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That didn’t make me feel better. “So, he knows I’m coming, right?”
“Well…” Before Carlo could finish his thought, his phone began to buzz. Pulling it out of his pocket, he stared at the screen, then laughed before hitting Answer. Only it was on speaker. “Hello, Cam.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Camillo’s voice was sharp and fussy—and fuck, I missed him.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Carlo turned and winked at me. “How are you feeling?”
“Pissed off. Why was Cillian just told that you canceled the car for Aleric? I warned you about getting in my business, Carlo. I will find snakes. I will find four snakes and put them in your bed.”
Carlo snorted. “You and I both know you’d never do that to Belina.”
“I will warn her first. I’ll invite her and the girls over for a sleepover, and you will have snakes!”
Carlo burst into laughter. “You’re so upset, Cammy.”
“Don’t,” Camillo snapped, “call me that.”
“Why not? Your boyfriend thinks it’s cute.”
“He’s never heard—wait.” My heart started racing when Camillo didn’t automatically correct his brother that I wasn’t his boyfriend. There was another long beat of silence. “Aleric?”
Carlo elbowed me so hard I yelped. “Ow! Fuck. Hi, Camillo.”
The entire car was silent apart from the sounds of the road. Then Camillo sighed. “Why?”
“Because his boss was being a right fucking piece of shit. He called me for help, so I helped.”
“Um,” I said, deciding to risk Carlo’s wrath, “that’s not exactly true. I was trying to call you, but you didn’t pick up. Christoph wanted to keep me all night for reshoots.”
“He’s doing this on purpose.”
With a sigh, I nodded, though he couldn’t see me. “I think so. Your brother was very…convincing.”
“Mm. He can be. Don’t listen to anything he says,” Camillo ordered. “And never call me Cammy.”
“It’s not that cute,” I told him.
Two of the guards looked at me in surprise while Carlo burst into laughter. He pulled the phone toward himself. “We’ll be there in ten. Get yourself all pretty.”
“I look like a goblin. I haven’t showered in three days.”
I can help, I wanted to say. Instead, I told him, “I’m still in makeup and your suit.”
“Oh shit!” the one called Markus said, clapping his hands. “That’s why you look so familiar. You’re Camillo.”
The others laughed while I wanted to sink into the floor.
“Carlo. Snakes,” Camillo reminded him.
The crown prince rolled his eyes. “Boys. Shut up. Cam, we will see you soon. Aleric, breathe. You’re amongst friends, I promise.”
I nodded, but I could already tell this was going to be the longest ten minutes of my life.
Nineteen
CAMILLO
I was goingto murder my brother, and poor Beatriz would have to accept her place in line for the crown. He’d gone to lengths to piss me off before, but this? I had no strength to shower myself. I was still recovering and covered in post-fever sweat, and my arms had no strength.