Page 14 of Royal Heir (Westerly Billionaire 3)
Rachelle took a deep breath and leapt. “Why do you keep making those films if you hate being Water Bear Man?”
Eric withdrew his hand but didn’t turn away. “Do you know how many people I employ? I’m not even sure I do anymore.”
Since he’d opened the door to asking, Rachelle did. “Eric, who is Reggie?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s obvious he’s more than an electrician.”
“He’s my friend. When I needed someone, he was there for me. I know he’s hiding his wife and kids in the east wing. I don’t even care—I’d gift him the whole damn house if I thought he could afford to maintain it. He’s the only person I trust.”
That last part wasn’t easy to hear, but Rachelle couldn’t let the moment become about her. It was good to hear that Eric had someone he trusted. “Maybe you should tell him you’re okay with his family living there.”
“No, if I do that, everyone will want to move their kids in. Some things are better left not discussed. Reggie only moved them in when his wife lost her job, so I gave him a raise. He could afford a new place now, but his kids like the pool. They’re also doing well in school.”
“How do you know that?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“Does everyone with money think privacy for others is optional?”
“Knowledge is power. You weren’t raised with money, Rachelle, but now that you’ve been in the public eye, you’ll have to learn how to protect yourself. When we were young, I thought it was cruel of Mom to not allow you access to your money, but now I see the wisdom in it. Never again will you know if people like you for who you are or for what is in your bank account. Some will want to get close to you because they want to use you—others will see you as competition and will befriend you long enough to learn your weaknesses. It will affect every friendship you have, every potential relationship. Go back into hiding, Rachelle, if it’s not already too late. Otherwise, every move you make, every word you say, will be dissected and judged by people who will find you wanting. You can try to ignore it, but eventually, like slow-drip torture, it will change the way you see yourself.”
Oh, Eric. “You sound as lost as I feel.”
He grimaced. “I’m fine.” He looked across the plane at Magnus, who was standing, speaking to one of his men. “Be careful with him, Rachelle. I don’t trust him.”
It wasn’t surprising, considering what he’d just shared about trusting anyone. “At least he’s not after my money. He runs several companies as well as his country.”
Eric’s eyebrows rose with humor. “And how do you know that?”
“I did a Google search on him.” Rachelle defended herself with a smile. “It’s totally different.”
“Whatever you say.”
Rachelle playfully slugged his arm just as she would have with Spencer. “Okay, okay. I’ll try to be less quick to judge.” Eric laughed, and the sound warmed Rachelle’s heart. She couldn’t help but add, “Please make it to Spencer’s wedding. You don’t know how much it will mean to him.”
“I doubt that. We’re not exactly a close family, are we?”
Rachelle swallowed hard before answering. “We could be. I barely knew Brett before he made an effort to be part of our lives again. It was painfully awkward at first—”
“Like this.”
“Exactly like this. Maybe even worse. I didn’t like his timing with Alisha. Spencer was still fake-engaged to her when he found out that Mark was his real father. I didn’t see why he and Alisha couldn’t wait for the dust to settle, and I was pretty vocal about it.”
“The heart wants what the heart wants, I guess.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been in love. I thought I was, but those relationships never lasted very long. How about you?”
“No. I gave up on fairy tales like that around the same time I stopped believing in Santa Claus. Or in family.”
That last part nearly gutted Rachelle. So many trite retorts came to mind, but she dismissed them. Eric needed something solid. “A year ago I would have said you and Spencer were cut from the same cloth. He was angry with all of us—especially Brett, Delinda, and Dad. The damage seemed irreparable, but they’re all at least talking now. They still have issues, but Brett says family is his first priority, and that has gone a long way to mending bridges.”
“Brett definitely drank Delinda’s Kool-Aid. I can spend about two minutes with him before I remember why we don’t talk anymore.”
Someone else might have asked Eric why he called their grandmother by her first name, but Rachelle knew. She was a far cry from being a cookie-baking, kiss-your-boo-boo-when-you’re-hurt grandmother. “Alisha has definitely softened Brett. If he hadn’t been so busy at his wedding, you would have seen that side of him.”
