Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
His father had cared for him, but Kash had always known his place was to be the spare, and once Shray had married and had children, he would be worthless. He would have been nothing but the clown-like uncle, only relevant because of his childhood.
It was why he’d studied, why he’d gone out into the world. He’d wanted to make something of himself. Yes, he would have been the spare—a footnote in royal history—but he would have been a man of learning, someone his father could have been proud of.
How had he still ended up the clown?
“Don’t close the club. I would rather have something to do at night.”
McKay nodded. “All right. I’ll let Ian know. He’ll be happy about that. He needs a night at his club, but you should know he was willing to give it up to protect you. He considers you a friend.”
“I consider him a friend as well.” His stomach was in knots. He stood up. He needed sleep but he wasn’t sure he would be able to sleep with her in the room. There must be a bench somewhere. “I know you said you’d put together a room for us, but I suspect you didn’t understand the nature of my marriage to Day.”
McKay’s face was a polite blank. “I’ve been given a full report on the state of your marriage.”
“It’s an arranged marriage. It was never for love or feelings. It was strictly to secure the crown.” If he started explaining things that way, perhaps he could keep some much-needed distance. He simply had to view his marriage the way it was intended—as a pure exchange of need. He needed a wife. She needed all of his money and power.
Except she hadn’t really gone out and spent much. He’d overheard her arguing with his mother that she didn’t need a new wardrobe. His mother had been the one to insist that Dayita have what she called a “trousseau.” Day had put her dainty foot down when Mother had suggested that she redecorate the queen’s traditional apartments. Day had claimed it was lovely and all she would need was her desk from home to make the rooms livable.
“That’s funny,” McKay said quietly. “That’s not what my men observed. I was told you were quite fond of the queen. They said you changed when you met her. You weren’t fighting actively against the marriage once you realized who you were marrying.”
Somehow things had fallen into place when Day had walked into the room again. His world had seemed brutally cold after realizing his mother was sick. He’d felt alone. And then Day had walked out as though the universe couldn’t possibly take away someone so precious without handing him someone else. Day was the one who encouraged him to talk about his mother. He wouldn’t talk about it, but there had been comfort in knowing she was there if he needed her.
Why was she there? Why had she done the things she’d done? Taken him down the dark path like some temptress leading him to sin.
Not sin exactly, but certainly something that could lead to his ruin.
“I calmed down and accepted the marriage after I realized my mother was dying.” It wasn’t a lie. It also wasn’t one hundred percent truth.
“Ah, well, Kai could talk to you about that, too. I know you have to be concerned.”
Numb was a better word. He still wasn’t sure he’d accepted that she was terminally ill. She’d seemed so invigorated by the wedding.
According to Day, his mother had known about Day’s past. Did his mother think so little of him that she believed he needed some kind of keeper? That he needed a top to show him the way? How his father would have laughed. Poor Kash, always the clown.
“I’ll handle this on my own. I thank you for doing your job.” He needed to put a good spin on this. He’d made a mistake by showing his irritation with his new bride. They had to present a united front even when he was so angry he couldn’t look at her. He had to think of the crown. Not himself. He had to be the kind of king his father would have wanted. Strong. Dominant in all things. Never wavering. “Now that I’ve had a few hours to think about it, coming here is actually the best thing that could happen to us. We don’t have to pretend we’re in love. Day and I can relax and play without fear that someone will go to the press. You need to understand that if anyone goes to the press…”
“What you would do is nothing compared to what Ian would do. Trust me. You’re safe here.” McKay closed the folder in front of him. “I’ll let you know if we hear anything from Simon and Jesse. Chelsea and Phoebe have come onto the team as well. Chelsea is searching around the web to see if she can find a hint of anyone talking about harming the king while Phoebe is sitting in on the interviews. She was Agency for years and she’s got excellent instincts. You’re in good hands.”