The Playboy Prince Read online

  “Let’s kick it up a notch. We’re actually a bit behind schedule,” Austin said as he closed his eyes again.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll have to raise our altitude and then I can speed us up,” the pilot said.

  “Mr. Keegan,” Austin called out.

  “Yes?” Erik replied.

  “Are we ready for when we land?”

  “Yes, sir. The motor pool is already in place as we speak.” Erik took his earbuds out and leaned over to Austin. “Oh, and that file you asked me for. It’s also ready for you and waiting in the limo. My contact in the states sent it over last night.”

  3

  The plane landed at the airport and taxied to the far end of the complex, to a large hanger containing armed guards inside as well as walking around the perimeter. As the plane approached, the hanger doors began to open. The armed guards surrounded the plane and walked inside. The men stopped at the doors and stood at the threshold, turned around and faced outward until the doors fully closed behind the plane. Erik jumped up to unlock the door as Austin began packing his computer away in his briefcase.

  “Home sweet home.” Austin looked over at Dryce. “Your father is going to be happy to see you. Fix your tie, we’re heading straight over to the ceremony.”

  Dryce looked up towards the cockpit and nodded. “Remember, let’s get ready for Dubai as soon as this is over.”

  The pilot nodded, “Right away, sir. I’ll have her ready as soon as possible.”

  “What’s with you and Dubai?” Austin asked as they walked off the plane.

  “What do you mean? Dubai is fantastic. That’s where I tasted my first piece of pussy.” Dryce smiled. The gears in his head could be seen spinning even from behind him.

  “Do you even know what to really do with pussy?” Austin teased. “Or is that something I need to teach you as well?”

  “Even though you’ve been with me my entire life… there are some things I’ve learned without your help.” Dryce tilted his head back, looking up into the sky.

  “Will you just get your ass in the car.” Austin gently nudged him with his elbow as they walked several steps away from the plane.”We’re already late and your father is expecting you to be on your best behavior.”

  Erik stood at the limo door holding it open with one hand while he held his side arm down at his side in the ready. “You about ready to get your picture taken, kiddo?”

  Dryce shook his head as he walked up and patted Erik in the stomach. Pulling his hand back, as if he’d hurt it, he joked, “What the fuck, Tank… hitting your stomach is like hitting a brick wall.” Dryce winked, getting in the limo and sliding all the way to the front, sprawling out across the bench style seats.

  Erik looked at Austin, “Your file is in the center console, sir.”

  “Thanks.” Austin slid in, all the way across to the passenger side of the limo.

  Erik looked around one last time, holstered his sidearm and twirled his finger in the air, indicating to the rest of the motorpool it was time to roll out. He plopped himself down in the seat next to the driver’s side door of the limo and slammed the door.

  “You know, you don’t have to slam the doors anymore. This isn’t your old 1970’s Ford pickup from down on the farm,” Dryce jokingly smiled.

  “Sorry, old habit. Plus, with all this armor in these vehicles, it adds some weight to ‘em,” Erik winked.

  “Speaking of… just how flippin’ big are you anyway?” Dryce asked.

  “Hmmm, last time I checked, I think I’m around three to three hundred and fifteen pounds. I guess its ok, I mean, I’m like seven-foot-five-inches tall.” Erik tugged on his suit jacket showing pride in his size.

  “And that right there, that’s why I call you Tank.” Dryce looked over at Austin and watched him pull the center console down and pulled out a file folder. “Whatcha got there? What’s that?” Dryce asked, craning his neck to see what was written on the file.

  Austin quickly glanced up to see who he was talking too. “Hmmm? This…this is your potentially new protection.” Adjusting himself in the seat, he pulled the bottom of his suit jacket out from under his ass. “This guy comes highly recommended by your buddy over here… your ‘Tank’ as you like to call him. I just have to make sure he’s a good fit for the team before we hire him.”

  A loud chuckle slipped out of Erik before he turned his focus out the window, always staying alert. “Ha… yeah, Yally is going to really surprise you, gentleman. That file doesn’t really show half the shit he’s done. There’s a lot about Yally that you’ll never read in any file. And Mr. Ngo, Yally fits in anywhere. That’s his job.”

