Free The Playboy Prince (Piacere Princes, Book One) by Lyla Payne Page A

“And honestly, I didn’t expect Father to agree to this nonsense.”
    “After you sent out the invitations it was a little hard to retract.” Nico’s voice was hard. “Which you knew. You’re not stupid, Salvadore, despite the image you seem to love.”
    Salvy didn’t answer. There was no good way to go about it, especially not with Nico. Not when he wasn’t sure the decision he’d made was the right one.
    “You know, like Father, I’ve been hoping that you would find it within yourself to make the decision to come home and settle down. I’ve…I know it sounds silly, but a life with one woman—if she’s the right one—can be more akin to breaking free of a prison than being slammed into one. I want that for you.”
    “How can you say that after what you lost? After what we lost, when Mother died?” Salvy’s throat felt scratchy. The women loved by Piacere men didn’t fare well.
    “It’s worth it, Sally. That’s all I can tell you.” Nico unfolded his lanky frame and stood, head an inch or so above Salvy’s. He reached out and clapped his younger brother on the shoulder. “I’m told I have no choice but to support this asinine event, so let me know when you need Elisa and me for fittings.”
    “Oh! I almost forgot to tell you—when I summoned Gabriel Rossi yesterday, guess who showed up instead?”
    Nico raised one dark, bushy eyebrow, a sly smile on his lips. “Oh, I don’t know…Magdalena?”
    “Yes. How did you know that?”  
    “This isn’t common knowledge, but her father is ill. Terminal. She’s been doing all of the work for at least six months while he pretends here and there so the clients don’t realize.”
    Salvy’s heart twitched. Memories of Maggie and her father, the love between them, flooded his mind. As thick as thieves her entire, motherless life. It would kill her to lose him, too.  
    He swallowed, not wanting to think about her alone. “That’s too bad. Why didn’t she say something?”
    “You know how people are when things change. They can’t afford to lose the business.”
    “She can’t seriously think we would replace them as the royal tailors just because Gabriel is no longer able to work.”
    Nico shrugged. “There are people who wouldn’t blame us. And by us, I mean the King. I’m not even sure Father is aware of the situation. We haven’t needed their services for a few months, and Gabriel was here the last time.”
    “We can’t fire her.”
    His brother stared at Salvy with an unreadable expression. “Of course not. She’s a friend, and Gabriel has served us loyally for years. Magdalena will have to prove that she’s up to the task, of course, but with her training and background it should be a snap. I think this ball of yours should do the trick. If she can handle that, she should be in the clear.”
    “If she can handle my balls, she can handle anything,” Salvy joked, immediately regretting it. Not only did thinking about Maggie touching him make his skin hot, but talking about her that way felt immediately wrong.  
    “Yes, well. I think our Magdalena has proven that she can withstand even your considerable charms. And that does, in fact, give me great faith in her.”
    “Anyone ever tell you that your sense of humor leaves something to be desired?”
    “I’m a tired father who also is tasked with running a kingdom. Forgive me if I’m not firing on all cylinders.”
    “Speaking of Elisa, maybe have her come after school so she can tell Maggie what she’d like for the festivities? I’d love to see her.”
    Nico smiled, and for the first time that day, it reached his blue eyes. “I’ll do that. She’s been asking about you for weeks.”
    His brother left Salvy to finish getting dressed. Maggie had sent word that she would arrive no later than eight this morning to discuss sketches and concepts for the ball, which was the reason he’d been in the shower at the ass crack of dawn. Now that he knew how much was riding on her doing