Page 75 of The Prince Who Loved Me

“It’s good to be prepared,” Sebastien said.

“I don’t need to deliver it. Wendy told me you’ve been sketching your whole life, but I thought she was being kind. You have some talent there, my friend.”

Friend. Aside from Brandi, Wendy, and Jordan, Sebastien didn’t count many among his friends. He had myriad acquaintances, many people who were happy to host him or take him out on their boats or invite him to dinner to say he was there. He and Rob had gotten off to a rocky start, but the man had grown on him.

“Does that mean you forgive me for the split lip?” Sebastien asked.

“That was so twelve months ago.” Rob held out his hand.

Sebastien ignored it and pulled the other man into a hug, slapping his back a few times for good measure. With one arm still around Rob’s shoulders, Sebastien reached out to Josh. “Bring it in.”

Josh’s eyes darted around as if looking for an escape, but Rob held out his other arm and wiggled his fingers. “Come on, man. You know you can’t escape it.”

Josh heaved out a sigh, but joined Sebastien and Rob in a hug. “The things I do for the woman I love,” he said.

Sebastien gave him a few more whacks for good measure, then stepped back. “I’m glad you’re both here.”

A sugary scent reached him and he turned to see Brandi approaching. The love beaming from her heart-shaped face wasbrighter than any light highlighting the display. She walked right into his arms. “This is amazing. You’re amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

He kissed her forehead, and blinked at the sudden brightness of camera flashes going off around him. He turned away out of habit, though it was probably just the local media. “Let’s see some of the other artists.”

“Don’t you need to be by your display?” Brandi asked, trailing behind him. Loïc and Massimo hovered nearby, trying their best to look like casual party goers and succeeding slightly.

“Not really. How would you feel if you were reading Rob’sWhite Lightningbook with him standing right next to you?”

“Good point.”

“Right now, I’m taking advantage of the guests milling.” Each artist deserved his attention, especially when he figured out which pieces to buy.

Whispers followed them throughout the gallery, and more flashes blinded them as they walked. Thomasina glided into their path. “I’m hearing murmurs of royalty being present, Owen. Perhaps you should retreat to the office spaces for a bit. Let people wonder.”

Disappointment streaked through him, that he’d miss his own art debut, but he grasped Brandi’s hand and maneuvered around a man crouched down to tie his shoe.

A flash rose from the floor and Brandi froze next to him. “Did he just…”

She turned, facing off with the man who now held a camera and wore a smarmy grin. “Thanks for the shot,” he said.

***

The blood drained from Brandi’s face. That man had just taken. A picture. Up her dress. He had knelt on the floor andwaited, snapped a shot when she walked by.

“What’s wrong?” Sebastien asked.

She gripped Sebastien’s arm and inhaled on a gasp, trying to fill her lungs, as the room swirled around her. Her focus honed in on his smug, dirty little rat face.

Part of her brain gave off red flashing warning lights. Anything she did would only bring unwanted attention to Sebastien. This was his night. One he’d waited for his entire life. Was she going to let some jerk off ruin it for him?

“To the cloud it goes. See ya, princess,” he smirked, saluting her with his camera.

That was it. She lunged, connecting with the man so he stumbled backward, dropping his equipment as he tried to regain his balance. He landed on his ass, his legs splayed in front of him, his striped tie flipped over his shoulder.

“You bitch! You broke my camera.” He scrambled up, his eyes hard in the dim light of the gallery.

She was ready.

A blur of a red-topped tuxedo streaked by her, and a strong arm wrapped itself around her waist and pulled her back. She kicked as she struggled, until she realized it was Loïc. “Come with me,mademoiselle.”

She pushed at his arm, but it didn’t move. “That bastard can’t get away with it.”