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Because somehow she felt more connected, more present with this man, here in isolation, than she could remember feeling at home for a very long time.
But he’s not why you’re here.
The thought sent such a cold sliver of dread through her, and it acted like a bucket of icy water dropped over her head.
She was being ridiculous however you sliced it. But feeling... Physical responses to him were ludicrous. Not just because he had brought her here against her will, but because he wasn’t even the reason she had been brought here.
It was his brother. His brother who she hadn’t even met. She hadn’t even googled anything about him, because she didn’t have the means to do it.
She extricated herself from Javier’s hold, her heart thundering rapidly. “I think I got the hang of it,” she said.
“You are doing okay,” Sophie said. “I wouldn’t call it masterful.”
“Well, I’m jet-lagged,” Violet said. “Or did you not hear that I was forced onto a plane yesterday afternoon and flown from San Diego.”
Sophie looked from Violet to Javier. “I admit I didn’t know the whole story.”
“Forced,” Violet said. “I am being forced to marry King Whatever-his-name-is.”
“King Matteo,” Javier said.
“Are you?” Sophie’s face turned sharp.
“She’s fine,” Javier said. “Cold feet.”
“Oh yes, prewedding jitters are a real issue for kidnapped brides.”
“You’re clearly terrified for your life,” Javier said dryly. “You definitely treat me like I might kill you via lack of Wi-Fi at any moment.”
“I’m in withdrawal.”
“Leave us,” Javier said to Sophie.
“Should I?” Sophie asked Violet.
“I’m not afraid of him,” Violet said, tilting her chin upward.
Sophie inclined her head and left the room, doing what Javier told her. “You have my employees questioning me.”
“Good. Maybe we’ll start a revolution.”
“I would advise against that.”
“If you hear the people sing, you might want to make a run for it. And make sure you don’t have any guillotines lying around.”
“If revolution were that simple, I would have engaged in one a long time ago.”
“The history books make it look simple enough.”
“And full of casualties. My brother and I did our best to work behind the scenes to keep this country from falling apart. We prevented civil war.”
“Good for you,” Violet said, but she felt somewhat shamefaced now for making light of something that was apparently a very real issue here. And she shouldn’t feel guilty, because she was being held here against her will. There was no place for her to be feeling guilty. He should feel guilty. But of course he wouldn’t.
“I have work to do,” he said.
“I thought you were going to take me into the city,” she called after him.
“I have no desire to spend any more time with a spoiled brat.”
