#Drake walker x mc

[angelasscribbles]

Savage Love Chapter 38: Here Comes the Bride?

Series: Savage Love

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Riley x Liam, Riley x Drake

Rating: R         

Warnings: Mature themes

Word Count: 2,169

My other stuff: Master List.

The moment we were back on Cordonian soil, and I was free of Madeleine, I texted Liam, asking for an immediate meeting.

He responded instantly. Come to my quarters. Leo is here now.

I made my way to Liam’s private suite. He was alone with his brother. He swept me into his arms, pressing me close to his body as he whispered, “I was worried about you. I’m so glad you’re back.”

I melted into his embrace for a moment before remembering that I was there to give my official report about what I’d learned in Hidar. Noting that no one else was present, I asked, “Should we wait until the entire team is assembled?”

Liam shook his head. “We can brief them later on the parts they need to know. Tell us what happened in Hidar. Was Lena there?”

“No. She wasn’t. Was she in Rivala?”

Leo looked at Liam, who nodded, then turned to me and said, “She wasn’t home, but her mother was. Her mother turns out to be my mother. My biological one, I mean.”

“Oh wow! Oh, Leo.” I crossed the room and sat on the couch next to him so that I could throw my arms around him. “That must have been so hard for you! Are you okay?”

He returned the hug quickly, then released me as he answered. “Yeah…I mean, no, not really, but yes. Liv was with me. I’ll be fine. It’s a lot to process, but the short version is that when Eleanor was alive, she let my mom see me secretly. The plan was for her to take me and Liam with her when she went back to Auvernall for Lena. Obviously, that never happened and Helena ended up adopting an alias and raising the baby herself.”

“That is a lot!” I sympathized.

“That’s not the biggest bombshell,” Liam interjected. “Turns out Constantine wasn’t the baby’s father and that’s why she ran away.”

Oh, boy. The hits just kept coming. I stood and turned to Liam, my eyes tracking across his face, looking for signs of distress. “And how are you handling that news?”

“I’m not judging her if that’s what you mean, and I don’t blame her either. Our father isn’t an easy man to love and I’m sure he wasn’t a great husband. The bigger twist is who she was having an affair with.”

My head swiveled between the two men. “Who was it?”

Leo answered. “Jackson Walker.”

“Drake’s father?”

“Yes.”

My heart dropped. “Does he know?”

Liam gave me an understanding smile as he reached out and took my hand in his. “You’re worried about him.”

“Yes, Liam. I’m worried about all of you! This is a huge shock for everyone, I’m sure, and it’s not even the biggest issue in your life at the moment.”

The biggest issue was the threat to life and limb that the Via Imperii posed. Not to mention Liam having to get up to speed on becoming king since he’d had the crown unexpectedly thrust upon him just days before.

I filled them in on everything that had happened in Hidar.

“Wow.” Leo grasped a handful of his own hair as he took in the information. “First, we find out we have a sister, then I find out she’s not my sister, and now we have a brother.”

“One that’s been weaponized against us,” Liam added.

“We can try to extract him when take them down. Give orders that he isn’t to be killed,” I offered. “Maybe he can be deprogrammed.”

“Maybe,” He replied doubtfully.

“It’s worth a try,” Leo argued. “We don’t know what he’s been told or how he feels about any of it.”

“Great.” I nodded, “I’ll make sure the team that breeches has his photograph and understands he’s to be taken alive.”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “Are we ready to breech?”

“Hopefully soon.” Getting their brother safely out of Via Imperii control added yet another layer to my resolve to take down the entire thing, not just the local branch.

“Did you learn anything else that we need to know?” Liam asked.

I shook my head.

“Well, I have news. While you were gone, I received the same invitation to join the Via Imperii that Leo received.”

“I don’t suppose you’d be open to playing along by accepting the invitation and pretending to—”

“Absolutely not.”

I suppressed a sigh of frustration. “You are expected to pick a bride at the end of the week!”

My time was running out.

“That seems unreasonable given that I just took over the role of crown prince less than a week ago.”

“About that.” Leo interrupted. “I’ve met with father and we agreed to a course of action. I’ll be officially announcing my pick and my abdication at the same time. So technically, the goal of me finding a wife will be satisfied, so hopefully the suitors won’t feel they have wasted their time.”

“Oh, that’s brilliant!” I nodded my approval. “Announce your choice first, so that the suitors and their families don’t feel tricked, and then announce that you’re stepping down so that the Via Imperii don’t see your choice as a threat.”

“That’s great!” Liam’s face brightened. “Then I can just wait until next year to pick a wife!”

“Yeah…. sorry, but I pitched that idea to dear old Dad, and he insisted that you choose someone now.”

“But—”

Sympathy passed across Leo’s face. “I get it. But I also agree that it needs to happen now.”

“Why?”

“Because you have to be engaged to ascend the throne and let’s face it…. Our father is getting worse by the day. He needs to retire. This morning he was sharp as a tack, but by lunchtime he thought I was Uncle Fabian.”

Liam uttered a string of swear words that I would have sworn he didn’t know.

“I know. And I’m sorry. If I hadn’t dropped this in your lap—”

“What? No!” Liam shook his head adamantly. “Your hand was forced, Leo. It’s fine. I don’t mind picking up the crown. It’s just the marriage part…” he trailed off as his eyes found mine.

The desperation in his eyes killed me a little. He had to marry, there was no choice about that. The only choice was who. He didn’t want to marry someone he wasn’t in love with.

He was in love with me.

That thought sent warmth cascading through me. It wasn’t the time to think about that, though. “What about just pretending to pick Madeleine? You can always break the engagement after we take down the—”

“That won’t work.” Liam shook his head. “A marriage contract must be signed at the conclusion of the selection ceremony. I would need cause to break it.”

“Proof that she’s a member of an organization trying to take over the government ought to do it, right?”

“The wedding is two weeks after the engagement,” Leo broke in. “If you don’t take them down quickly enough, then she will be queen, with access to classified information and places inside the palace. We can’t risk it.”

Liam stepped closer to me and took my hand in his as his eyes searched my face. “Does the idea of me marrying someone else do nothing to you, Riley?”

“I….” I had no easy answer for him, or for myself. I had no issue with him getting fake engaged to Madeleine for the purpose of taking down the bad guys. Hell, I’d accepted a proposal or two in the course of my career. But the idea of him actually marrying someone…. anyone…. bothered me far more than I was willing to admit.

My personal feelings aside, choosing any of the other suitors was going to get him killed. I stared into his eyes as all the available options fell through my mind. The thought of him being hurt…. Or worse... sent all my professionalism flying out the window.

“Of course I don’t want to see you marry someone else,” I said softly before snapping back into work mode and stepping away from him. “And there’s the added wrinkle that if you choose anyone that the Via Imperii doesn’t approve of, her life will be in danger. Not to mention yours.”

“I’m open to ideas.” His voice was suspiciously devoid of emotion.

There was only one answer, and we both knew it.

“Choose me.”

A storm of emotions chased each other across his face. “I want to, Riley but I can’t ask you to—”

“You’re not asking. It was my idea.”

“Yes. However, I know that you don’t actually want to get married.”

Leo stood from the couch. “I should go. Let you two sort this out.” He stopped on his way to the door to lean in and whisper to me, “Don’t let your intractable stubbornness get in the way of your happiness, double oh seven. Tell him how you feel.”

Once we were alone, we turned to each other, the air around us laden with emotion. “I can’t choose you, Riley.”

“Yes, Liam, you can!”

A sad smile flittered across his face. “I’ve made no secret of my feelings nor my intentions. I would marry you tomorrow if that’s what you wanted.”

“It is what I want.”

He shook his head. “As I said, you would be expected to sign an iron clad marriage contract upon acceptance of the engagement. One you would not be able to break later. Agreeing to marry to take down the Via Imperii will not constitute adequate cause to terminate the contract, as you will have entered into it knowingly and willingly, no matter your motives.”

I stepped closer to him as my heart began to thud in my chest. My eyes locked on his, drinking in all the longing and desperation that I found there. “I understand that.”

Hope flashed through his eyes. “You’d have to actually marry me.”

“I know.”

He stepped into my personal space, his eyes searching mine. “You’re prepared to spend the rest of your life with me?”

I shrugged, trying for a nonchalance that I did not feel. “Unless we can take them down in the next six days.”

“Is there any chance of that happening?”

“To be honest, we could take down the Cordonian branch right now.”

“But?”

I traced my fingers down his face and across his lips, my eyes taking in his hopeful expression.

His hand reached out to grasp mine. Bringing my fingers to his lips, he kissed each one individually.

My voice was thick as I whispered, “They’ll just come back. New people will take their place and you’ll never be safe.” I cleared my throat and forced a smidge of professionalism into my voice. “We have to cut off the head.”

It was the only way to keep him safe long term. It might take the Via Imperii months to years to regroup and set up a new branch in Cordonia, but regroup they would and Liam would be their first target.

His eyes lit up with delight. “You’re worried about me.”

“Of course I am.” Pulling my hand out of his grasp, I scoffed. “I’d be an idiot not to recognize the danger. Not only will they want to realize their original ends, but they’ll be out for vengeance on the monarch that helped take them down.”

“Do you always worry about the long term repercussions of your missions? Or do you usually just complete the assignment and get out?”

I stared at him in consternation. I didn’t want to answer that because the truth was that I never worried about what happened after I left. I took down my target. Cleaning up the aftermath was someone else’s job. Leo’s words echoed through my head, and I suppressed the smile that fought to bloom across my face. With a shake of my head, I lost the fight. “You’re incorrigible, you know that? I see what you’re doing.”

“What?” He grinned as he reached for me and pulled me back into his embrace. “Tell me you’re not acting illogically because you love me.”

“Shut up,” I breathed as my head fell back, giving him access to my neck and anything else he wanted.

He was right, but I wasn’t ready to say it out loud. I couldn’t.

Maybe it was a toxic trait. Maybe it was a self protection mechanism. Maybe I was just bad at relationships. Or maybe it was my equally strong feelings for his best friend that kept those three little words off the tip of my tongue.

Spoken out loud or not, my feelings…. And yes, it was time to admit that I had them…. My feelings for him were driving my decisions, not my professional ambition or my years of experience as a field agent. Leaving him vulnerable to assassination was simply not an option for me.

I would do whatever I had to do to ensure his safety, and I didn’t care about the cost.

[prettyboisteveharrington]

Don’t take my heart don’t break my heart. Don’t… Don’t throw it away

Have a short Drabble based on book two’s love confession between Drake and Mc

Drake Walker x MC ( Rose Throne)

Word count: 856

Thorne… Meet me on the hotel balcony tonight. We need to talk ~ Drake.

As you made your Way up to the hotel balcony all you Can Think about is Drake and how much you love him. How much you need him.

Drake. Drake. Drake.

You stand and look out at New York. You are thinking about what you are going to say to him, you want him to know how special he is to you, how wonderful he makes you feel but you don’t want to mess it up.

You hear footsteps behind you and turn around and see him.

As you finally see him it feels like your heart is beating ten, twenty if not a hundred times faster than it normally does.

You drink in his presence, from the lights illuminating his face to his Golden eyes that remind you of a glass of whiskey near the fireplace.

‘Hi’ you say breathlessly

‘Hey, Thorne’ Drake says he would Seem very composed if you didn’t know him like you do. You see through the cracks. You can tell that he’s nervous just like you.

He takes a few tentative steps forward, his eyes locked on yours.

‘We need to talk… About Us’

‘Yeah, we do’ you agree and nod your head.

You take a step towards him as well. You take a deep breath. You can do this.

‘Drake… Liam proposed to me tonight’

‘Oh’

Drake face falls and you can see the hurt in his eyes for a brief second before he composes himself and his face turns stoic.

‘I’m very happ-‘ Drake starts to say even if his facial expression betrays him. He looks like you just ripped his heart out and shattered it into a million pieces.

It hurts to see him like that. So broken. You take a deep breath and you reach out and gently take his hand in yours

‘I turned him down Drake. I told him i’m in love with you’

‘….What?’ Drake says and he looks surprised

You give his hand a squeeze.

‘From the first moment i saw you I was drawn to you. Sure we didn’t get along at first but there was something about you that kept pulling me back to you’ you say and smile at him

‘Thorne do you really mean it? Liam could give you so much more than me. Hells he could give you anything you wanted. You could have Cordonia and be Queen. Do you really want to settle for less than you deserve… Settle for me?’ Drake searches your eyes for any hint of a lie

You step towards him again your eyes are glossy. It hurts to see Drake like this. It hurts to hear him speak so ill of himself.

‘I hate when you do this. It hurts Drake’

Drake looks at you concerned

‘Rose I-‘

‘I don’t want a kingdom or be Queen. What i want is You. It hurts me greatly that you can’t see how much you have to offer’

Drake seems lost for words as looks at you with a vulnerable expression on his face.

You stand on your toes and lean in to kiss Drake’s left cheek

‘You are Incredibly handsome’

You lean in and kiss his right cheek

‘ you would do anything for me’

You stand on your toes and kiss his forehead

‘You are the first person i think about when i wake up and the last person I think about before I fall asleep’

You lean in and kiss his nose

‘The only person i want to be with is you. I’m yours Drake. Completely. Do you want me too?’

‘I do. Thorne how can I not want you’ Drake says and caresses your cheek with his hand, his hand trembles and you lean into the touch. Your eyes trace his lips before you look into his eyes again

‘Then what are you waiting for?’ You say and lean into him, your lips are inches away from his

His lips meet yours in a searching kiss as he wraps his arms around your waist.

There’s a look of gentle, astonished joy on his face as he pulls away. You lean your head against his you are unable to stop smiling.

You look into his eyes

‘I love you Drake Walker. I have loved you for a long time. Always will. Nothing and no one could ever change that. You are it for me. My soulmate. My marshmallow���

Drake’s eyes are glossy and his smile is wide

‘I don’t know what I could have possibly done to deserve someone like you Rose Thorne. But I will never stop trying to be worthy of you. I love you with every fiber of my being and I will always give you my all’ Drake says earnestly unable to look anywhere but at you

Drake takes your hand and kisses it gently

The two of you sit down on the ground, your head rests on Drake’s shoulder as you both watch the sunset.

[karahalloway]

(Less Than) Noble Intentions: Chapter 18 - Diplomatica

Fandom: TRR

Pairing: Drake Walker x F!OC (Harper Gale)

Series Summary: The social season may be over, but Harper Gale’s problems are just beginning. With everyone at court a potential suspect, can she and Drake survive the engagement tour and get to the bottom of the plot against her and clear her name? An AU take of TRR2 featuring my OTP - Harper & Drake.

Masterlist: (Less Than) Noble Intentions

Chapter Summary: Harper, Olivia and the Beaumonts arrive in Rome... but not everyone is happy to see them

Word Count: 5,300

Rating/Warnings: None (for once 🤣)

Chapter theme song:

A/N1: Lots of Italian and random cultural/historical tidbits in this... but, then again, we are in Italy, so the foreign language aspect will be a bit of a running theme through the next few chapters (sorry...not sorry - I actually learnt some Italian in the process!)

A/N2: @aussiegurl1234, before you ask, yes, I HC that Vito bears a striking resemblance to Michele Morrone 😆

Chapter 18 - Diplomatica

"How is it hotter here than in Cordonia?" I gasp as I step out onto the jet's airstairs.

"Italy is a peninsula," Olivia says from behind me, slotting on a pair of Versace cat-eye shades. "It is more exposed to the anti-cyclones that blow up from the Sahara."

My mouth drops as I make my way down onto the steaming tarmac. "This heatwave... is coming from Africa?"

No wonder it feels like the inside of a furnace!

"It certainly isn't coming from the Arctic!" bemoans Bertrand as he shields his face from the intensity of the rays with an upraised hand. "Though what a welcome change that would be!"

"Brr...!" objects Maxwell with a shiver. "No thank you! I've had my yearly fill of sub-zero temps at Olivia's!"

"You're welcome," comes the snippy response as the Duchess of Lythikos strides past us.

"That said, turning the mercury down a few notches wouldn't hurt..." I remark, squinting accusatorily up at the beating sun.

"The summer heatwaves have been growing longer and more intense over recent years," Olivia advises from up front, "leading to consequent effects on food and water security, power generation, infrastructure, not to mention the added burden on the healthcare system across Europe. It is one of the items on the agenda for Christian's roundtable with the Italian Prime Minister tomorrow."

I frown as I arrive at the passenger-side door of the first in a trio of waiting Porsche Macan GTS's. "I thought this was supposed to be an engagement tour..."

