A Royal Payne Read online

  My phone vibrates after the fiftieth message, and I slide it open.

  Cam-Cam: I’m coming. Quit your griping!

  Not two seconds later, the soft knock comes followed by her peeking head through the doorway.

  “Sorry to interrupt. Helena, there’s an emergency with the Easter dinner. You need to call Lydia to go over some last-minute details that have gone awry,” she says with fake concern.

  “Isn’t that what she pays you for? Seriously, Helena. If she’s not good at her job, why do you keep her?” my mother complains, looking down at her manicured fingers.

  “Mother, I have a crisis on my hands. Cameron is here to assist me, not make decisions for me. I have to make a call. You’re welcome to stay, but you’ll have to be quiet.”

  At my declaration, she shoots up from her seat, clearly uninterested in mundane tasks. A weight lifts from my shoulders when she walks away. I didn’t think she’d ever leave.

  Cameron waits for her at the door, opening it wide as she approaches it. Once she’s gone, the latch is turned to give me privacy.

  “Well, that was a quick visit.”

  “Not quick enough,” I snap. “Where the hell have you been? When I text, you answer. That’s how this works. Remember who ultimately pays you.”

  “What did you just say?”

  “I don’t have time for these little games you enjoy playing. Go bring me the menus for the Easter gathering. I need to go over everything, detail-by-detail. While you’re out there, make sure you order us dinner. I don’t want any interruptions. Try and actually move like you care about your job.”

  Cameron’s cheeks are crimson red against her tanned skin. Both her hands are firmly on her hips while she stares me down, ready to tell me off. I’ve seen her mad, but I may have crossed the line this time. I should apologize. It’s the logical thing to do, but the words are stuck in my throat. I’m not sorry for what I said. I’m pissed she wasn’t around when I needed her. She’s always supposed to answer when I call. It’s her job.

  “No.” The single word falls from her lips like a dare, further provoking my ill mood. “As a matter of fact, I’ll bring you the information you need. Then I’ll call Mandy, my backup, and I’m leaving on vacation. Which is what I was coming to tell you.”

  “The hell you are!”

  Silence falls upon the room. Our eyes lock, neither of us willing to back down. Whatever has gotten into her, better come right back out because there’s no way I’m letting her leave on a vacation. Cameron belongs by my side, and what I say goes.

  “You can’t stop me. I’m well overdue one, and my little sister is getting married. I already got the approval from the employee agency. It’s where I went when you kept buzzing me while your mother was visiting.”

  “It’s not happening. I’ll call down there myself and cancel it, if you won’t. You work for me, not the employing agency. So go and fetch what I asked for, now!” I hiss, moving from the window and meeting her eye-to-eye.

  “Fine, if that’s what you think, then I’ll quit. I refuse to miss my sister’s wedding. I work hard here and give it my all. With everything I do for you, you should be understanding.”

  There’s no lie in her eyes as she speaks. None of the usual glint that appears when we engage in our back-and-forth banter. She really means every word, and something inside me cracks.

  “Then leave! I don’t need you,” I spit out. “There’re plenty others who can do what you do. Probably better and cheaper.”

  I’m interrupted by a call on my landline, saving me from saying something I can truly regret. My direct office number can only be reached by two people. Since it’s not Cameron, it must be my father calling.

  I run to pick it up. Of course, my father is concerned about my mother’s visit not even half an hour ago. I try to calm him, assuring him she didn’t understand me correctly when the door slams. Glancing over my shoulder, I curse. Cameron is gone.

  “Father, I’m having some problems right now with staffing. I have to call you back,” I plead with him. I need to find Cameron before she does something stupid like take me seriously. There’s no getting off the phone with him, though.

  * * * *

  By the time I manage to get off the phone with my father, most of the afternoon is gone. His habit of rambling puts me further off schedule. Which doesn’t bode well for me. He doesn’t understand why I’m so busy, given he ruled very differently than I do. While some royals spend their time attending events and running their country from a less proactive stance, I don’t. I’m on the front lines, dealing with all the day-to-day situations that come up. Jegan is a small country, a quarter of the size of Belgium, with a population of less than two million. Handling it is doable, but not without Cameron.

