Chapter 14
“So, we’re agreed?” Khal firmly asserted. “You’ll spend time here, then Angela will spend time in Ginisia. She’ll return and both of you will continue with your lives. If the press asks, the answer will be that the wedding planning is taking some time due to the political issues that need to be worked through.”
Tiro stared at the big man. That was the agreement that he’d originally agreed to. But he’d stood beside Angela and felt her trembling. He’d been shocked, and touched, when the woman had stepped in front of him, as if she wanted to protect him from Zayn.
The darling woman had tried to protect him !
Tiro hadn’t been able to speak for a long moment. No one had ever tried to protect him before. Never! He’d always been the protector! It had been his life ’s goal to ensure that everyone in his country was safe and thriving.
Granted, he had bodyguards with him constantly. However, Angela’s gentle nature wasn’t trained to protect. She was a brilliant diplomat, and he doubted that she’d be able to stop a man the size of Zayn.
And yet, the crown prince had stopped when Angela had stepped in front of Tiro. What the hell did that mean?
“Sheik el Maistri?” the older leader prompted.
Tiro blinked, then focused on his rival. Oddly, the old, competitive feelings didn’t rise up. Tiro didn’t feel as if he needed to best this man. He could. Tiro had absolute confidence that he would come out the winner in any competition.
However, he wasn’t as confident about an idea that had just popped into his head. So, instead of voicing the additional option, he nodded at the ruler. “Yes. That’s the current plan.”
Sheik Khal’s eyes slowly narrowed, but Tiro didn’t react in any way. He remained silent. Expressionless. Then he waited for the older man to understand what he’d just implied.
A moment later, Khal’s features cleared. Slowly, the leader of Lativa nodded and there was an unexpected, almost amused, expression in his eyes. He nodded again, then stood up, extending his hand. “Excellent.”
Tiro shook the man’s hand, appreciating his firm grip. “Thank you for your understanding.”
The other man chuckled, shaking his head as if he’d just come to some sort of epiphany. “You’re an impressive ass.”
Tiro grinned. “Now you’re just trying to flatter me.”
That earned him another chuckle. “I understand that my staff have arranged several days of entertainment for you and Angela.”
“Will the entertainment be public?”
“No,” he assured Tiro. “My staff will update the rest of the world through press releases. Since your time here is largely ceremonial, we didn’t think that photographic evidence of your activities would be required.”
Tiro considered for a moment, considering several angles. Then he looked up, hoping that his expression was still bland. “I think we should release some photos. They don’t have to involve an invasion of Princess Angela’s privacy, but the press will be better appeased if they have something to show their readers.”
Khal’s lips pressed together as he contemplated that idea. Then he nodded. “Fine. My assistant will arrange it.”
“Excellent,” Tiro replied, already wondering when the first “entertainment” would be. He’d suggested photo ops for the press simply because he suspected that Khal and his brothers, especially Prince Raj, were going to hide Angela away while he was here.
That simply wasn’t on his agenda, Tiro thought with determination.
So, it was a surprise when he walked out of Khal’s office to find Angela in the reception area, pacing back and forth. Was she muttering to herself ? Her lips were moving, but he couldn’t hear her words.
“Angela!” Khal snapped. “What are you doing out here?”
Angela spun around, her eyes wide at being caught in such an awkward predicament. But the lovely woman rallied quickly and boldly stepped forward. “Uncle Khal, you know I won’t allow Zayn or the others to hurt Tiro, right?”