Page 32 of Spin Control

By the time I make it to the Martine table at the gala, the soup course is being served.

We arrived as close to the start of dinner as possible so Elizabeth wouldn’t run the risk of being photographed. And because of that, by the time I made my way inside after walking the red carpet, I was stopped by no fewer than nine people who wanted to shake my hand and make small talk.

“There you are!” Marcus cries. “I was starting to think you walked the red carpet and then immediately left.”

“Wouldn’t have dreamed of it,” I say smoothly, even though that was exactly my plan before Chalondra called. I place my napkin in my lap and take a sip of sparkling water before looking around the rest of the table. In addition to Marcus, his wife, Agnès, and Elizabeth, there’s Freddie along with his date—who actually is a model.

After the mains are cleared and more wine is served, a representative from a high-end watch brand that sponsors Orion drops by to say hello. Elizabeth gives me a small nod, then disappears into the crowd.

I want to follow her. To introduce her to people. To establish that she’s here with me. So the second the extremely nice Swiss man leaves, I get up and search the crowd for Jacobs.

I’m halfway across the room when I do a double-take. Étienne Beaumont didn’t tell me he’d be in Monaco this weekend. Not that I can really blame him. I’m sure all his advisors have told him to stay far away from Martine Racing.

But I don’t care.

“Beaumont!” I boom, probably violating all sorts of royal protocol by approaching him directly and not calling him ‘Your Highness.’

“Grant!” he shouts back, opening his arms to give me a massive hug. “I’m so glad to see you, mate.”

“I can’t believe you’re here!” I say, stepping back to look at the former F1 driver and current Crown Prince of Druvia. His impeccably tailored tux accentuates his long legs, and his dark blond hair is longer now, styled with product. But his green eyes are still filled with the same warmth and good humor he’s always had. “Well, considering this is Monaco, yes, I can.”

He laughs, and the two of us catch up as much as you can when you’re in public. Soon, a couple other drivers join us for a little reunion, and then Chalondra comes over—with Elizabeth in tow. It seems as if time slows as I watch my friend take her in for the first time. His eyes widen, and though I absolutely understand, my brain also starts considering whether or not he’d press charges if I punched him.

“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” he says. “I’m—”

“His Royal Highness, Étienne Beaumont, Crown Prince of Druvia,” Elizabeth says, her voice warmer than I’ve ever heard it.

He grins. “Ahh, so you’ve heard of me.”

Elizabeth smiles, and it’s the one that makes it seem like the sun is shining even in the darkest of rooms. I want to kick Étienne in his stupid royal shin. “I have definitely heard of you, Your Highness.”

“Please, call me Étienne,” he says, extending his hand. “And you are?”

“Elizabeth Jacobs,” she says demurely, though she meets his gaze with confidence.

“Of course,” Étienne says, and he isn’t just being polite. He knows exactly who she is.

Elizabeth grins. “So you’ve heard of me.”

For fuck’s sake, I can’t stand here and watch this.

“This one is with me,” I say, sliding an arm around her waist. Elizabeth stiffens, and I freeze as I realize I just insinuated the two of us are together when that was exactly what she didn’t want to happen tonight.

Étienne shoots me a questioning glance. I have no idea how to explain that she actually isn’t with me, but that I was fantasizing about smearing her lipstick earlier and am feeling all sorts of possessive right now even though she would be appalled and would likely go off and become Her Royal Highness, Princess of Druvia just to spite me if she knew.

But before I can come up with a retort, Étienne’s eyes fill with alarm just as a hush falls across the room. I turn to see what could cause that sort of reaction in a crowd like this and my jaw drops.

My eyes must be playing tricks on me. The man looking directly at me can’t possibly be Elio Rocca. It has to be a coincidence—someone who resembles him. But when he smiles, flashing his too-white teeth, and starts walking in my direction, it becomes very clear, very quickly that this is, in fact, my former team principal.

Who was recently arrested.

Who embezzled money from the team.

Who Stas said to stay away from.

I’m vaguely aware of Étienne saying my name. Suddenly, Elizabeth’s low, calm voice is in my ear. “Wes, I’m going to take care of this. You need to let go of me and leave with Étienne. Can you do that?”

I blink.