Putting on a smile, I slip my hand from Derek’s and say, “I would be happy to speak with you now, if you are free, Agent Storme.” I turn to Derek. “Elliot’s room is the third from the left. He may be asleep, but—”
“He’s on the roof, actually,” Hex says with the eagerness of someone much younger than his actual age. Apparently I made the right move for his sake, and he looks far happier than he did a moment ago. “I’ll take you, Riley.”
Derek hesitates, looking from me to Agent Storme with a calculating look, and I wonder if he is considering asking if he can join in on the conversation. But he was not at the debate, and I need him to deal with whatever is bothering him before it becomes a problem. The Celestial Ball is tonight, and if I decide to accept Markham’s hand, we will have to announce the engagement at the ball. I cannot give Derek the attention he needs when that choice is looming over me.
“Go,” I tell him, then gesture for Agent Storme to follow me down the hall and back to the parlor.
All the while wishing I could be in a cabin in the woods with no troubles and no other company than a willful bodyguard with warm brown eyes.
Hollywood Hot Scoop
Hot Debate, Hotter Heroes, and a Royal Near-Miss!
Neverfear,Scoopers!PrincessFreya is safe and sound! In a press conference yesterday, our favorite princess confirmed there was an assassination attempt at Wednesday’s debate but that she walked away from the skirmish unharmed. There’s been no statement about who the shooter was, but we can all concur that Freya was the primary target based on the footage below. (Viewer discretion advised.)
Not going to lie, we haven’t been talking enough about Freya’s opponent, Markham Grimstad, who not only took a bullet for the princess but is also a fine piece of man candy and proof that Candorans are built different. If I had a rival here in Los Angeles, he wouldn’t be jumping in front of me and risking his life while looking sexy doing it. Part of me wishes I could vote for the guy just so I can get his face on a five-dollar bill.
But I digress. I know you’re all wondering why Sergeant Reid wasn’t the one saving the day when Freya’s life was in jeopardy, and don’t worry your pretty little heads. Reid was there (see him leap into action at minute 0:47), and our sources say there’s a high chance he was injuredjust like Grimstad. We’ve compared footage from before and after the debate, and our handsome hero isn’t looking as hearty as he was before. Alverra security has kept quiet on the subject, but I’m convinced Elliot took a hit and is putting on a brave face.
Or maybe keeping the love of his life safe is taking its toll. Impressive as Elliot Reid is, he isn’t perfect. He’s certainly not his older brother.
That’s right! Super Soldier has a big bro, and I am positively bursting from keeping this secret because it’s going to Blow. Your. Mind. Talent and looks clearly run in the family, but that is a story for another day.
Make sure you hit that subscribe button because this family tie is going to be the juiciest scoop we’ve ever had! XO
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Elliot
Twomoredays.Ihave two days before Freya is voted queen and everything changes. She’d probably be the first to tell me that she will still be the same person, no matter which crown she wears, but deep in my gut I know things will change. A princess has to be cognizant of her country’s well-being, but a queen can think of nothing else. She’ll be even more of a target than she is now, which means my job will be harder, which means I’ll be spending more energy keeping her safe and won’t have as many chances to be alone with her.
No dances in Havenford. No late nights in mountain cabins.
I want to keep Freya safe. More than anything. But to do that I have to give up our potential. A princess dating her protection agent is bad enough. A queen marrying her bodyguardis…
Impossible. At this point, I should know that. But with all this time being around her without really beingwithher, I’ve had plenty of time to wonder about what my future with her could look like if things were different.
But I’ve also had to come to some conclusions about what I’m willing to do—or not do—if it means I can make sure she’s safe and happy for the rest of her life.
Maybe I—
“Elliot.”
My gun’s in my hand and pointed at Derek’s chest a full two seconds before I register that it’s him standing several paces behind me and holding his hands in the air. Cursing, I lower the weapon but keep a hold on it. Just in case. In case of what, I don’t know, but I think I have a right to be on edge after everything.
“Derek,” I breathe, willing my heart to calm. “What are you doing here?”
He looks…off. Tired. In the few times I’ve interacted with this guy, he’s always been polished and put together, to the point where it gets annoying to know someone can be as perfect as he seems to be. But right now he looks worn down and anxious, and that is not making me want to put away my gun.
He clears his throat and looks around. It’s a good view from up here, at the top of a turret overlooking the large lake that spans the area behind the house. The skies are clear and the sun is shining strong, promising perfect weather later. Staff members dart about the grounds and in and out of the house, prepping everything for tonight’s ball.
I’ve been leaning against the wall and watching everything from my vantage point for the last hour. Gregor ordered me to rest, but he didn’t saywhereI had to be. I can sit up here as easily as I could have sat in my room, and this way I have an idea of what’s going on around the estate.
“I wanted to check on Freya after what happened,” Derek says finally, taking a hesitant step toward me. “And check on you.”
It’s been a while since we last talked. Havenford? A lot has happened in that time, and I can only imagine what he’s heard through the grapevine. Did he hear something he shouldn’t have and fly all the way to Candora two days early to tell me to back off like his other friends did?
Good news for him, I suppose—I never stood a chance anyway. Freya isn’t even queen yet and I’ve barely spoken a word to her. I can’t imagine that scenario will get any better when she takes the throne, so I should prepare to always be with her but neverwithher.
