Chapter 3 #2
"It turned out that she works as an escort and lives with Spencer's new nanny.
Can you fucking believe this shit?" he asked me, and I instantly knew that these kinds of coincidences didn't just happen.
I had warned Spencer about his nanny. I told him she was a liability, and yet the fucker hired her.
"No, because we both know this is bullshit, and I hope that you're staying away from her?"
"I am, but it will not be easy, because I want her, and I can't stop fucking thinking about her," he confessed, and I was ready to give him a lecture, but I didn't have the mental capacity to do that right then. My brother was a grown man; he knew how to handle life.
"Then don't cry to me in a few weeks when things go to shit and I have to fix your mess again. That girl is not worth the hassle," I warned him, quickly adding, "Goodbye, brother. I'll check the CCTVs over and get back to you soon."
Then I hung up, because I knew this conversation would last another half an hour.
I knew I needed to prepare mentally for being with the Princess from tomorrow, as my family pushed my limits.
Deep down, I knew she was going to be a challenge.
Her effect on me was unlike anything I'd experienced before, making her dangerous.
A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Mr. Banks?" Evangeline's voice carried through the door, crisp and imperious. "I need to speak with you."
Fuck. I glanced at the clock—nearly 9 PM. I opened the door to find her wearing casual clothes—jeans and a soft sweater that somehow made her look approachable and untouchable. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and those blue eyes were bright with determination.
"Your Highness. It's late."
"I'm aware of the time." She pushed past me into the room without invitation, and I had to suppress the urge to grab her arm and escort her back out. "I heard you've been demanding room changes and security reviews."
"That's correct." I left the door open—partly for propriety, mainly because being alone with her in a bedroom felt dangerous. "Is there a problem?"
"Several." She turned to face me, arms crossed. "First, you've upset half the palace staff with your ultimatums. Second, you're treating our security team like they're incompetent—"
"They are incompetent." I kept my voice level. "Cameron's breach proved that."
Her eyes flashed. "Cameron made one mistake—"
"One mistake that could have gotten you killed." I stepped closer, using my height to tower over her. "Tell me, Princess, how many death threats have you received in the past month?"
She hesitated, and I knew I'd hit a nerve. "That's confidential information."
"Not from your bodyguard, it isn't. This brings me to my third point: if you want me to protect you, you don't get to withhold information or override my security decisions. I am here for your protection, princess."
"I see." Her voice was dangerously quiet. "And if I disagree with your... methods?"
"Then you can find yourself another bodyguard.
" I shrugged, though we both knew that wasn't an option.
"But until you do, we do this my way."We stood in tense silence for a moment, the air crackling with hostility and something else I didn't want to name.
Then she smiled—a sharp, brittle thing that didn't reach her eyes.
"How refreshing. A man who thinks he can control a princess." She moved toward the door, pausing for a moment. "Sleep well, Mr. Banks. Tomorrow should be... interesting."
The door closed with a soft click that sounded more ominous than if she'd slammed it.
A few more meters, just a few more meters.
Something or someone was chasing me, and I have never been more scared.
It was a dream; it must have been a dream; otherwise, I knew I was going to die.
I was running through the forest in the darkness; sweat was dripping down my face, and my chest was fucking burning.
The pounding of feet behind me grew louder.
I could hear the howling, then the yapping and growling of animals; there were several of them, maybe wolves.
The adrenaline was rushing through me, but I was slowing down.
My legs felt like lead. I dropped to the ground, rolling for several meters.
Disoriented and gasping for breath, I looked up, staring into the eyes of the biggest beast I've ever seen.
The wolf approached slowly, baring its teeth, while my heart was jackhammering in my chest. I didn't know how I had found myself in this situation.
Where the fuck was my gun or a knife? I stared at the yellow eyes of the beast, knowing that I had to fight, or I would die.
I woke up in the darkness, panting and shaking. For a split second, I didn't know where I was or what was going on, but I soon realised I had had another nightmare. I dragged my hand through my hair, exhaling loudly as I sat straight, trying to get my chaotic thoughts in order.
The nightmares always intensified when I felt my control slipping. First with the Princess's unexpected effect on me, now with these dreams. I couldn't afford to be vulnerable—not when someone's life depended on my focus.
After catching my breath, I got up and headed to the bathroom.
My clothes were stuck to my fucking body.
Sweat drenched me. It was one of those nights when the nightmares rolled in.
Usually, I didn't remember any of them, but I recalled this one.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, thinking again about therapy.
After Iraq, it was mandatory to see a specialist, but later on, I refused to go.
The nightmares always got worse when I felt I wasn't in control.
Meeting the Princess had thrown me off balance in a way I hadn't experienced since returning from Iraq.
This had been going on for years, but lately, the nightmares were much more intense, and the flashbacks were the worst. I never used to sleep much, but since I came back, my insomnia has been much more frequent.
I washed my face, returned to bed, and knew I'd need to work more tomorrow to secure a replacement.
I was not entirely on form yet and couldn't jeopardize the Princess's life.
The palace investigators shared some info, but I knew they hid more from me.
It felt like I would regret staying. I had never been so immediately and intensely attracted to a client.
Some had been exceptional beauties, but none had affected me like this.
Princess Evangeline Romanov could be the first one who could truly break me.