"It is," she confirms as a black-suited Italian sporting close-cropped hair and aviators opens the door for her. "But any foreign visit involving a high-ranking head of state is — by its nature — a diplomatic event as well."

"I guess that makes sense," I concede, sliding into the relative reprieve offered by the SUV's A/C system. "Though you said Christian is meeting with the Prime Minister tomorrow... I thought that was supposed to be today. Did something change?"

"No," derides Bertrand as he settles in next to me. "Today, the King is partaking in a meet-and-greet with the Italian President, followed by a private audience with the Pope while the future Queen is fitted for her wedding trousseau, capped off by dinner and a performance of Tosca at the Teatro dell'Opera in the evening. While tomorrow we have been invited to brunch at the Cordonian Consulate, after which the King has a round-table discussion with the Prime Minister, and day will be closed out by a state gala."

"Oh," I mutter sheepishly. "So, the Prime Minister isn't the same as the President...?"

"The Prime Minister is the head of government, while the President is the head of state," the elder Beaumont instructs as Maxwell squishes himself into the backseat on the other side of me. "The roles are quite distinct."

"Of course they are..." I huff under my breath.

Seems like in addition to Olivia's list of influential Cordonian nobles, I will also need to memorise a textbook on European constitutional history...

Though, now I am doubly glad of the business-like, but nevertheless stylish pale pink, high-necked pencil dress that Bertrand foisted on me this morning — it definitely would not have been great to show up underdressed to such a high-level meeting!

"But we must hurry!" the elder Beaumont proclaims. "We are due at the Presidential Palace in just under an hour, and we still need to fight our way through the notoriously infernal Roman traffic!"

"Not to worry," Olivia assures us with a sly smirk from the front passenger seat. "Vito here knows all the shortcuts."

"That sounds ominous..." I mutter, reaching for the seatbelt on instinct.

"I prefer 'expeditious'," she counters, turning to Vito, who has now taken up position behind the wheel. "Andiamo."

"Certamente, Duchessa," he nods, throwing the car forward with a violent depression of the gas pedal.

The sudden acceleration yanks an inadvertent gasp from my lips as I'm thrown back in my seat... just like on that afternoon in Ramsford when Drake pulled the same stunt on the Beaumonts' driveway.

I feel my throat tighten as I glance inadvertently out the window. God, I hope he's okay...

I know in the back of my mind that I'm probably making myself anxious for no reason. Drake is an adult, perfectly capable of taking care of himself... including in close-quarters situations. He's demonstrated that to me plenty of times.

Yet, I still can't help but worry about him. Especially when he's off in a foreign country (all by himself for all I know...), having left with basically no good-bye, and with definitely no assurance of when he expects to get back.

And while I know that he is doing this for me — so we can collar Tariq and extract whatever information he has in relation to the plot to influence the outcome of the social season... and to answer for what he did to me in Applewood — the wait is killing me. I have no idea where he is, what he is doing, and whether he even has his phone turned on, given the high-stakes nature of his self-appointed task.

Which is why I have held off trying to reach out to him (...even though the baser, needier part of me is itching to do exactly that), as I don't want to be the one to interrupt a crucial moment by setting his phone off with an ill-timed call or text, especially considering the three-hour time difference...

I heave a breath.

I just have to trust him. Like he asked me to at every turn of this increasingly bumpy road that we've been travelling since I left New York. And hope that we are finally on our way out of the woods.

Exiting the boundaries of the airport, Vito navigates the Porsche onto a highway where we are able to pick up some speed. Olivia uses the opportunity to open up her phone, throwing some questions in Italian to her associate every so often as we cruise along. Bertrand is similarly occupied, while Maxwell has slipped on some Bose headphones and is bobbing away to the beat.

Which leaves me to stare somewhat aimlessly out the window, watching the scenery roll by in a bid to keep myself distracted.

But the reprieve ends up being somewhat of a welcome one. The various warehouses and road-side auto lots surrounding the airport quickly give way to a tree-lined thoroughfare, and I find myself basking in the calming effects of the greenery, not having expected to encounter such a bucolic sight on the road to a major urban centre.

Eventually, though, the vegetation gives way to the crumbling walls of some kind of expansive estate that we end up following for a good few miles until the asphalt road changes over to cobblestones and we pass in front the gates of a red-bricked stone fortress that looks like it's been plucked straight from the set of Game of Thrones.

"Wow..." I can't help but breathe as I take in the sight of the towering structure simmering under the light of the mid-morning sun.

"Le mura aureliane," advises Vito from up front, catching my awed expression through the rear-view mirror. "Costruita dall'imperatore Aureliano per difendere Roma dai barbari."

I nod distractedly, craning my neck as we turn a corner to follow the path of the ancient structure that is somehow still standing despite the clear ravages of time and weather.

Nothing lasts like this anymore...

Making another turn, we pass beneath an arched portion of the wall, and the road before us opens up into a leafy boulevard that takes us into the city proper. And from there, it's one jaw-dropping piece of architecture after another jostling for space between more modern buildings and seemingly never-ending rows of trees.

"I didn't expect Rome to be so green..." I admit to no one in particular as I eye up the unusual-looking shrubs.

"You can thank the Ancient Romans," supplies Bertrand without glancing up from his phone. "They planted the now-iconic stone pines in scores along the major roadways in part to serve as ornamentation, and in part to provide a steady supply of pine nuts, which are an essential ingredient in many dishes, including pesto and various pies and tarts."

"It certainly was worth the effort," I agree, watching the evergreens drift past on either side of us.

Though, as Bertrand predicted, the closer we get to the centre of the ancient capital, the increasingly chaotic the traffic becomes, with cars, buses and mopeds all vying for space on the roads, requiring Vito to make recourse to his own horn as well as various offensive gestures in order to narrowly avoid a slew of accidents... and I suddenly have a slightly better appreciation for why Drake drives the way he does. Because based on my experiences first in France and now in Italy, it appears that on the Mediterranean, might equals right when it comes to priority on the road, and unless you're forceful, you ain't getting nowhere.

Managing to finally extricate ourselves from the constraints of a complicated intersection, we end up on a quieter road running parallel to a long patch of bunkered-looking grass on our left.

"What's that?" I ask, tapping Vito on his shoulder.

"Il Circo Massimo," he advises.

My eyes widen. "That's the Circus Maximus?"

"Sì," he nods. "L'antico stadio romano costruito per le corse dei carri."

"Unbelievable..." I murmur, slumping back into my seat in awe.

There is nothing comparable back home — even the oldest still-extant pre-Columbian structures date to only the first millennia A.D. Whereas here we are, casually cruising past a seminal piece of history that is still embedded into the fabric of the city nearly three thousand years after its construction. And we haven't even seen the Colosseum, or the Forum yet!

Rome really is the Eternal City...

Leaving the green fields of the Circus behind us, we enter a more urban-looking environment as we start to climb a hill. The white- and sand-coloured buildings cluster closer together, and the general architecture becomes more uniformly Baroque, until we arrive in a large plaza dominated by a massive, Neo-Classical structure that towers over everything else.

"Il Vittoriano," Vito offers without prompting.

"Is that where we're having brunch with the President?" I ask, slack-mouthed as I stare up at the imposing building.

It certainly looks impressive enough to house the head of a country!

"Of course not!" admonishes Bertrand. "The Vittoriano is a symbolic collection of monuments built to commemorate the rule of King Victor Emmanuel II and the unification of Italy. The President resides at the Quirinal Palace, which is located on a wholly different Roman hill!"

"Oh," I mutter sheepishly.

"Like she is going to know the difference," scoffs Oliva from the front. "They don't even teach The Art of War in her schools... How can you expect her to know anything about Italian history?"

"Italian history is foundational history!" insists Bertrand. "The Romans were instrumental in shaping not just the course of European, but Northern African and Middle Eastern events for millennia! How can they neglect to teach American children about this?"

"Because the focus is on US history," I tell them wearily as Vito navigates us to the other side of the square.

"Surely that is an afternoon's worth of lessons at most?" the elder Beaumont queries sceptically. "Your country was only founded in the conventional sense of the word in the mid-1600s..."

"Most Americans haven't been to Europe," I remind him, watching the rows of buildings flick past on either side of us as we begin the ascent up another hill. "They don't necessarily have a basis of comparison."

"Sounds like your curriculum is somewhat lacking in scope, then..." he surmises with pursed lips.

"Yeah, well..." I retort dryly, "I don't write the textbooks. Though, speaking of education, is there any chance for some sightseeing? It would be a shame to spend two days here and not actually see anything..."

"While I wholeheartedly approve of the sentiment," Bertrand replies, "I am afraid that you will have to make do with the cultural experiences offered by the various host venues on the official itinerary. Which — I admit — are no Pantheon, or Sistine Chapel, but are impressive and important cultural artefacts, nevertheless. The Quirinal Palace, for instance, so named for the Quirinal Hill on which it sits, is actually the sixth largest palace in the world and has served as the primary residence of such notable figures as—"

I let out a low exhale as Bertrand launches into a full-blown historical recital. And while the details are definitely interesting, I didn't come all this way to listen to a one-man rendition of a Roman guidebook.

Which makes me all the more determined to find some kind of opportunity to slip away from the official tour — even if it's just for an hour to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain — so that I can experience something of the magic that this breathtaking city has to offer.

When, I have no idea, given the busyness of our schedule, but I managed to orchestrate an escape plan to see the capital back in Cordonia, so I'm confident I'll be able to pull something similar... albeit without Drake's help this time. But despite the set-backs, I'm not about to miss out on this kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience...

With my intention firmly set, the car rounds an uphill corner, and we are suddenly on the edge of yet another expansive plaza secured by a rim of strategically placed concrete planters and a pair of police cars.

Vito pulls to a stop and slides the window down to exchange a few quick words with the officer who has come to greet us.

"Passports," instructs Olivia, reaching into her purse.

Opening up the white, Medusa emblazoned Versace clutch sitting on my lap — which I am sure cost more than what I would've ever made in a month working as a waitress back home, but which Bertrand had insisted on as a 'necessary' Italian-themed accessory — I pull out my shiny, new Cordonian passport and pass it to the front.

Maxwell and Bertrand do the same, and there is a couple of minutes of tense silence while the stern-looking officer inspects each document to verify our identities, while another policeman does a circuit 'round the car with a convex safety mirror.

Finally, the policeman hands the passports back with a curt nod, and waves us through.

"Were they not expecting us?" I query as I slot my credentials away again.

"They were," Olivia advises. "But we are arriving separately from the royal delegation, so the State Police are obligated to run a security check."

"Why?"

The Duchess of Lythikos scoffs back at me. "To ensure that we are not terrorists trying to kill the President with a car bomb... Or did that part go over your head?"

"No..." I hit back sarcastically. "I meant why are we arriving separately?"

She looks back at me with an arched brow. "Would you have preferred to deal with the press?"

"I... No," I admit.

She turns back to the front with a smirk. "Didn't think so."

Vito pulls the car to a stop in front of a small courtyard decked out with a red carpet and intertwined streamers made out in the colours of Cordonia's and Italy's flags. Allard and Schweitzer — who had been travelling in the car behind us — appear to open the doors for us.

Bertrand scoots out of the backseat first, before turning back to offer me his hand.

"Thanks," I say with a sincere smile, grasping his fingers to help pull myself up.

"Always my pleasure," he replies with a genuine smile.

Smoothing my skirt, I gaze up at the somewhat understated-looking entranceway, suddenly nervous about the prospect of acting as a newly-minted ambassador of Cordonia. I mean... three months ago, I was bussing tables at a dive bar for less than minimum wage, and now here I am, decked out in clothes that cost more than the rent I was paying for a fifth-storey walk-up, about to have an official meeting with a foreign country's head of state.

To say that I feel like a fraud is a massive understatement.

"What are you waiting for?" asks Olivia, breezing past me with all the confidence of a woman who's done this a hundred times before... probably because she has. "For the grass to grow?"

"I—"

"I heard the President loves chocolate bomboloni," offers Maxwell enthusiastically, linking his arm through mine to tug me down the length of the red carpet.

"What's...that?" I ask, forcing myself to swallow down the sudden dryness in my throat.

Maxwell's face collapses into an aghast look of shock. "Only the best pastry-based dessert! Second only to cronuts, of course!"

"That's definitely a high bar to hit," I admit.

"Think mini doughnuts with gooey chocolate filling, dusted with powdered sugar," he explains. "They literally melt in your mouth!"

"Except we are not here to indulge infantile cravings for sugary treats," reprimands Bertrand as we pass through the arched doorway. "We are here to partake in important discussions relating to matters of state, and t—"

"Pfft," scoffs Olivia. "Speak for yourself, Beaumont. These meetings are dull as shite. I'm here for the sweets."

I can't help but snort at the unexpected riposte... as well as the resultant sight of Bertrand's jaw hitting the parquet flooring. And I unexpectedly find myself feeling better about the whole experience. Because despite whatever nerves I may be feeling, the fact that Olivia and the Beaumonts are with me means that I am not alone in this.

Passing into the coolness of the building, we are greeted by a middle-aged woman who proceeds to lead us through a veritable rabbit warren of ante-rooms and corridors before we finally arrive in an expansive room dominated by a pair of jaw-dropping crystal chandeliers suspended from a vaulted, hand-painted ceiling.

"La Salle Bronzino," informs our guide, indicating that we should step through.

"Wow..." I breathe, trying to take in the opulence with as much composure as I can.

A slew of camera shutters click to life upon our arrival.

Jerking my gaze down from the delicate, celestial fresco above me, I spot the handful of photographers aiming their lenses at me.

I stifle a groan as I plaster a demure smile onto my face. "I thought you said there wouldn't be any reporters."

"This is an official state visit," Bertrand hisses out of the corner of his mouth. "Of course, there will be reporters!

"Just not as many as there would have been outside earlier," Olivia assures me.

My shoulders slump in acquiescence. "Take the wins you can get, I guess..."

"Ah, you made it!" exclaims Christian, striding up to us with a jovial grin. "Traffic wasn't too terrible, I hope?"

"Nothing Vito couldn't handle," Olivia assures him, dipping into a chaste curtesy as the photographers snap eagerly away.

Christian turns to me with a good-natured chuckle. "And Lady Harper... First impressions haven't put you off, have they?"

"No," I assure him, bobbing down politely as well, knowing that everyone in the room now has their eyes on us. "The exact opposite, actually."

"Excellent," he beams, holding my gaze for a second longer than he did with Olivia. "I have to admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for Rome, myself."

"It really is a—"

"Darling," interjects Madeleine with a steely smile, appearing at her fiancé's shoulder. "You really should focus your attentions on the President. He has been gracious enough to open up his home for us, after all..."

Christian's nostrils flare with the briefest flash of irritation as he pulls back slightly. "Quite. Let us go make the necessary introductions."

Madeleine bristles. "That is not what I—"

Deftly ignoring her, Christian extends his arm decisively towards an elderly man wearing a sombre suit and gold-rimmed glasses. "Shall we?"

"I guess so?" I concede, already feeling myself being steered past the silently fuming countess.

"Now remember," Bertrand mutters next to me as Christian leads us down the length of the room. "In the context of a formal conversation, it is always lei — never tu — when addressing your counterpart, so for the love of all that is holy, please do not—"

"Singor Presidente," proclaims Christian as he pulls to a stop. "Permettetemi di presentarvi altri membri della nostra delegazione."

The President raises his head dutifully. "Certamente."

"Questo è Singor Bertrand Beaumont, duca di Ramsford, e suo fratello, Maxwell."

The Beaumonts bow their heads dutifully.

"Beaumont..." the President frowns. "Sai, mi suona familiare. Sei parente di Signor Bartholemy, per caso?"

"Sì," Bertrand confirms. "Egli è nostro padre."

The President is nodding in recollection. "Sì... sì... Ha accompagnato il re precedente in molte occasioni. Sei molto simile a lui."

"Sì, la somiglianza di famiglia è forte," Bertrand acknowledges.

"E questa è Singorina Olivia Nevrakis, duchessa di Lythikos, un mio carissimo amico, e fedele sostenitrice del famiglia Rys."

Olivia holds out her hand. "E' un piacere conoscerla, Signore Presidente."

The President drops a chaste kiss on the back of her hand. "Il piacere è tutto mio."

"E finalmente," concludes Christian, "questa è Singorina Harper, la nuova duchessa di Valtoria."

The President's brows arc inquisitively. "Singorina Harper... You are... American? No?"

"Sì," I affirm as I offer my hand out. "Ma ho praticato mio Italiano..."

