A Royal Payne Read online

  How long can I really survive without Cameron?

  * * * *

  Forty-two hours. That’s how long it took for me to lose my mind. Honestly, I lost it four hours in. Every inch of the palace reminded me of her. The other thirty-eight, I was held together by the thin thread of the plan I put in place. With the help of Delci, Lorenzo, and a few, less than gracious characters, I was on a private jet to the US. I’d flown into a small airport in the middle of nowhere then was dropped off in a downtown area that had one traffic light.

  This wasn’t the America I’m used to visiting since I was young. I figured there’d be taxis everywhere, and I’d hitch one to her address. Fat chance. My lovely American escorts were eager to get rid of me, considering the liability I represented.

  Now, to make matters worse, I’m pretty sure a storm is brewing by the looks of the sky. It’s dark although it’s barely midday. My heavy feet drag across the pavement as jetlag invades every part of my senses. Nonetheless, I have one mission. Get to my Cameron.

  “Ma’am, are ya lost?” an older gentleman, standing on the corner of the street, in worn out jeans, asks me.

  “A little bit,” I admit, getting closer. He looks harmless, albeit a little confused when he takes me in. I’m pretty sure my designer slacks and top don’t exactly mesh well here, considering everyone else is in jeans and casual shirts. I really should have dressed down for this, but I want to look nice when Cameron sees me again.

  “Who ya lookin’ for?” He tips his hat up to get a better look at me. The slow drawl makes him a real-life cliché of what I’ve imagined a cowboy to be.

  “I’m looking for Cameron Harley, but I’ve lost her address. Do you know who that is?”

  He laughs loudly as he slaps his knee. “Who doesn’t know the daredevil Harley. I heard she was back in town, but I didn’t believe it.”

  Daredevil Harley? There’s no way we’re talking about the same woman. The Harley I know is far from a daredevil. Pencil pusher maybe, but not a risk taker.

  “That’s okay. I’ll keep asking. I don’t think that’s who I’m talking about.” I smile politely, and start to turn away.

  “She’s about yay high,” he says, pointing to his shoulders. “With big brown eyes, chocolate locks that cascade down her back?”

  So far, he’s batting a hundred, but how many women fit that description?

  I tell him as much when he stares at me, waiting for my answer.

  “Okay, okay,” he says, realizing his vague description. “She’s got a rose tattoo on her thigh. I should know. My son did it. Her parents almost had a cow over it.”

  A little confused at the meaning of having a cow, I don’t ask, but he knows my Cameron. I’d discovered the tattoo one day when she was changing. It looked so sexy on her thigh that I never did forget it. “Oh, thank God, yes, that’s her! Can you take me there?”

  “I can get you close, but the Harleys are a protective bunch. Ain’t no one getting on that land unless they like you,” he says, pushing himself off the wall. “And you don’t look like the type. No offense.”

  “What type is that, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “City folk, although I can’t quite place your accent.” He motions me to follow him and leads the way to a beat-up truck parked close by.

  “An accent? I don’t have an accent,” I reply. “One could argue you do.”

  “If you say so, Darlin’. So, what’s a pretty peach like you, dressed to the nines, want with the Harley girl?” he asks, opening the door for me to get in. He doesn’t move until I buckle my seatbelt.

  “She left something behind in Jegan—where I’m from, by the way. I’ve come to return it.” Instinctively, I rub the ring hanging from my necklace. It’s a bad habit I have whenever I’m nervous. The ring is the only thing I have left from my maternal grandmother, who was so different from my own mother who’d married my father, the king, for money. The day she’d left home she completely forgot about my grandmother.

  Not me. I’d visited her religiously until she died a couple months before I took over the country. This ring is the only thing I have of hers, since my mother got rid of everything else the minute she passed.

  “Must be something mighty big for you to travel all the way from there. Jegans aren’t known for traveling outside their land.” He surprises me with the little-known fact.

  “You know where Jegan is?”

