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Mason followed suit.
“I’ve had four guards protecting Kiera since she left home three years ago. We’ve rotated through men that I implicitly trust. It hasn’t been easy on them or their families.”
Mason nodded. It had been difficult to keep a well-trained, irreproachable, and willing group of soldiers with the princess at all times. They were paid extremely well, but all of the Augustine military was, so the extra money wasn’t as huge of a draw as it might have been.
“I assumed with her coming home this Christmas, her guards could have a well-deserved break. She would stay with the family and between the royal guards, myself, and Chad being at the castle, we wouldn’t need added security.”
Chad was Lieutenant General Prescott to most people Mason associated with, a fabulous guy whose elegant mum had married the illustrious King Nolan eight years ago. Chad was a lot more charming and easy-going than the general. Lieutenant General Chad and Mason got along smashingly.
“Of course Kiera had other plans.” The general planted his clenched fists in front of him on the desk. “She’s brought her friend Sarah home. They have been exploring the castle and Augustine for a few days and now they’ve set up a ski weekend, using Hope and Faith’s Switzerland home as their base to ski the Jungfrau region.”
“I see.” He didn’t really. So the friend was a female after all. Why was the general upset, then? Kiera probably had some scheme that was pushing General Ray’s limits. Did the general want Mason’s suggestions for the best men to protect his little sister and her friend? Men who wouldn’t give in to her adorable smile and scheming personality?
“You do?” The general studied him, then nodded. “Thank you. I’ll feel much better knowing you’ll be there. With your athletic ability and skiing talent, you might be the only man I trust fully who also has the skill to not only protect her but keep up with the ‘Wild Child.’”
Mason had no answer for that. He hadn’t realized he’d volunteered himself to protect the princess and her friend on their ski vacation. Skiing was his favorite winter pastime, and he’d always enjoyed his interactions with Princess Kiera. She fancied herself a ninja warrior like her brother Prince Derek and his wife Princess Ellery.
It should be a fun assignment. A weekend wouldn’t cut into his plans to commit to dating Miriam. Ah, when the smirks on his brother’s faces turned to respect ... Mason could just hear it: ‘Dr. Miriam Cruz?’ and ‘Wow, little brother, she’s accomplished and stunning.’ He almost rubbed his hands together. There would probably also be the ribbing: ‘What does she see in you?’ and ‘I give it a week, tops.’
“Can you think of anyone else you trust implicitly, is proficient in combat and security, twenty to thirty years old, and can snow ski at an expert level?” General August continued, not affected at all by Mason’s lack of response.
“Um …” Mason could think of a handful of men who fit all those parameters, but three of them had recently been in America with the princess. They were the exact men who needed a break. “Sergeant Naples is a skier, but I haven’t personally skied with him.”
The young sergeant had found out Mason loved to race, flip, and twist down snowy mountainsides and they’d chatted about different resorts and runs. If Naples wasn’t simply bragging, he’d at least skied double black diamonds. Whether he could keep up with the princess would be an entirely different matter.
“He’s solid in all other aspects,” Mason continued. “Loyal to Augustine, excels at hand to hand combat and tracking. The tracking expertise could be essential in case the Fearless Little Princess manages to outrun us.”
The general didn’t smile.
Mason lost his quick. “We won’t lose her, sir.”
“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, his nieces and nephews, 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?”
“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 in the next hour, 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.” General Ray 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.” Mason 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 the link to the 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. Kiera 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. It will 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. But he had a hundred questions. First, as couples? They were to act like they were dating? Wouldn’t that be awkward with Kiera and her friend being young college students and Mason and Sergeant Naples 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 and a hilarious schemer, but Mason could keep up with her in the scheming department. He didn’t know about Sergeant Naples’ level of expertise, but Mason had never met a man or woman who could best him on a pair of snow skis.
“Thank you,” the general responded before Mason 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.”