The President's mouth cracks into a genuine smile. "And you are doing very well, Singorina! Tell me, have you visited la città eterna before?"

"No, this is my first time," I admit, also switching to English, now that the formalities are over and done with. "But even the ride from the airport was utterly magical! It's like stepping into history!"

"Sì," the President affirms with a grin. "Us Romans are unspeakably lucky to be able to call such a beautiful city our home. It is a place of many treasures."

"What is your favourite part of the city?" I ask.

The President blinks in surprise at the unexpected intimacy of the request. "That is a difficult question... But if I am forced to choose... it would have to be this little forno next to la Fontana di Trevi which makes a very unique — and very delicious — pistachio croissant. It is not for every person, but if you have a spirit of adventure, then I suggest you try it."

"Thank you," I say with a sincere smile, filing the suggestion away. "I definitely will!"

"I cannot say that I have had the pleasure of sampling this treat, either," Christian admits, with a knowing glance down at me. "But Lady Harper has excellent taste in pastries — she was actually kind enough to introduce us to an American delicacy called a cronut. It was a big hit all around."

"A cronut?" queries the President. "I cannot say I am familiar..."

"Don't worry," Maxwell assures him with a conspiratorial grin. "We'll bring you one. If you'll trade us some bomboloni in exchange?"

Bertrand's already sunburnt face reddens further. "Maxwell! You cannot entreat the President t—"

"You like bomboloni, also?" interjects the President with keen interest.

"Of course!" Maxwell affirms enthusiastically. "Anyone who doesn't like them clearly has something wrong with them!"

"Sounds like you have excellent taste in pastries as well, Signore Maxwell!" chuckles the President.

The conversation continues to revolve around our shared food interests for a few more minutes, until an aide clears his throat from behind the President.

"Accettare le mie scuse," he apologises. "But I am being advised that it is time for the photographs and the speeches."

"Of course," nods Christian graciously, indicating that the President should lead the way to the front of the room where a small podium has been set up.

As the two men peel away from the group, I cast my eyes 'round the space and spot Hana standing by one of the large windows. Giving her a wave, I use the brief break in the proceedings to make my way over to her.

"So, what's the view like from this side of the room?" I ask by way of greeting.

"Quieter than your side," she admits wryly. "You certainly seemed to be having an engaging conversation with the President!"

"We discovered a shared love for sugary treats," I admit. "You should've joined us — you could've bragged about that baking championship that you won."

"It's alright," she demurs with a blush. "It's actually been nice to take a moment to step away from the crowd."

"Oh?" I ask, laying a concerned hand on her arm. "Is something wrong?"

She heaves a breath, as if debating whether to tell me. Finally, she says, "I have been fending off suitors."

My brow shoots skywards. "How many proposals have you had?"

"Since I arrived...? Probably twelve..."

My eyes bulge. "Twelve! That's like two a day!"

"Yes," she concedes with a weary exhale. "Lady Madeleine has been extremely gracious in personally introducing me to numerous eligible bachelors—"

"—but none of them are Maxwell," I surmise.

Her eyes flick up to mine before dropping back down sorrowfully. "No. But for the sake of my parents, I must entertain every available option in an honest manner."

"That definitely sounds exhausting..." I concede. "But hopefully now that we're out of the country, you can catch a bit of a break."

"I am not so sure..." she admits. "I have been advised that a number of well-connected Italians will be in attendance at the opera tonight..."

"Pfft...!" I scoff. "Just take the night off... Pretend to be sick... Run off with Maxwell to get some gelato... Actually enjoy being in Italy!"

Hana blushes. "I—"

The chime of a bell rings out across the room, interrupting our conversation.

Looking up, I see that all heads have turned dutifully towards the twin forms standing on the dais as they prepare to address the congregation.

"Vostra Altezza Reale, colleghi delegati, Signore e Signori," greets the President, "È un onore, per me, ospitare la delegazione reale di Cordonia, nostro vicino e stretto alleato per centinaia di anni. È passato troppo tempo da—"

As the speech winds on, I find myself tuning out, given that I am only able to understand every third or fourth word. But, not wanting to come across as rude by continuing my catch-up with Hana, I instead try to occupy myself by examining the two large tapestries suspended on the walls.

A round of applause draws me out of my reverie, and I join in on auto-pilot as the President hands off to Christian. Several more minutes of lilting Italian fills the room, during which time I move my attentions to the Roman-looking busts, wondering which emperors they depict.

Finally, the speeches come to a close, and I heave a sigh of relief.

"Did you understand any of that?" I ask Hana as the President presents Christian with some kind of medal, and the two men pose for photos.

"Of course," she nods. "My parents—"

"—have been giving you Italian lessons since before you could talk?" I finish dryly.

Hana's cheeks dimple. "Not quite that young, but yes. I am what they consider 'proficient'."

"Meaning, you speak it better than I speak English," I joke.

She snorts in response. "I wouldn't say that..."

"But it's true," I say with a smirk, happy to see that Hana's time back at court has not completely crushed her sense of humour.

"Ah, I've missed talking to you, Harper," she says with genuine feeling. "The last few days have felt so busy that I feel like we haven't spoken in months!"

"Yeah, tell me about it..." I agree with a huff. "In the space of a week, I've become a Cordonian citizen, been granted a duchy, gone from number five to number one on Madeleine's shit list, and—"

Hana's eyes widen. "It's not that bad, surely...!"

"It's probably worse," I admit. "And being on the front page of the Cordonian Sun — again — is probably not helping matters either..."

"Yes, I saw that article..." she commiserates with feeling. "I'm sorry that the press are treating you in that manner again."

"Hey, it's not your fault," I assure her. "But the press aren't all bad — I managed to convince Ana de Luca to help us track down the photographer who took those pictures of me and Tariq, and she actually came through yesterday."

"That's great!" she enthuses. "I have to admit that I have not had much success on my side... Madeleine does not permit her ladies-in-waiting to handle any of her private correspondence, including her mobile phones and laptop. And she has only talked to us about the upcoming events on the tour..."

"Well, it was a bit of a long-shot, anyway," I concede with a shrug. "But who knows? We might get—"

"Pardon," interrupts Kiara with a pointed cough. "But the Queen requests your presence."

I roll my eyes with a scoff. "She's not married to Christian yet..."

"But she will be soon," she reminds me pointedly. "So, it is actuellement in your interest to remain on her good side, given that you are now a duchess."

I feel the corner of my mouth scrunch into a mou of dissent, but I force myself not to pick apart the many things that are wrong with her statement. "Fine. Where is Her Majesty?"

"Bidding adieu to the President," she advises. "She has asked that in the meantime I gather the ladies who are to accompany her to the wedding boutique."

"Does she really need an entourage to go shopping?" I ask as we start making our way back to the double doors at the far end of the room.

"It is tradition for the suitors who were not picked at the end of the social season to assist the queen-to-be in the preparations for the wedding, including selecting her bridal gown and trousseau."

"Wonder how many times that's gone wrong before..." I mutter under my breath.

"It is a ritual de beaucoup d'importance," Kiara insists seriously. "The former suitors — and their families — demonstrate their public support for the union via the personal assistance they provide the bride and groom in the lead-up to the big day, as well as in the act of taking on key roles during the ceremony itself."

"Let me guess..." I grumble. "We're all going to be maids of honour, too..."

"In Cordonia, the correct term is 'witness'," she corrects. "They are the ones chosen by the couple to countersign the marriage certificate. Mais oui — it is likely that one or two of us will be called upon in such a manner."

"Great..." I sigh, arriving at the entranceway where Penelope and Olivia are already waiting. "All the things we get to look forward to..."

"Oh, Lady Harper!" squeals Penelope in excitement. "I love your dress! How do you always manage to find such super chic pieces?"

"Uhh..." I say, genuinely taken aback by her enthusiasm. "Bertrand picked this, actually..."

Olivia snorts derisively. "You mean Lord Tweedle-Dee? Please... That man has worse fashion sense than Jared Leto."

"Actually, he—"

"If you lot are quite finished with your asinine chit-chit," snaps Madeline as she strides imperiously past us, "you can pick up your feet. We are already running late for my appointment... Which took months to schedule, so don't you dare make me miss it!"

I meet Hana's gaze with a fish-eyed look. "Ever heard the term 'bridezilla' before?"

"No," she admits with a frown. "But it sounds scary..."

"Oh, trust me!" I assure her as we bring up the rear. "It is! Especially since it sounds like Madeleine is planning to take the concept to a whole 'nother level..."

The story continues in Chapter 19: Field Day

A/N: Translations for the Italian below:

At the airport: Andiamo - Let's go

Certamente, Duchessa - Certainly, Duchess

En route Lemura aureliane. Costruitadall'imperatore Aureliano per difendere Roma dai barbari. - The Aurelian Wall. It was constructed by the Emperor Aurelian to defend Rome against barbarians.

Il Circo Massimo - The Circus Maximus

Sì. L'antico stadio romano costruito per le corsedei carri. - Yes. The ancient Roman stadium constructed for chariot racing.

Il Vittoriano - This is a colloquial nickname for the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

At the Presidential Palace Singor Presidente. Permettetemi di presentarvi altri membri della nostra delegazione. - Mr President. Allow me to introduce some additional members of our delegation.

Certamente - Certainly

Questo è Singor Bertrand Beaumont, duca di Ramsford, e suo fratello, Maxwell. - This is Lord Bertrand Beaumont, Duke of Ramsford, and his brother, Maxwell.

Beaumont... Sai, mi suona familiare. Sei parente di Signor Bartholemy, per caso? - Beaumont... You know, that sounds familiar. Are you related to Lord Bartholemy, by chance?

Sì. Egli è nostro padre. - Yes. He is our father.

Sì...sì... Ha accompagnato il re precedente in molte occasioni. Sei molto simile a lui. - Yes... Yes... He accompanied the former king on many occasions. You look a lot like him.

Sì, la somiglianza di famiglia è forte. - Yes, there is a notable family resemblance.

E questaè Singorina Olivia Nevrakis, duchessa di Lythikos,un mio carissimo amico, e fedele sostenitrice del famiglia Rys. - And this is Lady Olivia Nevrakis, Duchess of Lythikos, a dear friend of mine, and loyal supporter of the Rys family.

E' un piacere conoscerla, Signore Presidente. - My sincere pleasure, Mr President.

Il piacere è tutto mio. - The pleasure is all mine.

E finalmente, questa è Singorina Harper, la nuova duchessa di Valtoria. - And finally, this is Lady Harper, the new Duchess of Valtoria.

Sì. Ma hopraticato mio Italiano.* - Yes. But I am practising my Italian. *Italian speakers will note that there is a grammatical mistake here (the correct phrasing is 'Ho praticato il mio italiano'). However, the mistake is deliberate because Harper learnt Italian literally an hour ago, so she's not going to be perfect at it!

La città eterna - the Eternal City (nickname for Rome)

Accettare le mie scuse - [Please] Accept my apologies.

Vostra Altezza Reale, colleghi delegati, Signore e Signori. È un onore, per me, ospitare la delegazionereale di Cordonia, nostro vicino e stretto alleato per centinaia di anni. Èpassato troppo tempo da— Your Royal Highness, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen. It is my honour to host the royal delegation of Cordonia, our neighbour and ally for many centuries. It has been far too long since—

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[camillemontespan]

The best mistake he never had [drake x Camille au] [part five]

‘Honestly, Camille, he's a total jerk,’ Maxwell sighed. ‘I shouldn't have gotten so mad but he boils my blood.’

Camille winced and settled down on her bed, tucking her long legs up underneath her. She was talking to Maxwell on the phone, hearing about his run in with Drake last night.

She appreciated how loyal Maxwell was but she sometimes wished he would just let her fight her own battles. He seemed to view her like a delicate flower, someone who could easily break, not someone who was strong and capable.

‘I appreciate you having my back,’ she said gently, ‘but you don't need to fight with him. Just let it go over your head. What's done is done.’

‘He doesn't understand how hurt you were-’

‘He does,’ Camille interrupted. ‘He just doesn't want reminding.’

The call finished soon after that. Camille let out a noise of frustration that sounded like ‘gnnnnngh fuck fuck gnnngh!’ and raked her hands through her hair.

She looked out the window and surveyed the street below. Aside from a few houses and some trees, it was bare and didn't have much to it. Her eyes followed the line of the street until she settled on Walker Ranch up the hill.

Her heart twinged.

In the distance, she saw Drake step outside the ranch. He stopped at his pick up truck.

He began to hose it down and wash it. Camille watched, her eyes focused on him. He looked small from this distance.

She wished she knew what he was thinking. Drake kept a wall around himself, one that she thought she had managed to climb years ago. Scale the wall and get to know the real Drake Walker.

Clearly, it hadn't worked.

**************************

‘Mommy, can I go ride my bike?’ Lily asked.

‘Depends..’ Camille mused. ‘Have you finished the first lesson sent from school?’

She looked over Lily's shoulder at the laptop screen. Thank god Lily's teacher had been understanding and allowed Camille to take Lily to Texas during school times. Lily was currently being emailed online learning and she was working through it, happy to learn something new.

Happy that Lily had completed her maths lesson, Camille allowed her to take a thirty minute break.

Lily trundled her bike outside and clipped her pink helmet onto her head. After Camille had shouted at her about talking to Drake, she had decided that she was only going to cycle today and NOT speak to anyone under ANY circumstances. Especially if they had a horse.

She hitched her leg over the seat and began to cycle along the road away from her grandmothers house.

Lily cycles up the hill, nearing the ranch. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Drake who was washing his truck.

Nooooo!! she wailed to herself.

Drake looked up and gave her a weak smile. Lily watched him, keeping her eyes narrowed. She was NOT going to smile back. No.

She cycled faster to get away from him. Blinded by sheer determination, she didn't see the small rock on the road. As the front tyre hit it, the bike jolted, giving Lily a fright.

In her shock, she couldn't correct herself in time and without warning, she went flying off the bike.

She let out a piercing scream as she hit the ground.

***********

‘Lily!’

Drake abandoned his truck and ran across the road to where Lily lay on her side, the bike tangled up amongst her legs.

He reached her and sank down to his knees, gently picking the bike off her.

Lily was whimpering with tears streaming down her cheeks.

‘Shh it's okay, honey..’ Drake murmured. ‘Where do you hurt?’

A weird feeling had flooded Drake. He hadn't meant to call her ‘honey’ for one thing.

‘M-my head..’

‘Okay, look at me. Lily, look at me, it's okay-’

‘No!’ Lily shouted. ‘I’m n-not allowed to talk to you!’

Drake closed his eyes and exhaled. ‘Lily, I can help you. Let me just check your head-’

‘Lily!’

Drake turned to see Camille running up the hill towards them.

Fuck.

‘Mommy..’ Lily croaked.

Camille reached the pair of them, her eyes casting along Drake before settling on her daughter. She kneeled down close to Lily and gently scooped her up. ‘Baby, where are you hurt?’

‘My head-’

Camille’s eyes darted to Drake in panic. ‘It’s okay, baby. We'll just have to get you to the hospital just in case -’

‘Am I going to die?’ Lily asked in a small voice.

‘No, baby,’ Camille said softly. ‘You’ve just hit your head and the doctor will need to take a look at it.’

Drake studied Camille, a picture of worry and anxiety, and then looked Lily. ‘You know, she might not need a hospital. It could be okay. Lily, how’s your vision?’

‘Uhhhh..’

‘Are there two of me?’ Drake asked, half joking. He needed to make this light. Make her not worry. Make Camille not worry.

‘Just you,’ Lily told him. She snuggled into Camille, her small fingers gripped on Camille's sweater.

‘Thank god there's only one of me, can you imagine a world with two of me? Awful!’ Drake joked.

Lily giggled. Camille smiled faintly.

‘Right, since you can see only one of me, and you aren't babbling nonsense,’ Drake said, taking control, ‘let’s just get you a cold compress and keep you rested, okay?’

Lily furrowed her eyebrows together, looking rather serious. ‘So, no hospital?’

Drake looked at Camille. ‘She seems fine,’ he said gently. ‘We could monitor her and if she needs medical attention, then hospital it is.’

Camille didn't look convinced. Drake cleared his throat. ‘But hey, you're the boss, Camille.’

He felt he had overstepped.

Camille bit her lip. ‘Okay, let's clean up that head wound,’ she decided, ‘and see how you're feeling in an hour. How's that sound Lily?’

Lily grinned, happy to escape going to hospital.

Camille picked her up carefully and looked up at Drake. He watched her warily, unsure if she was going to give him hell again.

‘Thank you for looking after her,’ Camille finally said.