  “Yup, I’m a geography buff. Small country, rich in resources, and has a newly appointed queen.” He eyes me curiously.

  I let my hair fall over my eyes, trying to shield my face and look towards the window. I can’t have my cover blown right now. Not before I get to her.

  “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. We don’t go snitchin’ around here.”

  I give him a weak smile, staying quiet the rest of the way and concentrating on the storm that starts to come down hard against the metal of the vehicle. Despite his advanced age, the man maneuvers the truck through the low visibility better than I ever could. If this is the way to Cameron’s, she lives deep in the country. Not many houses surround the area.

  The deeper in we go, the more I start to second guess taking a ride with a strange man. It would be just my luck to end up dead, like one of those episodes of Forensic Files Cameron got me addicted to watching. That didn’t happen in my homeland. Panic starts to rise in me, and I already see my body in a shallow grave.

  “Ya okay there? You look about ready to quake in your boots,” he says, taking his eyes off the road for a moment.

  “What?” I ask, confused.

  “Sorry, forgot you ain’t from around here. You look scared shitless. Is that better?”

  Recognizing the saying from the many times Cameron used it, I chuckle. “Yeah, sorry, Cameron has me addicted to the American crime shows. I started thinking about how people end up dead after taking car rides with strangers. No offense, but I already pictured my grave.”

  “I’d be more offended if you didn’t have that thought. I hope I’m still able to instill some fear, although my wife woulda killed ya first if she knew I had you in my car. The woman has a jealous streak.”

  His conversation puts me back at ease. We talk the rest of the way until we come to a stop along a fence. Up at the top is a sign announcing the entrance to Harley Ranch, the name enclosed between the imprint of two horses.

  “Well, Darlin’, we’re here, but it’s pouring really hard. I don’t mind calling them, so they can come up and unlock the gate. It’s a good mile up the road before you reach the main house.”

  “No, thanks, you’ve done enough. Besides, I kind of want to surprise her.” I pull out a couple hundred to give to him for the trouble, but he refuses.

  “It was my pleasure. Just make sure to come tell an ol’ man the rest of this story one them days ya free. I enjoy adding to my geography trivia, including Jegan.” He winks before taking off.

  I wait until I can no longer see his lights then slip between the gap of the split rail fence. With the wind blowing hard against me, I’m thankful I brought my suit jacket. Although, it doesn’t help much.

  After what feels like forever, a couple houses come into focus through all the rain. I’m so excited to see them, I miss the rock in front of me and trip right into a pile of mud.

  So much for looking my best.

  I’m drenched, covered in dirt, and I’m pretty sure there’s a small branch tangled somewhere in my hair. Eventually, I make it all the way to the door of the main house. Knocking on it quickly, I hope someone will answer. My teeth start to chatter, and I hug myself, needing a bit of warmth.

  Suddenly, the door flies open, and in front of me is a thicker, blonder version of my Cameron. I’ve made it.

  “Y’all come ‘ere. We got a trespasser!”

  Chapter Five

  ~ Cameron ~

  “Cam-Cam, you gotta come see this! It’s some lady saying she’s your boss. A queen or some shit,” Josh yells from the bottom of
the stairs.

  What!

  I rush to the door, and my jaw drops. Helena is standing in the middle of the storm, drenched head-to-toe, in her favorite outfit. There’s no way that will be saved. No amount of dry cleaning will fix the damage. I’ll have to call the tailors to come out and try to recreate it. That’s when it dawns on me. I’m not in Jegan. I’m home, and she is here. But that’s impossible. There’s no way she left the palace without guards. Unless…

  “Do you know this lady?” Josh asks me.

  I nod, unable to mutter out the words. My breathing constricts in my chest. She’s here, but why? I don’t dare breathe hope into my already broken heart. For all I know, she came after me because she needs a file or some information. That’s plausible, right?

  “Cameron, we need to talk,” she states, her eyes burning with a fire I haven’t seen before. When I mouth yes, she follows me inside.

