Chapter 3 #2
“My father was on a tour of Australia and met my mother at a local pub. Their gazes met across the room, and the rest is history. My mother is an open, friendly, gorgeous woman, and she helped my very proper, slightly stuffy father unbend. They love each other.”
“And your mother gave up her life in Australia to move to Europe with your father?”
“Yes. She learned several languages, learned royal etiquette, and became beloved by the Caldovan people. She’s wonderful.” Sofie ate some more salad. “Oh, I have one other thing to tell you.”
Rome’s shoulders stiffened.
“No more stalkers, murderers, or thieves, I promise.” Well, that wasn’t exactly the truth, but she wasn’t going into that with him. “I have some visitors arriving after lunch.”
Rome leaned back. “I figured you’d rest after your flight.”
“And lie around like princesses do?” Her tone was sharp. “Maybe order some servants around, or get a massage?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Sofie sniffed. “I know. Sorry. I’m used to people making lots of assumptions about princesses.
” She chewed her chicken and swallowed. “It’s a mother and daughter.
My charity organized it. They won an afternoon tea with a princess.
They’re domestic-violence survivors.” Sadness moved through her.
“The woman lost her son. The father beat him to death. He was nine.”
Rome’s fingers clenched into a fist.
“The man’s in jail, and the woman and her six-year-old daughter are safe now.”
“With the help of your charity?”
She lifted her chin. “Yes.”
He stayed silent, that x-ray gaze boring into her. “I’ll sort out security for their visit.”
“Thank you.”
He tried his salad and grunted.
“What?” she asked.
“Guess I didn’t think princesses could cook. This is good.”
Sofie felt a flush of pride. “Thank you.” She reached out to grab the salt shaker, just as Rome did the same thing. They ended up face to face, their mouths inches apart.
She sucked in a breath, sensation rippling through her.
Rome’s gaze dropped to her lips.
“Rome—”
“Can’t happen.”
She swallowed. “Are you sure?”
He groaned. “Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
“You mean the situation…?”
“I mean the situation, but it applies to other things as well.” His tone was dry.
Her gaze dropped to his lap and her eyes widened. There was a very distinct bulge in the front of his trousers. She licked her lips, heat coiling through her.
He groaned. “Sofia, if you don’t stop staring at my cock, we’re going to have a problem.”
She gasped. She wanted a problem. She really, really wanted it.
His cell phone rang. Muttering a curse, he yanked it out. “Nash?” Pause. “Okay, I’ll let her know.” He ended the call. “Your guests are five minutes away, so you’d better get dressed.”
She nodded and pulled in a shaky breath. Duty called.
* * *
Rome checked his watch. Princess Sofia’s guests were coming up the front path.
He glanced up the stairs. She’d gone up to change.
He was concerned about the stalker business. His instincts were itching. He planned to send the note, now in a Ziploc bag, to the Norcross Office to get analyzed. Vander used an outside lab that was brilliant.
Rome liked to consider all angles, and cross all his Ts and dot all his Is.
He heard the click of heels.
He turned and his gut clenched.
Sofia came down the stairs. Slim, black pants fitted her like a glove, and ended at her slender ankles. Her white shirt had a ruffle at the neck, and a narrow, black belt cinched around her waist.
She gave him one of those polite princess smiles, and was holding a box in her hands.
She didn’t look like the same woman who’d easily moved around the kitchen in a robe. Or who had a naval piercing.
His phone pinged. It was a message from the outside guard. “Your guests are here.”
The doorbell rang, and Sofia moved past him and pulled the door open.
A thin woman stood on the doorstep, her brown hair neatly tied back, and a nervous smile on her face. A small, blonde girl was clinging to her leg, wearing a pink dress.
“Hello,” Sofia said. “You must be Ellen and Amanda.”
“Oh, um, hi,” the woman swallowed. “We’ve never met a princess before.”
Sofia smiled and held out her hand. “I’m Princess Sofia of Caldova. I’m so pleased to meet you. Come in.”
Both the woman and girl shot nervous glances at Rome. He was used to people looking at him. He was big, he was black, and he didn’t have an easygoing, overly friendly countenance.
But he realized that this was something more than that.
“Oh, don’t mind Rome,” Sofia said. “He’s a big teddy bear, and he protects people. He’s my bodyguard.”
Ellen and her daughter looked at him, eyes wide.
He pulled back in the doorway so he didn’t make them nervous. He had no idea exactly what they’d been through, what they’d survived, but he guessed they’d been taught to be wary of big guys.
They settled in the living room. Sofia ducked out to the kitchen and came back with a tray of pink cupcakes.
“I had these especially ordered for us. Princesses love cupcakes.”
“I love them too,” the little girl said.