Drake gave her a small smile. ‘No worries. I'm here if you need anything.’

It was the wrong and most inappropriate thing to say. Camille’s eyes narrowed and she stepped back with Lily in her arms.

‘Let’s get that cold compress, sweetie,’ she said in a clipped voice.

She turned to walk down the street towards Gisele's. Lily looked over Camille’s shoulder at Drake, who stood watching them.

Despite herself, Lily raised her hand and discreetly waved at him. He did help her after all.

Drake smiled weakly and waved back

*******

Camille cleaned Lily up, cleaning the head wound which had stopped bleeding, before gently cleaning her hands that were cut from stones.

‘There, all better now,’ Camille said, pressing a soft kiss on Lily's hand. She gave Lily a cold compress for her head with instructions to lie in bed and relax.

Disaster averted.

****************

‘M-mommy?’

Camille had been busy checking in on Gisele who was sleeping at the moment. She slept a lot lately. She was tiny and fragile, like a baby bird.

Camille looked up to see Lily looking pale and quite faint. Alarmed, she stood up and moved to crouch down so she was eye level with Lily.

‘Lily, are you okay?’

‘I feel woozy..’

‘Right, hospital,’ Camille decided. She quickly cast a look at Gisele who was snoring softly. She couldn't leave Gisele by herself - she needed help with moving and she hadn't had anything to eat yet.

But Lily needed medical attention.

Camille bit her lip. She thought of Drake. She really didn't want to ask him. But she couldn't let pride get in the way here. She had to think of Lily.

‘Okay, honey, stay here, I'll be right back. Go lie down beside grandma.’

Lily nodded obediently. Camille rushed downstairs and out the front door, running up to Walker Ranch.

She knocked on the door rapidly.

Drake opened it and his eyes widened. ‘Camille? Is Lily alright?’

‘No,’ Camille burst out. ‘She’s feeling woozy. I need to take her to the hospital but I can't leave grandma-’

‘I’ll take you to the hospital,’ Drake interrupted, ‘and my mom can look after Gisele.’

Camille blinked. ‘I can just take a cab-’

‘No.’

Drake hollered for Bianca who hurried to the door, her eyebrows knitted together with concern.

She insisted on looking after Gisele. Drake gave Camille a smile. ‘Come on, let's go.’

*******************

Camille sat in the back of the pick up trick with Lily nestled against her. Drake drove, trying his best not to keep looking in the rear view mirror.

Every time he did, his eyes would lock onto Camille's and his breath would catch.

Her eyes were gorgeous. Drake had always thought that. Almond shaped, deep brown like chocolate with golden flecks.

Those eyes were filled with anxiety now. Not for the first time, Drake wondered when Camille had become so tightly wound. She used to be so carefree. Now, she looked ready to pounce just in case the worst happened.

Or maybe she was just a mom who had responsibilities now and she wouldn't rest easy again.

Drake felt his stomach twist. It was his fault she was like this.

They reached the hospital. Camille carried Lily in her arms as they entered the foyer, practically racing to the reception desk.

‘My daughter fell off her bike and hit her head,’ she explained quickly, ‘and now she's feeling woozy.’

The receptionist told them to sit down and a doctor would be with them.

Lily looked around the waiting room apprehensively. She'd never been in a hospital before. The smell made her want to be sick and the worried look on her mother's face made her wish that she'd never ridden the bike in the first place.

She caught Drake’s eye. He gave her a reassuring smile. ‘It’ll be alright,’ he told her. ‘I promise.’

**************

Lily had to stay overnight so the doctors could monitor her, just in case.

‘But I don't want to be away from mommy!’ Lily wailed at the doctor, scrambling to get closer to Camille.

Camille took her in her arms and held her close. ‘Shh honey, it's okay -’

‘I don't want to be alone!’

The doctor smiled sympathetically. ‘You won't be alone,’ he said. ‘You’ll have a comfy bed in the kids ward. A few kids are already there, you might make friends.’

Lily shot a panicked look at Camille. She did NOT want to stay overnight.

‘It’s only for the night,’ Camille told her softly. ‘It’s to make sure you're safe. I promise, I'll be here first thing tomorrow morning to pick you up and we can get McDonalds. Would you like that?’

Lily clenched her fists in frustration. She didn't want to argue with Camille but she didn't want to stay here, in this weird smelling place, in a bed that wasn't hers.

But the doctor would make sure she was okay and that meant her mommy wouldn't worry and that was the important thing to remember.

She nodded mutely, accepting her fate.

The doctor smiled. ‘The kids ward is an animal theme!’ he said cheerfully. ‘Do you like animals?’

Lily smiled now. ‘I love animals,’ she said quietly.

Camille squeezed her hand. ‘There you go, baby.’

*************

After Lily was taken to the kids ward, Drake and Camille left the hospital.

Camille sat in the front passenger seat and looked out the window quietly, chewing anxiously on a fingernail.

‘She’s gonna be okay,’ Drake said, breaking the silence.

Camille looked down at her hands. ‘We’ve never spent a night apart before. It feels… like a part of me is missing. Something vital. Because she is.’

Her eyes filled with tears.

Drake bit his lip, unsure how to handle this. He wasn't good with crying women.

Come on. Say something to her. Help her feel better.

‘She’s a firecracker,’ Drake said. ‘She’s a strong girl, just like her mama. She's going to be fine and it'll be tomorrow before you know it.’

Camille let out a shaky breath and nodded. ‘I know,’ she croaked. ‘I just want her to be happy and safe and right now it feels like she isn't. What if it gets worse? What if she gets more woozy and gets sick? What if-’

‘Camille.’

Drake pulled the truck over and turned off the ignition. He turned to face her. Tears had started to fall down her cheeks.

He sighed. Slowly, he reached out and gently wiped her tears away. Camille stared at him with wide eyes, her lower lip trembling.

‘Nothing is going to happen to Lily,’ he said softly, enunciating every word. ‘She’s got doctors to monitor her and she'll be sleeping in an animal themed ward. She'll be comfortable and safe. Tomorrow morning, I will drive you to the hospital first thing to take her home. She's going to be fine.’

Their eyes bore into each others. Drake could feel himself getting lost in her golden flecks.

‘Drake…’ Camille murmured.

Drake swallowed. ‘Yeah?’

Camille’s eyes remained fixed on his. Drake couldn't breathe. He could feel his heart starting to hammer inside his chest.

‘Why did you make that decision five years ago?’ Camille finally asked, her voice thick with emotion.

Drake blinked. He hadn't been expecting her to ask him that question.

‘I.. Camille, I can't..’

Camille pulled back. In an instant, Drake could see her closing off to him. She rubbed her wet eyes harshly and cleared her throat.

‘Forget I even asked,’ she said, her voice remote. ‘Don’t know what I was expecting you to say. You didn't give answers then, you're not going to give answers now.’

She turned to look out of the window, her arms crossed.

Drake gripped the steering wheel, turning his knuckles white. ‘Camille, I'm sorry -’

‘Just fucking drive.’

Drake exhaled and turned the key in the ignition. He stole a glance at Camille who continued to stare out the window. Her jaw was set.

Drake had done a good job building up his walls through the years.

Clearly, so had Camille.

***************

Drake pulled up outside Gisele's. They had driven in silence which had been excruciating.

Camille unclipped her seatbelt. ‘Thank you for taking us to the hospital,’ she said formally.

She sounded so far away.

Drake closed his eyes. He needed to do it. Now was the time. They were alone.

‘Camille, I wasn't cut out to be a dad,’ he finally said. ‘Can you imagine me as a dad?’

Camille kept her gaze fixed on the window. ‘You ARE a dad, Drake.’

‘You know what I mean.’

Camille shrugged. ‘You seemed pretty happy talking to Lily. Letting her groom Lone Star. Helping fix her up. Trying to help her feel better about the hospital.’

‘She was panicking, I had to say something to help her calm down -’

‘You didn't have to,’ Camille interrupted. Her voice was dangerously rising now.

‘You could have kept your distance. You could have let us just take a cab to the hospital. But you keep turning up and you're slowly getting to know her. And yet you don't want any part of her.’

Drake exhaled. ‘That’s not fair, Camille -’

Camille whipped around to face him, her eyes filled with fury. ‘No, Drake! What's unfair is you showing up all the time without warning! I'm trying to look after my grandma and make sure Lily is comfortable here and I keep looking over my shoulder wondering if you're suddenly going to be in the background. You can't reject me five years ago and never contact me again and then when I visit, you're here! THAT is not fair, Drake.’

Drake slammed his hands on the steering wheel. ‘She fell off her bike, what was I supposed to do-’

‘YOU DON'T DRIVE US TO THE FUCKING HOSPITAL!’ Camille screamed. Drake jumped back in shock.

‘You don't act like a fucking father!’ she continued, her voice high and piercing, every word cutting into Drake like a knife.

‘You don't act all concerned and reassuring! You keep your fucking distance because if you didn't want to be a dad five years ago, you certainly don't want to be a dad now and I can't have Lily falling in love with you like I did -’

‘What?’

That last admission was all Drake picked up on.

Camille instantly went rigid. She turned away and brought her hands up to her face, covering her eyes.

‘Oh god..’ she muttered. ‘Oh god, oh god…’

‘You loved me?’ Drake asked.

Camille didn't answer. She was shaking.

‘Camille, answer me.’

Camille let out a shaky breath. She wound her hands together and not looking at him, she spoke.

‘I fell for you that night,’ she told him. ‘Sounds ridiculous. How can you fall in love with someone in one night? But I've known you for years and always liked you. Thought you were gorgeous in a rugged, disheveled way. But that night, getting to know you, talking till 3am about our secrets and dreams, being together… I fell over the edge. It makes no sense but I guess when you get that feeling, you can't deny it. You called it a drunken mistake but for me, it was a revelation.’

Drake stared at the steering wheel, processing her words. How could he tell her that everything he said to her, after finding out about the baby, was a lie?

It hadn't been a drunken mistake for him, not really. He had loved being with Camille that night. Everything had felt like it was supposed to. Like the universe had aligned.

‘But when I told you I was pregnant and you were so harsh… I realised I was stupid to have feelings for you,’ Camille explained. ‘I felt so rejected. Worthless. I couldn't hear staying in the same town as you, seeing you everyday and I didn't want my baby to grow up knowing you. If you could hurt me that badly, you could hurt her. And I still think that.’

A lump formed in Drake’s throat.

‘Then why did you ask me why I made that decision five years ago?’ he asked.

Camille kept her eyes away from him. ‘Closure.’

Without a word, she got out of the truck. She slammed the door. The sound jolted Drake. He watched her walk away and it felt like deja vu.

[choicesficwriterscreations]

TRR F/AotW: May 5 - 11, 2024

✒️ = Fanfic | 📱 = Text Fics/Edits | 🎨 = Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🏳️‍🌈 = LGBTQIA

HANA LEE

Reader Fatigue ✒️🏳‍🌈 | Hana Lee x Kiara Theron - @lizzybeth1986

Rose Gold ✒️🏳‍🌈 | Hana Lee x Kiara Theron - @lizzybeth1986

LIAM RYS

All For Love ✒️ | Liam x MC, F!OC & M!OC - @rosesnink

Capitulo (Series) ✒️ | Liam x MC - @belencha77 Chapter 13: Emociones Nuevas Chapter 14: Un Baile Para Recordar Chapter 15: No Olvidemos Esta Noche Chapter 16: Regata Real Chapter 17: Carrera Hasta El Final

Turn The Page (Series) ✒️ | Liam Rys x F!OC - @tessa-liam Chapter 12: Come Back To Me

MULTIPLE PAIRINGS

All That She Wants (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️ | Multiple Pairings - @angelasscribbles Chapter 5: Consequences Liam Rys x MC, Liam Rys x Olivia Nevrakis, Drake Walker x MC

The Royal Romance Retelling (Series) ✒️ | Multiple Pairings - @eadanga Chapter 8, Part 3 Liam Rys x MC, Drake Walker x MC

Main F/AtoW List: May 5 - 11, 2024

[georgiesgirl1223]

Marry Me

Song:https://youtu.be/p_IwENcMPOA

I wrote a little Drake x MC story based on Thomas Rhett's song Marry Me

Word count: 1503

Drake sat in the mahogany leather chesterfield in the center of his dark room. The faint beams of the early morning’s dawning sun leaked in through the drawn curtains of is large bedroom windows, casting dusty shadows around him. The day he had been dreading for the past couple months was finally upon him and he had since been able to sleep. Sitting there he stared out into the dark void through heavy red swollen eyes, everything around him fading until all he saw was darkness surrounding him. Reaching down next to him, Drake retrieved the nearly empty whiskey bottle from the ground by his feet, pouring the rest of its contents into the rock glass he had clutched in white-knuckled hand. Tossing the empty bottle aside he took a large gulp of the brown liquid, the liquor no longer burning his dulled senses. 

Tears streamed down his puffy face as he thought back to the day, he had spent with Kennedy Olsen in New York City, talking about ideas of their perfect wedding as she helped him chose a wedding gift for his best friend and King, Liam. He remembered every detail perfectly, every glint her eye, every twitch of her lips as she described her perfect day. He transferred himself back to that wooden bench as he replayed the scene over in his head, like a reel of a constant torturous memory. The spark in her eyes told him she wanted to get married and every detail she described was his perfect scenario. Drake remembered her words perfectly. She wanted something small out in the country with her granddaddy preaching the service. He recalled that she wanted to carry magnolias because they were her mother’s favorite, and it would feel like part of her was there as she watched her daughter’s wedding from heaven. She had it all planned out to every minor detail and Drake could picture himself there in his black suit and black tie. He would take a sip of whiskey straight from his flask to calm his nerves before stepping up front to the alter, brushing his tears away from his cheeks before anyone would notice. Drake could perfectly see himself in her vision and his heart couldn’t help but fly. Yes, Kennedy Olsen wanted to get married, the only problem was, she didn’t want to marry him. 

Anger and regret boiled under his skin, impatiently rocking forward in his seat. Drake felt like he was spiraling into a pit of darkness and despair, tossing the half-full rock glass at the wall, the crystal shattering on impact and the brown contents stained the white wall. Running his hands over his head, Drake fisted at his hair, letting out a painful cry as the memories of her flooded his mind, slowly tormenting him into a mentally instable state. His constant sobs tortured his exhausted body as hot tears rolled down his flushed face.

Standing he paced the floor of his suite, the gut-wrenching memories making it unbearable for him to sit still. He remembered the first night he almost kissed her. Kennedy had accompanied him to a local bar at one of the many cities they were visiting during Liam and Madeline’s engagement tour. He remembered how close they were sitting to one another and the flirtatious touches she would give him. Every soft touch of her silky skin burned into his flesh, awakening his senses. Each touch pushed his feelings further away from the mutual friendship they shared and into something more, something he was trying so hard to deny. They had been drinking when Kennedy suggested playing a few rounds of never have I ever. Of course, she was able to tease his true feelings out of him with every statement, revealing to her and himself that what was between them was more than friendship. He remembered how she leaned into him; her intoxicating scent of lilacs livened his senses as she placed a gentle hand on his knee. Drake’s body trembled, he was freaking out, he knew that they were friends, but he had thought of kissing her for forever. Leaning in and meeting her halfway, Drake’s lips were only centimeters apart from hers when her phone chimed with a message from Liam, interrupting their almost kiss. The second time he almost kissed her was when they were playing pool. He recalled how sexy she was leaning over the pool table, how he pulled her in close to him, only to be interrupted by the bar keep telling them it was closing time. Maybe if he would’ve had enough courage to kiss her then, he wouldn’t be where he was now. She was all he craved, and he would’ve given anything to just be able to hold her, but he could never reveal his true feelings, not when she was there for his best friend. Still fervently pacing the room he paused, hazily glancing around. Every emotion he had bubbled to the surface and it was becoming too much for him to handle. Setting his stare at the wall next to him he balled his fingers into a tight fist, drawing it back before throwing all of his weight into his swing as his fist connected with the wall, drywall crumbling to his feet as he withdrew his bloody hand. 

Of course, she didn’t want to marry him, what did he have to offer her really, nothing compared to what Liam could. He was never good enough for anybody or anything, especially not when he was constantly walking in Liam’s shadow. How could he ever compete with a prince, a king? That’s just it, he couldn’t, and Kennedy proved that. 

Drake always thought that Kennedy felt the same way, why else would she flirt with him? The small touches, the flirtatious words, and how she had leaned into him as if to kiss him, he knew it wasn’t just all in his head. But, when Liam announced their engagement, he knew it was too late. She didn’t want to marry him.

