Page 72 of A Royal Mistake

Henry shook his head. “There’s no one there.”

“What do you mean, there’s no one there?” Gabriel demanded.

“I mean, the flag is flying, but there’s no one guarding it.” He loosened the collar of his jumpsuit, trying to get some fresh air on his skin. “Not that I can see, anyway.”

Pippa chewed her bottom lip, considering. “That can’t be right.”

He shrugged. “I circled around. If they’re here, they’re well hidden.”

“It’s a trap,” Gabriel muttered.

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

“Yes,” Henry agreed, flicking his attention from Gabriel to Pippa.

Perspiration dotted her upper lip and strands of sweat-slick hair were plastered to her forehead, but her cheeks were ruddy and she was grinning from ear to ear. Pride warmed his chest. She was doing remarkably well, given it was her first time playing paintball.

Pippa had quickly embraced the physicality of the game, and though she might not have Gabriel’s military training, she was smart and light on her feet. She’d easily picked up the terminology and showed an ability to think strategically. Even if she was stubborn as a mule when it came to her safety.

It was a game, not a real life-or-death situation. That didn’t make it any easier to watch her take a shot, gasping in pain as she clutched her thigh. She’d have a bruise later, if it hadn’t formed already, but she hadn’t complained about it once.

The woman continued to surprise him. Christ. How could he have been so wrong about her in the beginning, writing her off as another entitled, indulgent royal? He never would have imagined her playing paintball, let alone coming up with the idea.

It might be a game, but it was one he intended to win.

No way was he going to let Pippa down. Not when they were this close to victory.

“So, what’s the plan?” she asked, tilting her head. “I know you have one.”

He smirked. If she was referring to thesacrifice-Gabriel-and-use-him-as-a-human-shieldplan, then yes, he had a plan. But things weren’t quite that dire yet.

Besides, they still had no idea how many hostiles they were facing.

He scanned the area. There was no high ground, not really, so whatever members of Dom’s team were tasked with guarding the fountain, they had to be close by. And presumably on even footing.

“We still don’t know what we’re up against,” he said, thinking out loud. “But there are three of us. If we split up and surround the fountain, we might get lucky and catch them off guard.”

“Can we do that?” Pippa asked. “Won’t they just pick us off one by one?”

“Probably,” Gabriel scoffed.

“Maybe,” he conceded, “but if one of us can distract them and draw their fire, it’ll give the other two a better chance of success. If we go into the courtyard as a group, I can guarantee they’ll pin us down and eliminate all three of us in short order.”

Pippa nodded solemnly. “Okay. I’m in.”

Gabriel crossed his arms over his paint splattered chest. “Let me guess. I’m the bait?”

Henry smirked. “I mean, you’ve already taken quite a few shots today. What’s one more?”

“We both know it’ll be more than one.”

“Relax. I’m just fucking with you.” He winked at the prince. “It’s my idea, so I’ll take point. Just make sure you lay down some cover fire, will you?”

Gabriel grunted in what he hoped was agreement.

“And you,” he said, pointing at Pippa. “Once they fire on me, you get to that flag as quickly as possible. Stay low. Stay light.”

“Let’s win this thing.” Determination burned in her eyes as she lifted her marker.