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“Your new boyfriend is going to kick your ass,” Ming Tao murmured as he leaned closer. “I’m so jealous.”
Jin snorted. His brother was silly, and Jin appreciated his attempts to lighten the mood. He wanted to be right there with West, but his lover was right; it was too dangerous for him.
“London is foggy,” West called out.
Jin was about to look over at his brother in question when another deeper, gruffer voice replied, “But it’s a great place for a pint and a BJ.”
A new light flicked on, casting more of the courtyard in a golden glow and highlighting a taller, older man with a beard. West tucked his gun away as the man pulled him into a bear hug. That must have been a signal that everything was okay.
“Turn off the motor, Qin. We’re staying,” Jin ordered as he opened the door and climbed out. Ming Tao slid out behind him while they left Qin to mutter under his breath and follow.
He barely got more than a couple of steps before West was rushing to his side, pulling him in close. Jin wished it was because the man couldn’t stand to be away from him, but it was more likely that he hated the idea of Jin outside and vulnerable.
“Dianxia, I want to remind you again that my friends…they’re not accustomed to being around royalty. If they do or say anything that is offensive to you or your brother, I hope you can forgive them,” West said as he ushered him into the courtyard.
Jin laughed. “West, I went to school outside of my home country. I know what it’s like to be with normal people.”
West stopped walking and stared at him, his voice taking on a note of horror. “Dianxia, my friends are not normal.”
He reached up and patted him on the chest. “It’ll be fine. I know it.”
West did not look reassured.
“Come on, West. You’re not embarrassed by us, are you?” the stranger taunted.
“More like horrified and fearful,” West shot back, but he was at least moving again. “Let’s get inside. I’m not doing introductions in the dark. I’m hoping someone’s got Alexei tied up somewhere and gagged.”
“No. We tried tranquilizing him, but he shrugged it off. He’s got enough excited energy running through him to power a small town.”
Jin didn’t know if he was serious or making a joke. Going by the way West sighed and tightened his hold on him, he was leaning toward serious.
Once they stepped inside and closed the doors, Jin could get a better look at the man who was a few centimeters shorter than West and probably two decades older. Yet, despite his advanced years, the man appeared fit and dangerous.
“Before we head into the chaos, Dianxia, I’d like to introduce you to Charlie Sands. He’s the leader of our ragtag operation. Charlie, this is Crown Prince Jin Long Wei, his brother, Prince Jin Ming Tao, and Dianxia’s assistant, Qin Hong Yi.”
Behind Jin, Qin groaned and West winced. Charlie just seemed confused.
“I wasn’t supposed to introduce you, was I?” West said, looking over at Qin.
“Not in the same freaking breath as the royal family,” Qin grumbled. “We have so much work to do. So much work.”
Ming Tao snickered and bumped Qin with his elbow. “Let it go. Take the face while you can get it. By the time he marries the crown prince, he won’t make that mistake again.”
Jin didn’t even bother to look at where the choking sound came from. Could have been West or Qin or even Charlie. He was ready to gag his brother along with this Alexei person. Forcing a smile on his lips, he turned all his attention to Charlie, who bowed stiffly at him.
“Your Royal Highnesses,” Charlie greeted.
Jin stepped forward when he straightened and extended his hand. “Considering the strange nature of our meeting, I think it would be best if we put aside formality for the night. It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Sands. West speaks highly of his family.”
Charlie shook his hand, his shoulders loosening and his smile widening. “West hasn’t told us shit about you yet, but I have a feeling the guys are going to pull some interesting details out tonight.”
Jin’s eyes snapped to West, who winced. “I warned you.”
“Come on! Let’s go! This is going to be fun!” Ming Tao prodded, getting them moving farther into the house.
Jin wasn’t proud of the way his heart sped up or the fact that his palms were growing sweaty. He’d made many speeches to his people, other national leaders, even to the UN, and not felt this kind of nerve-wracking fear. Why was this so scary?
Oh, that’s right. West viewed these people as his family. What if they didn’t like him? Didn’t think he was worthy of West? That his life was too messy and complicated?