“I grew up with Brett. Trust me, I’ve seen all the sides of him I can stomach for one lifetime.”
“That makes me sad to hear, Eric. I wish you had reached out to us. Why didn’t you come to Mom’s?”
“Why didn’t you want to go to Dad’s?”
Rachelle nodded. “I didn’t feel like I fit in there.” Rachelle finished her wine in one gulp. “If you’d known him, you would have liked Mom’s second husband. Mark had a way of making everyone feel special. He would have done anything for us—even Alisha, who practically grew up at our house. When I don’t know what to do, I still ask myself what he would have done.”
“As long as it’s not a matter of honoring someone else’s marriage . . .”
Rachelle winced at that jaded, yet accurate, jab at a man she’d been closer to than her biological father and had more respect for, even though he’d been with her mother while she was still married. “Mark was a good man who proved his love for us time and time again. He wasn’t perfect, but maybe that’s another lesson he came into our lives to teach us. You don’t have to be perfect to be able to bring good into the world. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t known him. And every time I think about giving up on someone, I remember that he wouldn’t have, and I open my heart to them one more time.”
“How’s that working out for you?”
His sarcasm stung, but with the memory of Mark fresh in her mind, Rachelle knew what to say. “It brought me to London to see you. It kept me there even though you wouldn’t answer my calls. And now we’re on a trip together to help a child and actually talking about things that matter. So I’d say it’s working out pretty damn well.”
“What are you going to do when you realize I’m too fucked-up for you to want in your life?”
Tears sprang back to blur her vision. “What are you going to do when you realize that we’re all fucked-up but that we’re better off together than apart? You’re my brother, Eric. On your best days and on your worst days—that doesn’t change. Nor does the fact that I love you.”
“You really believe that?”
“I do.” She sniffed. “I believe you love me, too, because I’m pretty fucking wonderful once you get to know me.”
Eric chuckled. “How could I not love you? You’re every bit as crazy as I am.”
“I’ll accept that, even though it was a bit backhanded.” Rachelle wiped away a tear before it fell. “Would you like to hear how Magnus and I met?” She retold everything from standing still on the red carpet to hiding in the alley and brainstorming porno titles with Alisha. Normally she would have avoided the embarrassing parts, but Eric looked genuinely entertained, and it was good to see him smiling. She even told Eric about how she’d chewed Magnus out in private that morning, right down to how she’d poked her finger into his chest. The only part she left off was that Magnus had told her how he’d found Eric. Their connection was still too fragile for that.
When she finished, Eric smiled at Magnus and waved to him but kept his voice low enough so that his comment would only reach Rachelle’s ears. “I was concerned for you, but maybe I should be for him. He has no idea who he’s dealing with.”
“
Shh, don’t warn him,” Rachelle joked.
“Oh, I won’t. Something tells me you’re exactly what he deserves.”
“Yeah, well, here’s what you deserve.” Rachelle playfully slugged him on the arm again, then burst into laughter that was a welcome release of tension. He joined in.
Magnus retook the seat across from them, and Rachelle smiled at him. He might not want more than a one-night stand with her and he’d called her a hot mess, but if it wasn’t for him, she still might not know where Eric was. She definitely wouldn’t know what Eric was struggling with or have a shot at being part of his support system. Her heart was bursting with gratitude, and it only heightened how intensely she was drawn to him.
For a moment she forgot they were not alone and let herself get lost in the desire in his eyes. It was too easy to remember the taste of him, the feel of his lips parting hers. For anyone beyond middle school, what they’d shared sexually had been tame, but it didn’t feel that way. It felt decadent. The memory of his touch had her body warming, and craving more.
His cheeks flushed ever so slightly, making her wonder if he sensed where her thoughts had taken her. On impulse, she winked, and he coughed as if someone had sucker punched him.
He really does want me.
Wow.
I was wrong. I may be that grateful.