  Pulling up to the ceremony, Dryce let out a long sigh. The motorpool slowly crept through the crowd. Erik pulled his wrist up to his mouth, pushing the mic button with his middle finger.

  “Bravo team, check the large group with backpacks… northwest corner,” Erik whispered into his wrist.

  Closing the file folder, Austin tucked it in the side pocket of his briefcase then fluffed his suit jacket. “Dryce, you stick to Mr. Keegan’s back until we make to the top of the stage. I’ll be right behind you.”

  “Yeah, I got it.” Dryce shrugged his shoulders. “This isn’t my first rodeo.”

  The limo stopped and there was a small crowd of women hovering over the carpeted walkway to the stage. “They’re all here to see the young eligible prince here… all of these fucking tramps, I tell ya,” Erik snickered. “I’d rather fight a raging bull driving a Mac truck than deal with two horny girls after this kid’s balls.”

  “Just be careful not to run them over too much, Keegan. There are reporters here today,” Austin said.

  “Ya ready, kiddo?” Erik asked, tapping Dryce’s knee. “Here we go.”

  Erik opened the door and had to immediately extend his arm, blocking the area to allow for Dryce to get out behind him. The open door, Erik’s body and the back side of the limo created a triangle area for Dryce to get out and to his feet. Austin stuck behind Dryce with only one foot out.

  Austin tapped Erik on the side twice, using the nonverbal signal to move. Erik, without hesitation, mowed through the girls, making a path directly to the stage.

  At the top of the stage, Dryce embraced his mother. “Hello, Mother.” Leaning down he kissed her on her cheek.

  “Oh Dryce, don’t kiss me. Lord only knows where that mouth has been since I saw you last.” His mother playfully pushed him away and smacked him on the chest before she took his face in her petite hands and observed, “You’re such a handsome boy with your beautiful dark eyes. And that smile of yours. Why don’t you have a wife yet?”

  Looking up, Dryce noticed his father. “Dad, congratulations on today. This is a big day huh?” Reaching over his mother, he extended his hand.

  “Have you been keeping out of trouble? You’re not giving Mr. Ngo a hard time are you?” Dryce’s father, the King, asked.

  “No, of course not, he’s been doing just fine.” Austin interrupted as he approached and shook the King’s hand. “How are you, Your Majesty?”

  “Ha, I think this country would be doing a lot better if my son here didn’t go around the world gallivanting and sowing his seed,” the King laughed.

  “Gallivanting? C’mon Dad, I’m doing nothing of the sort. I wrap it up and, besides, I like to think of it more like a charity fund,” Dryce said.

  “Charity fund? Just how do you figure?” the King asked.

  “All those girls I’ve been putting through college. I like to think that I’m educating the world.” Dryce waved to a waiter for a glass of champagne. “Just one little hottie at a time,” he said under his breath.

  “You are incorrigible you know that?”

  With a slight smile, Dryce looked out into the crowd as he brought the champagne flute to his lips. A woman stood in the middle of the crowd and immediately caught Dryce’s attention. She was sexy. Beautiful in a way that he’d never seen before. He wanted to know her immediately. The way she stood there l
ooking at him , just barely. Her focus seemed to be on everyone else in the crowd and not so much on Dryce and the family. Her apparent disinterest in him only peaked his interest more.

  For a brief moment, their gazes locked and Dryce was captivated. Looking away first, Dryce leaned back to Erik, “Tank, do you know who that sexy ass reporter is?”

  Erik looked around. “What reporter?”

  Dryce looked back at the crowd and pointed, “The one right there.” But Dryce couldn’t find her anymore. “Oh, um. Well she was right there.” Dryce scanned the crowd again looking for the beautiful brunette, almost desperate for another glimpse of her. “I think she stole my heart,” he whispered under his breath.

  4

  Once the ceremony ended, Dryce was eager to get back on the plane and head for Dubai. As the plane took off, Dryce picked up his phone and called his friend.