Now it was the day of her wedding, the day Drake had been dreading since they announced their royal engagement. Pulling himself together he put on his black suit and black tie, splashing cold water on his exhausted face and swollen eyes. Walking on autopilot down to the gardens, Drake saw the lavish decorations and the nearly five-hundred white chairs set up across the grounds, it was nothing like how Kennedy had described her wedding day to him. Glancing around him he saw her daddy and granddaddy, excitedly pacing the ground in front of him. Drake knew her daddy must have been dreading this day, but he’s not the only man giving her away today. Reaching his hand in his inside jacket pocket and retrieving his filled flask he took a strong shot of whiskey, the burn rushing down his throat was nothing compared to the pain in his heart. He took a seat in the back as the dozens of people began to flood in. He’d try to make it through without crying so nobody would see. Kennedy wanted to get married, but she didn’t want to marry him.

Unable to be there any longer, Drake left, trying to put as much distance as he could between him and the palace. On his way through the empty corridors, Drake passed her suite, standing there he stared at her door, picturing her on the other side in her gown. He could’ve burst in right there and then to confess his feelings to her, and god help him he wanted to, but he couldn’t do that to her. Instead he would let her have her happiness, the happiness she found with another man, keeping his feelings to himself, never letting her know that Liam wasn’t the only man that loved her. Staring at her closed door for one moment longer, he whispered ‘I will always love you’ before rushing off. 

Thirty minutes later Drake found himself in a small local bar just outside of the bustling capital. He loosened his black tie, pouring a shot of whiskey from his flask and into his coffee cup, swirling the liquids together before taking a sip. Resting his elbows on the counter, he hung his head in his hands, forcing his dry tears back as silent sobs jerked his shoulders. Yeah, she wanted to get married, but she didn’t want to marry him.

On the countertop next to him, his phone vibrated to life. Picking up his phone, the bright screen illuminated to life, scorching his puffy eyes as the blurry words came into focus. A lump formed in his throat when he opened the text, noticing it was from Kennedy. He read the text, it was only one word long, but it simultaneously made his heart sink and flutter, both terrifying him and making him smile, wondering what she needed to say. He looked at his screen again, rereading her one-word text.

Drake….

[lilyoffandoms]

TRR Drabble (Drake Walker x Harper Gale)

A little week four drabble (early) for @karahalloway. Thanks for participating this month! And thank you for writing for our little fandom and sharing your talents with us all. I still giggle when I think about this one 😂

Warning & A/N: No idea if this is in keeping with your Harper but the camping fic of yours gave me the idea along with the fact that something similar may, perhaps, might, by chance have happened once. But we don’t talk about that hehe

The fire crackled in front of her, warming her feet where she had them propped on the cooler. Her shoes and socks discarded beside her camp chair.

She took a sip from her glass of rosé. Plastic, of course. Drake didn’t trust her with glass out in the woods anymore. Not since she tripped that one time on a root and cut her hand on the broken glass.

The memory brought a smile to her lips. It had been the smallest of cuts but you would have thought she had cut her hand off by his reaction.

“What are you grinning about, Gale?” he asked as he stood and brushed his hands off on his denim jeans.

“Nothing. Just enjoying my wine,” she smiled. “And the view of course,” she grinned wider.

“Are you going to help?”

“I am. I’m way more helpful out of your way than in it.”

She raised her glass toward him as he shook his head with a chuckle and turned back to work.

It wasn’t long before the site was set up in the most orderly of fashions and he unfolded his camp chair beside her’s.

“I’ll get you a drink,” she leaned over to kiss him before leaping from her chair.

He watched her pull his glass and a bottle of whiskey from their places with a smile before turning to watch the fire crackle.

Until he heard a crunching sound and a small “uh oh” come from her direction and he looked over at her in concern.

“So…,” she said with a sheepish smile as she turned to face him.

“What was that noise?” he asked suspiciously.

“Do you want the good news or the bad news first?”

“What did you do, Gale?”

His concern building as he made his way over to her.

“Good news is, your whiskey is fine.”

“And the bad news?” he asked as he took the offered glass and tried to see around her.

She shifted a fallen log with her foot and he saw the remnants of her wine muddying the ground beside shards of plastic.

“It was a plastic cup! How do you break a plastic cup?” he asked.

“With firewood?” she laughed as she stooped to pick up the pieces.

“Stop!” he said as he stilled her hands. “Go sit down. Knowing you, you’ll cut yourself on it,” he chuckled as he picked up the remaining pieces and she went back to her seat.

Drake returned a moment later with a new glass of wine.

“A sippy cup? Really?!”

——————————

All Choices Tag: @storyofmychoices @peonierose @aallotarenunelma @inlocusmads

[whatisreggieshortfor]

The Royal Heir’s Royal Romance

Drake x MC

Heir x OC

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Here Comes The Sun ☀

Here Comes The Sun - Part One

Series Title Song Inspiration - Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

Book - TRR AU

Pairing - Liam x ??, Drake x Riley

Series Summary - Two lost souls longing for hope stumble upon each other in a random encounter. When fate brings them back face to face, can what should be a devastating situation end up bringing the sunshine back for both?

A/N - This takes place two years after the end of book three, but Constantine lived. TRH is non-existent.

A/N2 - Thank you so much to @ao719 for reading through everything and all your amazing advice! I'm once again incredibly thankful 💚

Warnings for this Chapter - language, drinking, slight fluff

Most characters belong to pixelberry.

Liam sat in a corner of a crowded bar alone and nursed his glass of scotch. Since his ascension two years ago, he had very little time to himself. This was one of the rare occasions he managed to escape for a night, clad in a ball cap and dark shades to shield himself from prying eyes. He needed a retreat, time away from the throne he sat upon and hopefully with enough alcohol, the troubles that consumed his mind.

He hadn’t felt like himself since before his coronation. That’s when the wedge had formed between himself and one Riley Brooks. He had publicly chosen another, knowing the scandal against her was a farce. Despite Liam's attempts to explain his thought process to her, he could tell that the damage had been done between them. He thought with time they would fall back into that pattern they used to have, but that never happened.

She held Liam at an arm’s length for most of the engagement tour, constantly avoiding his invitations to spend time together. Yet, he still proposed to her the first chance he got. He knew just from the way her face broke what her answer was, yet he remained hopeful until the very last second she would accept. That’s when she told him she had fallen into the arms of another, his best friend at that.

At first, it devastated Liam, although he would never tell Riley that. He wanted her to believe he was happy for her, for them. But inside, it completely ripped him apart. He started avoiding social situations, deeming the Crown needed more attention; and it did, at first. But, as the wedding quickly approached, Drake sat Liam down and they had that talk that was long overdue, much to Liam’s dismay.

Liam didn’t want to talk about it, he only wanted to be left to suffer alone. He truly meant that he found no faults with either Drake or Riley for finding love with each other. Instead, he placed the blame on himself for being a fool and thinking himself and Riley had reconciled. It embarrassed him. He became so engrossed in the delusional fairytale he built in his mind and ignored all the signs of her change of heart. The conversation with Drake actually helped; generous amounts of alcohol, a couple of heated statements, and several hours later, the men reemerged. Liam was not completely healed, but well on the way to reconciliation.

The day of Drake and Riley’s wedding, Liam pushed aside his pride to stand beside his best friend and unbiological brother as his best man. Even though things hadn’t turned out the way he hoped, he wanted to be there for Drake. Oddly enough, that is the day Liam finally accepted that he and Riley were not meant to be. Watching Riley walk down the aisle to an emotional Drake put it into perspective; she was never his to keep, but only a lesson to be taught. Sure, she may have come to Cordonia for him initially, but the way she and Drake looked at each other at that moment told Liam all he needed to know.

As days turned into weeks and then months, his pain fizzled and eventually faded out. It was no longer something he had to deal with daily. Liam, Drake, and Riley grew quite close, although the first couple of months were indeed rocky. They were expecting their first child together, and it elated Liam to see his friends expand their family. The title of “Uncle Liam’ was one he would be proud to wield.

But since Riley turned him down, Liam had not entertained the idea of romance in any form. Not particularly by choice, but the Crown took up a lot of his time. With no Queen to rule beside him, his workload was twice as much.

Physically, it didn’t bother him. He wasn’t a kind of man who just needed to get off. If that were the case, he could easily fix the problem. But lately, he felt voided and alone. He just wanted a connection; someone he wouldn’t feel like he was burdening with his problems.

Drake and Riley had each other and were busy with their own duchy and living life as newlyweds. Maxwell had his book and stayed plenty busy with his newly found duties within the Ramsford estate. Hana had been traveling between Shanghai and Cordonia, helping her father secure various business deals. Everyone around him was busy, and although he was as well, he hadn’t had a conversation about himself, or how he was truly doing in months. He was aching for that kind of human interaction, past the fake smiles and general pleasantries he endured day in and day out.

Liam had come out for a drink to get away and clear his head. On top of feeling lonely, Liam was struggling to process some unexpected news he received earlier in the week.

A couple of years ago, doctors gave Constantine very little time to live. At first, the Royal family accepted the results and planned to make the rest of his time count. Upon a routine physical checkup, they found the tumor had shrunk on its own, in what doctors could only call an act of God. They immediately started a rigorous routine of radiation and chemotherapy, and at the end they cleared Constantine of all illness.

He had since been in remission, not a problem in sight, thriving even. That is, until he went to the doctor due to him not feeling well. They found his cancer had returned, unfortunately much stronger than before; the second, and third opinions all stated the same. It would take another miracle to heal him, and doctors told the family they needed to prepare themselves for the worst.

Although the two had problems in the past, he was still Liam’s father. Constantine wasn’t always the power hungry man driven by fear. Liam remembers family picnics in the hedge maze with his mother, father, and Leo; filled with smiles and laughter as their father chased himself and Leo around. The man who winked at him during his meetings, the man who sat Liam on his lap occasionally when he would sign legislation. Those moments were small, but memories Liam cherished. That’s the man Liam was mourning, not the man fear turned him into.

The two had since cleared the air for his hand in scandalizing Riley, and Liam had granted him forgiveness. It wasn’t easy, but the two had since moved on and re-established that father-son bond Liam wished he had as a younger man.

To have that taken away from him, and with no real emotional support behind him, he felt like he was drowning. Everyone around him kept having good fortune, and although he was the one who got to wear the Crown, he envied their happiness. All he had was stress, regret, and depression, mixed in with polite laughter and fake small talk. Friends were present, but he felt like he couldn’t express to them his desolate feelings. He didn’t want anyone to worry about him, and he especially didn’t want to dampen everyone’s uplifted spirits. But he truly felt like he was being enveloped by storm clouds, shielding any type of sunlight or happiness to be found.

Liam downed the rest of his scotch in one gulp and signaled the bartender for another. As he waited, he glanced behind him to survey the crowd of people. Most looked happy; smiling and carefree, not a worry in the world. He felt a brief bout of envy to these strangers, even for something so minute. He surveyed the area but stopped short when he saw a woman in a booth by herself.

She wore a plain white t-shirt and jeans, her dark hair falling past the edge of the table in soft waves. It covered a majority of her face as she gazed into her drink before her, casually swirling the straw around the glass, but her troubled expression was still unmistakable to Liam. He watched her lightly dab under her eyes, and felt his heart twinge for this random stranger, clearly having a day similar to his. Something drew him to the woman, he guessed it was the fact that they were the only two in the vicinity not having a good time.

As his scotch arrived, he asked the bartender if he knew what the woman had been ordering. The man nodded, and Liam asked him to make one, who returned shortly later. Liam accepted the drink with a puzzled look, as it was electric blue, but took the glasses and turned to make his way over to the stranger.

He bobbed and weaved across the dance floor, all the while silently scolding himself for approaching the woman to begin with. What the hell am I doing? She probably wants to be alone, he thought to himself. She’s going to think you’re some kind of weirdo. Maybe I should turn around.

Before he could ponder further, the woman looked up and met his gaze; her striking beauty momentarily took Liam aback. Porcelain skin that slightly shined in the bar lighting above, showcasing a slight tinge of pink on her chiseled cheekbones. Her eyes were the brightest shade of blue he had ever seen; clearer than a bright sunny day, deeper than the ocean floor. But more than beauty, Liam saw the sadness she felt reflected in her gaze.

The two never broke eye contact as Liam walked directly over to her. He sheepishly smiled as he made it to her and sat the drink in front of her. She did not accept nor deny his offering, only eyed it suspiciously. “Uh… Hello… Not to sound forward, but… would you… like some company?”

She continued to stare at the drink. After a moment, she snapped her head up to Liam. “If you’re trying to drug me, most people usually have a little secrecy in their plans.”

Liam’s eyes widened. “What? No! I’m not drugging you!”

She considered him warily. He doesn’t look dangerous, but isn’t that how it usually goes? It’s always the charmers, she thought to herself. “You taste it.” She retorted as she sat back and scooted the glass toward him.

“Okay, sure.” He took a generous sip of the liquor, but scrunched his face at the sour taste as it hit his tongue. “What the hell is in that thing?” He asked as he clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

The woman laughed. “What’s not in it?”

“What is that?”

“That is called an AMF where I come from… As in, Adios Motherfucker.”

“I can see why! It’s certainly… strong.” Liam grimaced. The two shared a small smile before Liam cleared his throat. “Um… so… May I sit?”

“Oh… uh… sure….” She replied as she accepted the glass from Liam and took a large drink. “Are you gonna stay all incognito, or-”

Liam quickly pulled the glasses and hat off his head as he sat across from her. “Sorry about that…”

“No problem. But you must be important if you’re hiding in a bar.”

Judging by her foreign accent and line of questions, Liam realized this stranger was not aware of his status. In a moment's decision, he decided to keep it that way. “Just… avoiding a nuisance, is all.” The woman nodded her head, but turned her attention back to her drink. “ I ah… I couldn’t help but notice that you seem rather… sad.”

“Not sad, per se… Just…” She sighed. “I don’t want to bore you with my sap story.” She laughed half heartedly.

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I myself am feeling… a lot. Perhaps we could share stories?”

“Is this your plan? Approach the saddest looking girl in the bar because she’s vulnerable, and you think she’s going to let you hit it?” She crossed her arms over her chest and arched her brow.

“No! Absolutely not!” He shook his head as he became flustered. “Perhaps this was a mistake. I’m very sorry to have wasted your time, ma’am.” He went to stand from the booth but stopped when he felt a hand on his forearm.

“I… I’m sorry… I was joking…” It was Liam’s turn to eye her suspiciously. “Okay, mostly…” She realized her hand was still on Liam and quickly returned it to her own vicinity. “If you want to stay, you can… “

Liam nodded and smiled at her. “Perhaps now that you know my intentions aren’t to bed you, we could start over?” She nodded with a subtle grin. Liam over exaggeratedly situated himself in his spot and cleared his throat. “Hello, madam. I am Liam, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.” He said in an overly formal tone as he extended his hand across the table to her.

She responded with an accent of her own as she returned his gesture. “Why yes, a pleasure indeed.”

“What brings you to an establishment such as this?”

“While traveling, I came across this parlor and entered, seeking relaxation.” She responded through a giggle.

Liam returned her laughter before he spoke in his regular voice. “Travels? Where are you coming from?”

“You wouldn’t know it even if I told you.”

“Try me.”

“Okay…" She crooned. “Steelville, Oklahoma.”

“... Alright, you got me. I have no idea where that is.” Liam chuckled. “But US, though?”

“Yep, and don’t worry, nobody does. It’s the epitome of small town USA.” She answered before taking a sip of her drink. “You?”

“Here.”

“Ah, so local, then?”

Liam nodded. “Born and raised.”

“That must have been amazing. It’s so nice here, the views, even the people.”

Liam hesitated, but only briefly. “It’s certainly been… something… So, what do you do for work? Where are you staying?”

She held up her hands. “Woah there, one question at a time, that’s the rules.”

Liam furrowed his brows. “Rules? What rules?”

“Didn’t you know? There’s ‘approach a random stranger and strike up a conversation’ etiquette.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t make ‘em, I just follow 'em.”

Liam chuckled. “Alright, work?”

“I… actually don’t have a job yet. I… might’ve got on the plane with no plan in place, just whatever I could carry with me and whatever was in my bank account…”

“What? Why would you do that?”

“Hey, rules.”

“But you answered! It’s a whole new question!”

“Rule two, answer for an answer. So, it’s my turn to ask.” She stated with confidence. “What do you do for work?”

Liam swallowed thickly, but picked up his drink and took a generous sip to hide his momentary panic. “Uh… business. I’m a business… person."

“Oh, what kind of business do you do?”

“Ah ah ah… answer for an answer, remember?” He smirked.

She rolled her eyes, but he saw the small smile that crept across her face. “Fine, your turn.”

“The plane with no plan. I need some elaboration there.”

She took a deep breath and looked away from him before she quietly responded, “I just… wanted to experience someplace new. I got an impulse and followed it.” with a shrug.

Although Liam knew there was more, he dropped it. “Alright, your turn.”

“Hmmm…” She tapped her index finger against her chin. “You said when you sat down you were feeling… a lot. What’s that about?”

Liam’s smile faded. “It’s… a lot to explain…”

“Well, I’ve got time.” She responded with a shrug. “But we will need more drinks.”

Liam’s grin reassembled, which she returned with one of her own. He ordered them more drinks, and the two easily got lost in conversation. It flowed so easily with her, like he had known her for a majority of his life, despite her early assumptions. A part of him wanted to be skeptical about sharing pieces of himself with a stranger, but she was so endearing Liam couldn’t help himself. She was incredibly attentive while he spoke; she acted completely invested in what he was saying. And since she didn’t know who he truly was, he didn’t have to question her motives; it was nice.

And he found himself transfixed by her. Her mannerisms, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, how her full lips dimpled at the edges. He would be lying if he said he didn’t want to kiss her, because he did, desperately. But he was content in having the companionship he had been aching for in a listening ear.

He told her everything. About misreading Riley’s feelings, his father’s illness, and some of his other stresses minus the Crown; even down to his slight frustration at his breakfast being too well done. She listened and responded appropriately to everything he said; never once did she belittle Liam’s feelings or worries, only listened with the utmost attention as he poured himself out to her.

She seemed a little less open to start, but loosened up after a couple of drinks and shared minor details about herself with him. He understood her reservations and never pried her for any answer. If a subject seemed touchy, he quickly diverted the conversation elsewhere. Although they were strangers, never to see each other again; Liam learned a lot about her just by her body language, and could tell she was thankful when he had done so.

“Okay… Okay…” She laughed, “favorite movie?”

“Easy, Pulp Fiction.”

“Never seen it.”

Liam’s eyes widened. “What? How? Everyone has!”

“Well, I haven’t.” She took a large sip of her drink before she added. “I don’t really like action movies. I like stuff that will uplift my spirit when I need it.”

“Alright, what’s your pick, then?”

“... You’re going to judge me!” She exclaimed with an ear to ear grin.

Liam held his hands up. “I would never.”

“Okay, fine…” She relented with a heavy sigh. “... Elf.”

“Elf?” Liam asked while fighting to keep his face impassive.

“Yes, Elf.”

“As in the Christmas movie?” She nodded in response and the two looked at each other intently for a second before Liam’s face broke.

She pointed at him, “See?! I knew you’d judge!”

“No judgments!” He laughed. “Are you a fan of Christmas?”

“Yes. I love Christmas. It’s the best time of the year. It’s the season of giving, and the lights! I love festive lights!”

“It’s not Christmas, but there is a festival of lights in Valtoria once a year. It’ll be within the next couple of months.”

“Valtoria?”

“It’s a duchy within the country, not too far from here.”

“I have to learn all of this. I know I do. But I’ve been worried about… everything else since I got here.” She chuckled halfheartedly and downed the rest of her drink.

Before he could stop himself, Liam reached across the table to take her hand in his. “If I can do anything to help, please just say the word.”

She looked up and met his gaze. The two locked eyes and a flash of electricity passed between them, but both ignored the sensation. She quietly responded, “Thank you, Liam.” with a squeeze to his hand.

As the night went on, their glasses piled up in front of them, and their casual glances seemed to have more… heat behind them. She had moved to sit in the booth next to Liam, and he noticed she seemed to get a little more daring with the more alcohol she consumed. He didn’t want to scare her away, but the urge to kiss her increased with every passing second.

She knocked her napkin off the table and both bent down to pick it up. As they sat up, two sets of blue orbs locked on to each other, acting as a magnet; slowly pulling them closer and closer until their lips made contact. The kiss wasn’t rough or demanding, but gentle and comforting. Liam felt his heart stir, a brief flicker of electricity radiating through him at the touch. The music and commotion faded away behind them, as they lost themselves in that tender moment.

As it broke, Liam leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re full of surprises.” He whispered through a grin.

“I try.” She shrugged. She gazed up at him through her lashes, her flushed cheeks apparent even in the dim bar lighting.

Liam lost himself in her eyes and couldn’t fight the urge, so he leaned forward and captured her lips again; this time the chemistry and need was more palpable. Their tongues met in the middle and danced together in harmony. It felt exciting and new, yet comfortingly familiar to both, like they had done so a hundred times prior.

Liam broke the kiss, practically panting. He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and searched her lust blown eyes before he asked, “D-Do you want to get out of here?” He watched her demeanor change entirely, as if his question had pulled her out of her passion and alcohol induced daze. Her eyes went from filled with desire and longing to agony and regret.

“I… No… I shouldn’t…” she responded in a quiet voice as she backed away from his embrace. “I-I-m sorry… I should’ve-“

Liam held up a hand to stop her. “No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. I don’t know what came over me… I’m not usually so… blunt.”

“I… it’s not you… You’re clearly very attractive, but I’m just not ready for… that.” She looked away and shook her head. “I’m so sorry. I led you on and-“

“Don’t apologize. You don’t owe me an explanation.”

She snapped her head over to him with a shocked expression. “... Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Wow… that’s… very sweet of you… thank you.” She smiled.

“You sound surprised.”

She shrugged. “Most guys don’t know what ‘no’ means.”

“Well, I’m not most guys. My parents instilled in me a deep respect for women and their rights regarding their bodies.”

“You definitely seem… special.” The two shared a small smile before she quickly snapped herself out of it. “I… I should go, though… It’s getting late.” She muttered.

Liam nodded and watched her stand and grab her bag. She turned around to walk away, and before he could stop himself, he blurted out. “Wait!” His eyes widened and he silently scolded himself for his volume, but he continued anyway. “Could I get your number?”

After slightly hesitating she smiled and nodded, much to Liam’s delight. The two traded devices and entered their number into the others. Liam took his phone back and couldn’t hide the wide grin that was on his face as he stared at the number before him. He wasn’t sure why, but knowing he could contact this beautiful stranger again made his heart flutter.

He snapped himself out of his daze and noticed while she entered a number, she left no name. He furrowed his brows and lifted his head, “Hey, you forgot-“

But she was already gone.

I don't have a tag list for this one, and I'm not going to assume everyone wants tagged for everything, so I'm only tagging those that have shown interest. If I am mistaken, please let me know and I'll remove you, no questions asked 😊. Or, if you'd like to be added, please let me know.

@choicesficwriterscreations @ao719 @queenrileyrose @tessa-liam @angelasscribbles

[angelasscribbles]

Savage Love Chapter 37: Gone

Series: Savage Love

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Riley x Liam, Riley x Drake

Rating: R         

Warnings: Mature themes, violence, guns

Word Count: 987

A/N: Wow, I can't believe it's been five months since I posted an update for this! I've known since before I started writing it back in December 2021 how it's going to end. This is the downside of having so many ideas.... I can't work on all of them at once.

That said, this is a bit shorter than my regular chapters, but I just needed to see what Drake was doing while Riley was in Hidar in her quest to take down the Via Imperii and Leo was in Rivala getting the shock of his life. The next chapter will bring everyone back together again in Cordonia.

A/N2: I realize it's been a while and readers may be confused with all the OC's in this chapter, so here's a rundown. Nick is Riley's ex-fiance and also another GIA agent. Frederico Sanchez is Nick's informant. Saguaro Laurent is the head of The Gladius Company. Lorenzo is not in this chapter but is mentioned as a loan shark to whom Tariq owed money and who, on Saguaro's orders, leveraged Tariq's gambling debt to get him to abduct Riley (Tariq failed and was murdered for his failure, Lorenzo is in custody at the palace). Rico Mendez is the son of a former mafia don who wants revenge for Riley using him to take down his father's organization.

My other stuff: Master List.

Series Premise: Agent Riley Brooks is undercover on assignment in New York when she has a one-night stand with a handsome, mysterious stranger. Both of them hiding their true identities, names are not exchanged.  After one scorching night, they part ways, both returning to the duties they have pledged their lives to. Fast forward several months later and Agent Brooks is assigned a new case: investigate and infiltrate any Via Imperi influences in the small, Mediterranean country of Cordonia. Her cover? Posing as a suitor competing for the hand of the crown prince. Her way in? Civilian contractor and cyber security expert Maxwell Beaumont.

Drake…..

Nick and I arrived at the warehouse where we were meeting his contact in the Liberation Core. The one that had gotten me a meeting with the head of the Gladius Company.

The air in the dimly lit warehouse was thick with tension as we made our way through the maze of crates toward their rendezvous point. The echo of our footsteps ricocheted off the walls, adding to the sense of foreboding that permeated the atmosphere.

Nick's informant, a wiry man named Frederico Sanchez, stood waiting nervously near the entrance. His eyes darted back and forth, scanning for any signs of danger. As we approached, Sanchez straightened up and extended a shaky hand.

"Drake," Sanchez said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Nice to finally meet you. Nick here has told me a lot about you."

I nodded curtly, assessing Sanchez's demeanor. I could see the fear etched into the man's face, evidence of the high stakes involved in the mission. Time was of the essence; we needed to infiltrate The Gladius Company as quickly as possible.

"Likewise," I replied as I returned the man’s handshake. “Now let’s go over the plan before we meet with your guy.”

Being on the same page was crucial. If any of these guys got a whiff that this was a setup, we were both dead. Nick would stay in the surveillance van, ready as backup if necessary. He couldn’t be seen by Saguaro or any of the men he’d brought with him from New York. They’d recognize the GIA agent that had brought down their last organization in an instant.

We poured over the plan twenty times, looking for inconsistencies, committing our cover story to memory, and working out the kinks. When it was time to go, I waved goodbye to Nick and got in a nondescript sedan with Sanchez. A quick check-in with headquarters told me that they had picked up Lorenzo’s contact, but he wasn’t talking.

With any luck, we wouldn’t need him to. I was hoping to set eyes on Rico when I met with Saguaro. If he was there, I was giving the order to breach. I knew what Nick’s objective was, but I didn’t give two shits about arresting Saguaro Laurent. It was Rico I was after. The man that had sent a kidnapper, albeit a bad one, after the woman I love.

The American justice system had failed and released a known mobster, allowing him to slip through their security net. But he wasn’t in America anymore. He was on my turf, and I had a literal license to kill.

Rico Mendez would spend the rest of his life in a Cordonian prison, or he would die, and it didn’t matter much to me which one it was. All I cared about was getting him off the streets and keeping Riley safe.

We arrived at the rendezvous spot, but nothing went according to plan.

I found myself in another damn warehouse. This one was on the waterfront and, if our intel was correct, not far from the empty factory that was serving as headquarters for The Gladius Company.

We arrived first and waited. Saguaro and his men were late, which only served to ramp up the already rapidly percolating anxiety in the man at my side.

Sanchez was too damn twitchy. Saguaro picked up on it instantly. He barely glanced at me before fixing Sanchez with a piercing stare. “What’s the problem, Freddy?”

“What?” Sanchez tried to laugh it off. “Nothing. What do you mean?”

Saguaro’s flinty eyes squinted at him, then flicked to me as his hand went to his waist. I had my gun in my hand before he could pull his. “Don’t do it! I really don’t want to shoot anyone today, but I will if I have to. What’s the problem?”

Saguaro moved his hand away from his piece and put his arms in the air. A flash of metal in my periphery caught my attention. “Get down!” I hit the ground just a shot rang out. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! This wasn’t how it was supposed to go down.

Men scattered everywhere. We were outnumbered, but not for long. I could hear Nick in my earpiece giving the order to breach. Sanchez was hit. I drug him with me out of the line of fire, ducking behind a stack of metal barrels as the rat-a-tat-tat of machine gun fire spattered all around us.

“Hey, Laurent!” I craned my neck to peek around the barricade.

The only answer I got was more gunfire. I retreated back behind the stack of barrels for safety as my team poured into the building.

Now they were outnumbered, and the warehouse was surrounded. Less than fifteen minutes later, Saguaro and his men were cuffed and being loaded into the back of several guard-issue SUVs.

“Johnson, hold up!” I jogged quickly across the asphalt to intercept the lieutenant escorting the head of Gladius Company to one of the waiting vehicles. I grabbed him by his shirt and shoved him roughly up against the car. “Where’s Mendez? Was he with you?”

“Fuck you!” He lurched forward in an attempt to headbutt me, but this wasn’t my first rodeo. I snapped my head sideways, causing him to stumble forward.

I grabbed his shoulders to steady him, then brought my knee up hard into his gut. “I look forward to interrogating you, asshole.”

I beelined for the tactical van. Bursting into the mobile command center, I demanded, “Did we get Mendez?”

“Sorry, man, no,” Nick shook his head. “No sign of him. But the good news is, we got Saguaro and his second in command. There’s a second team sweeping their headquarters now. We successfully took The Gladius Company down!”

He was far too jubilant for what I considered a botched mission. I slammed out of the van with a huff. Goddamn it!

Rico was in the wind.

[prettyboisteveharrington]

So I’m rewriting the royal romance book two and I’m like wow look at all these things I can add but also wow I want more moments between Drake and MC or moments that end differently and no fic has so far pulled me in so I’m going to do it myself 😤

[camillemontespan]

Ahem, Drake Walker

[lilyoffandoms]

TRR Drabble (Drake Walker x Ava Flores)

Thank you for joining us this month @petiteboheme and for your super sweet messages and kind words these last few weeks! They have meant the world to me 💕 You make me want to love TRR with your fics.

Warnings & A/N: Hope this is in keeping with your babies. I got the idea from how much your Ava’s family reminds me of my own. This idea also comes from something that happened between my Grams and partner when they first met.

[I attempted to write a bit in a language I’m not strong in, so please forgive my Spanish. It is not my first language and I didn’t start learning it until like college (self taught) despite it being my mum’s first language.]

“We’re here,” Ava shouted over the din as she ushered Drake into the foyer.

His hands fiddled with the wine bottle he held, passing it back and forth between them like it weighed a ton.

He was nervous.

And if the clenched jaw didn’t give it away, his bouncing from foot to foot definitely did.

“Take a breath,” she whispered against the kiss she placed on his cheek.

“We’re in the kitchen,” a shout came from deeper into the house.

“Sounds like a lot of people,” Drake said as he stood frozen in place.

“It sounds quiet, actually,” Ava giggled and grabbing his free hand, pulled him with her into the kitchen.

“Mija!” came her mother’s joyous cry as she was quickly wrapped in a hug which turned into a line of hugs and kisses and various greetings as she was passed a crossed the room.

When the hugs and greetings and noise died down slightly, every eye in the room turned towards Drake.

Ava giggled from across the room. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights. In fact, she had seen him looked more comfortable in Cordonia at fancy balls than he did in this moment.

She pushed her way through the crowd to stand beside him.

“Everyone, this is Drake. Drake, everyone,” she made the introductions.

There was a moment of silence before the room erupted again into hugs, kisses, and greetings and names introduced that he was sure to not remember.

When he came to a stop having met everyone, the flow turned back to the food spread across the counters, the island, the kitchen table and spilling out onto the dining room table.

Ava found herself sitting at the dining room table with some aunts and cousins. Drake watched from a spot along the island as they wrapped something in what looked like banana leaves.

“Pasteles en hoja. They are one of Ava’s favorite. And while her great-grandmother would be rolling in her grave to see them made now, it’s not often our baby girl comes home,” Celia said beside Drake as she peeled more plantains.

“Debes ayudar si vas a comer,” an older women interrupted with a smile at him from across the counter.

“Um, what? I’m sorry I-“ he asked bewildered as he turned his attention to the woman who’s name and relation he couldn’t remember.

Ava’s mother laughed beside him and patted his hand.

“Dolores. She is Ava’s abuelita,” she whispered to him before leaning back and speaking up. “She said you must help if you plan to enjoy eating with us.”

“Oh, yeah, sure,” he looked at the wine still in his hands and then to the food spread out on the island. “This is for you,” he held the bottle of red wine out to Dolores. “Ava tells me you enjoy making vino caliente when the family gets together.”

The woman’s eyes lit up as she took the expensive bottle and glanced at it with a smile.

“¿El buen vino?” she laughed. “Nunca buen vino para el vino caliente, ni para viejas hermosas, tonto corazón de melón.”

