Playboy Princes (Royals of Arbon Academy, #2)(65)

Hmmm, a carnival sounded kind of fun. I mean, I was imagining cotton candy and rides and popcorn, but something told me that a soccer carnival was not quite as bright and candy-filled.

When we’d reached the stadium and made it past the bag check and scanner, I blinked at how full it was. Not that they ever had a bad turnout, but this was super packed. Maybe even more than against Princeton.

“Who are they playing?” I asked.

Mattie shrugged. “Uhhh, I think…” Her eyes suddenly went huge, gaze focused over my shoulder. Turning, I found myself staring at the scoreboard. Arbon Royals was on the top, and right below: Australasian Eagles.

“Fuck,” I muttered. “So, could that mean…?”

Sure enough, right there in the top box that usually the dean used to watch the games were two familiar royals.

“Alex’s parents are here,” I said in a rushed whisper. Mattie knew everything that’d happened that day now, so my panic was no surprise to her. But she also knew exactly what to do.

Reaching out, she grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. “Smile,” she muttered between bared teeth. “Don’t let them know you’re worried.”

Right. Right. Easier said than done, but she was already leading me toward the seats saved for royals, near the field.

By the time we sat, I had gotten my shit together, wearing a blank face and fake smile. Mattie had her palm reader out and was typing something rapidly. “Warned Rafe, Noles, and Jordy,” she whispered. “Alex’s family are renowned for their cruelty. All of us need to be on high alert, and you are never to be alone again. Not until they leave.”

“How long will that be?” I muttered while somehow keeping my smile plastered across my face.

Mattie took a second to answer, and that could not mean anything good. “With the ball next weekend and the day of travel each way between Australasia and the Switzerlands, I’m guessing they’re here until at least next weekend.”

“Fuck,” I groaned.

The Spring Ball. In the chaos of getting kidnapped and almost killing the creepy nurse, it had kind of slipped my mind that we’d soon have a ton of senior royals in our midst.

Staying out of the way of Alex’s parents for an entire week was going to be fucking impossible. Not to mention they had a lot of power, even outside of their own country. I could do my best to avoid them, but if I was called to meet with them, I’d be going or I could risk severe punishment.

“Breathe,” Mattie advised. “Let’s not panic yet. Take it one day at a time. Hopefully they have lots of meetings set up on this side of the world and they spend the next week flying their private plane around, returning only for Saturday.”

“With my luck, there’s no way that will be the case,” I muttered, but a part of me hoped that she was right. I mean, surely they were too busy to worry about me. Of course, they’d probably start investigating the nur—

I bolted upright in my chair. “I need to talk to Rafe and Jordan,” I said quickly. Nurse Psychotic had gotten her orders from the Australasian royals, and then the next day they showed up? That couldn’t be a coincidence. Somehow I didn’t think they traveled for every away game.

Mattie grabbed my forearm. “It’s too late. You’ll have to wait until after the game.”

Sure enough, the teams were streaming onto the field, and for once, Rafe and Jordan were front and fucking center. Both of them stormed out and stole every ounce of my focus.

Their gazes slammed into me—it was clear they’d both been looking for me—and relief hit all of us at the same time. We were okay. We were alive.

We’d worry about the other shit after this game.

Retaking my seat, I didn’t remove my eyes from them. Jordan took off for our goal, but Rafe remained where he was, keeping me in sight for a few minutes longer. If he kept that up, it was going to be really fucking obvious soon, but at the same time, I’d never felt safer knowing they were close again.

And then Alex ruined it, clapping Rafe on the shoulder and saying something to him that made the Swiss prince all ragey and tense. Alex laughed, shooting a deliberate look in my direction and blowing me a kiss.

Fuck’s sake.

Rafe stalked away from the Australasian prince, anger radiating from every step, and Alex just waved up at his parents like the golden boy he pretended to be.

"Somehow," I muttered to Mattie with a pained groan, "I doubt I'll survive the week without meeting King and Queen Cruel and Unusual." I kept my voice quiet because the last thing I needed was to be arrested for treason, but damn, I was in a shitty mood now.

Mattie gave me a sympathetic look and squeezed my hand in hers. "Would nachos and wine help?"

"Fuck yes," I replied with an enthusiastic nod. "Let's go now before they get busy at the concession stand."

Mattie stood with me, and we made our way out of the seating. If we were quick enough, we'd probably still make it back before the game really started.

There was only a short queue at the food counter, and I waited for the nachos while Mattie went to collect us each a glass of deep red wine. Only the best for the children of kings, I guessed.

I felt the movement behind me a moment before someone struck out. After the nurse though, I was on high alert. No one was getting the drop on me again. Sidestepping enough so that their hands only grazed me, I spun fully to see who was attacking me.