Broken Prince: A Novel (The Royals Book 2) Read Online Free

know that Ella and I got involved right under his nose. I want him to focus on finding her, not distract him with the news that his son is hooking up with his new ward.
    “It wasn’t Reed.”
    Easton’s quiet confession shocks the hell out of me. I glance at my brother, but his eyes are on Dad.
    “I’m the reason she’s gone. We had a run-in with my bookie the other night—I owed him some cash—and Ella got spooked. This dude’s not the friendliest guy, if you know what I mean.”
    The vein in Dad’s forehead looks like it might burst. “Your bookie ? You’re mixed up in that shit again?”
    “I’m sorry.” Easton shrugs.
    “You’re sorry? You dragged Ella into one of your messes and scared her so badly that she ran away!”
    Dad advances on my brother, and I immediately step into his path.
    “East made a mistake,” I say firmly, avoiding my brother’s eyes. I’ll thank him later for taking the heat. Right now, we need to calm the old man down. “But it’s done, over with, all right? We should be concentrating on finding her.”
    Dad’s shoulders drop. “You’re right.” He nods, his expression hardening. “I’ll call my PI.”
    He storms out of the living room without another word, his heavy footsteps echoing in the corridor. A moment later, we hear his study door slam shut.
    “East,” I start.
    He turns with a deadly look. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it for her.”
    My throat tightens. “I know.”
    “If Dad knew about…” He trails off, warily glancing at the twins, who hadn’t said a word during the entire exchange. “It would distract him.”
    “You think the PI will find Ella?” Sawyer asks.
    “Yes,” I answer with conviction I don’t feel.
    “If she uses her mom’s ID, we can definitely find her,” East assures our younger brother. “If she figures out how to get a fake ID…” His shoulders slump in defeat. “I don’t know.”
    “She can’t hide forever,” Seb says helpfully.
    Yeah, she can. She’s the most resourceful person I’ve ever known. If Ella wants to stay hidden, then she will.
    My phone buzzes in my pocket. I eagerly grab it, but it’s not the person I want to hear from. Bile coats my throat when I see Brooke’s name.
    A little birdie told me your princess is missing .
    “Ella?” East says hopefully.
    “Brooke.” Her name burns my tongue.
    “What does she want?”
    “Nothing,” I mutter, just as another message pops up.
    Callum must be beside himself. Poor man. He needs someone to comfort him .
    I grit my teeth. She ain’t subtle, that’s for sure.
    In our mad search for Ella, I haven’t allowed myself to think about Brooke’s pregnancy and the deal I struck with her last night. Now I can’t ignore it, because the messages keep coming.
    You have a job to do, Reed.
    You made a promise.
    Answer me, you little prick!
    You want some baby mama drama? Is that it?
    Jesus. I don’t need this right now. I choke down my rage and force myself to respond. Relax, bitch. I’ll go talk to him .
    “What does she want?” Easton repeats angrily.
    “Nothing,” I say again. Then I leave him and the twins in the living room and drag myself to my father’s study.
    I don’t want to do this. I really, really don’t want to do this.
    I knock on the door.
    “What is it, Reed?”
    “How did you know it’s me?” I ask as I push the door open.
    “Because with Gideon gone, you’re the leader of your merry band of brothers.” Dad throws back his tumbler full of Scotch while reaching for a refill. And I wonder why I can’t get East off the bottle.
    I heave a breath. “I think you should call Brooke.”
    Dad halts in the middle of stoppering the Scotch.
    Yeah, you heard me, old man. And trust me, I’m as shocked as you are.
    When he doesn’t respond, I force myself to push forward. “When you bring Ella back, we’re gonna need help. We need someone to provide a buffer.” I gag on my next words. “A woman’s touch, I guess. Ella was tight with