  Behind us, my sister and her fiancé murmur loudly. It can be heard throughout the house, probably alerting the others. Those two aren’t good at being discreet, and sure enough, my mom comes in from the kitchen. Her eyes go wide when she sees Helena. My dad is right behind her, and he looks between me and her. Letting out a low whistle, he retreats to the living room. My mother does not.

  She’s about to kill us.

  “Cam, a word please,” she says, her eyes pointing daggers at me. She turns a sweet smile over to Helena. “Pleasure to meet you after all these years. It’s always nice to see the person responsible for keeping my daughter away for five years. The guest bathroom is upstairs. Marni will show you the way.”

  “Mom, I don’t think—”

  “Cam, I said a word. In the kitchen now!” she commands, leaving no room for arguments.

  “Go. I could use a bath. We’ll talk after,” Helena says, squeezing my hand.

  Torn, I struggle to leave her side. I’ve tried to keep it together, telling myself I’ve been fine without her the last couple days. Now, I’m not so sure. Seeing her in my home, looking every bit as beautiful, even covered in dirt, I’m a slave to my feelings for her. I love her. I can’t change that no matter how many miles I put between us.

  “Fine, I won’t be long,” I reply then ask Marni to pull out one of my outfits for Helena to wear.

  In the kitchen, my mother is pacing the floor, her displeasure coming off her in waves. I tap on the side of the wall, letting her know I’m there.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Mom, I really didn’t know she’d show up here,” I reply honestly.

  “No, Cam. Why didn’t you tell me you’re in love with her?”

  “What are you talking about?” I argue, defiantly crossing my arms over my chest.

  Coming closer, she puts her hand on my shoulder, her eyes boring into mine. I hate when my mother uses her intuition against me. Nine times out of ten, she knows what people are hiding. The tenth is just her being polite to those who can’t take the truth. Being her daughter, I’m not one given that courtesy. She’s taught us to take the bull by the horns and face life head on.

  “Baby girl, I wasn’t born yesterday. You love that woman. I could see it the moment I entered the room, and she loves you. Did you guys have a spat, and you decided to run?”

  “Shh!” I curse, pulling her deeper into the kitchen. “I won’t lie to you, Mom. Yes, I’m in love with her, but she doesn’t know that. She’s not in love with me. She’s here because she’s a control freak.”

  My mother laughs, not a soft chuckle, nope. This is a deep from her belly laugh, as she miserably tries to hold it together.

  “What is so funny?” I ask, unamused.

  “That woman is crazy about you. Do you really think she’d travel all the way to the middle of the US for an assistant? Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure you’re great at your job, but no assistant is that great. That woman is so in love with you, she wasn’t willing to be without you.”

  “That’s crazy, Ma.”

  “Nope, that’s love. Get your shit together, and go talk to her,” she says to me then stops me as I head out. “But no leaving until after your sister’s wedding. I miss you, Cameron. We all do. Five years is a long time.”

  “I know.”

  * * * *

  Standing in my room with a glass of milk, waiting for Helena to come out of the shower, is torture. I grabbed it on the slim chance she needed it. Whenever she travels, it upsets her stomach. She swears a glass of milk helps all her ailments, even when there’s no scientific proof of it. I’ve stopped trying to convince her otherwise.

  I have so many questions I want to ask. The greatest being why she’s here. My mother thinks it’s love, but wouldn’t the years we’ve worked together be more than enough time to say something? I’m also unsure I’m ready for those answers, the implications of them, and what it means for her, for us. Now that I’m home, I realized how much I’ve missed it. I want to stay here with my family, and that means having to say goodbye to Helena forever.

  “May I come in?”

  Turning on my heel, I find Helena leaning on my door jamb, her long legs crossed at the ankle. Her wet hair making her look more youthful than her thirty-two years. Almost approachable. Standing there, looking so relaxed, it’s as if she belongs here. As if she’s been part of this family all along. Looking down further, I admire her long legs in my shorts. They’re a bit tight, being she’s always been thicker and more athletic than me, but they look amazing on her. They hug her curves just right, giving life to all the fantasies I’ve had.

