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“I didn’t want to,” Marina said. “But you did.”
The tension between Jameson and his grandmother was palpable as they engaged in a death stare showdown. It was feeling eerily similar to the last conversation Dani had with the queen, when everyone in the room had known what was going on except Dani. And she didn’t like it.
Not one damn bit.
“Someone better tell me what’s going on right now, or I swear—”
“She wants us to officially do events for the palace!” Jameson raged. “Together, as a couple!”
Cue the confused little blond girl gif!
Dani didn’t know what she’d expected, but that had been downright anticlimactic.
“What’s so wrong with that?”
Unbidden, her problem with Genesis and Parcellum came to mind. This played right into the compromise Dani’s team was proposing. Doing these events with Jameson would be an official acknowledgment of their relationship by the palace. That could only elevate her status, which would increase her brand awareness, which is all Parcellum really cared about.
And she wouldn’t have to mention any of it to Jay.
The relief she felt was almost orgasmic.
She wouldn’t have to keep coming up with reasons to go to places where they would be photographed, and, most importantly, she would never have to divulge her reasons for going against their pact to not get involved in each other’s business. Because by agreeing to participate in what the queen was asking, Dani would be helping Jameson, too.
They could both get what they wanted. A win-win situation all around.
“Maybe it won’t be that bad,” she told him.
He stared at her, his gaze imploring her to listen. “You don’t understand. If we do this, we’re inviting everyone into our relationship. The palace, the media, the world. Right now, we still have a modicum of privacy. Even with Nyla’s red carpet, and the restaurant, and the exhibit... all of that was on our terms. But once we let them in, once they realize you’re not a charming American outsider but an actual cog in the royal wheel—” He shook his head. “No. I can’t let you do this.”
Marina’s expression hardened and Dani knew it would be a mistake to ever underestimate the queen.
“I’ll allow you to step away from royal life. For good.”
“What?” they asked, simultaneously.
“Jameson, you’re a member of this family and that will never change. But this is important, and I will do whatever it takes to save the Company. I know being more involved these past few months has not made you happy. So, if you and Duchess agree to this, I promise you’ll never have to work as a senior royal ever again. I’ll permanently remove you as a Counsellor of State and you can recede back into the shadows, if you so choose.”
Dani shifted to look at Jameson. “This is what you’ve wanted, Jay. More than anything.”
“I know.” He appeared as dazed as he sounded. “But not more than anything. I can’t ask you to do this, love.”
“You’re not. She is.” Dani directed her next question to the queen. “And you’ll keep your promise and allow Calanthe to retain her position in the royal family?”
The queen’s snow-white brows lifted. “You know about that?”
“As you said, Jay tells me everything.”
“I will. And to be clear,” Marina said to Jameson, “removing you as a Counsellor of State is only about official duties. I’ll still expect to see you at family functions.”
Uncertainty hung tightly on Jameson’s features. “I knew what I was doing when I agreed to this, Dani. I know what I’m getting myself into. You don’t. Trust me, love, this isn’t a good idea.”
Was he right? Jameson was more familiar with this world than she was. Shouldn’t she trust that he might have a better understanding of how agreeing to this could impact their relationship?
But it wasn’t just their relationship. It was about Mela-Skin and the opportunity to finally be in control of her life. And in the end, it would benefit them both. Dani couldn’t let anything stop her from doing what was necessary to ensure this deal went through.
Not even Jameson.
“This doesn’t need to turn into a melodrama. Are you in?” Marina asked. “Do we have a deal?”