She laughed and gave him a quick kiss before patting his cheek.

“Um?” he looked bewildered at the people around him now laughing.

“She only uses the cheapest wine,” someone said to him. “And I do mean the cheapest,” and to make their point they made a sour face.

Dolores opened the bottle Drake had given her and poured herself a glass before producing another bottle from the lower cabinet.

“Solo este vino. Las cosas buenas que bebo,” she raised her glass toward Drake and took a large gulp of wine before gesturing for him to come help her chop some ginger root.

“I think she must really like you,” a cousin said beside him with a clap on his back. “She doesn’t let anyone help make her vino.”

——————————

All Choices Tag: @storyofmychoices @peonierose @aallotarenunelma @inlocusmads

[tessa-liam]

Turning the Page

Chapter 15 

_Bridge of Dreams_ 

Choices, The Royal Romance, The Royal Heir AU 

Series Premise: As Riley Brooks journeys through life as a single parent in New York City, an epiphany strikes as she contemplates the future for herself and her two-year-old son. 

Turning the Page Series Masterlist, My Complete Masterlist 

Main pairing: Liam Rys x F!OC Riley Brooks

All characters belong to Pixelberry Studios, except William Brooks (Rys) and Matteo Magro, who both belong to this series. 

Category: On-going series, contains angst/fluff/depression. Cross-over fic with Choices, Perfect Match. 

Rating: M 🔞 - Warnings – Series will have crude language, weapons, NSFW material – not Beta’d - please excuse all errors.

Bridge of Dreams

Chapter 15 

Chapter Summary: Liam and Riley revisit the Pont des Arts, ‘Lovelock Bridge” in Paris, France. Olivia begins a relationship with Damien Nazario. William enjoys his first camping trip with Uncles Drake and Maxwell & Bartie

Music Inspiration: I Won’t Give Up, Jason Mraz 

A/N1: In this alternate universe, after King Constantine orchestrates two individual scandals to humiliate and entrap Riley Brooks and Olivia Nevrakis in shame, Madeleine Amaranth secures her position as the Queen of Cordonia. Riley, as the King’s mistress and Olivia, in self-imposed exile. Tariq is never found.  

A/N2: Damien Nazario has been assigned as William’s personal bodyguard. (Series cross-over with ‘Perfect Match’) 

Santorini, Greece 

Rubbing away the fog off the bathroom mirror after his hot shower, Damien Nazario could now see his reflection to shave. After waking from a rejuvenating sleep, his plans included enjoying the white sand beaches that were here in Santorini and maybe some sightseeing on the island. He was afforded a couple of free days of relaxation to enjoy the beaches of Santorini by King Liam before he was to return to his duties of guarding the young crown prince in Cordonia. 

...and he was determined to enjoy this free time. Damien finished shaving and splashed water on his face. He felt refreshed and energized, ready to take on the day. 

He grabbed a towel and dried his face. Then, he headed into the bedroom to get dressed. 

 Damien padded slowly into the bedroom of her hotel suite and grinned. 

He had every intention of enjoying his time with his fiery red-haired companion, whom he shared a bed with after the wedding festivities ended. 

After Olivia invited him to extend the celebration in her hotel room -- which he accepted without hesitation -- they spent the night in each other's arms, exploring their desires. It had been a while since he had been with a woman, and even longer since he had been with a woman like Duchess Olivia. She was confident, intelligent, and beautiful. And she knew how to please a man. 

Ever since the first day they were introduced, he found himself drawn to her and intrigued by her personality. 

Damien had to admit, the redhead was very sexy, and it wasn't just her appearance. It was also the way she carried herself and the way she spoke. Her confidence of knowing exactly what she wanted and was not afraid to go after it. 

The way she spoke so eloquently and with such passion was very arousing. He loved the way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she was interested in; her intellect apparent. 

He was intrigued by her confidence and her ability to be assertive. Most women would shy away from taking charge, but not Olivia. She was bold and unafraid to express her feelings. He found that to be incredibly attractive and erotic. 

Damien smiled, biting his top lip as he thought about the previous night and all the things they did. They had made love until the early hours of the morning leaving them both exhausted but satisfied. 

Olivia was already up and dressed, sitting on the bed. She was wearing a pale coral sundress that complimented her skin tone, and her red hair was pulled back into a loose chignon. 

"Good morning," Damien said as he approached her. 

"Good morning," Olivia replied coyly, a smile playing on her lips. 

Damien leaned down and kissed her, his hand cupping her cheek. He couldn't resist pulling her close, inhaling her sweet scent. 

"I was wondering if you would like to join me on the beach today," Damien suggested, his fingers brushing a stray hair away from her face. 

"Actually, I was planning on returning to Cordonia today." 

"Why so soon?" Damien asked, slightly disappointed. 

"I have important business to attend to." 

"Is everything okay?" 

"Everything's fine," Olivia reassured him, placing her hand on his chest. "I just need to get back to work." 

"Of course," Damien nodded. "But you still have the day free before your flight". 

"True," Olivia agreed. "I suppose we could spend a few more hours together." 

"Excellent," Damien smiled, his brown eyes twinkling. "Would you like to have breakfast first?" 

"Actually, I have a better idea," Olivia said, her voice low and seductive. 

"What do you have in mind?" 

Olivia smirked, her green eyes darkening with desire. "Why don't you come back to bed?" 

"Now that sounds like a perfect plan." 

Damien's mouth curved into a grin as he gently pushed her back and joined her back in bed. 

As she looked out the 18th floor window, Riley could see the Seine River winding its way through the city. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. 

The Suite Impériale at the Ritz, Paris, France 

This is it. 

Riley knew that she would have to relive the bittersweet memories from the engagement tour. It would be hard, but she knew that it would also be cathartic. She needed this. 

She needed to let go of the past. 

She turned and looked at herself in the full-length mirror. She was wearing a flowing, white sundress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her hair was falling softly onto her shoulders, and her makeup was simple and elegant. 

She was ready. 

She slipped on a pair of white sandals and made her way down to the lobby. Liam was meeting her at their spot once he finished his meeting with the French president and he should be there momentarily. 

When Riley stepped outside, the sun was shining, and the sky was a brilliant blue. 

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air, trying to calm her jitters. 

As Riley made her way along the Seine, she could not help but think about the last time she was here. 

It was a day she would never forget. 

The day she and Liam placed that small gold lock on the bridge. 

It was the day they declared their love for each other and sealed it with a kiss. 

Riley sighed, remembering how happy she was that day. How hopeful. 

She had been so naïve. 

Tariq was never found and the scandal lived on. Liam would abide by his duty and marry Madeleine, making her his queen. 

As Riley rounded the corner, she could see the bridge coming into view. 

Her heart started to race, and her palms became sweaty. She felt her tears travel down her cheeks. 

She was nervous. 

She didn't know what to expect or why Liam was so insistent on revisiting this exact spot. 

Riley reached the bridge and stopped. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. 

She was ready. 

The memories came flooding back. 

'You spot Liam leaning against a stone railing overlooking the Seine. His expression is clouded, but when he hears you approach, he breaks into a smile. 

"Riley!"' 

"Liam. You are a sight for sore eyes." 

Liam chuckles. "That's my line." 

He pushes himself off the railing and takes a few steps forward, closing the distance. 

'"I wasn't sure you'd come."'

He wraps you in a tight embrace, resting his head against your shoulder. You feel his chest heave with a sigh.  

"After the bachelor party, I found Maxwell and he filled me in on your ... mission earlier." 

To think that Bastien helped set you up ..." 

Liam nods. "It's ... shocking, yes, but ... I think it might have been a blessing in disguise." 

"How so?" 

Liam pulls away and smiles. "If we hadn't been interrupted, I may not have had the opportunity to spend the evening with you. And as much as I love spending time with my friends, being with you was ... a much-needed escape." 

"I wasn't sure if we should risk coming here. If the person behind this is so powerful that Bastien is afraid of them ..., are we really safe? I don't know how deeply this goes or who we can trust. All I know is that I couldn't bear it if something happened to you. The only way to keep you safe might be for us to leave. Permanently." 

Liam smiled sadly, I remember asking you, saying, 

"We could ... we could go anywhere. Anywhere in the world. Where do you want to go?" 

"You're joking, right? We can't leave Cordonia." 

"No, we can. We'll just go somewhere no one will ever find us. We can live in peace and happiness together." 

"We could have a family. We could be happy." 

"Liam ... no. No matter how tempting that sounds ...  

"You can't abandon Cordonia." 

His shoulders slump. "I know that. But if you asked me to, I would. In an instant." 

"I could never ask you that. Your people need an honest King now more than ever. And the Liam I know would never leave them behind. 

Liam tenderly takes your hands in his. 

"We will get through this, Riley. We have to. I refuse to believe otherwise." 

He lifts one of your hands and kisses the back of it, his eyes never leaving yours. 

"We'll find a way. Together." 

Liam pulls you close and kisses you, his arms wrapping around you tightly. 

After a moment, he breaks the kiss and rests his forehead against yours. 

"I promise." 

"I won't give up on you, or us." 

"Nor will I." 

"Thank you, Riley for not letting my fears get the better of me." 

Liam steps back and holds out his arm to you. 

"Now, shall we continue our walk? 

"I'd love that, Liam." 

The two of you start walking down the bridge, hand-in-hand. 

"You know, Riley, there's one good thing about this whole Tariq situation." 

"And what's that?" 

"It's made me realize how lucky I am to have someone like you by my side. You're strong, kind, compassionate, and so much more. I love you, and I'm so grateful that you're a part of my life." 

Liam gives you a small smile. 

"Thank you, Liam." 

"For what?" 

"For always knowing the right thing to say." 

"Well, I try," Liam says with a smirk. 

"I know it's hard. But no matter what happens, at least we'll face it together." 

At this, Riley gets very emotional, thinking that by leaving him when she found out she was pregnant, she betrayed him. 

Riley was lost in thought as she walked, the sun beating down on her shoulders. It had been a long journey, and she was still processing everything that had happened. 

She thought about her decision to leave, and how it had affected Liam. 

She thought about William, and how she faced the challenge of being a single parent. 

The guilt was overwhelming. 

She knew she had made the right decision at the time, but she couldn't help but regret the pain she had caused Liam. 

She had left without a word, without a trace. 

And while she was certain that the time away had been necessary, she couldn't help but feel like she had let him down. 

Joining Liam at the railing they both gaze across the river. The streets around them are practically empty, though many lights still glitter on the water. 

It's so quiet. It feels almost like a dream. Like they're the only ones in the city. 

Liam puts his arm around Riley's shoulders and pulls her close. 

"Love, you look ... you look like you are miles away from here.

Penny tor your thoughts?"

"Liam. Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course ... anything, Riley."

Taking a shaky breath, speaking in a very small voice,

"After you married Madeleine, did ... did you ever grow feelings for her? When I left?"

Liam took a deep breath and sighed. He knew Riley wanted him to; needed him to be truthful.

"Madeleine and I, well, we grew fond of one another. As friends; but, nothing more."

A tear slipped down Riley's cheek, but Liam quickly rubbed it away.

"Our arrangement was that we would marry, have children, and rule Cordonia together. However, as time went on, I ... we both realized that we were never going to love each other. We would be nothing more than friends." 

Nodding her head, her eyes were locked onto the floor. She was trying to hold herself together.

"Madeleine did try, at first, to seduce me. She was quite insistent on producing an heir, but I couldn't bring myself to bed her. Cordonia be damned." 

Liam placed his hands on Riley's cheeks, cradling her head as she cried.

"I knew that, as long as you were out there, somewhere, I would always be yours. I couldn't move on." 

"I'm so, so sorry," she said. "I don't know if I'll ever stop feeling guilty for what happened." 

"Don't," he said, shaking his head. "It wasn't your fault. It was my choice. I had a responsibility to Cordonia, and I had a duty to the Crown. I knew what I was getting into when I married Madeleine." 

"You didn't have a choice," she whispered. 

"Neither did you," he replied. 

Riley sighed, her eyes filled with tears, looking up to the sky. 

"The night when William was born ... I was so happy. But you weren't mine. you belonged to someone else. It killed me ... that I ran and took your son away."

"Riley," Liam said softly, taking her hand. 

Riley pursed her lips, and began...

"Riley," he said tenderly, cupping her cheek. 

"Liam, when William was born, I was ecstatic. But then, when I held him for the first time, and he looked up at me ... I couldn't help but think that you should have been there, too. That he should have had his father with him, on the day he was born. And I just couldn't stop thinking about how I had left you behind, and that it was all my fault." 

"Riley," he said again, pulling her into his arms. "You were the one who was abandoned, Riley. Not me. I understand why you did what you did. It wasn't your fault." 

"Liam ..." 

"Riley, I know how difficult it was for you. How painful. But I am so glad that you found the strength to return to me, and with our son. You are a wonderful mother, and I can't imagine my life without you and William in it."

"I love you, Liam,"her lip quivering. 

"And I love you, Riley," he replied. "More Than you will ever know."

"Always," she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder. 

"Always, my love." 

The two of them stood there, watching the sun set over the water, holding each other close. 

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"  Liam turned to kiss Riley's forehead.

"Yes. It is." 

Liam looks down and smiled. "I have a surprise for you." 

Leading Riley further along the bridge she sees a wicker basket sitting on the paving stones. Liam pulls a small blanket from the basket and spreads it out. As she settled down on the blanket, Liam pulled a bottle of champagne from the basket, followed by two flutes, a loaf of crisp bread, and several rounds of cheese. 

Riley smiled. "Wow, Liam. This is quite the spread. And very familiar." 

Liam deftly pops the cork and pours two glasses of champagne. He hands one to Riley, and then raises his own. 

"To you, Riley. The most unforgettable woman I've ever met." 

"To you, Liam. Meeting you changed my life. But out of all the places I've been and the things I've done since then, the best part has been getting to know you." 

"That's more of a toast than I deserve, Riley, but, thank you." 

Clinking glasss they each take a sip. There is a faint hint of mint and lemon to the cool, bubbly drink. 

"Liam, how long have you been planning this?"

"A few days." 

Riley sips her champagne. The sweet and bubbly alcohol is warming. 

"How did you manage to sneak a whole picnic out here without anyone seeing you?" 

Liam chuckles. "A king can do many things." 

"Like bribe the French palace staff?" 

Liam laughs. "Perhaps. But no, I was simply able to utilize my authority. And I can assure you, no one will disturb us. This bridge is closed to traffic." 

Riley looked up at him, incredulous. "How did you manage that?" 

"With great difficulty." Liam winks mischievously. 

She raised her eyebrows. 

"I have connections," Liam says with a smirk. 

"So, you pulled some strings, and now we have a private bridge all to ourselves?" 

"Indeed." Liam responds sheepishly.

Riley took another sip of champagne. "I must say, this is quite impressive." 

"I thought it would be nice to have a moment alone together, away from prying eyes and listening ears."

"I'm glad you did."  Riley giggled.

"Good," Liam says, pouring more champagne into her glass. 

"So, what do we have here?" 

"Well, we have champagne, of course," Liam says, motioning to the bottle. "And then we have some delicious cheese, courtesy of France. And a fresh baguette, still warm from the bakery." 

"This is amazing, Liam. Thank you." 

"It's my pleasure, Riley." 

Once the food is gone and the blanket and glasses are put away, Liam takes the basket under one arm and offers you the other.  

"I believe tradition requires that we continue our evening with a stroll, my lady." 

As Liam and Riley walked along the Seine, more and more locks could be seen hooked through the railing.

As she looked down at the locks, Riley couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness in her heart. 

They were symbols of love and hope and somewhere in the sea of locks, Riley knew their lock was still locked in place. She bent down to take a closer look.

A reminder her of a time she had tried so hard to forget. 

...Remember When... 

"Thank you, Riley. With so little permanence in this world, there will always be this little lock on this bridge just for the two of us. I want to believe it will be here forever, no matter what else happens to us." 

Riley's eyes filled with tears with this memory from years ago.   

"Riley, my love..." 

Wiping her tears she stood and turned ...and gasped --as she watched Liam drop down onto one knee before her. 

"Liam?" 

"Riley, you are my heart and soul. You're the reason I wake up every morning. You're the reason I smile. I cannot imagine a life without you by my side. You've stood beside me through the hardest moments of my life, and you've never once wavered. You've given me the strength to face my fears, and you've shown me that true love can conquer anything. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you." 

He opened his hand, and she saw a small, black velvet box sitting on his palm. 

"Liam ..." 

With steady hands, he opened the box to reveal a stunning diamond engagement ring. 

