Page 44 of Palace of Betrayal

“My name is Polina and I’m happy to meet you. Let’s get that arm cleaned up while Soroosh sorts us some lunch.”

Polina was petite but curvy, with long dark curly hair and startling blue eyes. She had the kindest manner about her, instantly putting Bebe at ease and she could see how well suited she and Soroosh were as they interacted.

“Here are some clothes. They might be a little shorter on you than me but you’re welcome to use them.”

“I just need a blouse or tee really. The jeans are fine.”

“Take whatever you need. It will be a while before I get into them again with this one growing so fast.”

Bebe glanced down and felt a tug at her heart, not jealousy but a little envy. The yearning for a child wasn’t something she’d anticipated having had the start she’d had, but it was hard to ignore when it hit. She’d been trying to go it alone for two years but two cycles of IVF had failed. Not unusual from what she’d heard but time was ticking, and she wondered if she’d ever have a baby or if it was a pipe dream.

As she cleaned up her arm with the first aid kit Polina had given her, she wondered about Leo and what he’d think of her wanting a baby knowing who she was and the things she’d done. Would he think her selfish for wanting a child? Did he want them? It didn’t matter, really. After this was over, she’d probably never see him again.

The thought stung more than the cut she’d covered with gauze. She’d known him less than a week and yet the impression he’d made felt life-changing. She was breaking every rule she had by getting involved with him and potentially putting the mission at risk. Yet the thought of going back to her life before him was hollow and empty. He’d shown her a passion and friendship she hadn’t expected, and she didn’t want to lose it, but how could she keep it?

The prince and the assassin sounded like a romance novel while her life was more like a suspense or action-adventure novel. Doing the buttons up on the pale green blouse with white flowers, she was glad to see it covered her wound. Running her fingers through her hair, she tied it up in a messy bun and washed her face, trying to get rid of the dirt and grime from the mountain.

Voices outside the bathroom door had her finishing up and heading out to find Leo talking with Soroosh and Polina. His eyes came directly to her, sweeping over her body in a sensual wave before holding her gaze. The intensity and emotion in that one look almost made her stagger back.

“Are you okay?”

Bebe got her feet moving and fell back into her role as his girlfriend with such ease it was terrifying how well they fit. His arms came around her and he drew her close as she wrapped her arms around him. “I am now.”

Fifteen

Leo rolled onto his back, dragging Bebe’s body on top of him. Her moans as he angled his hips up as she rode him made him harder than steel. “You look like a fucking goddess riding my cock.”

Her hair was wild, her plump lips parted with lust, her eyes dark like a stormy night. Her tits bounced, the dark nipples teasing him. Holding her hips, he leaned up, pulling a tight bud into his mouth, and sucking as she ground against him, rolling her hips in a way that made him groan.

“I’m gonna come.”

Her words were breathy and jagged as his hand speared her hair, holding her gaze on him as she splintered. Her walls tightened around his cock like a vice, pulling his own climax from him. He exploded as she cried his name, pleasure rocketing over them both. Leo sagged back against the headboard, holding her limp body to his chest and soaking in the feel of her, the scent of her, the very essence of the woman who was fast becoming the only thing he could think about.

“I’m gonna need more cardio if you want to keep this up.”

Her words made him smile as he rolled her to her back and kissed her thoroughly. He loved how she gave herself to him with no worry as to how she looked and not a single ounce of concern or shyness. Her trust meant more to him than he could say, so he kept it to himself, and enjoyed the moment.

“I need to shower before I go to sleep.”

It was barely eleven but after the last few days they’d had, he could see she needed sleep. Much as he’d like to spend the whole night making love to her, he would, he realised with surprise, be happy to just hold her while they slept. It was a new feeling for him and not one he was used to.

He watched her as she rose from the bed and ambled to the bathroom door, admiring every luscious curve as she walked away from him. Her head appeared back around the door frame, a teasing smile on her lips. “Give me five minutes to wash my hair and then you can come wash my back if you want.”

Leo placed his arm behind his head as he looked up at her, his dick already stirring into action at her invitation.

“I’ll give you three.”

A light squeal from her made him chuckle as she disappeared around the door and seconds later, he heard the shower running. Leo felt his mind go back to two days ago on the mountain and all the revelations Alain had shared.

His cousin had always been a wild card, but he’d never considered he could be involved in this. But then, Alwyn was leading it or at least he thought he was. His uncle had always been a jealous bull of a man with his eyes on the Crown.

First thing tomorrow his father would be apprised of the situation in full and encouraged to go into protective custody. He and Bebe had agreed it was time with the potential threat being about him as much as the gemstone.

The fact they still didn’t know the identity of the American behind it was annoying but they were further than they’d been, and it had only been five days. The funeral for Alain was meant to be in two days and he wasn’t comfortable with the funeral going ahead and his people mourning a man who was in no way worthy and not even dead. If he could convince his father to leave the island under the pretence of ill health or a minor procedure, they could delay the funeral too.

Of course, that still left Atticus missing and that was a huge concern. Was he dead or involved in some way? It was all ifs, buts, and maybes at this point and now they had Brody James involved. That was a risk he didn’t like, even if he’d dealt with Alain.

Bebe had told him that her friend’s team had dealt with the two dead men shooting at them, or at least Alain. She’d spoken of them with warmth and love, and he knew these people meant something to her. Even going so far as to say she lived with two of them.