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“Raphael, this is out of line,” Riss snapped.
At Alex’s small nod, I handed the glass to Riss. “Malcolm Dennis is disguised as a waiter. Call the police. That wine needs to be tested.”
Her mouth fell open. “Surely not.”
My last tether of patience strained to break. In the middle of a dangerous situation, I was yet again being denied. “Do I need to repeat myself or are ye going to take action at last? The photographer we talked about is here and pretending to be a waiter. Your principal is not safe.”
Her gaze darted to the door then to the worried faces of the dignitaries and others gathered around us who stared at my theatrics. I had no thought to spare for them.
Alex touched my arm. “What would he do to my drink?”
She believed me. Thank fuck for that. I wanted to pull her into my arms, but I couldn’t. “I don’t know. I only know that he’s here. Did ye even order that?”
“No. It just appeared.” She swallowed, and her gaze left me to find Riss. “I want to leave.”
“Ma’am, I really don’t think we should jump to conclusions on the hunch of Mr Gordonson?—”
Alex held up a hand, her lips in a firm line. “I do.”
My temper snapped. “Order the fucking cars.”
I was done with this. If I hadn’t been fired, this night would have been my last. I couldn’t stand by and watch as Alex was exposed to risk over and over again. It broke something inside me.
While Riss reluctantly organised our exit, a stony-faced Will and Johnnie fell in, and I kept at Alex’s side, fighting to hide what I was feeling. She’d turned ashen and kept tucked against me. When we hit the foyer and were about to descend the steps, I put space between us, mindful of the waiting cameras.
“Stay with me,” she whispered.
“Always.”
We jogged down the steps and dove into the waiting car. I slammed the door behind us, not waiting for Riss who could take a different ride.
Only when we were inside did a tiny fraction of my panic ease. I palmed Alex’s cheek. “Hospital?”
She took a shuddering breath. “I don’t think he’d poison me.”
I’d reached the same conclusion. Nothing made better and more sellable shots than a drunk princess causing a ruckus at a formal event, which indicated a party drug or something to lower her inhibitions. But it wasn’t my call to make.
I brushed her hair back. “Whatever ye want to do, I’m yours.”
Emotion passed over her face. “Take me home. I’ll decide when we’re there.”
Chapter 21
Alexandra
Our return trip to the palace was short, but the urgency inside me made it feel unending. Raphael coaxed me to drink water from the stash we always had in the cars and checked on any symptoms.
I felt nothing other than upset. Maybe a little foolish. If I’d gone to a club with Dori, I would never have accepted a drink I hadn’t ordered. But a waiter handing me one in a situation where that was the norm? I’d never even suspected it.
If I’d drunk deeply, I could be in the grip of a drug right now. Raphael had saved me from that.
Finally through Ossington Palace’s gates, Raphael leapt from the car, helping me out.
Riss was already waiting. “Ma’am, I’ll escort you inside.”
I couldn’t do this. If anyone else spoke to me, I’d probably burst into tears.
“No, thank you. Wait for me in your office. See me upstairs?” I added the last part for Raphael.