"Riley Louise, will you marry me?" 

"Yes!" She exclaimed. "Yes! ... A thousand times, yes!" 

"Really?" 

"Of course," she tearfully replied. 

Liam beamed as he slid the ring onto her finger. 

"I love you, Riley." 

"I love you too, Liam." 

Tears ran down her cheeks as she leaned forward, kissing him passionately. 

She was his. 

Forever. 

As they kissed, her heart was bursting with joy. 

This was the happiest moment of her life. 

They stood on the bridge for what felt like hours, locked in each other's arms. 

"So, we're really going to do this, huh?"  Liam looked intentedly at Riley, trying to stop his smile.

"What, get married?"  Riley giggled.

"Yeah," he said. "It seems crazy, but I've never been surer of anything."  Liam started to kiss down the side of her neck, pausing to gently nip her skin.

"Ohhhhh .... me neither."  Riley moaned as he squeezed her ass pulling her flush against him.

"Let's get out of here," he growled, leading Riley back to the hotel.

Fontainebleau cliff (outside Paris)

At Maxwell’s request, William, along with his nephew Bartie was joining Drake for a camping trip outside of the city...on the condition that Bastien would be included...at Liam's insistence.

"This is going to be great," Maxwell said. "I can't wait for a boys' night." 

After a few hours of driving, and a long hike later ... Maxwell, Drake, William, Bartie and Bastien arrive at a cliff overlooking the lake. 

Maxwell sets his backpack down. "All right, guys. Let's make camp." 

"I thought you said we were going camping," Bartie says. 

"This is camping," Maxwell replies. 

"No, this is a cliff. There are no trees or tents or anything." 

"We're in the middle of nature. What more do you need?" 

"Um, a place to sleep?"  Bartie replies dryly.

"I got that covered," Drake says, pulling a bundle of canvas from his backpack. He unfolds the fabric, revealing a large tent. 

"You brought a tent?" Maxwell asks. 

"Of course. What did you think we were going to do, sleep under the stars?" 

"Well, yeah."  Maxwell answered.

Drake shook his head, thinking it was a good idea to teach these nobles a thing of two about camping.

"No way. That's how you get eaten by bears." 

William looked up at Bastien, questioningly. 

"Don't worry, William," Bastien says. "I have an excellent track record for keeping the royal family safe from bears." 

"Okay, everyone. Let's get this tent set up," Drake rolled his eyes knowing he had to take the lead. 

With the tent secured, the group thrn gathered wood to start a fire. 

"Now, we can finally start having fun," Maxwell says. 

"First things, first... who is hungry?" 

William and Bartie look up at Drake.

"We are," they reply in unison. 

"Who wants s'mores?" Drake grins. 

"Yum," William exclaims. 

"I don't know what that is, but I'm in," Bartie adds. 

"S'mores are a camping classic. They're made with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. I guess your father hasn't taken you camping yet?" Drake shakes his head at Bartie.

"Ha, too funny!" Maxwell laughs. "Drake is an expert on s'mores." 

"What do you mean?" William asks. 

"Well," Maxwell begins. "S'mores are the only food that your uncle Drake can make. So, when we go camping, we have a lot of them." 

"That's not true," Drake scoffs. "I can cook other things, too. Like, hot dogs. And hamburgers." 

"You heat those things up. That doesn't count," Maxwell argues. 

"Okay, fine. But I can make a mean cup of coffee over the fire." 

"That's true," Maxwell admits. "But you still can't cook anything else." 

"Whatever," Drake says, rolling his eyes. 

The group laughs as they begin to roast their marshmallows over the crackling fire. 

Thank you for reading, tags are in the comments. Please let me know if you would like to be added or removed from tags.

@choicesficwriterscreations

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Throwback Fic #6

Toga Party

I am participating in @wackydrabbles​​​ prompt # 129 the prompt “Well that sucks.” will be in bold.

This is chapter 2 of And So… We Met

Series:  And So…We Met The Book:  TRR Pairing:  Riley x Drake /  Liam x Hana /  Hana x ?  eventually Riley x Liam Word Count: 1930 Warnings/ Ratings:  None

Summary:  Campus toga party for Psychology Club to donate sheets to the local homeless shelter.

Original Post: 01/15/22 at 9:42PM EST

Keep reading

[cordonianroyalairlines]

Staking a Claim

Series: Cordonian Royal Airlines

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings for series: Various

Pairing for this chapter: Riley x Drake

Word Count: 2,340

Rating: MA

Warnings for this chapter: Language mostly

A/N: This is for the @choicesholidays Valentine's Day prompts: "Be my fake date for a wedding."

The hair color is wrong for my Riley, but this image was perfect!

The copilot twisted around in his seat one too many times, craning his neck as if searching the cabin for something, jostling the pilot in the process.

Liam grunted in consternation. “Drake!”

Drake spun back around, “What?”

“What is your malfunction?”

“What do you mean?” Drake blinked at him in confusion.

“What do you mean what do I mean?” Liam grunted, “We haven’t made it through the preflight checklist because you keep turning around to stare into the cabin! What the hell is so interesting out there?”

“Nothing!” Drake rolled his shoulders, stared blankly out the cockpit window for a moment then turned back to Liam, “Can you see the guy in 12B?”

“What?” Liam’s head swiveled around and then back. “No. Why?”

Drake’s bottom lip protruded as he shook his head. “No reason.”

Liam watched him skeptically. Drake had been visibly agitated since he’d reported for duty. “There has to be a reason.”

“I…he just….he looks a little squirrely. You know what I mean? Untrustworthy.”

Liam’s eyes widened in alarm. “Is he a threat? Do we need to alert security? Did you see a weapon?” He whipped his head around quickly to try and get a good view of the man in 12B. “I can’t see anything. Riley’s blocking my view.”

“Is she talking to him?” Drake’s entire body moved just as Liam turned back around. Their heads collided with a resounding thwack.

“Ow! Fuck!” Liam grabbed his forehead.

“Sorry, sorry!”

“Seriously man, tell me what’s going on right now. I’m calling security!” Liam reached for the microphone but just as he got it to his mouth, Drake slapped it out of his hands.

“No!”

Liam watched in astonishment as the microphone flew out of his grip and hit the window then bounced off the dash. “Are you on drugs right now? Do I need to get another copilot?”

Drake gaped at him. “Seriously? When have I ever done drugs?”

“I don’t know man, but you’re acting really fucking weird.”

Hana ducked her head in to ask, “Are we almost ready? A couple of the passengers are getting antsy.”

“Which ones?” Drake asked.

Hana’s brows pulled together for a moment then smoothed out as she chuckled. “Oh. You know Riley’s ex is out there, don’t you?”

“What?” Drake’s eyes shot to Liam then back to Hana as he denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

A relieved breath whooshed out of Liam. At least he now knew Drake wasn’t on drugs and there wasn’t a terrorist on board. He stifled a laugh. “Sure you don’t.”

“I don’t!” Drake glared at them both.

Hana giggled as she backed out of the cockpit.

They finished the checklist and got airborne, but Drake’s agitation quickly returned. “Do you think he’s better looking than me?”

“Who?”

“The guy! In 12B.”

“How would I know?”

“You’re bisexual, right? You can judge that kind of thing.”

Liam scoffed. “First of all, I haven’t laid eyes on the guy. Second of all, I thought you didn’t care.”

“No, I don’t! I mean….just objectively speaking, out of curiosity….I overheard Hana call him eye candy. He can’t be that good-looking, can he?”

“I dunno Drake, Riley is a ten, so I imagine her ex is no slouch in the looks department either.”

“Great.” Drake huffed as he spun around in his seat again.

“Oh, for the love of God, just go look!”

“I can’t do that!”

“Why not?”

“Because then she’ll know I care!”

Liam cocked an eyebrow at him, “So you do care?”

“I mean she’ll think I care!”

“You’re really an idiot sometimes, you know that?”

“I don’t follow.”

“Of course you don’t.” Liam shook his head. “The only person you’re fooling is yourself. Put the rest of us out of our misery and just tell the girl that you like her already!”

“I’m not going out there.”

“Okay.”

Drake tapped his fingers on his knees for several seconds before jumping out of his seat. “I need to use the bathroom.”

“Sure you do.”

“I had a lot of coffee before we boarded.”

“Sure you did.”

“Fuck you. I’m going to take a piss.”

“Great. Tell Riley I said hi.”

Drake ignored him as he exited the cockpit and headed for the back of the plane where the restrooms were located. He slid his eyes sideways as he passed aisle 12 and scoffed to himself. The guy wasn’t that good-looking.

He was clean-shaven with a strong jawline, and raven hair swept back and gelled to perfection. Was that an Armani suit? How were his eyes that blue?

He slammed into the lavatory and locked the door to glare at himself in the highly polished silver surface of the mirror as he regarded his deep copper-colored eyes and messy, fly-away hair that barely saw a brush, much less hair gel. He ran a hand across the stubble dotting his jaw. It was a strong jawline, wasn’t it? Should he shave?

The guy in seat 12B looked like a CEO or something. Did she like that type? Drake was far more likely to be found in a tent than a boardroom. Did he even own a suit? He owned uniforms. Didn’t women like men in uniforms?

He made pretty good money as a first officer for Cordonian Royal Airlines.

Not CEO money.

“Fuck!” He spun and lashed out at the toilet. His foot connected to the stainless steel sending a sharp jolt of pain shooting up his leg.

There was a knock at the door. “Everything okay in there?”

Shit! It was Riley! “I’m fine. Dropped my…. Wallet…” Fuck, Walker! What the shit is wrong with you, man? Your wallet really?

“Are you sure because that didn’t sound like—”

“I said I’m fine!”

“Okay. Just let me know if—oh, excuse me what?”

From the other side of the door, a man’s voice murmured something he couldn’t make out then both people moved away.

Was that the ex talking to her? He forced himself to count to twenty so he didn’t just barrel out of the bathroom after them. He took several deep calming breaths like Max had tried to show him last time he had been upset about something. At least he thought it was what Max had done. At the time, he had mostly ignored him.

With an air of calm he most certainly did not feel, he exited the lavatory. His eyes went straight to seat 12B. Empty. He backtracked and ducked into the crew area.

Sure enough, there was Riley standing in the middle of the empty inflight catering kitchen talking to Mr. CEO.

All his jealousy evaporated in an instant as he took in her demeanor. Her arms were folded defensively across her chest and her face was furrowed into a frown. She was shaking her head as she leaned forward, her voice lowered but her entire body radiating her discomfort with the conversation.

The guy reached out and grabbed her arm.

She flinched away.

Oh hell no.

Drake didn’t remember moving but he was suddenly next to them, his hand wrapped firmly around the man's wrist. He flung the other man’s arm away from Riley and through gritted teeth asked, “Is there a problem here?”

The man gave him a startled look then annoyance flashed across his face. “We were just having a discussion.”

“Doesn’t look like the lady’s enjoying the conversation.”

“Mind your own business,” he shook his head dismissively and reached for her again, “Riley, if we could just talk privately—”

Drake intercepted the motion before he could touch her. “If you’re attached to that hand and wish to keep it, then I would strongly advise you against touching her again.”

He jerked his hand out of Drake’s grasp and rubbed his wrist. “Was that really necessary?”

Drake never took his eyes off the man as he leaned his body toward Riley, “Do you want to talk to this guy?”

“No.”

“But, Riley—”

“We have nothing to talk about, Nick!”

Drake angled his body so that he was blocking Riley from Nick’s view. He crossed his arms over his chest. “You heard her.”

Nick looked like he wanted to press the issue, but after taking in Drake’s stormy expression, thought better of it. He straightened his suit jacket with a sharp tug. “Fine. I’ll see you at the wedding. We’ll talk then.”

“You’re not coming to my sister’s wedding!”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? I’ll be there as Clarissa’s plus one.”

Riley shook her head back and forth. “Seriously? When we were dating, you couldn’t stand her!”

A gloating smile crept across his face. “Jealous?”

“Why would I be jealous?”

“Because you’re not over me, Riley. If you were, you’d have bothered to line up a date for the wedding.”

“I—”

“She has a date for the wedding.” Drake cut in as he casually slung his arm around her shoulders.

Nick turned his gaze to Drake for a long, evaluating moment. “Are you the new boyfriend then?”

“Yep. And I’m only going to ask you once to return to your seat. If you don’t stop harassing the flight crew, I will land this plane and have security escort you off of it.”

Nick’s eyes widened slightly as he huffed out, “You wouldn’t dare!”

Riley ran her hand down Drake’s arm as she smirked at Nick, “He would. He’s very protective when it comes to me. I wouldn’t test him if I were you.”

“Whatever,” Nick bumped Drake’s shoulder as he shoved past them and exited the kitchen.

Drake’s arm was still around Riley as he turned his head to watch Nick leave. “Let me know if he bothers you again and I’ll—”

Riley spun on him in fury, her fists raining blows on his chest. “What the fuck did you just do, Drake?”

His hand flew to his chest. “Ow! What the hell, Riley? I just rescued you from that guy!”

“I didn’t need rescuing, Drake. I can handle Nick. He’s an asshole, but he’s not a serial killer or something!”

Drake scoffed with a shake of his head, “I think the phrase you’re looking for is thank you.”

“Oh yeah? Really?”

“Yeah, really!”

“Do you know what you just did? Do you?”

“Um…got the asshole ex-boyfriend to leave you alone?”

“No, you fucking jackass.” She slapped his arm. “You just told him that you’re my boyfriend and my date to my sister’s wedding!”

“So?”

“So?” She threw her arms up in the air. “So when I show up at the wedding with no date and no boyfriend he’ll know that was a lie and I’ll be humiliated!”

“Oh.”

“Yeah…oh!”

They stood in silence for a long moment, Drake rubbing his chest and Riley fuming. Then Drake quietly said, “I’ll go to the wedding with you.”

“What?”

“I mean….if you want me to.”

“I…”

“I did get you into this situation. Let me make it up to you by getting you out of it. One fake boyfriend slash date for sister’s wedding coming right up!”

All the fight went out of her as she took in the hopeful smile on his face. “I can’t ask you to do that, Drake.”

“Why not?”

“Because the wedding is on Valentine’s Day and I’m sure you already have plans. I can’t ask you to cancel—”

“Pfffftttt.” He waved a hand dismissively in the air. “I do not have plans for Valentine’s Day!”

“You don’t?”

Did she sound hopeful?

“No, I do not. No girlfriend, no friend with benefits, no romantic entanglements at all.”

Except with you.

A delighted smile broke out across her face. “Okay, then.”

“So, we’re good?”

She gave him a flirtatious smile as she flipped her hair and turned to leave. “We’re good.”

“Okay, good.”

He watched her walk away with a contented smile on his lips then followed her out of the kitchen and back to the front of the plane. He glowered at Nick as he passed aisle 12.

Nick returned the glare as he adjusted his headphones and slid down in the seat.

When he stepped onto the flight deck Liam greeted him with smug satisfaction. “That was the longest piss in the world.”

“Shut up.” He slid into the copilot seat without looking at his best friend.

“So how’d it go? Did you get a good look at her ex?”

“Um….yeah… he’s a pushy bastard. I had to tell him to keep his hands to himself and….”

“And?”

Drake released a long-suffering sigh knowing Liam was going to find out sooner or later. Riley would tell Max and Max would tell everyone else. “I’m going as her date to her sister’s wedding.”

“Wow! That’s quite a jump from ‘I don’t like her like that’.” Liam chortled gleefully.

Drake kept quiet but his foot started tapping nervously.

“Oh, shit, there’s more! What is it?” Liam prodded.

“Ah…”

“Don’t make me call Max and find out.”

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

“Come on, what else?”

“It’s on Valentine’s Day,” he answered with a resigned sigh.

Liam practically danced out of his seat. “This is amazing! This is epic! Mr. I will never take a woman out on Valentine’s Day because that’s far too much pressure and it’s all about commercialization anyway is taking a woman out on Valentine’s Day. To her sister’s wedding!”

“Why does this make you so happy?”

“Because I get to say I told you so forever!”

“It’s not even a real date.”

“Sure it’s not.”

“It’s not!”

“Does she know that?”

“Yes! I just said I was her boyfriend so that Nick guy would stop—”

“Wait! Wait! You played the pretend boyfriend card to back off her ex?”

“Yeah…so?”

Liam threw his head back and belly laughed. “You are such a goner!”

Drake pressed his lips into a tight line and returned his attention to the control panel. He wanted to argue, he really did. But he couldn’t.

He was absolutely a goner.

And he was going to have to buy a suit.

Shit.