Should she let him get her out of here? Before it was too late and she was sequestered among the royals in their wing back at Omnia?
When more laughter trilled from the princess, Leighton tensed on her behalf, expecting violence from Maaz. Sure enough, the crown prince shoved to his feet, arm drawn back, ready to strike her.
In a flash, Apollo pitched himself into the line of fire between Aliyah and her cousin, holding out his hands to defuse the situation. “She hears you. We’re all a bit tired…”
The very air from the cabin seemed to evacuate at his intervention.
Lungs constricting as Maaz faced off with Apollo, Leighton tensed. “Oh no,” she murmured.
“This is the captain speaking,” a deep, distinctly American voice came over the speaker. “We have begun our descent and will be on the ground in twenty minutes. Flight attendants, prepare the cabin for landing.”
The announcement gave Apollo and Maaz the needed excuse to back down without losing face. Both men stepped backwards and reclaimed their seats.
Leighton expelled a pent-up breath.
“He should be more careful,” Rayan whispered solemnly. “Maaz is not one to anger.”
“I am well aware.” As was her cheekbone. Yet, she was not really worried, because she had a feeling Apollo was solid competition for the surly prince. While she had not experienced his anger, she had witnessed a modicum of it. Never would she forget how his broad shoulders had swelled into view as he rushed to protect her from Nasir. It’d been such a simple thing, but he had protected her.
Just as he had now protected Aliyah.
So…maybe his protective instinct was just about protecting those who could not do it for themselves. Not about attraction to her. It was just how he was wired. Which was a good thing. Admirable. So why was she so disappointed?
The scorching impact of the plane’s tires on the runway startled her.
“You are safe,” Rayan said, covering her hand with his.
Stomaching churning at his touch, Leighton pushed her gaze to the industrial-grade carpet. Why must he be so?—
Finger beneath her chin, Rayan nudged it upward. “With me, you do not have to do that.”
Oh, for heaven’s sake. This should be good, him assuring her that he didn’t want her cowering. It helped Leighton solidify a couple of things. One, she did not want his attention. Second, even if he was kind—kinder, as Owen pointed out—and not prone to violence, she definitely did not want him touching her.
But this was not about her. This was about Ummi. So Leighton managed a smile that felt awkward at best, earning a pleased nod from him and the removal of his touch.
A shaky breath staggered through her, and she swallowed again. Sat back as the plane taxied, her gaze finding Apollo’s, whose brows and mouth were taut. He looked ready to kill. Apparently he liked the prince touching her as little as she did.
A few minutes later, everyone deboarded, and she made her way toward the waiting SUVs, too aware of the prince’s movements. Did her best to navigate away from him because this was too unsettling. Playing the submissive, subservient, invisible nothing to these royals was one thing. But having the attention of one determined prince could only lead one place, and that was not happening. She recalled Owen suggesting Rayan might have marriage on his mind. At first, she’d thought him crazy, but he was right, wasn’t he? Where else would Rayan’s attention lead?
Please God…please. I can’t do that.
“Nouri.” Apollo circled behind her, touching her spine. “This way.”
Grateful for the direction that pulled her away from the royals, she turned to him. Followed him into one of the vehicles, hoping Rayan didn’t notice or intervene. “Thank you,” she whispered. Felt a twitch to hurry into the vehicle before they could be thwarted.
Seaborn eyes locked on to her. His brow furrowed. “You o?—”
“I wondered where you went,” another voice intruded.
Leighton flinched and looked to her left, where Rayan climbed in from the other side and took the seat next to her.
Good night! The guy could not take a hint.
He draped his arm over the back of the seat…around her shoulders. “My apologies,” he said, indicating his arm, “but it is crowded with three in this row.”
“Crowded or not, I’m surprised you’re willing to risk the crown prince’s anger,” Apollo said as he sandwiched her on the right.
“Be concerned with yourself, Mr. Apollo.”