  She’s been with me from day one, hired the day after my coronation. Her angelic face showed up in my office in a pristine suit, ready to take on the world. She’s so full of life and wonder, taking on every task with gusto. I fucked up, and I needed to fix this.

  Forgetting about the dreaded timelines, I head to find her. I don’t deserve someone as good as her in my life, but I want her in it. Always. Just as I want her by my side this weekend. Her company is the only way I can stay sane with all the guests scheduled to arrive.

  My plan is quickly thwarted though, the darkened hallway that houses both my quarters and her room next to it warning me to not disturb. A feeling of dread overtakes me the closer I get to her door. I place my ear to it, but no sound comes from the other side. My fear deepens when I get no answer after banging on it a few times.

  Where are you? You’ve never walked out before.

  Placing my palms to the door, as if I’ll magically feel her presence, I try to calm down. I’m probably psyching myself out, knowing she always turns the hall light off when she doesn’t want to be disturbed. This is Cameron we’re talking about. She wouldn’t do anything rash. She may have even gone on a walk to clear her head. Although she enjoys them, she hasn’t been able to take one as of late, since I keep demanding more and more of her time.

  Logic wins, pushing the feeling away. I mouth a quiet, “I’m sorry,” then head back to my office. I’ll work alone for the day and give her the space she needs. Tomorrow, with things calm, I’ll explain why she can’t go. Everything will go back to normal.

  Chapter Three

  ~ Cameron ~

  I hold on to the armrests of my window seat as we prepare for landing. It’s quite peculiar that with all the plane rides I’ve taken with Helena, I’m still so deathly afraid. In times like these, she’d hold my hand to distract me or say something absurd to piss me off. Those are her only settings, sweet or jackass. I guess jackass won out, after all.

  Her last words to me were the final push I needed to open my eyes. I’d made up this fantasy for years about her and I. My only reason for staying was because I felt essential to her. I’d concocted this little fairytale where I was meant to cross paths with her. It was all bullshit my stupid heart believed.

  How could I be so blind to think she felt something for me, too? She never saw me as anything other than a means to an end. But I couldn’t help how I felt. Even now, so many miles apart, I wonder if she is okay? Will she survive the Easter dinner without me?

  As the plane touches down on the runway, I know my pity party can’t continue. It’s time to forget about Helena. I’m no longer part of her world, and the sooner I assimilate that the better I’ll fare. Soon, I’ll be back home at Harley Ranch, restarting my life. It was the same mentality I had five years ago when I’d left home. I’d pulled the bandage right off, leaving all my family behind. Surely, I could do it again.

  Granted, back then, I was fresh out of college with a business major and nowhere to go. I’d itched to see the world, explore, be everything my family wasn’t. The departure wasn’t a hardship.

  It was for the best then. It will be for the best now.

  It had to be, right?

  * * * *

  �
�Is that who I think it is?” the unmistakable voice of Josh “the bear” Thompson calls out. My sister’s sweetheart, my annoying little brother-in-law-to-be, stands by the baggage claim with a big sign in his hands. But there’s nothing little about him. At six-foot-four and built like a football player, he could scare anyone. Except for me. I saw that boy in diapers, so he’s still my annoying neighbor.

  “One and the same,” I reply, walking up to him, extending my hand.

  “Son of a motherfucker, what kind of bullshit is this?” he says pointing at my hand. “That’s not how we greet family; you know that. Come on. You know what’s coming.”

  “No! Don’t you dare, Josh. I mean it. Don’t you dare!” I warn him, but it’s no use. There’s a glint of mischief in his eyes. I’m in for it now.

  “Get her, Pookie Bear!” my sister calls out, joining us.

  “Marni, no! We’re in public!” I start to back up, while keeping my hands up. He drops the sign, his arms opening wide, giving me my cue to run. I make a weak attempt to get away, but these tall heels are no match against him.

