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“Anyway,” she continues, setting her drink down, “the bigger issue is someone attempted to steal the crown.”
“I’d say you almost being kidnapped is the bigger issue,” Linc states in his gravelly voice. They lock gazes, staring each other down, but neither relents.
I’m guessing no one normally challenges the princess, and the former fighter is used to winning. No one misses the palpable tension between them.
“Crown?” Addie echoes, leaning forward.
Merritt nods, pulling her attention off Linc. “My parents want to know how so it doesn’t happen again. Your company was referred to them, and they’d like to hire A-Squared Enterprises to make sure our security is top-notch and there’s no chance of thieves getting their hands on it.”
Oh, boy.A princess wants to hire a crew of thieves to check out her security system? I squirm in my seat, hoping against hope they don’t rob her blind. Just because they did one good deed doesn’t guarantee it will happen again.
“We’d be more than happy to help you,” Addie says smoothly. “A-Squared will make sure your security system is updated. No one will be able to breach it once we’re finished.”
Several looks fly around the table between Addie’s people.
“If Linc isn’t able to watch over Miss Fontaine, I’d be more than happy to do it,” Ryder offers with a smug grin.
“I got it,” Linc practically growls, glaring at Ryder.
“Good. Then it’s settled,” Addie says, quickly intervening. “Linc will assume bodyguard duties for Merritt and we will head to Arcadia to update and test the current security system.”
More small talk and general questions about Arcadia prove rather quickly that Merritt is a reluctant princess. She doesn’t go into any specifics, but whenever the words “princess” or “royalty” are mentioned, she brushes them aside with a slight frown or telling twist of her lips.
Hmm. Interesting. Looking from Merritt to Linc, I wonder how this duo of unwilling princess and her grudging bodyguard will pan out.Stay tuned.
Lunch wraps up with a light lemon sorbet and then I politely excuse myself. I need to get to the jet and make surewe’re ready to go. Knox decides to come with me while the rest of the crew plans to sit down with Merritt to find out more intel about the new job.
As we’re walking back into the mansion, Addie lifts her buzzing phone and scowls at the screen before shoving it back into her purse. I noticed it rang several times throughout lunch, and Knox must have, too.
“Who keeps calling?” he asks Addie.
She looks up, distracted, and runs a hand through her beachy, blonde waves. “Cole Freaking Vaughn,” she hisses angrily. “I should sic my brother’s team on him. Or change my number.”
“He’s becoming a problem,” Knox says.
“He’s a major pain in my ass. My mom warned me to always steer clear of the Denver P.D., and I’ve tried, but Vaughn is a persistent prick. He still thinks we had something to do with that museum theft last year.”
“Well, we sort of did,” Knox murmurs.
“No, we didn’t!” Addie exclaims. “I only gave advice. We didn’t take a damn thing.”
“No, technically, we didn’t. But your advice allowed Laurent to successfully steal the painting.”
“How is it my fault the museum has a gaping hole in their security? I merely pointed it out to Laurent.” She sniffs. “Now he owes me a favor—and that’s a good card to be holding.”
I listen, absolutely fascinated. I’m willing to bet Addison Mills can quickly justify everything she’s ever stolen.
“Speaking of your mom…” Knox stops walking, looking from me to Addie. “I haven’t mentioned this yet, but when I was trying to break the code to release Hunter from that case…I heard Angel.”
Addie’s entire face softens. “What do you mean?”
“It’s like she was right there beside me, whispering in my ear. She encouraged me, told me I could do it.”
“And you didn’t give up,” I say softly.
“No.” He reaches for my hand. “She said I was destined for love.”
Our gazes lock and the purest love passes between us. But something is bothering me. I glance over at Addie and bluntly ask, “Are you going to steal from the princess?”