Theo shouted something in Greek to the executive assistant who had met them in Nice, when the Caras brothers’ private jet had arrived there from Helsinki, and accompanied them for the short helicopter journey to Galicos. Her father’s emissary had insisted they arrive in the principality on the royal chopper—and to her surprise Theo had agreed.
It had been less than twelve hours since she had agreed to an engagement. And already everything seemed to be moving so fast. Theo had been locked in the lodge’s study ‘making arrangements’ while she had packed for the arduous journey in the all-terrain vehicle to Saariselkä that night, where the helicopter had been waiting to take them to the private jet in Helsinki.
They’d made love last night on the plane, which had helped to calm her nerves. She trusted Theo. According to a message she had received from Remy as soon as they touched down in Nice, her brothers were already on their way back from Italy.
On the chopper ride to Galicos, she had questioned Theo about whether her father had already been informed of their ‘engagement’. And whether that was a good strategy, if the engagement was supposed to be a bargaining tool.
But he’d shut down her concerns. ‘He wouldn’t agree to let them leave that place, Freya, without some guarantees,’ he’d said. ‘Isn’t that what you wanted?’
‘Yes, yes, of course. I just… I was hoping we could get more of a commitment out of him before giving up our ace,’ she’d replied hurriedly, not wanting to seem ungrateful. ‘We don’t want him to use them both again to force our hands…’
‘He won’t,’ he’d said, his gaze strangely distant. ‘Hey, don’t worry. I’m a master at negotiations, just ask my brother. We’re not giving your father any concessions we don’t have to.’
She’d found herself nodding, feeling like a fool. Of course, he had more experience of being ruthless with men like her father than she did… And they’d already agreed their plan of action. She had no reason to feel so insecure.
But as he gathered her against him to lead her past the reporters, her pulse continued to accelerate. She had always been used to press attention, even as a young child, the photographers and reporters had always been there, and she was used to dealing with their demands. But as she and Theo were bundled into the waiting car to drive them the last mile to the palace, shock reverberated through her insides, because she’d never been subjected to anything this extreme… And this crude.
As the car sped off, she reached for Theo’s hand. He squeezed her numb fingers briefly, then let her go to take out his phone.And began talking in rapid Greek—his voice low with barely concealed temper.
When he finally disconnected the call, the limo had already driven through another press barrage at the palace gates and braked to a stop in the courtyard.
‘What was your call about?’ she asked, carefully.
‘Nothing,’ he said, but his gaze didn’t meet hers, and she knew it wasn’t nothing.
Was he hiding something from her? She swallowed down the disloyal thought.
He’s just trying to protect you.
They had agreed to show a united front. She had to let Theo do the talking, because they both knew her father would never believe their ruse if he didn’t see her being dominated by her new fiancé. She’d escaped, she’d proved she could. That act of rebellion would have to shore up her confidence now, or she’d never survive the next hour or so in her father’s autocratic company.
She hated that she’d had to come back, that she was going to have to let her father believe he’d won. But trusting Theo meant accepting he would handle this negotiation on her behalf.
He gripped her trembling fingers, lifted them to his lips, his gaze finally locking on hers. ‘I’ve got this, Freya, don’t panic.’
A member of her father’s security team stepped to the car to greet them as the chauffeur opened the door.
‘Princess Freya, Monsieur Caras, His Royal Highness is waiting to greet you in his study, to congratulate you on your engagement.’
‘I’ll just bet he is,’ Theo hissed under his breath.
The contempt in his voice gave her the courage she needed to step out of the car. And to face her father’s ire, hopefully for the last time.
They were a team, and Theo was right, it didn’t matter how they secured her freedom—the only thing that mattered was that they did.
It took less than ten minutes to usher them both into her father’s study. Prince Andreas swept towards them with a beaming smile. Freya’s stomach muscles clenched at the realisation he’d never looked so happy to see her before.
‘Caras,’ he said, clasping her new fiancé’s hand, and patting Theo’s shoulder as if they were long-lost pals.
‘It is good to have you back, my dear,’ he murmured, but she could see the flicker of enmity he didn’t attempt to disguise as he barely glanced at her. ‘We have much to discuss, Caras,’ he added, dismissing her again. ‘I understand Caras Shipping are still interested in purchasing the port tract and now that you are willing to take my daughter’s hand in marriage, I am happy to consider a deal… At a fair price, of course.’
Freya cleared her throat. She’d always been easily dismissed by her father, but she had never felt totally invisible, until now.
‘Father, we need to discuss Remy and Jacques,’ she broke in. ‘And your plans for their future, first.’
Her father glared at her. ‘They have been returned to Galicos,’ he said, his jaw tensing.
‘But what about their future education? I require some guarantees,’ she managed, despite the temper she could already see in his expression.
