Page 75 of Royal Trouble

More importantly, if things went as well as Marisa hoped, she’d be able to pay off her mom’s medical bills and start her life without the fear of exposure hanging over her head.

Despite her excitement, doubt niggled at the back of her mind. Was she making a mistake? Sure, it seemed like a good idea tucked away in the privacy of Lucy’s apartment, but would she still feel the same once her story was out in the world and she had to face the consequences?

Yes. The truth will come out eventually. It’s better to control the narrative.

She just hoped Xander would understand. Given his history, she wasn’t sure how he’d respond to the news. It might take some time for him to accept it, but surely he’d come to see that it was the right move. For both of them.

The email notification on her phone pinged, a welcome distraction. She normally kept her phone on silent when writing. It was too easy to get distracted and fall down a rabbit hole called research, but today she’d forgotten.

Her brows shot up in surprise as she saw Guy Larson’s name in her inbox. What could he possibly want now? He’d made himself quite clear during their last conversation.

Curious, she tapped the email.

There was a single line of text:Your work?

What the hell?

Everly clicked the link below and watched in horror asThe Daily Scooploaded in her browser with the headlineWho’s Your Daddy?Below, there was a picture of Xander spliced with a picture of the lab envelope lying on his desk, surrounded by family photos.

A wave of nausea passed over her. Thank God she was already sitting, because her knees surely would’ve buckled. She quickly scanned the article, which was light on content and heavy on speculation. The author rehashed the old rumors about the queen’s rumored affair with her tennis instructor, who bore a striking resemblance to the royal spare. Aside from the photograph of the lab envelope, the article was pure conjecture.

There wasn’t even mention of the results.

Whether that was because they’d be revealed at a later date or because the author didn’t have them was anyone’s guess. She swallowed hard and closed her browser. How the fuck hadThe Daily Scoopfound out about Xander’s paternity test? It made no sense.

Her pulsed thundered at her temple. They’d been so careful. She’d used a reputable lab and checked the samples in under her own name. There’d been nothing to tie the test to Xander.

Xander.

Her hand flew to her mouth. This would destroy him.

Without another thought, she grabbed her keys and bolted for the door. She had to go to him. He shouldn’t be alone at a time like this. He was vulnerable enough without this tabloid trash.

She broke about fifty different traffic laws in her haste to get to the palace, but it didn’t matter. Getting to Xander was the only thing on her mind.

Well, that and finding the anonymous source who’d brought this PR nightmare down on his head. If she ever found out who’d done this, well, she didn’t know what she’d do. She didn’t consider herself a violent person, but she’d also never had anyone in her life she cared about as much as she cared about Xander, and she wouldn’t—couldn’t—sit idly by while he was being attacked in the media.

I love him.

The realization pulled her up short. Against all odds, she’d fallen in love with Alexander Stanley. Foolishly. Fiercely. Completely.

Sometime between bouts of seasickness, stag night shenanigans, and kitchen fires, she’d fallen totally and utterly in love with the prince. She’d come to know a side of him he shared with very few people, and it made her want to protect him with every fiber of her being, the same way he strove to protect those around him. Beneath the swagger and charm, there was a real man.

One with a kind heart, a passion for life, and an unsinkable spirit.

The knowledge made the attack on him a hundred times worse than anything she’d ever endured, because she was powerless to shield him. There was nothing she could say or do to make it right—no way to ease his pain—but she could be there for him.

It would have to be enough. For now, anyway.

The guards admitted her without question when she arrived at the gate. That had to be a good sign, right? She sure as hell hoped so as she pulled up in front of Primrose Cottage. The place looked as cheerful and serene as ever, despite the black cloud of despair that no doubt shrouded its owner. She threw the car in park, flinging her door open even as she cut the engine.

Xander met her at the door, and her heart squeezed painfully at the sight of him. She’d never seen him like this before, not even in his worst moments. His hair was mussed and his shirt was untucked, but it was the look of sheer annihilation in his eyes that cracked her heart wide open.

We can still fix this. The results haven’t been printed.

Shit. Had he even looked at them yet?

“Are you okay?” she asked, taking a tentative step forward. Which was silly. He wasn’t a wounded animal, even if he looked like one at the moment. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked that. I’m so sorry, Xander.”