  “Pookie Bear Hug!!!” In one big swoop, he turns me around and into his arms, squeezing tight to the point I’m gasping for air. Everyone in the airport is looking at us curiously, and I’m instantly reminded of my family’s need to show affection. Josh, having grown up with us, is no different. It feels foreign. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a hug from someone.

  “Okay, you all had your little fun. Now, let go of me.”

  “Not until you say you’ve missed Pookie Bear!” Marni eggs on.

  “The only missing there’ll be is two balls when I kick Pookie Bear. Let go of me!” I demand, bending my knee as proof that I’m serious.

  “There she is! The real ball-busting Cam-Cam. Let her go, sweetie. I need to give my favorite sister a hug.”

  “I’m your only sister,” I correct her. “Now, let me get a good look at you.” I take her hand then stand back so I can take in all of her. Wow, my sister had grown. She’d just graduated high school when I left here, but now, she’s a woman. Confidence and sass radiate from her. I missed seeing her come into her own, but no more.

  “Gosh, you look gorgeous, Marni. Radiant like the sun! And oh my God, the braces are gone!” I squeal.

  “Yup! It was the summer after you left. I jumped for joy when they came off. Kind of wanted to kick your ass, though. You promised we’d eat candy and watch makeover shows the day it happened.”

  “Well, I’m here now for good.”

  “Eek! Really?”

  She grabs my other hand in hers and starts jumping up and down, forcing me to do the same. Marni hasn’t changed a bit, her excitement always getting the best of her. I really did miss the brat. Letting out my inner Harley sister, I shout with her.

  “Harley shake?”

  “Do you even remember how?” She cocks a brow, doubting me.

  “Psssh. I came up with it,” I quip getting in position. “Ready, okay! Harley sisters, here we go!” I shout, once again getting all the attention of the airport attendees.

  “Soouwweeeee!” Marni gives the go. Josh cheers us on while we complete the complicated handshake we perfected long ago. It was our calling card right before we got ourselves in trouble, but we gave no shits.

  We successfully complete most of it until we get to the part where we hinge our legs together and skip in a circle. My heels give me a disadvantage, and we get tangled. We land on our asses, laughing hysterically. Josh helps us up, and we head out before the security comes to escort us away.

  Arriving at the house almost two hours later, I’m exhausted. We live pretty far from the closest airport, and I’m running on no sleep in the last twenty-four hours, but I’ll sleep later. I still have to survive the rest of our family. They’ll give me hell once they see me, given how long I’ve been away.

  As Josh parks his truck, I’m greeted by the sight of Uncle Joe in a speedo, on a dirt bike, getting ready to jump a ramp. My poor dad is running after him while my cousins are all on the other side waiting to see their father undoubtedly hurt himself. Anyone else would be surprised by this behavior on a Tuesday before noon, but not the Harleys. Joe is the family’s crazy uncle, and for all his eccentricities, we can’t help but love him. I’ve lost count of how many times he’s landed in the ER. The man is a real-life Jackass Show.

  “Just let him go, Richard. If I’m lucky, this is the one that cuts his dick off, balls and all,” my Aunt Paula calls out from her porch.

  The woman has been married to Joe since they were both eighteen. She takes all the craziness with a grace no one else possesses.

  “Go, Joe, go!” I yell out, gathering the attention of everyone, including Joe, as I exit the truck. He spirals out of control, missing his jump, but somehow manages to straighten himself and stick the landing proving he has more lives than a cat.

  “Surprise!” Marni yells as everyone gathers around. “I didn’t want to say when she was coming in case she couldn’t make it.”

  I’m lifted up by all my cousins, who are covered in dirt, and I can’t be happier. These little gremlins were just little kids when I left, and they’re teenagers now.

  Once they put me down, my father comes over and pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. His quiet sniffle tells me without looking he’s trying to hold back tears. I do the same. I can be strong. When my mom comes to the door, I put on my poker face. With her hands on her hips, glaring at me, I know I’m in deep shit.

  “If it isn’t the royal kiss-ass. That boss of yours finally let you out of the cage?” she asks, tapping her foot incessantly in the wooden porch.

