Page 28 of Tempted By the Princess

My parents were standing on the porch, flanked by two giant men with visible guns. My heart dropped into my stomach. Without considering my actions I shoved Carrie behind me. “Don’t hurt her.”

My mother rolled her eyes. “Don’t be melodramatic Genevieve.”

We all stood there staring at each other for so long I thought we’d freeze that way. Finally Carrie spoke up. “Would you like to come in? We were just eating breakfast.”

My parents exchanged a look, then my father addressed their bodyguards. “Stay out here please.”

They walked into the house, looking around curiously. I couldn’t help but wonder if either of my parents had ever seen an average person’s house. They’d both grown up with what most Americans would consider to be obscene wealth.

We followed Carrie into the kitchen while I wondered how my parents had found me, and why they’d come themselves rather than sending the police.

“Have a seat,” Carrie said, then she paused. “Oh sorry, we haven’t been introduced. I’m Carrie Owens, Genny’s… uh, friend.”

My mother gave me a curious look.

“This is my mother Queen Abigail and my father King Simon of Saint Marenne.”

Carrie gave them a nod. “Nice to meet you both. Can I offer you coffee? We have waffles and bacon too if you’d like.”

“Just coffee please,” my mother said stiffly. “For both me and my husband.”

While Carrie poured their coffees I went to the fridge to grab some milk for my mother. We didn’t have cream since Carrie and I both drank our coffees black, so she’d have to deal with milk instead.

Once we were all settled at the table I broke the silence. “How did you find me?”

My mother huffed out an aggrieved sigh, but my father pulled out his phone, opening something up and turning it towards me. It was a picture from the retirement banquet yesterday with a clear view of me standing behind the table, hair in braids and carrying a tray. Carrie and I exchanged a look but neither of us spoke.

“We had some reports about someone fitting your description gambling at a casino,” he said in a disapproving voice. “Then we saw this picture. Are you a waitress now?”

“The Americans say server not waitress,” I corrected automatically.

“If you’d excuse us for a few moments, we’d like to talk to our daughter alone.” Dad directed his words to Carrie, but his eyes didn’t leave my face.

I lifted my chin and met his glare head on. “Carrie stays. This is her house, you know. Anything you want to say you can say in front of her.”

“I can…”

I grabbed Carrie’s wrist, stalling her move to get up. “Stay. Please.”

I met her eyes, communicating how much I needed her there for support.

“Okay.”

When I looked back, my parents were watching me carefully.

“We were worried about you, Genevieve.”

I looked at my mother. “I emailed Evangeline and told her I was going away for a few days.”

“So she said, but that’s what a kidnapper would make you say.”

“Have you received a ransom request?” I asked sarcastically. “Because if not, you should have assumed your adult daughter meant what she said when she told her sister she needed a few days away.”

“It was very rude the way you disappeared. Hans was quite offended.”

“Hans was being polite to you,” I responded. “He had no interest in me, and I certainly have no interest in him, or any man.”

“Is this about the lesbian thing?” my mother asked, her expression pained as she looked between me and Carrie.