Page 35 of Some Like It Scandalous (Going Royal #2)
Armand
“ I n what may be the most shocking turn of events this evening, the Andraste Grand Duke, Armand, arrived at the Event Center almost forty-five minutes late for the gala he is hosting with not only another woman on his arm, but three women, including internationally renowned Nikole. As you may recall, just a week ago, Nikole ‘announced’ that she and the prince were engaged. She later retracted that statement, but with her unexpected appearance at her side tonight, could the reunited love affair with Anna Novak be over already? They don’t call him the playboy prince for nothing. Back to you, Kym.”
Anna disappeared long enough that Armand began to worry.
Glad-handing his way through the crowd, he headed in the direction she disappeared.
Pulling free of Nikole, he sent her off to mingle and find a drink.
He was halfway across the ballroom when Anna reentered.
Her chin up, she didn’t look in his direction at all.
Her dazzling smile focused on the British ambassador and his wife.
She shook hands, gestured to some of the prints hanging around the room that detailed the scholarship and moved on.
Relieved that she was okay, he turned his attention to the New York bankers seeking a deal with Dagmar International.
It never failed to surprise him how many corporate heads would attend a charity event as a negotiating tactic.
The next thirty minutes passed in tedium.
Per his instructions, his personal security maintained a discreet distance, allowing him to flow through the crowd.
Two representatives from Belaria actually put in an appearance, the middle Kachusov son and his attaché. “Your Highness, it is good to see you looking so well.” His tone disagreed with the words.
“Colonel—isn’t it?” Armand enjoyed the look of surprise rippling across Kachusov’s face. He didn’t wear a uniform, but the prince made it a point to know his enemies.
“Yes, Your Highness. Although I am retired presently.”
“Ah, but the life of a military man is never complete unless his country has need of him again.” They shook hands briefly.
“Thank you for contributing to the cause. My cousin will be thrilled by the outpouring of international support for something so close to her heart.” Years of practice kept his smile firm and his tone even.
He stared into the eyes of a man who may have sent death threats to his family—or at least instigated them.
“It is a sad event to know that even princesses can grow up in abject poverty. My family wept for yours when you were at long last reunited.” The colonel touched a hand to his chest over his heart. “Though we were surprised that you allowed her to marry a commoner such as Daniel Voldakov.”
“Love knows no caste system and nor should it. Will you be writing a check to the fund tonight? I would be happy to take your donation.” He accepted a glass of champagne from the bodyguard working in the waitstaff.
“Forgive me, sir, but one wouldn’t expect you to… What is the American colloquialism? Panhandle for funds?” Kachusov’s aide’s thinly veiled contempt certainly needed some work.
“I do not think any job is too menial when the cause is precious. And I have nothing to prove—” he fixed his gaze on Kachusov, “—to anyone in any country about my intentions or otherwise. I am a content man when I can serve the needs of others—sending foster children to university is a worthy cause. As are all causes that the Dagmar Foundation champions.”
“I see. So you enjoy the simple pleasures and aren’t looking to create new ones?” The man studied him, doubt clear in his expression.
“None.”
Nikole chose that moment to breeze up to him and wrap an arm around him.
He settled a hand on her hip and smiled at Kachusov.
“And what more pleasures could I need than these?” He switched to Russian, because he had no interest in encouraging Nikole’s behavior further than what suited the situation.
“Excuse me.” The silky thread of Anna’s voice cascaded through the room’s sound system.
Conversations halted and eyes turned toward the stage.
Anna stood there, smiling and graceful. “I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for joining us this evening and to our host, the Andraste Grand Duke for his generosity reflected in this event. In a few moments, we will invite you into the next room for dinner and a small presentation about the scholarship fund. For those of you that have already opened your hearts and your wallets to support the Princess Alyxandretta Dagmar Scholarship, I cannot thank you enough, but by your very presence here tonight you are sending a clear message that everyone deserves the opportunity to fly.”
Her gaze landed on him, like a butterfly, gentle and seemingly serene, before moving on. Even the quietest of whispers faded as they listened.
