Slow Tango With a Prince (Royal Scandals) by Nicole Burnham Read Free Book Online Page A

invade your privacy and I’ve admitted that. But I’m not a bad person. I don’t know who made you think that every female in the world is out to get you, but they’re not. At least I’m not.” She checked her watch before pulling a phone from the side pocket of her handbag. “I have to get going. I have a show to put on and a limited amount of time in which to handle everything. Goodbye, Victor. I do hope you find your dream apartment…and whatever else it is you’re trying to find.”
    She spun away from him and threaded her way down the crowded sidewalk, raising her phone to her ear as she went.
    His stomach clenched. She’d said it to bait him. Still, there was truth to her words, and that truth made him feel like an ass.
    Let her go.  
    He slipped on his sunglasses and turned in the opposite direction, trying to remember the address for the next apartment he’d planned to view. He’d been so distracted by his encounter with Emily that he’d left the newspaper behind. Had it been two blocks away? Or three? He groaned inwardly. Even if he knew where to go, he'd lost the desire.  
    After nearly five months of globetrotting, he’d finally prepared himself to make his return to Sarcaccia and be the heir to the throne his country deserved, the type of heir he’d been until Carmella’s death—focused, determined, and hard-working. It’d taken that long to convince himself that Carmella’s actions were a reflection on her, not on him or his ability to lead. But in a matter of hours, a woman with innocent eyes and sinful legs made him question everything.  
    Turning back, he was able to pick out Emily amongst the crowd waiting for the walk signal at the next intersection. She stood a few steps apart from the rest of the pedestrians, listening to a call on her cell phone.  
    Was she calling someone about filming her television show, as she claimed? Or was she reporting her actions to a superior at a tabloid? He had to know.
    Taking quick strides, he covered the half-block between them, coming up a few feet behind her just as the light changed and she crossed the street. She shook her head as she listened to someone on the other end of the call.
    “No, Rita.” Stress and fatigue filled her voice. “Don’t tell anyone the funds are coming from my account.” A pause, and then, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine, I have enough to cover it. I appreciate the offer, though.”
    He lost track of the conversation while he skirted around a woman whose dog stopped to sniff a signpost, but caught up again as Emily approached another intersection.  
    “Look, this buys us another ten to fourteen days,” he heard as Emily stepped to the curb, then waved for an approaching taxi. “I’m confident we can pull off a great show in that time. When we’re renewed, I can talk to the network about a reimbursement. It’ll be worth the gamble...okay, okay...I'm catching a cab now. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”
    He ground his teeth. Emily was one hundred percent right. He was a rotten judge of character. If he hadn’t been born a Barrali, he never would’ve thought the worst of her. That she was, in her words, out to get him.
    Then again, if he hadn’t been born a Barrali, he wouldn't have had a reason.
    The taxi slowed before rolling to a stop alongside the curb. Emily smiled her thanks to the driver before opening the door to the back seat.  
    Swearing aloud, Vittorio jogged to the other side of the taxi before it could pull out into traffic, yanked open the door, and slid inside.

    * * *

    Emily flinched as the door on the opposite side of the taxi flew open and a large, well-muscled body slid into the empty space where she’d been about to set her handbag. “What the—”
    “Tell me why you need money.”
    Emily stared at Victor, dumbfounded.  
    “Tell me.” His tone was lower this time, commanding. She wondered if he kept the beard because it made his face as intimidating as his voice.
    “You not only