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After all, I wasn’t a patient man.
“Your majesty.” Kenley rushed me as soon as I crossed the threshold. She was out of breath.
“Kenley.” I turned for the elevators. I wasn’t interested in being pulled into a royal matter.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your afternoon.”
“What is it, Kenley?”
“Dominic, sir,” she whispered. “Can we step into the sitting room?”
I walked into the closest open room, shutting the doors after Kenley.
“What has he done this time?” I quizzed her.
“He showed up drunk to this morning’s library dedication for the children’s wing.”
“He did what?” I roared.
Kenley closed her eyes. “He stumbled into one of the librarians.”
“Good God. Did you get him out of there?”
She nodded, wincing. “But not before two flasks fell from his pockets. The children saw, sir. There were cameras and phones everywhere. I can’t contain it.”
“Fuck,” I whispered, not caring if I swore in front of her anymore. “Where is he now?”
“Sleeping it off,” she answered. “I left him in his apartment. There is a guard outside the door. He can’t leave his suite.”
I ran my hands through my hair. “Why was he drinking so early? I thought the morning events were the safe bet.”
“He never stopped after the ball. I put him to bed, but he didn’t stay there.” Her eyes hit the floor. “He left the palace
with a woman. I don’t know who.”
I clenched my jaw. “Kenley, it’s your job. How did he leave the palace?”
“He passed out,” she fired back. “Or at least he pretended to pass out.”
“Damn it.” The fallout from showing up drunk to a children’s event was going to be catastrophic. We had managed his vices so far, but at some point he was going to crack the shield we had used. It had finally happened.
“I’m sorry.”
I inhaled deeply. “It was going to happen, Kenley. We all knew it was only a matter of time.” I sat in a nearby chair.
What kind of brother had I been? I dealt with my demons while Dominic dealt with his, as if we were on our own islands instead of under the same roof, of the same blood. He was my family. My responsibility.
“I need to see him.”
“Would you like me to go with you?” she offered.
“No. I appreciate everything you’ve done, but this is a brother-to-brother conversation.”
“I understand.” She spoke softly. It wasn’t Kenley’s usual demeanor. I could tell what happened this morning had rattled her.
“Kenley, what I said earlier.” I paused. “Dominic’s drinking isn’t your fault. I shouldn’t have said what I did.”
“I should have stopped him,” she argued. “I shouldn’t have left him last night.” Regret was written in her eyes.