“My parents had six children—all of us big dreamers with huge plans because they encouraged us to seize every opportunity, to fight for what we believed was right and to take risks. With risk comes great reward and sometimes great disappointment. But whether you have a lot of money or none, what truly makes a difference is having the support of people who believe in you.”
She licked her lips, the gesture so open and vulnerable could captivate even the hardest of hearts.
“I learned the hard way that support comes in all shapes and sizes. It comes from telling the truth…and sometimes from lying. It comes from meaning well and wanting the best… To doing what is right and what is just. It comes from walking away when nothing else can be done and staying to fight even when all hope is lost. I learned that education is more than facts and figures, history, and dates. It’s discovering who you are—because that is the person you will always be—even when the world batters you, challenges you, tries to tear you down and build you up—” She swallowed hard.
Nikole leaned over to murmur in his ear and he silenced her with a look.
She withdrew her arm and backed away a step.
On the stage Anna collected herself. “This scholarship says that hope is never lost and even if you don’t know who you are yet, I—” she stretched her hand to the crowd, “— we believe in you. We know you can be the person you were meant to be, the person you can be, and we will support you in your choices and your decisions.”
He didn’t imagine it. She looked right at him.
“Trust is a leap of faith. Tonight, we are trusting these students to take these advantages and leap with them as they become who they were meant to be. Thank you very much.”
Applause rose to deafening levels and Anna swiped at her cheek and smiled as she turned to shake hands with a dozen well-wishers. They closed in on the stage, but her security was there and they kept them from getting too close in larger than groups of one or two.
“Many men would follow a woman like that,” Kachusov said in Russian, resuming their conversation as if it hadn’t been interrupted.
“Perhaps, but she has no desire to lead—only help those less fortunate.” He dragged his gaze away and fought to keep a bored look on his face.
“Which is not as much fun as she makes it sound. If you gentlemen will excuse me…” He strolled away, his skin crawling with a thousand ants nibbling at him.
He wanted to go over and sweep Anna up in his arms, congratulate her on the brilliant speech.
But dismissing her publicly—it would protect her.
And he wanted her alive more.
ANNA
“Are you ready to go in?” Kyle slipped up to stand right at her elbow. The doors on the other end of the grand ballroom opened and guests began to filter in to their tables.
“In a minute.” She’d managed to keep from searching the room for the last hour, but when she’d looked at Charlie during the speech, a pulse went through her.
For those few seconds, they connected—really connected.
Gaze skimming the crowd, she searched for him now.
When she located him, he stood near the entrance—alone.
As in without his security alone.
What is he doing? Where are they?
Frowning, she picked up her skirt and started forward.
A series of popping noises bounced beneath the noise of the crowd.
Anna didn’t make it another step. Kyle’s hand locked on her arm and suddenly she was up off the ground and going backward.
Armand disappeared out the door and three security suits surged forward.
“Wait.” She fought Kyle’s arm, but he didn’t slow.
Kate was right in front of her—and Anna barely had time to process the fact that her “assistant” had a gun.
Three additional guards closed around them.
They didn’t slow until they were out a side door and she was tucked into a car. Kyle slipped into the front seat.
“What’s going on?” She couldn’t swallow the sour taste of fear in her throat or banish the quaver from her voice.
Kate stared at her for a half second. “Novak secure.” She closed the door and banged the roof. They were leaving their own party.
“Kyle.” She reached forward to touch the seat. “What happened?”
“Shots fired. Hang on…” He clearly listened to whatever chatter happened on his earbud. The SUV swung around a hard corner and she held on to the seat to stay upright.
Charlie was by himself.
He’d arrived with a gaggle of old girlfriends.
He’d ignored her.
But that moment…that moment during her speech when she’d looked at him—she didn’t imagine that.
He made himself the target…
She closed her eyes as they swung around another corner. He was so upset about Richard. He sent his brothers away. He must have arranged to sweep Alyx out of the country. He buried her in guards—her “loaned” assistant apparently had been one too.
And he walked through that crowd alone, unguarded and highly visible.
Please let him be okay.