  I push away the thoughts, and swallowing hard, I nod.

  “It’s a bit far from Jegan, don’t you think?”

  “I could say the same thing to you,” she says in a low, raspy voice, closing the distance between us.

  Her hands land on my hips as she lifts me, placing me on top of the bookcase against my window. Pushing my legs open, she positions herself between them. Her mouth is so close to mine I can feel her warm breath against it.

  “I brought you some milk,” I blurt out, not knowing what else to say.

  “Fuck the milk. There’s only one thing that’ll make me feel better,” she says against my lips.

  “What’s that?”

  “You.”

  The glass of milk lands on my carpeted floor as her hand goes to the back of my neck. She fists a handful of my hair. When her lips land on mine, my whole body courses with electricity. I eagerly open for her, and our tongues meet. I’m lightheaded, needy, and completely at the mercy of her demanding mouth. I wrap my arms around her neck, pulling her closer. I want more. So much more. The heady feeling of bliss, knowing she’s wanted me too, is indescribable.

  We kiss until I’m practically climbing her, the need for air the only deterrent from completely losing myself in her. When we finally come apart, her blue eyes bore into me, shining darker than I’ve ever seen them. Her forehead lands on mine, but we both stay quiet, not ready for the consequences of what just happened.

  It’s as if we know, once we speak, we’ll have to put all the truth on the table. Are we ready for that? Answering my silent question, she shocks me dead in my tracks.

  “I’ve wanted to do that since the first day you reported to work. I thought I could do it, but I can’t” she says then pauses.

  “Do what?” I whisper, all my hope riding on what she’ll say next.

  “Lie to myself.” She pulls away from me a bit, a soft smile taking over. “I love you, Cameron. It took you leaving for me to know I don’t just need you by my side. I need you to be my wife.”

  Helena goes down on one knee, undoing her necklace and pulling out the ring hanging from it. Since I’ve known her, she’s worn it, and I never dared ask about it. She engulfs my hand in hers. I’m fucking speechless. This is really happening.

  “Oh my God!” Marni yells, coming to a stop in front of the door.

  “Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle, double wedding!” Josh calls out beside her.

  “Mind if I ask her
first?” Helena smiles up at them before returning her vision to me. “My dearest Cameron, will you do me the honor of marrying me? Of dictating every day of my life from here on out? To warm me with your smile and keep me on my toes with that sharp tongue of yours?”

  “But…” I stammer, not believing what’s happening. If someone told me five days ago I’d be in my childhood bedroom with Queen Helena professing her love to me, I’d have laughed at the absurdity. Yet, here we are. My heart beats a mile a minute, telling me to say yes, while my brain screams run.

  Chapter Six

  ~ Helena ~

  My heart is beating so hard against my chest, I’m pretty sure I’m having a heart attack. Her lack of response is about to become my cause of death. Indecision plays in her eyes, making my nerves skyrocket to the point I may not be able to keep it together. Here I am, the queen of a whole land, reduced to a beggar. Which is fine by me. I’ll beg every day until she agrees to be mine because I can’t exist in a world where she and I aren’t together.

  “What about Jegan? We both know this isn’t exactly kosher there,” she finally says, tears welling up behind her glasses. “We can’t do this. Oh God, your mother. She’ll kill me. I’m gonna be sick.”

  “Hey, shh. Come on, calm down, Cam-Cam. Please, Baby.”

  The endearment feels so natural, so right, coming from my lips. It shocks her, too. A soft gasp leaving her lips, and I gently rub her thigh with my free hand. She’s only ever been this nervous when riding on planes, and I was always able to calm her. I can only hope it works now.

  “As much as I want to say yes, we both know it can’t happen.” Her low voice as she looks away guts me. A tear falls from her eye that she quickly wipes away. I never want to see her cry, especially not because of me.

  “Let me worry about that. Tell me, do you love me?”

  “Yes! Of course, I do. I have for a long time.”