Page 3 of Royal Desire

And, as a result, I’m back, running the business I never wanted to be a part of and rarely negotiating or arguing a case in a courtroom.

My cell vibrates with a call, and I frown when I see who it is.

It’s an unspoken rule that friends do not call when they can text. I do nothing but talk to clients all day, every day, calming their fears about the markets, assuring them it will bounce back eventually, or explaining how I can’t recreate magic every time they hit it big, even if it is my goal.

I didn’t mind the talking when I was trying to convince a jury that someone didn’t do the shit I knew they did or didn’t do, because it didn’t matter if they were innocent or not. My get out of jail skills were honed so sharp, I made a name for myself. The talking didn’t matter back then.

Dean hates phone calls as much I do, so this is either a nine-one-one emergency or a Dean Moretti emergency. And since he’s the Winslet Chief of Police, it could be anything.

I answer. “Old man softball is one thing, but old man phone calls are another. This better be good.”

“Trust me, man. This cannot be put into a text.”

“You need me on a call?” When I moved back to Winslet, Dean strongarmed me into becoming a volunteer firefighter and EMT. Just one more thing to add to my ever-growing resume.

“No, everything’s good. I mean, it’s not. This could be really bad. Well, maybe not that bad, but...” He pulls in a deep breath. “But it could be.”

“Did you turn into a chick since the last time I saw you? Spit it out.” I shut my laptop and decide I’m done for the day. I can’t sit in this office another moment. I kill the lights on the way out and slam the door behind me. “Tell me what has your panties in a twist that you don’t know bad from not-so bad.”

“It’s not my panties I’m worried about. It’s yours.”

I walk into the kitchen and realize I’m earlier than normal. Sadie is still here putting the finishing touches on dinner. I might’ve moved home to take over my father’s business, but I’m not about to wait on my mother hand and foot. A housekeeper comes in three times a week to clean. Sadie lives here and does all the cooking. She’s widowed. I offered her room and board along with a raise when I moved back in. She deserves that and more for dealing with our family all these years.

“My panties are none of your business,” I say as I pluck a carrot out of the salad bowl and toss it into my mouth.

Sadie’s eyes widen as she looks up at me.

I wave her off. “It’s a figure of speech.”

She shakes her head and smiles. Sadie has worked for my parents since they built this place. There’s nothing I could say that would surprise her at this point.

“Payne, I need you to focus. And then I’m going to need you to not freak the fuck out.”

“I’m the steadiest person you know. Freaking out is for the weak and unbalanced. Did your days in the Army catch up with you? Are you having a bout of amnesia?”

“On any other day, I’d agree with you on the steady part, but not today.”

I climb the staircase that leads to the second floor and round the corner to my bedroom suite. “If you’re not going to spill the details, you should collect your feelings and call me when you’re ready to talk. I thought I’d have time to hit the gym before dinner, but not if I have to sit here and listen to you hem and haw like an old woman.”

“I don’t know how else to do this, so I’m just going to come out and say it. I want you to hear it from me before anyone else.”

“And still, you haven’t said shit.” I head straight to my closet and grab a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.

“Okay, here goes...” He pauses so dramatically, I’m about to call him a middle school girl, until he stops me in my tracks with his next words. “It’s Ruby.”

I freeze in my bathroom and catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I can’t repeat that name. Hell, I can’t utter a response.

“Fuck, man. I knew this was going to happen, which is why I wanted you to hear it from me.”

I force myself to speak. “What about her?”

A pause, and then what he says next hits me like a ton of bricks. “She’s home, Payne. Ruby Sinclair is back in Winslet.”

I barely recognize the person I see in my own reflection. “She’s back?”

“Yes. I confirmed it with more than one person. Hell, I confirmed it with three. Ruby’s home.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and drag a hand down my face.