“Karisma, drink the Scotch,” a cultured voice said gently. She looked up through blurry eyes. It was the brother who hadn’t spoken at all yet. “It will help settle your nerves.”
“I. . .I. . .”
He took the glass from Wolfe and crouching, held it to her lips. “Drink.” His voice held a firmer note of command and she took a sip, grimacing at the turn. “Good girl.”
She blinked at him.
He smiled. Holy hell, he was gorgeous. Was it wrong to notice things like that when she had a man? When she loved Bain?
“He believed them,” she said.
His smile dropped from his face. “If he did then he is a complete fool. Anyone with a brain could see that they were lying.”
She sniffed. “You didn’t believe them?”
“Not a word, Karisma. And if your man has any sense, he will know they lied.”
“He’s smart, but his ex-wife lied to him all the time. Maybe he thinks I’m like her.”
“If he knows you at all, he’ll know you’re not a liar,” Wolfe growled.
“Shall we introduce ourselves?” the kind prince asked. She suddenly realized who she was talking too. Eek! Where were her manners?
“Oh, excuse my manners, your-your majesty. I. . .uh. . .umm. . .can I get you. . .umm. . .Scotch?” she squeaked. She tried to rise but the prince put his hand out and shook his head.
“Please, do not treat us any differently than you would Caleb, Aleki and Wolfe.”
“She’s never once offered me Scotch,” Aleki moaned.
“That’s because you don’t drink it. You’re a beer only man,” she countered. She turned back to the prince in front of her. “Sorry, please, I’d love it if you told me your names.”
“Of course, Karisma. The one standing, looking so stern by the door is my oldest brother, Kassim. The fool behind me who is trying to steal Scotch without being caught is Aric. The moody one looking out the window, is Matek. And I am your greatest fan. Tavi.”
“You wanted the concert.”
“I still do. Maybe you should come to Escana and give it?”
Her eyes widened. “I would love that Prince Tavi, but. . .”
“But your heart lies elsewhere.”
“What does Karisma mean?”
“It is equivalent to beauty.”
They thought she was beautiful? She blushed.
The door to the room opened and Dominic stepped inside.
“Where’s Bain?” she asked, trying to look around Dominic. “I need to talk to him.”
She stood and Tavi stood with her. When she wobbled slightly, Tavi clasped hold of her arm to steady her. She gave him a small smile.
“Ari, who had access to your laptop?” Aleki asked before Dominic could speak.
She didn’t want to talk about her damn laptop. She wanted to know where Bain was. Why wasn’t he here? Did he really believe her family?
“Don’t worry, Ari,” Dominic said to her. “He’ll be back soon.”