Page 152 of American Royalty

She exhaled audibly. “You need to leave.”

Two long strides brought him to the seat Nyla had just vacated. “Dani, I’m sorry. I was going to tell you.”

She turned away from him and stared out the small window. Looking at him increased the chances of her forgiving him. And she needed to remain strong.

“Dani, please. I made a mistake, but it wasn’t malicious. I love you. I won’t ever let you down again.”

The pain in her chest howled at his declaration of love. Why did he have to say it now, when it was too late?

He reached out and grasped her hand. “I should’ve told you about the pictures and my grandmother’s blackmail immediately. I felt like it was my problem because I should’ve known better. I should’ve been more careful. And when you confided in me why you’d agreed to do the concert and what was at stake for you... I didn’t want you to worry.”

Don’t break, Dani.

She finally glanced at him. Damn, he was gorgeous. “It wasn’tyourproblem, because it affectedme.”

“I know, but I wanted to protect you. Not because I don’t think you’re capable of taking care of yourself. You are. I—” He squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head. “I watched the press hound my mother when I was younger. And there was nothing I could do about it. She was the person I loved most in this world and I... I could do nothing.”

Tears scalded the backs of her eyes and burned her throat at thepicture he painted of a young man helpless in the face of a seemingly overwhelming obstacle. A part of her understood that feeling, of wanting to do something but knowing the power to make it happen was out of your control.

“When my grandmother threatened you, I felt that same impotence. But my situation was different this time. I wasn’t a young boy. I was a man. I thought I could protect the person I loved and the thing that was most important to her.” He pushed from the chair and fell to his knees before her, dropping his head in her lap. “Dani, I’m sorry I wasn’t better at it, but I won’t let it happen again. I promise. Love... please...”

As she stared at his bent head, the vise tightening her chest eased. She loved him so much it colored what she felt, and how she acted. She believed him, trusted in his feelings for her and that his apology was heartfelt and genuine.

Plus, this man—this prince!—was on his knees! How could she believe anything else when faced with the intensity of his sorrow? It was like a Boyz II Men song come to life.

He had come for her, after all.

She ran her fingers through his hair. “Not themostimportant thing.”

Jameson gaped up at her, his blue eyes overly bright. Questioning.

Hopeful.

“You should’ve told me.”

“I know. And I won’t ever withhold information from you again.”

“You’d better not,” she warned.

“Thank God!” He stood and lifted her into his arms. “I love you, Dani. It killed me when I thought I’d lost you.”

“Me too.” She held on to him tightly, her heart thumping madly, brought back to life by his presence.

He brushed his lips tenderly against hers before exhaling in reliefand setting her on her feet. “In light of the promise I just made, I need to tell you the Palace plans to issue a statement about us. Since you wouldn’t go along with her plan, the queen is going to deny our relationship and declare they would never approve of our pairing.”

She smiled bitterly. She wasn’t surprised. The queen didn’t seem like a woman with a weak follow-through.

“Okay. Then we’ll deal with it. When I get home, I’ll sit down with Bennie and my publicist and come up with a strategy.”

“The problem with my grandmother’s plan is me. You’ll have me. She can’t deny the existence of our relationship if I’m there with you. You don’t have to handle this, or anything else, on your own. Ever again.”

Her pulse soared, and it was suddenly important to her that he know what he meant to her, too.

“I didn’t turn down the queen’s offer because I don’t love you. I do. And I want to be with you. But on our terms. They shouldn’t get to dictate what we do or how we do it. Or have a say in my career.”

She was still smarting over Marina’s comment about her image not being good enough for their family.

“I agree. But, love”—he cupped her cheek—“they’re not going anywhere. I will always be a member of the royal family. We’ll need to work out how our two worlds can coexist.”