He glances at me. “Do you want to talk about it, or what happened at the studio this morning?”
My eyebrows raise, although I shouldn’t be surprised he already knows. Elliot and Nolan have a way of communicating every important piece of information about Kellen and I that’s nearly telepathic.
I consider brushing it off because this isn’t the time or place, but Idowant to talk about all of it. “Yes. But I don’t want to make it your problem. Especially here.”
Elliot glances around. “We’re alone, Piper.”
I swallow hard and meet his gaze. “Reverie Rest is going full-tilt on the royal romance story. Raelynn basically told me to multitask being a pop star and a walking, talking ad for the monarchy. And I think if I open my mouth the wrong way, she’ll just hire a new girl and have me digitally deep-faked into irrelevance. Which is to say nothing of what the Palace will do.” I sigh again. “Which is probably why I shouldn’t have donated directly while we’re here, but I did. Sue me.”
Elliot leans in closer. “You’renotreplaceable.”
My eyes narrow playfully. “You’re a little biased. Scent-match and all.”
“Doesn’t make it less true.”
I clench my hands on the banister. “Ifeelreplaceable, though. At least to Reverie Rest. If I don’t finish this album, I’m stuck until I do. But if I do it their way, I’ll hate it and myself even if it goes platinum.”
He lets that hang. “Do you want help?”
I stare at him. “What, are you going to storm the palace? Kidnap me until I finish the album?”
He tilts his head. Mirth shines in his eyes. “If it works, yes.”
It’s so blunt I almost laugh. “Nolan would love that.”
Elliot pushes off the banister. “You need time. Space. And less interference from Reverie Rest and the Palace.”
“Sure, just call up the Queen, tell her I need a sabbatical.”
Elliot grins. “I don’t need to call anyone. Nolan and I have resources. And Kellen has a yacht.”
“Of course he does.” This information chills me a little, not because I think Elliot is bluffing, but because I’m starting to believe the only thing keeping my life from imploding is the stubborn competence of two security guards. And I have no idea what that says about my own agency.
Elliot turns to go. “We’ll handle it. Try to focus on what’s really happeninghere, okay? Not the press or the PR angles. The rest. And… good on you to donate directly, Piper.”
Elliot is right.
He walks back inside, leaving me with the beautiful flowers and a gorgeous stone fountain. After another minute of grounding myself, I return focus back to the all-importantwhyof today’s events, and make it my mission to spend time with every single child here.
I accomplish that mission.
CHAPTER 14
Kellen
Turns out,the world is a much quieter place when you trade mainland drama for two hundred feet of private yacht, two protective alphas, and a sound system that costs more than my first car.
The yacht is technically my family’s, though the only time my parents actually set foot on it is for the kind of charity galas that involve too many pastels and at least one ice sculpture. Today it’s me with Elliot, Nolan, and Piper, who has already claimed the sunniest spot on the bow and is threatening anyone who tries to move her.
The weather is disgustingly perfect despite a threat of thunderstorms in less than twelve hours. Sunshine, glassy water, and a salty breeze. Not even the tabloids could get a drone out this far.
Which is the entire point.
Nolan is already sprawled on a chaise. He’s reading, but I catch him watching Piper out of the corner of his eye. I want to remind him nothing will touch us out here, but I know he knows.
I drop onto the lounger next to Piper and kick back. Elliot follows beside me and leans against the closest railing. The deckis warm and there’s a tray of drinks sweating beside us. I grab two glasses and hand one to Piper.
“Thank you.” She grins over at me and takes the glass. The phone in her lap is open to the weather forecast. The storm will hit later today, then it should be over for a brilliant rest of the weekend.
