Not that I would know—I have never seen pictures of Derek’s parents. I do not even know their names. That never bothered me before, as Derek keeps most things close to the vest, but it bothers me now. Does he not think of me as one of his closest friends? I have known him for longer than almost anyone in our little group; only Cole has an advantage. Does Derek not trust me?
“You and Derek only met recently,” I say carefully, “but did you know of him before that?”
Elliots shakes his head as we walk. “Only as an actor. Dad didn’t like talking about his family.”
“Did Derek know about you?”
“Don’t think so.”
“Then why did he go to your father’s funeral?” These are things I should be asking Derek, but he would not answer my questions. Or if he did, he would not be straightforward with me. The man has not told any of us that his surname is Reid rather than Riley, though stage names in Hollywood are common. What else has he kept from his friends?
Elliot pauses at an intersection to look around. “He said something about hearing about it through the grapevine. No one knew he was there—not even me—until he cornered me after the service. Said he planned to leave immediately after, but then he found out I was Dad’sson. Can I…” He purses his lips, then holds out his arm. “This is a busier street, so you can either take my arm, or I’m hailing us a cab.”
At least he is offering me the choice, though it is clear by his disgusted expression that he does not like either of the options he has presented. If it were up to him, he would probably wait somewhere no one can see us until we have the whole palace guard to follow us to the hotel. As it is, we are starting to attract attention from people who recognize me. Several phones are pointed in our direction, and some people are inching closer.
I take Elliot’s arm as my nerves start to build, though the feel of his muscle beneath my touch provides some courage. I am glad he is here, just as I am glad he allowed me today’s adventure. “I do not think there are any cabs to hail,” I tell him.
He groans, probably because I am right, and grabs his phone, pulling up my driver’s number. He gives our location and urges the driver to hurry, and then he stands at attention. “My preference is to find a place to lie low until he gets here,” he mutters as he watches people approach. Some of them look nervous, but others seem excited.
Ha! I was right about him. Squaring my shoulders, I put on a warm smile. “I prefer otherwise.”
“I thought so. But if I say we need to go, then we need to go. Got it?”
Would he carry me over his shoulder again if I refused? He might, even if the photos and videos of that would lead to disaster. I should avoid that course of action. “I accept your terms.”
His eyebrows shoot up, and he is temporarily distracted from the growing crowd as he looks down at me. “Really?”
Snickering, I pat his arm and pull free. “This time, yes.” Then I wave at the nearest woman and beckon her forward. “Hello!” And when Elliot grumbles unintelligibly behind me, I cannot hold back my grin.
Hollywood Hot Scoop
Candoran Crown Candidate’s Bodacious New Bodyguard
Yep,Iknewwewould get you with that one, and you won’t be disappointed because we have PHOTOS. So many of them that we’ve set up a whole slideshow so you can get your fill. That’s right, we finally have visual confirmation that Princess Freya’s new American bodyguard is just as scrumptious as we imagined him to be, though I for one have no idea why he’s trudging around after a wannabe queen when he could be soaking up the sun in Hollywood with yours truly. Why risk his life for a princess when I would happily be his queen? ;)
But I’m getting off track. Before you go drooling over these spectacular shots of the main man himself, can we address Freya’s hair in that first shot? Talk about a rat’s nest, am I right? She must be crumbling under the pressure of keeping up with her rival without getting booed off the stage, because that is not the princess we’ve come to know and love. That, or she badly needs a new stylist who knows how to combat the elements in Candora’s Windy City.
I’m going with the former, because unlike her last two stops, Freya didn’t bother with anything resembling a campaign speech today and chose instead to take a cheap tour bus to look down on everyone as she passed. I don’t know about you, but that seems like a terrible way to show your people that you know what you’re doing.
If I wasn’t set on marrying Derek Riley, I would say he should hop across the pond and tie the knot with the panicking princess so he can show Freya how a real leader does things. King Derek has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
He’ll have to get through the hubba hunk that is Freya’s bodyguard first, and looking at the guy, I’m not sure who would win. This man is as ripped as he is beautiful, just like Derek, and I’m pretty sure we would all sell a kidney to see that showdown.
Check out the slideshow hereand be sure to subscribe so you can be the first to know about everything leading up to the Candoran Election Day. We’re working hard to get the bodyguard’s name, but until then, stay tuned for your next hot scoop! XO
Chapter Thirteen
Elliot
Wade:
Yo Reid, when were you going to tell us you’re a bodyguard?
Bax:
Nah, he’s a freaking celebrity now.
North:
