“Actually, I could use some fresh air.”
“Okay.” I grinned and laced our fingers together and led her to the balcony door. As soon as we stepped outside and closed the door behind us, I heard her take a deep inhale, her shoulders relaxing as she exhaled. I walked us over to the balcony’s edge and released her hand as I leaned my elbows on the railing.
“Oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous up here,” Adelaide said as she looked out at the city lit up below us.
“Definitely not a bad view.”
“I bet it pales in comparison to the views from your fancy palace.”
“Honestly, now that you mention it, it’s been years since I’ve really stopped to appreciate the scenery at home.” I took a swig from the half-drunk beer that was still dangling between my fingers. “God, that sounds so entitled, doesn’t it?”
She huffed a laugh. “Yeah, it does.”
“Hey now!” I nudged her shoulder gently with mine. “You weren’t supposed to agree. Give me a little grace.” I winked and downed the rest of the beer. “Are you having fun?”
Her face lit with a smile. “I really am. Thanks for inviting me. I don’t typically go to many parties, but this has been really nice.”
“I’m glad you came.”
She turned and met my gaze, assessing me. Her lipsparted briefly like she was about to say something, but she closed them and stayed silent.
I slid my arm around her waist and drew her closer to my side. I was surprised by the fact that she had let me be so affectionate tonight.Maybe she’s feeling the same pull I am.
Her heels gave her a few inches and brought the top of her head level with my chin. I looked down at her and her beautiful green eyes met mine. Her plump, crimson-painted lips parted as she pressed her body into me. I lowered my head to hers, our lips just a hair's breadth apart.
A bang against the window to my right startled us out of the moment. A compact woman with a blunt black bob slammed her hands against the glass over and over, yelling my name. Her eyes grew feral when she spotted Adelaide and her shouts turned to a string of obscenities directed toward the woman beside me.
“Your Highness!” Faxon ran up to Adelaide and me, appearing from the shadows, seemingly out of nowhere. “You need to come with me.”
Faxon grabbed both of our arms and we ran, following the balcony across the side of the penthouse and around the corner.
“I have Whitesnake and companion. We’re outside of the master suite. Defense is up,” Faxon spoke sharply into his earpiece as he positioned himself in front of us, the wall at the end of the balcony behind us.
As a royal, I grew up with security protocols being drilled into me. Some of my earliest memories were of being quizzed on what to do in an emergency. While my parents and Xavier—as the heir—were considered the top priority, my baby sister Rosalind and I had still been taught that we were to never place ourselves between anyone else and a threat to our safety.
Those lessons flew out of my head as I tucked Adelaide behind me. Whoever or whatever was causing the commotion would have to go through me before they got to her.
Adelaide’s breath was ragged; I didn’t know if it was from running or nerves or a combination of the two, but Ineeded to comfort her. I reached behind me, feeling for her hand and giving it a squeeze. Every instinct told me to turn around and hold her, but I’d be damned if I lost my view of whatever was going on.
“We’ve got you, beautiful,” I murmured over my shoulder.
The door to our left unlocked and opened a sliver. I stiffened and pivoted to continue shielding Adelaide. “Faxon, on your left!”
“It’s just Steffan, Your Highness,” Faxon reassured and slowly lowered his weapon.
Steffan stuck his head out of the door. “Suite is all clear.”
Faxon nodded sharply. “Sir, we’re going to have you wait in the master bathroom while we clear the party.”
I gripped Adelaide’s hand and made sure she stayed close by my side as we hurried through Chauncey’s bedroom to the ensuite on the opposite side of the room.
“I’ll stand guard here. Steffan, you and Jenson take point at each entrance while Carlz finishes his sweep.” Though Faxon was speaking to Steffan, I knew he was intentionally giving me a peek into their plan. He shut the bathroom door and I locked it behind him as an extra precaution. No one was going to hurt Adelaide.
Turning toward her, I skimmed my eyes over her body to make sure she was okay. My blood went cold when I spotted blood running down her fingers. I rushed to her, reaching for her hand.
“Adelaide, you’re bleeding!”
“Huh?” She looked down, eyes wide, at the hand I cradled.