“Excellent. I’ve heard that you’ve both been very brave. I really wanted to meet you.”
The girl’s smile trembled and her mother managed a smile. Sofia grabbed Ellen’s hand and she shared a look with the woman.
“I thought princesses wore tiaras,” little Amanda whispered quietly.
“Well—” Sofia leaned forward. “You’re right, but I usually only wear them for special occasions. I have a very large collection.”
The girl gasped. “Really?”
“Really.” Sofia grabbed the box she’d brought down with her, set it in the center of the coffee table, and flicked open the lid.
Amanda’s mouth dropped open.
Rome watched as Sofia lifted a gleaming tiara out of the box.
“This is one of my favorites. My grandfather gave it to my grandmother on their wedding day.”
“It’s so pretty.” The girl reached a hand out.
“Amanda, no touching,” her mother said quickly.
Sofia smiled. “I have a better idea. How about you wear it for your visit?” She gently settled it on the girl’s head.
Amanda just giggled.
“Oh, it’s too—” Ellen leaned forward.
“It’s fine.” Sofia adjusted the tiara. “It looks beautiful on you.” She gestured to Ellen. “How about some photos?”
Ellen pulled a phone out of her handbag.
As they laughed together, and took some selfies, Sofia asked Amanda about school. Rome leaned against the wall and watched them.
He listened to Sofia laugh—a bright sound, unfeigned.
Who the hell was this woman? Once, he’d help guard some Spanish royalty. The woman hadn’t spoken directly to him once, and there had been plenty of orders. No one was to touch her, or her things.
Sofia was letting a six-year-old wear a priceless, family heirloom with a ruby the size of an egg in the center.
Rome pulled out his phone and messaged Ace Olivera, the tech guru at Norcross Security.
You got the princess’ itinerary?
Yes. Already putting together security briefs on location and players.
Thanks.
Heard your princess is a looker.
Yeah. They call her the Ice Princess.
But Rome knew that didn’t apply. Not at all.
Ice melts, Rome.
He rolled his eyes.
She has a stalker.
Fuck.
I’ve got a note the asshole slipped into her bag. Can you send someone over to collect it? See if we can get anything off it.
On it.
Checking back into the living room, he saw Sofia had Amanda in her lap. The little girl had tears glimmering in her eyes.
“I miss Jack. I don’t know why daddy had to hurt him.”
“I know, baby. Your daddy is very, very sick. And Jack will always be in your heart, no matter what.”
It was like a kick to Rome’s gut. He thought of Lola. His sister who would never grow any older.
“I lost my best friend Tori, only three years ago,” Sofia said.
“She died?” the girl asked.
“Yes. Some bad men hurt her. But at night, when I look at the stars, if I see a bright one twinkle at me, I know it’s Tori looking down.”
“Mom, can we look at the stars? Can we see if we can spot Jack?”
“Sure thing, baby girl,” Ellen said, voice thick.
Rome moved away from the living room, careful not to make any sound. He did a lap of the house and checked in with the exterior guards.
Who is this friend that Sofia had lost? He guessed even he had the stupid idea that princesses were shielded from life’s worst hardships. But even royalty were just people.
When he returned, there was a knock at the front door. A security guard ready to show Ellen and Amanda out.
“It was so great to meet you.” Sofia knelt to eye level with the girl. “You keep trying hard, and being brave. Remember on sad days, hug your mom. She gets sad, too. We all do.”
“Thank you, Princess Sofia.” Amanda gave Sofia a tight hug.
“Thank you so much.” Ellen smiled. The woman was far more relaxed than when she’d first arrived. “Your charity saved our lives.”
“No, you saved your lives,” Sofia said. “But I am glad my charity could help ease the way.”
Ellen smiled down at her beaming daughter. “She hasn’t been this happy in a long time. Thank you again.”
Sofia closed the door. Rome watched her slump against the wall.
“You all right?”
She jumped, pressing a hand to her chest. “Oh my gosh, Rome, make some more noise. No sneaking up on me.”
He just watched her.
“I’m fine. Or I will be. It’s just so sad, knowing what they’ve been through.”
A cell phone rang.
“That’s mine!” She ran past him.
In the kitchen, she was talking on the phone.
“Luis, you’re an angel . I can’t wait to see what you’ve put together for me.” She placed a hand over the phone. “My local designer has dresses to bring over for my interviews and for the gala. I need to try them on. He’s going to come over tomorrow morning.”
“I have to check him out.”
“He was on the original list.”
“Name?” Rome pulled out his phone and opened the list.
“Luis Medrano.”
Rome checked the list. Ace had run background checks on everyone. The man checked out. “Okay.”
She sniffed. “Thank you. Luis wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s likely to either cower at the sight of you…or ask you out.”
Rome scowled, and Sofia smiled.