  “Something like that. You gonna just stand there acting tough or you gonna greet your pride and joy?”

  “Get your ass over here before I knock you into the middle of next week looking both ways for Sunday!” she says, opening her arms to me. I make a run for it, lifting her in a hug as if she weighs nothing. She’s a hundred-and-ten pounds soaking wet, having always been tiny and shorter than all of us. Not that it stops her from instilling fear in all of us. Everyone knows my six-foot-three dad is the big softy in the family. Seeing those two walking down the street is always hysterical.

  “Don’t you ever take that long to come home again,” she reprimands as I put her back on her feet.

  With all the wedding plans we have to make in a few days’ time. dinner comes up before I know it. Like me, Marni is prepared and organized. She already has everything picked out. Truthfully, she’s been ready for this longer than Josh can even imagine. Her big book of ideas all highlighted. Tomorrow, we’ll start making calls and setting up everything. Money wasn’t an issue since our family is wealthy, but that only gets you so far. I just hope this town is ready for how crazy it is about to get.

  When everyone finishes dinner, I venture into the kitchen to help my mom with the dishes.

  “You don’t have to do that, sweetheart. I got it.” She wipes her hand on the colorful apron she made herself.

  Waving a dismissive hand at her insistence, I turn on the hot water. “I haven’t helped in ages. Besides, I’ve got a lot on my mind, and you could use the help.”

  She comes over to me, her back against the counter so she can face me. I know it’s coming. The hard questions. “Does the queen know you’re here?”

  “Probably.” I shrug as if it’s no biggie. At the moment, I really didn’t want to have this conversation. Now that it’s night and the distraction of my family is no longer there, all I can think of is her. Thankfully, my mother takes the hint and pats my back, leaving me to my own thoughts.

  While I’m happy to be back, I also miss Helena. My previous assumption that I’ll be okay is faltering. By now, she knows I left since I gave Delci specific instructions. I also left the royal phone behind. I came home with one suitcase, wanting to remove as much as I could of that former life. Too bad, that isn’t helping my heart. It still beats wildly for her.

  Did you miss me, Helena?
r />   Chapter Four

  ~ Helena ~

  “Delci, why didn’t I get any breakfast this morning?” I call down to the kitchen, already irate with this day that’s just begun. Cameron is still throwing her fit, it seems, since she hasn’t reported back to the office. One more hour. That’s all I’m willing to wait. My body is already having withdrawals from not seeing her. Last night, I practiced as much self-control as I could to not demand she come out of her room and talk to me. Even this morning, when her side of the hallway still remained dark, I bit my tongue. Well, I’ve had enough. She’s throwing a tantrum.

  “I didn’t get an order in,” Delci says dryly, taking me by surprise.

  Has everyone gone mad in this house?

  “Cameron and I had a disagreement. I’m sure she forgot to put it in. That’s never been a reason for you not to send my standing order.”

  A scoff comes from the other end of the line. “A disagreement? That’s putting it mildly, considering she left for good. Quite frankly, if I didn’t need this job, I’d leave, too. Do with that what you want.”

  “Wait, what are you talking about? Cameron is in her room.” I get up, already heading toward the hallway.

  “Oh, sweetheart,” she says, taking a long pause before continuing. “Cameron left yesterday afternoon. She was on the first flight out this morning. I drove her to the airport from the hotel she stayed at last night.”

  My phone drops from my hand, shattering on impact, just like my heart. This can’t be happening. Running to her door, I turn the handle and discover it’s unlocked. The room is empty and devoid of signs she’s been in here at all. All her things are piled neatly on the bed with a note to donate them. My fingers run across it, the ache inside me growing. If only I’d been more insistent yesterday, I could have halted her departure.

  The woman I’ve loved for years is gone. My cruel words ruined what little happiness I take from our time together.

  A sob pulls from deep in my chest, as tears flow down my cheeks. I never cry. It’s been ingrained in me that it’s a sign of weakness. None of that matters now, though. I welcome the tears as they burn into my flesh. It seems I’ve always had a weakness after all… Her.