Page 89 of The Reluctant Wife

"I’ll wait for you in the war room, and let them know…uh… That you’ll be there soon." Tyler’s steps recede.

I bang the back of my head against the wall. "Goddam Tyler," I say through gritted teeth.

The princess pulls away from me. I let her. "I should be getting back. They’ll be wondering what I’m getting up to."

She takes a step back, but I stop her with a touch on her shoulder. "You okay?" I scan her features. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen. It’s clear what she’s been up to, and while I don’t want her to be embarrassed, I’m satisfied that I’ve left my mark on her.

She draws in a breath then composes herself. Once again, she’s the haughty princess. "I will be." Her chin trembles, and I realize, no, she more resembles the girl I spotted at the bar and wanted to take home.

It elicits in me that same primitive instinct I had to possess her as soon as I saw her. The compulsion propelled me, for the first time, to see past my guilt at the events in my past. A compulsion which gave me hope and felt like redemption. It’s what spurs me to confess, "You’re the first woman I’ve wanted since Jane.”

Her gaze widens. "So, when we kissed at the bar other day?—"

I nod. “I saw you, and I was selfish enough to want you.”

A softness comes into her eyes. "You’re not being selfish by falling in love. You deserve to be happy, Ryot."

"And you deserve to be with someone you choose to be with."

Say you chose me that very first night we met, too,I implore her silently.Tell me you, too, have feelings for me. Give me areason for this marriage to become something more than one of convenience.Her expression grows wistful.

She looks at me with an imploring gaze but stays silent. The seconds stretch, then she looks away. "I’d better be off.”

This time, when she leaves, I don’t stop her.

I head off in the opposite direction, through the hallway, down the corridor, until I reach the room at the very end, which has been converted into our meeting space. I walk in to find the bank of computers set up on the tables pushed up against the wall on the right occupied by various crew members.

Upfront is a big screen, split into many windows, each of which shows the feed from different parts of the grounds. It includes all shared spaces from the palace, except for the suites of the Royal Family and the guests. The private suites of the princess, have additional cameras. Only I have access to via my phone.

There’s a conference table on the left and Tyler, Quentin, and Brody are gathered around it. Connor’s off on one of his research trips. I also recognize Karina Beauchamp, a friend who runs one of the leading security agencies in the world and whose expertise and team I’ve tapped into in the past.

Tyler watches me with concern on his face. Thankfully, he doesn’t mention having found me with the princess. He’s the most discreet of my brothers. Unlike Connor, who wouldn’t have thought twice about telling everyone what I was up to.

"There you are,” Tyler says with sarcasm. "Not even married to the princess, and already behaving like royalty."

I ignore him and turn to Karina. "Thanks for joining us."

She nods in my direction. "Arpad wasn’t happy about my being away. But when I explained what it would mean to you, he agreed."

"Tell the big guy, thanks.” I met Arpad and Karina at Sinclair’s place and instantly hit it off with them. And when Ifound out Karina’s background was in personal protection, and that Sinclair uses her agency to provide security for his own family, I knew I could rely on her.

"Including Karina’s team, we have a total of five hundred operatives spread out around the palace grounds." Quentin nods in her direction. "We’ve also boosted the camera surveillance on the perimeter and have armed guards with guard dogs patrolling the area. On the wedding day itself, and the day following it, the number doubles to a thousand.

“Enough to provide security for all VIPs, as well as doubling the protective detail so no inch of the palace is left vulnerable."

"We’re sewn tighter than a baseball’s cover," Tyler grunts.

"Any more, and we’ll be as tight as a duck’s arsehole," Brody drawls.

"It’s not enough." I fold my arms across my chest and scowl at them. I realize, I might be a tad unreasonable here, but when it comes to keeping my Empress safe, no security measure seems to be enough.

"You’re joking," Tyler protests.

Brody stares at me like I’ve grown two heads. Only Quentin and Karina don’t seem surprised.

"How many guests will be attending." Karina pulls up her tablet and swipes across the screen.

"Five hundred at the wedding in St. George’s Cathedral. Two hundred of them will be at the evening reception." I rub at my temples.

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