“Prince Rinaldi, how long are you staying in the States this time?”
That answer was easy enough—as long as Shep would have me.
Not that I would tell any ofthemthat.
I stopped at the next group of reporters and moved into position for the photographers, looking down the line to where Shep was smiling and answering questions. King stood solo and serious as always, Lucien was charming everyone like the handsome devil he was, and Benoit was flirting his way through the crowds.
We made quite the carpet. Each of us were acquaintances, as far as the public was aware: King, the billionaire businessman and head of TerraKohr; Shepard O’Neil Winchester the third, son of former President Winchester; Lucien, the owner of the most exclusive adult clubs in the world; Benoit, the son of one of the wealthiest families in Europe—and me, the Prince of Monaco.
Little did they know we were so much more to each other.
Tonight we were putting on a show no one had been able to refuse, and as I moved to the end of the step-and-repeat, it seemed the guest of honor had finally decided to show up. Turned out Ari Moreauwasfucking stupid.
Something he announced loud and clear, as a hail of gunfire broke out and chaos ensued.
21
SHEP
THE SECOND THE shots rang through the air, I was moving.
And so was everyone else.
Screams rent the air as the realization of what was happening had everyone scrambling to escape, but I only had one thing in mind, and that was getting to Theo.
He’d been nearly off the red carpet, but not soon enough, and panic struck my heart as another shot rang out.
“Theo, get down,” I yelled as I ran toward him, only for him to turn around in the wrong goddamn direction, like he was seeking out the gunman. “Theo, no?—”
I could hear the other Kings in my ear, shouting out orders, but I couldn’t focus on a word they said as yet more shots rang out. As everyone around me ducked or ran in the opposite direction, I finally reached Theo, slamming into him hard and tackling him to the ground. He grunted beneath me on impact, and I scrambled to make sure I covered every inch of his body with mine.
“Are you okay? You’re not hit?” My voice came out stronger than I felt with the fear dominating. I held him close, keeping his head tucked into my shoulder as I scanned the chaos ofthe red carpet to see where the fuck the gunman was.
“I-I think I’m good.”
Lachlan was yelling in the earpiece, and it took me a second to realize he had eyes on Ari. “Beneath the banner moving in on Shep. I can’t get a clear shot?—”
“On it,” King growled, sounding like he was running hard.
“I’ve got Theo,” I said.
“Shep—” Theo shifted beneath me and I tightened my grip, not letting the fucker trying to get to him have even an inch of open space.
“Don’t move.”
“You’re an open fucking target,” Theo shouted. “Get somewhere safe.”
“Youaresafe. I’ve got you.” I lifted my head, searching in the direction of the banner where Ari was, and that was when I saw him.
His slicked-back black hair had come loose in the front, pieces falling over wild eyes that locked with mine. It felt like everything turned to slow motion then as he lifted his arm, pointing the gun directly at me. A slow, unhinged smile curled his mouth, and for the first time I could see the monster that had been lying in wait. No more polished and put-together businessman, the tux he wore nothing more than a façade.
He walked toward me and I secured my hold on Theo. If I reached for my gun, I’d leave him exposed, and I wasn’t going to risk it. Ari would have to get his number two on the list, because he sure as fuck wasn’t getting number one.
I was going to die. Right here on a red carpet protecting the man I loved.
It was worth it.
“I’ve got the shot—” Lachlan shouted.
