And then she was sobbing so hard she couldn’t speak. For a few moments, he let her unleash. Didn’t distract her with meaningless words.

Fuck, he wanted to be there with her. Wanted to wrap her up in his arms and let her tears soak his shirt.

“Brodie.”

“Sweetheart, tell me where you are. I can have the jet ready to go in an hour.” Grabbing his keys from his pocket, he hurried out the door, flew off the porch steps, and raced to his truck.

“No, that’s all right. We’ve already hired a jet. We’re at the airstrip now.”

He heard a muffled conversation. Assuming, she was checking in for her flight, he said, “Give me twenty minutes. I’m heading over right now.” He jammed the key into the ignition.

But then she came back on the line. “No, please don’t do that.”

Oh, fuck. That voice…that was Rosalina. Shit.

“Don’t do what? I’m coming with you.” He jerked the gearshift and headed towards the road.

Murmuring turned to shouting. “Don’t tell me what to do, you giant asshole.”

Okay, she wouldn’t talk to her driver that way. “Rosie, who’re you with?”

“I’m with Marcel. He’s arranged for us to get home. Brodie, listen to me.”

He would, but he could already feel his heart shriveling.

“You know what you mean to me, but it’s…I have to go home now. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

“I hear you, princess, loud and clear.”

“Good. We can talk more in a few days, after things settle down. Thank you for being so understanding. I just can’t handle—”

“I said I hear you, not that I accept what you’re telling me. I’m the one who should be with you right now, not the douchenozzle. Now, listen to me, I know you’re upset, but I can be at the airport in fifteen minutes. Just wait for me. I got you, sweetheart.”

“Brodie.” Her tone turned sharper, as if to shut him up. “You must understand that you can’t come home with me. Please, just…I can’t do this. I can’t…it’s my father. There’s a very real chance he won’t make it through this surgery. Even if he does, he’s going to be in recovery for months.” She lowered her voice. “It’s over, Brodie. It has to be. When I get off the plane, I’m going to become the hereditary princess, and everything that entails. I’m going to do whatever I need to do for my family, the monarchy, and my country. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

“I do.” He wanted to yell at her. Tell her to knock it off, let him come get her. But he knew it wasn’t what she needed. Not even close. Fuck.