Free Corrupted by the Prince (A is for Alpha Book 5) by Shelli Stevens Page A

Mykorini after the quake. At the moment, his least important problem—at least in his head—was meeting potential wives.
    Kostas was reluctant to pick up any of the folders. Each held photos and detailed biographies of women who lived all over the world. One represented the woman who would likely hold the position of his wife within the next couple of months.
    Position . As cold as it seemed, that’s what the situation amounted to. There was nothing romantic about the process of selecting a suitable wife.
    “Why do you scowl, my son?” His mother sat down in the chair across from him. “Surely one of them is suitable.”
    Suitable, yes. They all were, which was why he had to make a choice fairly soon.
    “You know why I scowl.”
    His mother sighed. “If you were hoping to marry for love—”
    “I am not. I have never loved a woman and am not convinced I ever will.” He offered her a small smile. “You, Mama, are the exception.”
    Her lips thinned and she shook her head. “You relish in your playboy reputation. This marriage will be good for you. Perhaps you should choose Saina.”
    Saina. The local woman whose father was a wealthy shipping tycoon. The woman who had briefly been engaged to Petros, and whom Kostas had slept with.
    “No.” His response was low and unsteady.
    “Denes, the royal publicist, has already created a statement that is believable. You have always loved her, and the night together—”
    “No.” His voice was icier now. “And I will ask that you not speak her name again.”
    When he glanced over at his mother, he caught the fleeting look of exhaustion and disappointment on her face before her expression was once again calm and unreadable.
    “I need to clear my head,” he muttered, pushing back his chair and rising to his feet.
    “Where are you going?”
    “To prepare myself breakfast.”
    “We have people to do that for you.”
    “I realize that.” He squeezed her shoulder gently, trying to diffuse his sharp words, before he made his way out of the office.
    Her heeled footsteps behind him showed that she wasn’t ready to abandon this conversation.
    The staff in the kitchen looked alarmed to find the king strolling through without notice.
    He waved his hand, trying to put them at ease. “Continue as you were, I’m simply here for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
    He’d discovered the peculiar comfort food after spending an evening at a frat party in America, and he’d been keen on the sandwiches ever since.
    “How do you eat that disgusting stuff,” his mother grumbled from behind him. “And we must continue—”
    “Yes, we must continue.” He turned and gave her a firm look that silently warned her that this conversation would not continue within range of ears that might gossip.
    His mother gave a swift nod and looked away. He was about to turn to open a cabinet when his gaze landed elsewhere.
    A chef, clearly on his lunch break, was staring at an open laptop. It was the image on the screen that froze Kostas’s blood.
    He abandoned the sandwich idea and moved toward the chef instead. “What is that you’re reading?”
    The man’s eyes widened. “I apologize, Your Majesty. I’m on my lunch and didn’t mean to—”
    “Nothing to apologize for,” he said absently and crouched down to look closer at the image. “What website is this?”
    “Just a trashy gossip site, Your Majesty. It’s all nonsense really.”
    There were two photos, one a professional photograph of a large, clearly wealthy and influential family, and Eva was in it. The second photo was an image of her alone. A headshot that you’d find a business woman using.
    If the images alone hadn’t drawn his attention, the headline would have. His heart dropped to the floor and he struggled to breathe.
    Evelynn Fairchild is pregnant! But who’s the father?

 
     
     
Chapter 17
     
     
    “A scandal among the Fairchild girls is hardly news.”
    The droll statement from his mother had him