She moved quickly, getting to the door and looking for cameras, although Aléx had assured her there were no cameras in the living spaces; they were instead only trained on the entrances so their privacy would never be intruded upon.
Boy, did she hope that was true. If it wasn’t, she anticipated having a lot of explaining to do later.
There was some sort of unholy control this room had over Aléx, and Regina intended to find out exactly what it was. When Aléx was with her he was attentive and kind. But every time he came back to their bed after visiting the room, she could feel the tension bubbling off him. He was scaring her. But also, he was messing with her precious sleep that was already compromised by the kicking inhabitant in her womb.
She placed her hand on the knob and tried to turn it. When it didn’t so much as shift, she blew out a frustrated breath.
You had to know it wasn’t going to be that easy, didn’t you?
She was about to try again, leaning down to get a look at the locking mechanism to find out whether the lock could be picked. Not that she herself knew anything about picking locks. She was,however, from Brooklyn, a place where necessity became the generator of resourcefulness to thrive in an environment that wasn’t always conducive to doing so.
She was about to try again when she heard, “Regina, what are you doing?”
The sound of Eliana’s voice made her jump back, nearly losing the tenuous grip she had on her balance at almost six months pregnant.
“I was… I was…”
She saw Eliana’s waiting expression, the one that said,I know exactly what you were doing. Instead of cowering because she’d been busted, she leaned into her conviction that she needed to know what was behind that door if she was to protect her husband and their union.
“I was trying to get inside this room. I’ve caught your brother sneaking out of bed at night when he thinks I’m sleeping. Whatever is in there is taking him through it, and I want to know what this invisible enemy is.”
Eliana’s face softened, her bright blue eyes fading to a muted gray-blue as the happiness seemed to be leaking out of her.
“If you want to know what’s in there, you’re going to have to ask my brother.”
Frustration, dark and ugly, began to grow inside her chest. Now more than ever, Regina understood she needed to know what was behind that locked door.
“Is this some royal version of snitches get stitches? If it is, it was juvenile back when I was a kid in Brooklyn, and it sure as hell is problematic now when I’m trying to help my husband.”
“I know you are.” Eliana moved closer to Regina, placing a compassionate hand on her shoulder. “You will never know how grateful I am to you for recognizing there is a problem and trying to figure out how to help. But this is something that belongs entirely to my brother. I will not violate his trust even if I thinkI’d be helping him by doing it. You must understand that, being a twin?”
God, did she. More times than not, she protected Reigna’s trust with her complete loyalty at every turn. Knowing that in her head, however, didn’t make her heart ache any less.
Accepting she wasn’t going to get anything out of her sister-in-law, she resigned herself to the fact that she’d just have to address the matter with Aléx.
Aléx rushed into the palace, heading for his quarters. He’d left early this morning on what was supposed to be a two-day business trip. The separation anxiety and the need to be with his wife had set a fire under him, and he’d made sure to complete all his work so he could return home by nightfall.
As soon as he opened the door, he found her sitting in the family room on the comfy couch that had become her favorite spot to perch on as of late.
The flicker of light across her face told him she was watching television. If he knew his wife as well as he believed he was coming to, she was probably watching some kind of true crime or murder mystery.
He’d never know why she found those horrid things so addictive, and he didn’t want to think about the implications of her ravenous appetite when it came to such shows. Instead, the only thing he could do was stand there and smile at the vision she made.
He walked into the room, making loud thumping steps so she was aware of him entering.
“Goodness, I’ve missed you, Treasure.”
He sat down beside her and stole the kiss he’d been dreaming about all day. Her kiss was sweet and salty, probably remnants of the chocolate-drizzled popcorn she couldn’t seem to getenough of. He wasn’t sure if it was the taste of the treat or the taste of the treat on her that had him captivated. Whichever was true, Aléx would buy a lifetime supply of it if it meant he was privileged enough to experience it like this whenever he wanted.
She pulled away from him, her full cheeks and her slitted eyes nearly touching because of the satisfied smile on her face.
“It appears you did. Although I’m not sure why. It can’t be the nightly trek I make you take to the freezer to get me butter pecan ice cream.”
He stole another kiss. This time it was a quick peck, but it was still just as delicious.
“I’ll have you know that I live to serve my queen in whatever capacity she deems fit. Those nightly treks, as you call them, bring me immense happiness.”
His heart was alight with amusement and joy. Rich and bold, his ability to live in the moment became more and more corporeal as he connected to his wife.
