Prince's Proposition (The Exiled Royals #3) by Ivy Iverson Page B

working on a third, but she’d used her inherited wealth to fund cancer charities, hospices, and youth homes. If she was going to keep a little of it for herself and buy an elephant to ride on, then Paula couldn’t completely fault her.
    Deep down, that woman had a generous heart and a deep love of her family. Those things seemed to be rare qualities these days.
    The older woman waved to the crowd like a queen holding court, which wasn’t far from the truth. Sliding off the massive animal, she was helped over to the reception table and the large bubbling chocolate fountain by one of her servants. Shaking her head to herself, Paula joined her as soon as she could.
    “You definitely know how to make an entrance, don’t you?” she told the older woman.
    “I’m a woman of an advanced age, my dear. I want the crowd to look at me with awe. If that takes an elephant, then I’ll find one.”  She winked at Paula. “And you have to agree, it certainly worked to get attention. Speaking of being the object of everyone’s attention, where is that delightful prince of yours? I enjoyed getting to know him at our last party.”
    Paula chucked. Most women with eyeballs and not a few men loved it when Xavier entered a crowd. She could relate, herself. After all, Xavier still left her flushed and heat rumbling through her belly whenever she saw him. “So has most of Las Vegas,” she said. “He’s out there, somewhere, in the crowd. I assume he’s doing his best to network for Lillian’s Fund .”
    “Yes, for them,” Sylvia said, her tone slightly subdued.
    Weird. There was very little about the older woman that was subdued ever.
    “I’m having day two of my events tomorrow. I’m having the prime minister over and his wife, and more than a few friends.”
    “And I’m honored that you invited us, Sylvia.”
    “I’d love for you or Xavier fund to speak at the dinner. It’s just a few minutes for remarks, but I believe so much in what you do. I wish that you could do more. I just know how much of a difference the kindness we could afford meant to Sarah in her final days, and I want every woman to have that, to have a supportive team for them.”
    “I know,” Paula replied, her throat tight. She couldn’t imagine the pain of losing your sister that way. The idea of never being able to call anyone with a quick check in or just to share a dumb joke was terrifying. “I’m so sorry.”
    “It never stops hurting, but I can help others from suffering as much, my dear. Besides, I think that you’d mentioned in previous meetings about perhaps starting the fund’s own counseling center?”
    “Yes.”
    “I think if Xavier gives a winning speech tomorrow, then it won’t just be my funding that gets that center for you.  Hopefully, we’ll create the most exciting groundbreaking Vegas ever saw.”
    “But it’s your summit and event, and they’re your friends. We came to support you but you don’t have to make it about us.”
    “I’m not. I’m making it about Sarah, and what she wanted and needed during her last days. And me, too.  But enough of that. Let’s talk a bit more about your young man.”
    Paula shook her head. “He’s not mine. We’re not a couple. We were once , it didn’t work out.”
    “Really? That’s a shame. Why not?”
    “Because Xavier gets upset when he has to sleep. He’s a workaholic, and he’s only helped me so much because he needed my help to get Rostov Investments running. It’s a business relationship. Nothing more.”
    “Trust me, Paula, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. That man has more than business on his mind.”
    “I wish that were true, but I’m so afraid it’s not. When we broke up, I thought I’d never feel happy again. I don’t want to take a chance on that happening every again.”
    Sylvia laughed, then reached out and hugged her tightly. “If I said that, then I wouldn’t have remarried.”
    Paula bit her lip. She’d forgotten that Sylvia had suffered