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‘I would never dream of catching such riches.’

She swatted his arm but leaned in and let him have them anyway. ‘You’re a better businessman. You’re a good employer—there are many perks to working on Zaffira.’

‘Not to mention I do pay my staff actual money.’ He flicked his hair in a mocking preen.

‘You would be better. You’re honest,’ she said seriously. ‘I did owe him though. I couldn’t expect free food and accommodation.’

‘If he’d paid you, you could have then paid rent and costs. You could have had independence and more choices,’ he pointed out. ‘But you couldn’t get another job because he wouldn’t give you security outside the palace grounds.’

‘So it’s not all my own uselessness?’ she asked.

‘How were you supposed to develop the skills when you never had the right support?’

‘Still useless, then.’

‘Oh, I don’t know…your riding is coming along.’ He laughed as she made a face. ‘You’re fishing for compliments now.’

His hands were fishing. She leaned closer and he pulled her onto his lap.

‘So we’ll go,’ he murmured. ‘Blow them out of the water.’

Being allied with him was everything. ‘Sounds good to me.’

Chapter Fifteen

Four days later Tilly perched beside Alex, her pulse whipping faster than the rotor blades as they flew from Zaffira to the palace helipad. So much for her bravado.

‘Ready to run the gauntlet?’ Alex murmured drily.

‘Sure.’ Except this was no quick sprint but rather an hours long gladiatorial trial. Alex was definitely ready. Suited, a leather satchel at his side and that sardonic air in place. The internal armour was back too when for the last few days a few pieces seemed to have weakened and she’d seen beneath to the lovely, funny, vulnerable man inside.

‘It’s not too late to back out,’ he said.

‘I’m not going to let them hound me into hiding. I’m not going to be shamed or scared into silence. Not any more. I want to face him.’

‘So do I,’ he said softly.

Goosebumps lifted on her skin when she saw his expression. She knew he would ask whether Domenico knew anything about Hugo’s actions. She almost didn’t want to know the answer.

In the palace grounds security was tight. In the few short days since the invitation, guests had flown in from all over the world—foreign royals, dignitaries, politicians—and no one invited had declined. No one wanted to miss the Montaurellan drama.

‘I’ll go to my apartment for the afternoon.’ Alex strode down the corridor beside her. ‘I have work to do.’

Her heart thudded faster. ‘You’re not going to see him before the ball?’

‘There are some things I need in place before meeting with him privately.’ A muscle twitched at the corner of his eye. ‘A public reunion is safest for all of us.’

‘I’ll go to my room to pack a few things and find a dress—’

‘But you’re staying in mine.’

‘If that’s what you want.’ She nodded. ‘I’ll go to the museum—’

‘Won’t it be closed today?’

‘Kara will be there regardless.’ When there was a state event all public-access programmes in the palace were shut down, but her boss would be working on admin and checking the exhibits in case some of the international guests wanted to see any.

As he was about to turn off towards his apartment, Alex grabbed her arm. ‘You’ll be okay on your own?’ A husky whisper.