Tension cramped Lani’s muscles. Everything was so complicated. “He’s agreed to keep the baby’s parentage quiet so that he can become king.”
“Perfect.” Priia rose to her feet. “Better than I could have hoped for. You truly are a gift, my dear.” She kissed Lani’s cheeks and swept from the room.
Lani was eating a piece of melon when AJ walked in, a guarded expression on his face. “I’m not sure if I had a night of violent and colorful dreams or if I made a lot of very bold promises last night.”
“The evidence is in the papers.” She pointed to the stack. “If it’s on the covers of The Napau Inquirer, then it must be true.” The cover photo of them both, snapped right after his announcement, showed the look of surprise and terror on her face. Hopefully people would take it for delight.
AJ raised a brow, then frowned. “King AJ. It doesn’t really roll off the tongue, does it?”
She laughed. “I don’t know why not. Half the names in Rahiri are barely pronounceable. And as king, you get to make the rules, anyway.”
“There’s a comforting thought.”
A waiter whisked in with AJ’s favorite breakfast—two slices of French toast with crispy bacon—and another stack of papers.
AJ grabbed a magazine off the top. “Made The Hollywood Reporter. ‘Dragon Chaser Helmer Catches a Crown.’ Makes it sound a bit like a Frisbee, doesn’t it?” he said as he sank into a chair. “Oddly enough, the crown’s sitting pretty easy on my head this morning.” He tilted his head and peered at her with those seductive dark eyes. “That may have to do with the lovely lady that comes along with it.”
She felt her face heat as a smile crept across her face. At least they hadn’t actually made love last night. That would have definitely been too much too soon. Her attraction to him was alarming under the circumstances.
AJ’s phone rang. “Ugh, not again. I’ve been besieged by phone calls since before dawn. Mostly from people who work with me. They’re all afraid they’ll be out of a job.”
He took the call, reassuring someone that he had every intention of completing his next movie, but he couldn’t talk details right now.
Lani poured him some tea and waited until he put the phone away. “Tell them they’ll just have to move to Rahiri.”
“Yeah. Maybe I’ll open a studio here, get all those bigwig execs to fly to me rather than the other way around.”
“Your mom’s always trying to pump the tourism industry here.”
“What tourism industry?”
“True, but maybe this is Rahiri’s big chance to finally land on the world map. Direct flights from London and Paris, five-star hotels, celebrity guests.” She winked.
“Don’t get her started, I beg you.” AJ leaned back in his chair. “One thing at a time. The possibilities do seem pretty limitless right now, though, don’t they?”
Media swarmed the palace, first the local TV stations and then the entertainment shows from L.A. and beyond, all intrigued by the Hollywood playboy about to become king.
At first Priia tried to fob them off with bright announcements of her own and warnings that the happy couple were “busy,” but by the afternoon, it was obvious that a press conference was in order and they scheduled it for the following morning. Priia suggested Lani wear a pretty, pale-yellow dress with shimmering embroidery. She attempted to deck AJ out in a colorful ceremonial tunic, but he managed to mollify her by wearing an Armani suit.
“What a stunning couple!” she exclaimed. “Of course they all want pictures, and they must have them.”
“I’ll bet they’re also looking for some dirt to dish,” murmured AJ. Lani had tried to ignore the same dark thought. Happy news didn’t sell nearly as well as disaster.
“Just hold your chin high and remember the proud history of our island.” Priia stroked her tall son’s cheek.
“Thanks for the advice, Mom.” AJ shot Lani a mischievous glance. Lani had noticed that AJ usually gave his mom lip service, then did whatever he wanted.
“And Lani, if they ask you too much, tell them you’re still mourning. Don’t let them upset you.”
Lani gulped. Hopefully AJ would do most of the talking.
Priia’s main assistant put her head around the door. “They’re waiting for you on the veranda. I served them tea and coconut stars just as you suggested.”
“Wonderful.” Priia clapped her hands. “Then they’ll all be in a good mood. Come on, my dears. Let’s give them a glimpse of Rahiri’s gorgeous new royal family.”