  “Hey buddy, what’s up?” Dryce chattered into the phone. “Yeah, man… I’m heading your way now.”

  Dryce smiled and laughed into the phone, bobbing his head up and down. “Yeah yeah, I love street races. You know I do. Is there anything else going on tonight?”

  Dryce continued to chat on the phone, laughing here and there. Erik took his own cell phone out of his pocket and started to text.

  Heaving a deep sigh and briefly closing his eyes, Austin looked over at Erik. “You know what this means, right?”

  “I’m on it boss. Got it covered. I’m texting the mechanic now.” Erik flashed his phone screen to Austin.

  “You remember last year in Dubai? The last time he attended those damn street races?” Austin asked.

  “You mean the time we had to haul ass and do damage control when his highness and his friend got caught providing alcohol to all those underage girls? Yeah, I remember that. There will not be a repeat of that,” Erik promised.

  “Exactly! Do not let that boy out of your sight.” Austin leaned forward, his elbows landing on his knees, and started to rub his temples. “I’m getting too old to keep cleaning up after him like that.”

  “Don’t worry, sir. Nothing like that is going to happen again.” Erik finished up the text and put his phone away. After a short pause, Erik looked back over at Austin. “Wait, are you not going to be with us for this party or whatever?”

  “You know the prince… the second we land in Dubai he’s going to want to head over to meet up with that bad influence friend of his. You shadow him. I’m going to try again to contact Yally,” Austin said, still rubbing his temples.

  Dryce hung his phone up and tossed it on the couch. “Hey Erik.”

  “Already got it. I just got done texting with the mechanic and we’ll have your car at the airport waiting for ya, sir.” Erik winked.

  “Tank… my man! You are the man.” Dryce smiled. “Tompika is throwing a massive party at his place tonight. This is going to be epic!”

  “Look, you can go. Of course, you can because you wouldn't listen to me even if I told you that you couldn’t go. But I don’t want you actually participating in any races. Your father already doesn’t like you having that thing as it is and he’d have my ass if you raced.” Austin tilted his head up looking at Dryce. “That car is too fast, and you’re not that experienced behind the wheel. No racing, under any circumstances.”

  “Relax, Austin. There aren’t any races going on tonight, that’s tomorrow. Tonight there is just a party at Tom’s garage,” Dryce explained.

  “Good. No races tonight,” Austin said with a roll of his eyes.

  “Besides, maybe I would have more experience if I wasn’t chauffeured all over God’s creation. If I got more practice behind the wheel then it wouldn’t be such a big deal if I wanted to race once or twice,” Dryce said swinging his legs up onto the couch.

  “You name me one of your rich prince friends who drives around by themselves? If you can name even one, then I’d consider letting you get behind the wheel.” Knowing Dryce wouldn’t be able to name anyone, Austin leaned his head back down into his hands, hiding a smug smile.

  Erik stood up and walked in front Dryce attempting to defuse the powderkeg that was about to go off. “Hey, I got an idea. Your car is going to be at the airport, right? What if we open her up on the runway? I can show you a few things on how to actually handle ol’ girl.” Erik patted him on the the shoulder and winked. “You never know… you might even learn a few things on handling a real girl out there.”

  Erik turned around and tapped Austin,“Whatcha think, boss? The airport is long and flat out by the hanger, not much for him to run into. And if he does run off the tarmac, it’s all loose dirt. He’ll be safe.”

  Austin waved his hand. “Sure, yeah yeah… that sounds fine.”

  Dryce nodded his head and smiled. Getting excited, he laid down and put on a set of headphones. Laying there, he bobbed his head around listening to his music.

  Still with his head in his hands, Austin peeked through his fingers at Dryce. The faint thumping sound of the bass from the headphones was muffled by his ears. Dryce’s eyes were closed and his head bounced around on the arm rest of the couch as he hummed the tune out loud. Austin knew he couldn’t hear a word.

  “Erik, join me over here for a second,” Austin whispered and tapped the seat next to him.

  Erik turned around and took the seat next to him. “What’s up boss? What’s going on? You seem a bit off today. Is it all the traveling and flying?”

