felt her face heat as a smile crept across her face. At least they hadn’t actually made love last night. That would have definitely been too much too soon. Her attraction to him was alarming under the circumstances.
AJ’s phone rang. “Ugh, not again. I’ve been besieged by phone calls since before dawn. Mostly from people who work with me. They’re all afraid they’ll be out of a job.”
He took the call, reassuring someone that he had every intention of completing his next movie, but he couldn’t talk details right now.
Lani poured him some tea and waited until he put the phone away. “Tell them they’ll just have to move to Rahiri.”
“Yeah. Maybe I’ll open a studio here, get all those bigwig execs to fly to me rather than the other way around.”
“Your mom’s always trying to pump the tourism industry here.”
“What tourism industry?”
“True, but maybe this is Rahiri’s big chance to finally land on the world map. Direct flights from London and Paris, five-star hotels, celebrity guests.” She winked.
“Don’t get her started, I beg you.” AJ leaned back in his chair. “One thing at a time. The possibilities do seem pretty limitless right now, though, don’t they?”
Media swarmed the palace, first the local TV stations and then the entertainment shows from L.A. and beyond, all intrigued by the Hollywood playboy about to become king.
At first Priia tried to fob them off with bright announcements of her own and warnings that the happy couple were “busy,” but by the afternoon, it was obvious that a press conference was in order and they scheduled it for the following morning. Priia suggested Lani wear a pretty, pale-yellow dress with shimmering embroidery. She attempted to deck AJ out in a colorful ceremonial tunic, but he managed to mollify her by wearing an Armani suit.
“What a stunning couple!” she exclaimed. “Of course they all want pictures, and they must have them.”
“I’ll bet they’re also looking for some dirt to dish,” murmured AJ. Lani had tried to ignore the same dark thought. Happy news didn’t sell nearly as well as disaster.
“Just hold your chin high and remember the proud history of our island.” Priia stroked her tall son’s cheek.
“Thanks for the advice, Mom.” AJ shot Lani a mischievous glance. Lani had noticed that AJ usually gave his mom lip service, then did whatever he wanted.
“And Lani, if they ask you too much, tell them you’re still mourning. Don’t let them upset you.”
Lani gulped. Hopefully AJ would do most of the talking.
Priia’s main assistant put her head around the door. “They’re waiting for you on the veranda. I served them tea and coconut stars just as you suggested.”
“Wonderful.” Priia clapped her hands. “Then they’ll all be in a good mood. Come on, my dears. Let’s give them a glimpse of Rahiri’s gorgeous new royal family.”
They stepped out on the veranda, and Lani froze when she saw how many people had gathered. At least fifty, many of them with cameras pressed to their faces. Voices began chattering, reporters reeling off live commentary, as she and AJ took their seats under some very hot, rapidly erected lights.
Microphones thrust toward them. “AJ, how does it feel to marry your brother’s wife?”
Lani blanched. AJ leaned back in his chair, confident and relaxed. “I don’t know. We’re not married yet.”
“You’re leaving a lot of broken-hearted women behind in L.A.,” quipped one rather flamboyant reporter. “Do you feel you’re ready to settle down?” “Absolutely.”
“I can see why,” declared a bold female reporter. “Your fiancée is stunning.” She pointed her mike right at Lani. “How do you feel about taking a new husband when you’ve barely had a chance to mourn the first one?”
Lani cleared her throat. “It’s traditional.”
“But surely, in the twenty-first century, some traditions seem a little barbaric.”
AJ grasped her hand firmly. “No one is forcing Lani and me into this marriage. We’re both pleased to hold our family together in the way chosen by our ancestors.”
“Give us a kiss, then!” coaxed an older male reporter with a British accent.
Lani shrank into her chair. Could they really expect them to put on a show for the cameras?
“Please don’t offend my bride’s royal dignity.” AJ managed a tone that was both formal and jesting. “And give us a chance to get the relationship off the ground at our own speed.”
“There must be pressure on you to produce an heir to the throne, since your brother didn’t.”
Lani gulped. It was hard to resist pointing out there was one on the way already.
“None whatsoever. We’re young and strong and will be here for a long time to come.” His cheery retort soothed her.
“Lani, is it disturbing to you that Vanu’s body has never been found?” A young female reporter thrust a microphone at her.
She stiffened. “I’ve accepted the fact that it may never be found. We all searched long and hard for his boat, but found no sign of it. The ocean is deep and keeps many secrets.”
She could never let anyone know the deadly secret that she was relieved Vanu was gone.
Reporters clustered around the palace all day, hoping to snap a candid shot of the couple. AJ’s celebrity status had turned the story into a hot property, and the internet buzzed with speculation and innuendo about the arranged marriage. Once pictures of Lani hit the media, revealing that she was not only royal but also strikingly beautiful, interest only grew.
Lani peeped out behind the closed wooden shutters. “Do you think we’ll ever be able to go outside again without being photographed?”
“They’ll lose interest eventually.” AJ spoke while thumbing a message on his BlackBerry. “Something more dramatic will happen.”
“What are you going to do about the movie you’re supposed to edit in a couple of weeks?” There were so many things they still hadn’t talked about. Did AJ think he could continue his Hollywood career and rule Rahiri at the same time?
“The editor can start work without me. He has the script and storyboard with my notes, and of course we can videoconference. As things progress we’ll make new plans. I signed up for the job and I don’t shirk a commitment.”
“Which is why you’re still here.” She looked up, suddenly shy. AJ appeared so strong, invincible, even. But how much of this whole experience had he not thought through yet? He was obviously trying hard to do the right thing. But what if he wasn’t ready to give up the thrills and excitement of his life in L.A.?
She couldn’t help thinking about those “broken-hearted” beauties he’d left behind. Who was he texting? Already a little thread of jealousy twisted inside her. She rose to her feet and paced along the wall of shuttered windows.
AJ looked up. “I’m restless, too. Let’s go out for a walk.”
“With the entire press corps following us?”
He rose to his feet, tall and handsome in a white shirt and loose linen pants. “We’ll ditch ‘em.” He winked at her. “Follow me.”
He took her hand and led her along the corridors toward the east wing. “Aren’t we heading right for them?”
“Yes, but they won’t see us.” He opened a door that she’d always assumed was some kind of closet, and stepped into the darkness. Her hand tingled in his as she stepped in after him. “Look out, there are some stairs.” She