How far will they go to get a story?
Kensington is swarming with press as we pull through the gates. Never in my life have I seen so many people crowded into such a tiny area, all hoping to get the money shot of the disgraced prince and his girlfriend. Is this really what I have to look forward to now that James and I are together? It’s a sickening thought as we pull up to his apartment. He’s outside waiting for me.
James eats up the distance between us as soon as the door is open.
“Zara. I’m so sorry this happened.” He pulls me into his arms, his heart thundering in his chest.
“Let’s talk inside.” His brows are furrowed, and distress mars his handsome features.
Shutting the door behind us, the scent of James overwhelms me. Tears prickle the back of my eyes as I take in his distressed stance.
“How did this happen?” My voice is quiet as we move into his living room. “How could someone release photos like that?”
“They don’t care about the damage they do. Only that they hit us where it hurts most.”
“Well, they’ve certainly done that,” I say on a huff.
“It will all blow over, I promise. This has happened to me before, and it’ll leave the news cycle in a few weeks.”
“A few weeks? I was suspended from school today because it’s detrimental to the students I’m teaching!” I shriek. “I’m sorry I can’t brush it off as easily as you, but our sex life is out there for everyone to see!”
James winces as he starts pacing again. “I didn’t mean for you to brush it off. It’s just this sort of thing will always be a threat as a royal.”
“You mean I should always be worried that we’ll be photographed having sex and it’ll be released for the world to see?” I hit him with my most indignant glare.
“No, I don’t mean that, Z.” He approaches me, but I pull away. “Zara, love. Please, sit down and I’ll tell you how I’m handling this.”
I turn, settling my hands on my hips. “And how are you handling this?” I’m in no mood to be told what to do.
“You don’t need to be so defensive.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. You’re right. No big deal that my tits are out there for the entire world to see!”
Walking over to the window, I see that clouds are starting to move into the city, much like my mood.
“Zara. I’m sorry. We have people looking into this. I don’t know how the pictures were taken, but the palace will certainly get to the bottom of it.”
“And how do you plan on preventing this from happening again?” I don’t turn to face him. Dread hangs heavy in the air.
Dread that this can happen again.
Dread that I won’t be able to recover from this.
Dread that my life has been altered beyond recognition.
“We’ll just have to be more careful next time.” James’s hands wrap around my waist, pulling me into him.
“Weren’t we being careful the first time?” I twist out of his hold. His arms, that are always so calming, only cause tremors to wrack my body.
“Zara, please. We’ll get through this.”
“Will we?” My voice cracks. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to handle this. Or anything like this in the future.
“It’s one scandal.”
“This week. What about next week? Or next month? Or next year? What if I can’t handle it? The paparazzi follow me everywhere. I’m already losing so much.”
“What are you saying?” Pain is evident in his eyes.
