I would ask that you do so in two days’ time,” Stavros continued, “but if you want my opinion.” “Whatever you decide, Xander, decide quickly. Could he rob her of the rest of her dreams, too? Because she’d always hated royal protocol. Xander closed his eyes and pictured his wild, dark-haired sister. It was never meant to be this way for her and you know it.” She and Mak don’t even live in Kyonos and they’d have to uproot their lives so their child could be raised in the palace, so he or she could learn their duty. “And how does she feel? About her child being the heir?” And if you hadn’t heard, she is pregnant.” Adoption is good enough for us, but not sufficient per the laws of Kyonos.” As happy as Jessica and I are with our children, they are not eligible to take the throne. The issue, of course, lies in the production of heirs. “I have no desire to be king, but make no mistake, I will. The ones who actually made a difference to the world rather than those who left nothing but brimstone and scorch marks in their wake. Instead, it went after the lovely and needed. If death had any courtesy at all, it would have come for him a long time ago. “I would think you’d be happy for me to abdicate,” Xander said, ignoring the tightness in his chest. Or you know, chain a concrete ball to your neck and hurl yourself into the sea, I won’t mourn you.” Unless you abdicate, and I mean really, finally, abdicate. And you are the next in line for the throne. Xander stopped walking, ignoring the woman who ran into him thanks to his sudden action. I would rather strangle myself with my own necktie.” “I didn’t call to engage in small talk with you. “I’m sure the people will build a statue in your honor someday and it will all be worth it,” Xander said. Now that that memory had surfaced another shot or four would be required. You’ve stolen something from this country, from me. Running out on his responsibilities, as Stavros called it. He remembered well what had happened the day he’d taken that luxury. That was your course of action and that meant someone had to stay behind and be a grown-up.” “Yes, well, I didn’t have the luxury of running out on my responsibilities. “You make me feel old, Xander, and I am your younger brother.” It all sort of blurs together, you know?” “I’m not gambling anymore.” The bartender pushed the glass his way and Xander knocked it back before continuing out of the building and onto one of Monaco’s crowded streets. “I thought you didn’t drink while you gambled,” his brother said. He passed a casino employee and dropped the bag into the man’s hands. “Enjoy your evening.” He took his black suit jacket off the back of the chair and slung it over his shoulder. “I’m cashing out,” he said, standing and putting his chips into a velvet bag. Xander laughed and revealed his royal flush before leaning in and sweeping the chips into his stack. It was time for the cards to go down, and those who hadn’t folded earlier on in the round put their hands face up. “Yeah, well, you haven’t seemed to need me.” If you did, then maybe you would have had to come home a long time ago.” I don’t lose, either.” He eyed the men sitting around the table and pushed a pile of chips into the pot. “Doing what? Throwing away your fortune and drinking yourself into a stupor?” “I’m a little busy right now, Stavros,” he said into his phone. I’m not particular about which one you choose, but you’d better make a decision, and quickly.”Īlexander Drakos, heir to the throne of Kyonos, dissolute rake and frequent gambler, took a drag on his cigarette before putting it out in the ashtray and dropping his cards onto the velvet-covered table. Christmas with a Billionaire – Snowed in with Her Boss.A Hunger For the Forbidden/The Highest Price to Pay 2-in-1.An Accidental Birthright/A Mistake, A Prince and A Pregnancy.
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