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I lifted my chin to get Riss’s attention. “We know Princess Alexandra has had unusual levels of interest from the press. Should that change our threshold for pulling her today?”
The acting team leader went to answer, but Johnnie cut her off.
“What increased level of interest?”
I twisted to face him. “The paparazzo who hunted her down to the nightclub and sold her picture? The fact someone leaked her outfit before the botanical gardens event?”
His lip curled. “Sorry to tell you this, but that’s business as usual. Nothing so dangerous that we’d need to pull her attendance. We already risked embarrassment over whipping her out of the botanical gardens because of the fucking birds.”
I gazed at him, a new kernel of suspicion developing. At the start of the meeting, Riss had gone over recent events, covering the two I’d highlighted. I hadn’t been sure if she’d talked to Johnnie and Will about the outfit issue, so I’d watched them for a reaction. Neither had done anything except listen patiently.
“Who would be embarrassed?” I asked.
A smudge of red appeared on his cheeks. “The royal family, obviously.”
“Nothing appeared in the press about the princess leaving early. That wasn’t specifically mentioned. Therefore it’s not an issue.”
He made a rolling motion with his hands. “Just saying that if you get spooked today, that will be two events she’s bolted fromin quick succession. It doesn’t look good.” He switched his gaze to Riss. “Right, boss?”
Riss chewed a lip. “We have a set of procedures and we’ll follow them, unless I’m specifically told to adapt them in view of the optics. Even then, I would need a very good reason.”
Johnnie snorted. “Other than her being the only working royal right now? We’re employed to keep her visible, not bury her because this one scares easy.” He thumbed at me. “All I’m saying is we need to be flexible with how we handle these big events or we’re going to do ourselves out of a career.”
I went to retort but a phone chimed, and Riss stood.
“I hear you both, but it’s time to leave. You know the drill.”
Leading us, and tightening her braided hair on her stride down the corridor, Riss directed us outside. At the rear car, I stood at the open door, Johnnie’s challenge playing over in my mind. The bodyguard team’s previous manager, Jared, had been negligent to the point of failure. His bad management outside the art gallery had let the photographer get way too close. Then Johnnie’s lack of interest when we’d seen Alex going into the nightclub did the same.
If anything risked his job, it was pulling the same shite. I didn’t understand him.
Every thought dissolved as the palace’s side door opened and Princess Alexandra emerged. Stepping into the sunshine, she frowned at her phone. Then her focus came to me.
It was a brief touch. Nothing any other person could look at and discern what we’d got up to last night. Instant heat flooded me once more.
I’d dreamt about her soft sounds of pleasure when she’d made herself come to my words. All morning, when I’d been assigned to the gym for fitness training and she’d been in meetings, I’d thought about her.
Nothing could happen between us beyond this…whatever it was. I’d crossed a line when I’d chased her from the palace, then I’d left it in my dust when I’d got down and dirty talked.
Yet I hadn’t been able to stop. Princess Alexandra was in danger of becoming my addiction. I owed her some kind of apology for trying to be hers.
The drivers took us out of the palace gates and into the busy London afternoon. I was alone in the car, Will and Johnnie in the lead vehicle, and Riss partnering up with the princess in the central one.
We tested comms, then my phone buzzed from a different sender. Alex had messaged me. I scrabbled to read it.
Alex: Why so gloomy?
Raphael: Pretty sure bodyguards are supposed to be mean.
Alex: Not when you look at me, though.
I exhaled to control a wave of instant need.
Raphael: I can’t look at you like the way I want to in public.
This was dangerous. If for any reason my messages were read, flirting was grounds for dismissal. Riss wouldn’t give me a second chance. Hell, I wouldn’t if I led the team. It was beyond a conflict of interest.
Even so, I waited on a reply with barely contained excitement.