how weird you all are? Your brother Nicholas was in all the papers—again—for pulling that prank that cost Prince Henry a broken ankle!”
    David winced. “Don’t remind me. Dad took a ration of shit from the Queen of England for that one. Don’t sweat it, though. Nicky’s safely confined to the palace until his twenty-fifth birthday.”
    â€œWhat a relief for the planet. And the Windsors.”
    â€œOh, like Henry wasn’t in on the whole—”
    â€œLook, my mom asked me to do something. I did it. It’s done. We’re. All. Done. Now, buh-bye.”
    â€œBut you’re supposed to take me salmon fishing,” the prince whined.
    â€œAccording to some, I’m supposed to do a lot of things.”
    Her boss was banging his blond head on his blond-wood desk. “Nicole, you’re killing me. Please stop. I’m begging. I’m groveling. I’m—”
    â€œNo worries, Mr. Freeborg. I promise your business won’t be penalized as a result of anything my sister says.”
    The blond head jerked up. Nicole closed her eyes. “Your what ?”
    â€œWell.” Nicole opened her eyes in time to see the Crown Prince of Alaska wink at her. “Half sister.”

Chapter 11
    D avid Baranov, Crown Prince of Alaska, plopped down in the chair in front of the king’s desk. Relieved to have a break from reading tedious legislation, Al all but shoved the paperwork away from him. “Come in! Sit down! Spend some time with your old man.”
    â€œDad, you’ve got to finish that stuff up sooner or later.”
    â€œShut up, you.”
    â€œIt’s a wonder anything gets done. If you’re not stalling, you’re sneaking out to go fishing.”
    â€œPut your mouth in Park, boy.”
    His son mimed locking his lips shut, then tossed an imaginary key over his shoulder.
    â€œWell?”
    David shook his head. “No go, Dad. And for the record, no one has ever spoken to me like that in my life. Except for you. And . . . well. Is it just me, or does she remind me of Christina?”
    â€œShe reminds me of every one of you brats,” the king growled.
    â€œYeah, the resemblance was hard to miss. And not just on the physical side.” David paused. “Have you, ah, told the other sibs about this yet?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œOh.” Pause. Al fought the urge to roll his eyes. Here comes the moral assurance that I haven’t gone down in his estimation. “Listen, Dad. I had all last night and all day today to think about it. And I don’t—I mean, I know you and Mom weren’t exactly thrilled with each other a hundred percent of the time, and I’m sure Nicole’s mother was what you needed at just the right time. I just, you know. Understand.”
    â€œWhat a relief. I love you, boy, but I require neither your permission nor your assurance.”
    â€œSieg heil , Your Majesty.”
    His eldest son stretched out long legs and yawned. He had the distinct air of fish guts about him and was dressed casually. Al was always startled to see how much his boy looked exactly like a younger version of him. It was like looking into a sneaky mirror.
    Hell, it didn’t seem so long since he’d been David’s age. Objectively, it had been decades. Subjectively, it felt like maybe five years. Hell, he was a father by the time he was David’s age.
    Of course, David was a father now, too. The king smiled, thinking of his granddaughter, Dara.
    â€œOh, and she’s only the best angler I’ve ever seen,” his son teased, bringing Al back to the conversation.
    â€œSecond best,” the king grumped. “And don’t you forget it, boy. You’re not too big to spank.”
    â€œActually, I really sort of am. Think of how Dara would be scarred to see her grandfather assaulting her father! She could be the Queen of Alaska someday, and yet