“Did the king look like he wanted to keep her a secret?”Sona asked dryly.
“Being outed as a princess could drive traffic to Quinn’s business,” Kayn added, “but it might not include the kind of clientele she wants.”
“Well, I’ve checked, and she already has good security, but we can strengthen it.”Sona glanced over her shoulder at Heath.“Yours at the Citadel is good, but I can make a couple of recommendations for you too.”
“Does she live near where she works?”Joe Brooks asked.
“Yeah.Her apartment is over her shop.”
The bodyguard shook his head.“That will have to change.”
“Even with our security there?Wildstone’s like a gated community.”
“But it’s also a tourist attraction,” the bodyguard said.
Quinn startled Heath by slipping her hand into his.The king stood on her other side.
“That was fast,” Heath murmured.
“We called my mom and scheduled a time for us to have a nice, long chat.”Quinn said to Kayn, “What were you saying?”
He explained the issues.
“My daughter must have proper security,” the king insisted.“I will provide whatever is required.”
“Including keeping me a secret?”Quinn asked.
Everyone turned to stare at her.
“I won’t be a working princess.”She glanced at her father.“From your email, I can see you feel strongly about this, but I’ve been thinking about it.I’m an American, and I’m going to stay an American.I’ve never even been to Glenloria.”
“But I’m proud of you, and I wish to proclaim to the world that you’re my daughter.”
Ahri, standing beside Rafe, raised her hand.The king gave a nod for her to speak.
“Can you make the announcement but say she wishes to keep her privacy?Maybe have a royal portrait done but do her hair and makeup differently enough that people seeing Quinn might only think she kind of resembles this new princess?Believe me, hair and makeup changes really can make a difference.”Ahri pointed at Darius.“And our resident artist is a wonder with oils.”
Quinn looked at Heath.“What do you think?”
“What doeshethink?”her father asked a little indignantly.“You should ask whatIthink.”
“No.Whatever I do impacts Heath and his family.I want to make a name for myself for my photos, not because I happen to be your daughter.Please, let me keep my anonymity.”
“Don’t you guys have royal names you give family members, like really long ones?”Eve asked, speaking for the first time.
“I like it,” Rafe said.“You could name the new princess after a bunch of your ancestors but stickQuinnsomewhere in the middle.”
“You make a point,but…” The king watched his daughter’s pleading face and finally let out a resigned breath.“I must approve of the painting.”
“Thank you.”Quinn gave him a quick hug, and the man’s eyes glistened.
When she released him, she did the same to Heath.Except with him, she also lifted to her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.He wrapped his arms around Quinn and savored the feel of her, his heart swelling.He wouldn’t lose her.
“Hey, don’t kiss the princess,” Kayn joked.
“Yes,” the king growled.“I must know your intentions.”
“We’re still figuring that out,” Quinn said with a grin.“Myintention is to kiss him.Alot.”
