Page 29 of The Princess and the SEAL

“Cool, I’m always down to meet a king. Let’s go.”

Ryan’s self-confidence amazed me. Most men were nervous to talk to my father.

Ryan stood up, and I couldn’t help but sigh. He was so handsome and rugged. And completely not my type. But at least he did look like a bodyguard. I hoped this would work.

We walked into the room, and my father gave Ryan the once over.

Ryan bowed when he saw my father. “Honored to meet you, Your Highness.”

I melted, pleasantly surprised Ryan had shown my father respect.

My father’s stern look widened into a smile; he always responded well to deference. Then he extended his hand out to Ryan. “Thank you for watching out for my Giselle. I appreciate your help, but we are no longer in need of your services as we have our own security. Please let me know what I owe you.”

Oh no.

Ryan’s jaw clenched.

I put my hand on his as if to urge him not to speak, but I was too late.

“May I ask where your security detail is?”

“No, you may not. Young man, my safety, and the safety and well-being of my daughter is none of your concern.”

Ryan let out a laugh, and I cringed as he pointed to Pierre, my father’s personal bodyguard, who was lounging on a chair outside of the room we were in. Henri was busy chatting up a maid in the corner. Ryan eyed him as well. “Those guys?”

My father nodded. “Yes, actually. They are the best in my country.”

“The best? I walked into this room with you, the king. He didn’t even frisk me. I could be armed . . . but I don’t need to be. I’m a Navy SEAL—I’ve killed men with my bare hands. Some bodyguard. If I was your bodyguard, I wouldn’t allow anyone to get near you.”

“Well, fortunately for me, you are not.”

My eyes watered. I couldn’t even watch this train wreck. I grabbed Ryan’s hand to urge him to stop, but he kept on talking.

“I completely disagree that you’re no longer in need of my services. Your daughter, the crown princess, was traveling alone in a foreign country, and she was mugged by two assailants. And I saved her. She has informed me that she would like to continue the excursion she had planned and offered me a job as her security guard. An offer which I accepted, despite being on my own vacation.”

My father narrowed his gaze at Ryan. “That is absolutely out of the question.” He glanced at me. “Young lady, you can continue your trip with Henri, or you will return to the palace at once. It is your choice.”

Ryan opened his mouth. “Doesn’t sound like much of a choice to me. Sounds like an ultimatum. Like the rest of her life ‘choices.’”

No one ever stood up to my dad.

And now Ryan had.

My turn again.

“No, Father. I will be continuing this trip with Ryan as my personal bodyguard.”

A slight grin graced Ryan’s face. “Please don’t worry about your daughter. I promise she’ll be well taken care of, and I will not harm her or disrespect her or your country in any way. You have my word. I can leave you my information as well as the contact numbers for my military command. I can authorize them to send you my qualifications and the details on my numerous combat medals.”

“Bye, Papa. Please leave the copies of my identification, my credit cards, and my passport with the concierge.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek. His fist clenched, and a look of confusion and rage swirled on his face.

I turned and walked right back out of the hotel with Ryan trailing behind me.