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“I know you were teasing.”
Mason bit his tongue. The general wouldn’t know a tease if it jabbed him between his piercing blue eyes. He’d seen his superior officer smile around Princess Macey, his own two children, Princess Kiera, Lieutenant General Chad, Princess Sunny, and occasionally Prince Malik.
“Sergeant Naples is a good prospect. Macey and I will do a deep dive into his background and military experience. You can’t think of anyone else?”
Mason racked his brain. “I can ask around about skiing ability and check into Sergeant Naples skiing experience and time on the slopes.”
“All right.” The general nodded. “Let’s correspond on what we find and check into any other prospects and then I’m putting it in your hands. I trust you’ll pick the best man for the job. The two of you will be up close and personal with Kiera and Sarah. Kiera’s been receiving some stalking-type texts from an unknown source lately.”
Mason’s gut tightened.
“Sadly it’s a pretty common occurrence—texts from and crazy attempts by young men to get close to her.” He shook his head and his fists clenched. “As well as the usual kidnapping attempts for ransom. Our men are top notch and have always kept her safe. I expect you to do the same.”
“Of course sir.” He loathed the thought of the Fearless Little Princess being targeted by kidnappers or lovesick boys who couldn’t take no for an answer. Curses! Teenage hormones, anyway.
“Hope and Faith’s home is secure, Chad’s made certain of that. I’ll have him send you the security information and link to cameras and sensors. I’m sending two other guards who will alternate patrolling the interior and exterior, sleeping, and staying as close as they can while you ski or go in public for restaurants or any other reason. Such as, Kiera’s set up a spa time in an exclusive hotel but that security is impressive, celebrities regularly book out private time there and they will add their security to ours so you can relax a bit.”
Relax a bit? He’d have fun skiing but he’d be on guard. He wouldn’t relax if a stalker was after Kiera.
“Chad and I feel the best route is you and your cohort staying right with Kiera and Sarah as if you’re couples, discourage any other men from getting close and put off the latest stalker if he’s followed her, you see? The other two guards will watch with a wider lens. Thankfully it’s only three and a half days. You all should survive and you’ll all receive hazard pay. You’ll deserve it.” He flashed a rare half smile. “Any questions?”
“No, sir,” Mason answered automatically and too quickly. He had over a hundred questions. First, as couples? They were to act like they were on some date? Wouldn’t that be awkward with Kiera and her friend being young college students and Mason and Sergeant Naples were both older and more mature?
Second, why did General August act like a ski vacation with his little sister would be taxing? Mason knew Princess Kiera was an insanely talented extreme athlete. Maybe the general feared they’d hurt themselves trying to keep up? Mason didn’t know about Sergeant Naples level of expertise, but personally he’d never met the man or woman who could best him on a pair of snow skis.
“Thank you,” the general responded before he could ask questions or think of more. “Having you as part of this detail puts my mind at ease. I hate that I constantly take away Kiera’s ‘best life opportunities’,” he smirked at that, “but I want her safe. I don’t think she has any idea how devastated the entire family would be if something happened to her.”
Mason nodded. He’d heard about kidnapping attempts and more than a few idiotic college boys who thought they could make a conquest of the princess. Either made his blood boil. Princess Kiera was a bright, innocent light and the entire country adored her. He’d keep her safe, but … as couples? What if the media took pictures and it upset Miriam? Not that he and Miriam were exclusive, but he had his plans.
“And Captain … I hate to even bring this up but I told my father I would.” The general looked down at the desk.
Mason felt as uncomfortable as the general looked. He had never seen the man not confident and in charge of the situation. What did he need to tell him?
“Will you be … considerate of Kiera’s feelings and not …” He cleared his throat and studied Mason. “Lead her on.”
Mason was confused. He could only stare at the man. “Kiera’s feelings regarding … What exactly?”
“You.” The general picked up a pen and flipped it in his hands.
“Me?” Mason put a hand to his chest, more confused than ever.
General August drew in a deep breath. “She’s … my father and Madeline fear … I think it’s just a little crush from teenage years and certainly she’s over any of that nonsense by now. It’s not as if she’s lacking in male attention.” He blew out the breath. “But your reputation of dating a lot of women, and the age difference—the college girl pursuing the older man type of fling. You understand?”
Mason leaned back against his chair. Horrified by the implications. Was the general saying, but not saying? He thought Mason would lead Kiera on … date and dump the little princess? The king and queen had noticed Princess Kiera had a crush on him?
No. She didn’t. Did she? They teased each other, like siblings or cousins. There were no … romantic feelings.
“Oh, sir, no.” He shook his head, his stomach heaving. “I would never. And I meannever. Princess Kiera is … I tease with her like a little sister. You think she … might have a crush on me? Surely not.”
He blew out a breath. How awkward. He knew teenagers sometimes had crushes but got over them. He racked his brain to try to remember the little princess looking longingly at him or saying anything that would lead the king and queen to think she was interested in Mason as more than a friend. He and Kiera had so many different interactions throughout the years, but he couldn’t think of any red flags.
“Are you certain …” He shook his head. “Maybe I shouldn’t go on this assignment.” he finished. He was struggling not to take offense. The August family knew him, trusted him, they surely couldn’t think he’d chase … Princess Kiera was a beautiful girl but she hadn’t matured into a woman. He’d overheard his mum say something about a ‘late bloomer’ regarding the fun-loving princess. He’d heard there were plenty of college boys going insane over Princess Kiera but that didn’t mean that he’d … chase a college girl.
General August now appeared calm and collected and it was Mason who was stumbling and awkward and embarrassed. “You are my top pick, Captain Henson—your skiing ability, your excellence in every area of protection, the fact that you’ve rescued numerous members of the royal family and have our trust and respect.”
“I appreciate all of that sir.” He nodded. This was the royal family. He had taken a knife in the back to rescue Princess Aliya. He’d tracked down the vicious William Rindlesbacher in the dark woods and taken a bomb from the man after scaling across balconies thousands of feet off the ground to escape the rigged house, the very house they were going to stay in for this ski vacation. He lived his life to serve and protect this family.
Even if there were a crush on the princess’s side from younger years, and who could blame any female for having a crush on him, surely Princess Kiera was far past such silliness now.
