AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But I haven’t been able to sleep a single wink.
Hell, I haven’t been able to sleep much since Esme left.I know she’s in good hands.Archie’s one of the best protection officers we have.He’ll do everything in his power to keep his safe.
But with all the uncertainty about Kane Kingsley, I hate not being near her.
I usually pride myself on being able to perform my duties with as few distractions as possible.
This week, I’ve been more distracted than ever.
Partly because of what I know about Kane Kingsley.
Partly because of what Idon’tknow about Kane Kingsley.
I have a feeling what I don’t know is even worse than what I do, something I didn’t think possible mere days ago.
I lean my head against the window and close my eyes, hoping the drone of the jet engine and gentle rocking of the plane can lull me into a quiet moment of rest.But it’s short-lived, the shrill sound of my phone forcing my eyes open yet again.
Pulling my mobile out of the inner pocket of my suit jacket, I glance at the screen to see a text from Anderson’s private secretary.I assume it’s to review the same things we discussed yesterday regarding our plan for arrival.In accordance with Anderson’s request, I told him to keep Nora’s presence in the country quiet for now so they’re not swarmed with reporters and photographers when we land.This entire way of life is going to be a big change for her.He wants to make the adjustment as easy as possible.
But when I open the text and see screenshots from dozens of different news websites, some reputable, some not, I fear that will no longer be possible.Not with the headlines announcing Anderson’s engagement to an American commoner, along with a picture of them kissing, a very large diamond on an important finger.
“Fuck,” I curse under my breath, jumping to my feet.
“What is it?”Kylian asks, quickly standing and approaching.
“Look.”I hold out my phone for him to see one of the many screenshots Anderson’s private secretary shared with me.
His eyes scan the screen for a few seconds before widening, darting to meet mine once more.Then he leans toward me, glancing around the cabin at the rest of my men.“They’re engaged?”
I give a small nod.
“Did you know?”he asks softly.
My lack of response is the only answer he needs.
“That’s what he wanted to talk to you about at the pub.Isn’t it?”
“He told me as a friend.Not his chief protection officer,” I attempt to argue in my defense.
“You know damn well the two aren’t always mutually exclusive.That sometimes you have put your oath to the crown above any friendship.”
“He wanted to keep it quiet until he could go through the proper channels.”I pinch the bridge of my nose, a stress headache forming behind my eyes.“Said she was only going to wear the ring in private.”
“That doesn’t look private to me.”He gestures toward my cell.
“I know.”I run a hand over my face, silently berating myself for not being more observant.For not realizing that Nora was wearing her ring in public.
For not seeing those bloody photographers in the first place.
Instead, I was distracted by Kane Kingsley.By why he’d been paid to kill Jack and Callie Sloane.And most likely my brother and Esme, too.
“Well, get your game face on,” I tell Kylian.“Because we’re about to land in a bloody three-ring circus.Hope you’re ready for it.”
“Is anyone ever ready for something like this?”
I blow out a long breath.“Doubtful.”
As I walk through the administrative corridors of the palace several hours later, I can’t help but feel like a condemned prisoner.Several members of the king’s staff whisper amongst themselves, no doubt about the events of the day and the role I played in this giant mess.
