A Great Prince: A Royal Bad Boy Romance by Brad Vance

too?
    “Father…”
    “Ah, child. Sit down.”
    Francesca sat next to her father, looking at him with shock. He was… an old man. He wasn’t just bleary-eyed because it was early, she realized. The queen had demanded all these changes, and it had taken its toll on him.
    “Where are Klaus and Amelia?”
    He sighed. “They have retired, Francesca, to the country.”
    “That’s the lie you tell a child when their dog has died, Father. That the poor dear thing has gone to live on a farm. Did you know that Sonia has been deported?”
    The king stared silently at his plate, unmoving. “Sonia? But she’s a citizen of…”
    “Apparently not. Apparently, she must have forgotten over decades of faithful service that she was just a guest here.”
    “I am sorry, but that’s…”
    Francesca knew what he’d say. She felt a wave of pity. She reached over and took his hand. “Father. Your Majesty. This is Alexandra Therese’s doing.”
    He looked at her. “I know.”
    “You are the king! You can reverse all this with a wave of your—”
    She stopped. He could, but she could see that he wouldn’t. The queen had stepped up her game and worn him down.
    “You can have Sonia live with you, dear, in Danubia, once you’re settled there.”
    “Ah. Is that what the queen said? Is that how she got you to sign off?”
    His brow darkened. “Francesca. I will hear no more of this.”
    She stood up. “Oh, but Father, you will. You will hear much more of this.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN – THEY NEED YOU MORE THAN YOU NEED THEM
     
    Nikolas brooded in the back of the Maybach as the huge car sailed silently down the freeway, surrounded by black Suburbans.
    István had laughed at him. Laughed at him! As he sat on his throne!
    “That photo is a fabrication, Your Majesty. Or a photo of some Russian girls, that’s all.” He sighed. “Niko, Niko, relax. This wedding, it’s a good thing. Our country will prosper, and you, well, the life you like to lead? It need never end. Plant a baby in the woman and never touch her again.”
    Nikolas didn’t even remind him not to address him as “Niko.” Why should I? he thought glumly. Why should I demand to be addressed as king when I’m nothing but a pawn?
    “You never had a problem with our activities when you were on the street. Why bother now?”
    Nikolas got some energy back at that. “That was my responsibility when I was on the street, to do as you told me. Now I’m a king, I have new responsibilities.”
    “Yes, like producing an heir. Insuring stability. The prosperity of your people.”
    My people. Right. Like they’ll see any of the new wealth you’ll get.
    He stood up. “You’re right. I need a short vacation. I’m going to my country dacha.”
    István smiled, a real smile at last. “Excellent choice, Your Majesty. Relax, enjoy yourself. I’ll make sure you have everything you need out there.”
    Nikolas felt sick. How many of the “translators” who’d serviced him had come in a shipping container, slaves of the gengzters?
    Baron Erik was there at the country estate to welcome him. Nikolas smiled as he hugged his friend, his only friend.
    “Come inside, Erik. We need to talk.”
     
    Erik was a good man, his man. Loyal to him. And he did what Nikolas asked without question.
    It was two a.m. when the door to Nikolas’ study opened, and Karl Lengyel stood in the doorway.
    “Nikolas.”
    A wave of relief and sorrow washed over Nikolas. Karl was alive, and unharmed, but clearly very tired, and not just from the hour.
    “Karl.” He took Karl’s hand and then pulled him in for a hug. “You’ve lost weight.”
    “Yes, yes. No matter.”
    “I told them if they harmed you…”
    “They haven’t, no. A bird in a gilded cage, thank you.”
    Nikolas flushed with shame. “I… I need your help.”
    Erik brought coffee and Nikolas motioned to him to guard the door from prying ears. Then he told Karl everything.
    Karl came to life, his mind turning as Nikolas laid it