  “It’s not that. Look, I need to tell you something.” Concerned eyes gazed up at Erik.

  “I’m listening.” Erik leaned in closer. He could tell something important was up.

  “I received some intel that there’s talk about a possible kidnapping attempt on Dryce,” Austin began to explain as Erik’s eyes widened.

  “What?” Erik said loudly and surprised.

  “Shhh… keep it down.” Austin motioned with his hand for him to bring his volume down. “This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with this.”

  “I know this isn’t. When did you find out?” Erik questioned.

  “About mid last week or so,” Austin quickly answered.

  “And you’re just now telling me about this?” Erik sat up straight.

  “Calm down, calm down. This is why I said we need to hire on someone new. Someone that hasn’t been seen by the press and whatnot. Someone we can trust,” Austin continued to explain.

  Erik leaned back in, nodding his head. His adrenaline was pumping, his nerves on high alert now.

  “Tell me what you know about this Yally?” Austin pulled the file folder out of his briefcase.

  “I… Hell, to tell you the truth boss, I only really know him by reputation only. I’ve never actually met him.” Erik’s eyes looked, up and to the left, like he was searching for answers somewhere in his brain housing group. “He’s got like three or four purple hearts.” He shook his head side to side. “Something like four silver stars and two silver crosses. Got out of the military around the same time I did, I think.”

  “Yeah, I got all that. I read it for myself,” Austin said, staring down at the file. “I need more. What branch of service was he in? That little tidbit wasn’t in here.”

  “Ya know, I don’t think I even know. From some of the stories I’ve heard, he was a Marine… maybe he was a Seal. All I know is that most of the shit that guy did, you’ll never see in any file or any report. He was the master at cover and concealment.” Erik smiled. “We used to joke around about some random person standing in the crowd like it was, in fact, Yally… because you just never knew. Yally could be three inches from you, or three miles. One thing is for sure… we knew the time to be scared wasn’t when he was standing right in front of you; it was when you didn’t know where he was. He was, and is, a ghost, sir.”

  “That’s good,” Austin said, his voice sounding impressed. “That’s really good. I think this is exactly what we need. Someone no one knows and can’t be on the lookout for.”

  “Oh, I can tell you this as well. The boy can
shoot. He took that phrase ‘one shot, one kill’ to the absolute extreme. There’s even a story of him getting three kills with only one shot, and he holds the title for the longest shot in history. Now, don’t quote me on this, but I think it was like over four miles away, on a cold bore barrel as well, myth has it,” Erik explained.

  “What’s that even mean? Cold bore…” Austin looked up at him.

  “Well, you know bullets travel differently when the barrel of the rifle is warmed up as opposed to cold. The more rounds you put through ‘em, the more and more accurate it becomes. Yally is dead accurate with only one shot.”

  Austin nodded, “What else do you know about him?”

  “That’s about it. Like I said, he’s a ghost. He’s the Casper that will fuck some shit up if you pay him enough.” Erik shrugged.

  Austin went back to reading through the file and Erik leaned back in the seat. After a long silent pause, Erik looked over. “Hey, do we know when this shit is supposed to go down?” he asked.

  “No, not really… the good thing about it though,” Austin looked over at Dryce still rocking out to the music, “is him.” Austin turned his head back to Erik. “That boy never stays in one place long enough anymore for anyone to plan anything. You never know what city or country he’s going to party in from one day to the next.”

  “Ain’t that the truth,” Erik said, leaning his head back.

  5

  Almost two hours later the plane touched down and started to taxi toward the private hanger. Dryce looked out the window and immediately spotted his car.

  “Tank… there she is,” he pointed out the window, “my ‘97 Toyota Supra. I haven’t seen this baby in about a year or so.”

  “Wow, really?” Erik got up and looked out the window next to Dryce. “A Toyota, huh?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Dryce’s smile tuned into a smirk.

  “You just don’t strike me as a Toyota kind of guy. Here I thought you would have some kind of Lamborghini or some shit,” Erik jokingly said.