Royalty

Chapter 37: Just Proving A Point

James' POV:

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"James. James. James. James. James."

Something is poking me in the arm.

Repeatedly.

"James. James. James, wake uuppp. James. Jim. Jimmy-boy. Jamie. Jameson. Jamieee --"

I sit up, still sleepy and groggy. "What, what?!"

"Oh, good you're awake. I was bored and Seb's no fun."

It takes me a few minutes for my mind to load in Astra in front of me, a few more to see she's smiling brightly at me. I shake my head a little, realizing we're both still lying in the huge blanket nest we made last night.

"What ... What time is it?"

"About noon. We did go to sleep pretty late. Well, early, technically." I cracked a smile and pulled her against me, kissing her deeply and sighing happily once I felt awake. I only pulled back because I heard Sebastian clear his throat from the doorway.

"Well, then, good mor-ternoon," I mumbled, rubbing the rest of the sleep from my eyes. "Sebastian, why are you staring?"

"Because the King of Crime fell asleep in a blanket nest, watching a corny cult classic movie, snuggling with his girlfriend."

"Well, we all have to have hobbies." I yawned and stood up, realizing I was hungry. "Angel, have you already eaten?"

"Yes, but ..."

"But?"

"But I was wondering if you could take me out for lunch?"

I grinned, even as Sebastian told her, "Don't press your luck,too much there, doll. He's not just going to --"

"Of course we can go for lunch. Go pick out something to wear. We'll go to the Ritz."

She kisses me and goes to change. Sebastian just stares at me. "Jim, what is with you when it comes to her? Can you even say no to her?"

"Oh, hush, Tiger, you're just confused because I'm happy for once." Sebastian bites her lip.

"Boss, I told you that you have to be there tonight, things have been really difficult lately. If she asks you to stay, then what?"

"Then she'll come with and wait in the car."

"Jim, I looked more into it -- It's seriously bad. Silva is seriously bad news. He's managed to turn a bunch of your elite clients to his side, and he is just waiting for an ambush. I really need you to be focused tonight, because if even part of that brilliant brain is distracted, our lives are on the line."

I sighed. "And tonight, I will be focused. But for now, I am going out to lunch with my angel. Alright?" I can tell he's biting his tongue. "Sebastian. I know you're serious, I know this is serious. I will be serious when the need arises tonight. But I am also serious about her. I'm still trying to find the balance, and I'll figure it out eventually. Tonight will go smoothly, alright?"

I felt like he was overreacting, it was a simple enough job. Get in, drop a bomb, get out. Obviously there were layers, and he had gotten scarily powerful, but he was still nothing but a flea compared to me. We'd handled worse.

"Okay. Alright, fine. You can go out to lunch, it'll at least keep you happy. But when you get back, we need to go over things a time or two. Is that alright?"

"Fine, Tiger. Good game plan." I glance back down the hall, then back to Sebastian. "And if she asks what we're doing? Wants to spend time with me?"

"Jim, then you tell her no. We have to get Silva gone now, tonight. All we have to do is get in, spread the gas, light the place up, get rid of him for good. Yay."