Page 65 of Claimed By the Crown Prince

This really was a new era for Isla’Rosa and Santanger. Side by side. Just as Laia had wanted. It was a just pity that she was single-handedly going to ruin it all for everyone with a scandal. Any day now.

The ever-present queasiness was worse now. Much worse.

At that moment she spotted Dax across the room. As if she hadn’t been aware of him, mouthwateringly sexy in his morning suit, for every second they’d shared the same air, during the wedding and the reception.

Somehow, miraculously, she’d managed to avoid coming into close proximity with him—no mean feat considering she was maid of honour and he was the best man.

Those blue eyes moved over the crowd and stopped on her. As if he’d been looking for her. She felt it like a jolt of electricity. Panic galvanised Laia. She simply could not come face to face with him. Not now. Not yet. She’d fall to pieces.

Her phone rang in her bag and she welcomed the distraction, taking it out. But when she heard what her advisor Giorgio was saying her legs nearly gave way.

The scandal was upon her.

She had to go. Leave now.

She found Maddi and told her she had to go, assuaging her concern by telling her it wasn’t anything too serious, but serious enough that she had to return to Isla’Rosa.

She wouldn’t ruin Maddi’s happy day.

The news would come out soon enough.

Dax was staring at Laia so hard he was surprised she didn’t have two holes in her forehead. Never in the history of weddings had the best man and maid of honour had less to do with one another.

For the life of him he couldn’t seem to get across the room to her, where she was talking to Maddi. It was like a recurring dream, where he was following her but she kept disappearing. She’d turned avoiding him into a sport.

She was maddening. She was beautiful.

She wore a long, simple teal-coloured gown in the same style as the bride’s very simple wedding dress. High-necked and long-sleeved, it was the epitome of classic elegance, but all Dax could see was that lithe body underneath. And was it his imagination or did she look even curvier?

Her hair was up and swept back in a smooth classic chignon. Her jewellery was discreet. The newly crowned Queen of Isla’Rosa was not putting a foor wrong.

Dax had watched her coronation on repeat for days. Obsessing over the fact that she looked pale. And serious. Who was supporting her? Caring for her? Protecting her?

She was obviously close to her sister, who’d been at her side throughout. He could be thankful for that. But he was also incredulous that Ari had been taken in by Maddi’s subterfuge. To his mind they didn’t look remotely alike.

He’d even lifted up his laptop one day and brought it into Ari. He’d pointed at the screen and said incredulously, ‘Really, Ari? You really thought thatshe—’ he’d stabbed at the screen over Maddi’s face ‘—washer?’ He stabbed at the screen over Laia’s face.

Ari had just scowled at him, and soon afterwards Dax had left to go back to New York—where he’d alienated everyone around him with his bad mood. He’d even started to frequent Irish bars, seeking solace in their whiskey and their maudlin ten-verse songs about heartache and pain.

And now he was back in the eye of the storm. And Laia was ignoring him so determinedly it was a wonder her head didn’t fall off.

He had to admit that his brother had never looked happier. And since when had he been a fan of public displays of affection? He couldn’t keep his hands off his new wife. The new Queen of Santanger.

Ari had got his strategic marriage after all...and a woman he loved.

Dax had to admit to envy. Because what he wanted now was the same, but with the only woman who—

When Dax next looked for Laia she was gone.

Again.

Dammit.

He pushed through the crowd, determined to find her this time.

And say what?prompted a voice.

All Dax knew was that the thought of not seeing her, speaking to her...touching her...ever again was unconscionable. No matter what the consequences.