Page 40 of Hiding out with a Royal Billionaire

She melted into his strong chest. And then as soon as his arms were around her, she felt her sorrow come to the surface, all the worry, the stress, the jealousy, everything came forward at once and she sobbed deep cries into his shirt.

He just held her. Nothing needed to be said. And she was grateful he knew that.

When her breathing evened out, she at last said, “I love you Brooks.”

He squeezed her tighter and kissed the top of her head. “I love you too Skye.”

* * *

Two weeksafter Skye’s one and only time spent as a secret agent, she stood with Brooks in the sanctuary of the beautiful cathedral in Madrid and presented Queen Anna with the cross. The queen kissed it and held it up in the air and then crossed herself in the familiar Catholic manner. “Thank you. To think what you went through to keep it safe.”

Skye and Brooks just smiled. With her hand encased in his and The Green Dragon all but bankrupt and off in hiding, Skye was feeling pretty safe in the world again. Brooks had immediately gone after their company, cutting off their finances and buying out what he could. The most non-violent revenge she could have imagined. And a most effective way to keep them safe. But they were gone and their map to his island had not yet been sent out to the gamers. So with the island hideaway still blessedly hidden and nothing on the calendar for the next little bit, Skye and Brooks planned to head there as soon as they were finished at the church.

Had they figured everything out? No. Did she know where things were going between them? No. But he was her best friend first and most of all so they had just continued as they always had, not addressing any of the intensity of the past month.

As they exited the church, her hand happily still encased in his, Brooks turned to her. “Race you to the car?”

“You’re on!” She took off as fast as she could, knowing that Brooks always won. Once he turned fifteen, she couldn’t win any longer. But she tried every time anyway. They raced to the car, jumping over and around the tourists all lined up taking pictures of the beautiful cathedral. They’d advertised the cross and many of the local devouts were waiting to see the first new relic the world had seen in over three hundred years. The whole group of pigeons flew up into the air as Brooks tore through them.

He beat her to the car by only a hair’s distance and then he held the door open, bowing, “your highness.”

“Thank you.” She slid in, catching her breath and reached for a water bottle.

When Brooks joined her, she handed him a water but he tossed it aside and scooted as close as he could.

“Skye.”

She took a sip of water. “Mm?”

“Skye.”

She stopped and looked at him full in the face. His eyes were full of a wonderful intensity.

“Brooks.”

He lifted her hand in his own. “So, we’re gonna try this vacation again only this time we aren’t dodging spears deep under the water.”

“Or being surrounded by teams of security guys.”

“No Chase?” He was joking but Skye saw the hint of insecurity before he laughed it off.

“He’s no Brooks.”

He sat taller. “You’re right He’s not.”

She laughed, then sobered. Should she broach the topic that most concerned them both? “And missions?”

He played with a piece of her hair. “I have news.”

Her heart sunk. “What kind of news?”

“I’ve resigned.”

“What?” A huge rush of conflicting emotions flowed through her. Thrilled that she wouldn’t be worried about Brooks but even more than that, she was concerned. “But I thought you wanted to do a few more missions…shut down the larger traffickers?” She held her breath, hoping that Brooks really was happy in his decision.

“Well. Once I put Chase in charge…”

“You did?” She couldn’t help her smile.

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