Page 27 of His Runaway Princess

But Ryker was an expert in body-language. He had to be. Nothing in their demeanor - how they held their bodies, how they gripped their pens, the looks they exchanged - told him he would feel negative repercussions from how things went down.

After over an hour and a half, the inquisition came to an end. Ryker hadn’t given them every little detail about his time with the princess. He hadn’t mentioned the kiss or the fact they’d fallen asleep together the night before. Of all the things that might get him in trouble, those two were the most likely. It seemed unlikely this was the group of people who would be the most upset about those two items.

Once finished, Ryker went to a secure room where he waited for a video chat with Justin.

“Is it still morning there?” Justin’s voice came through the speakers a few seconds before his face appeared on the monitor.

Ryker checked his watch. “Barely.”

“Well, good morning then.” His boss leaned back in his desk chair. “How are things?”

“Fine, I think. I just left a meeting with security personnel from Ravenzario and Øyanord. They didn’t give any indications that I should be concerned.”

Justin’s face remained serious. “Let’s start with what happened. Pretend I have no idea why you sent such an informal, irreverent email toTiny.”

He didn’t already know? Ryker launched into his story again, going into more detail than the first time to hopefully eliminate most of the questions later. Justin interrupted a few times, asking for clarification, but otherwise simply listened.

Justin tapped his pen against the desk. “From what you’ve said, given the communications issues, you absolutely did the right thing. The only possible difference I might be able suggest would be going to a police station or finding the local branch of their investigative agency.”

“If I’d seen the man while we were out and about, I might have. Given our proximity to the yacht when I did, with its extra security, that seemed the most prudent decision. As soon as Prince Nicklaus and Princess Yvette walked into yesterday’s lunch, I knew it would only be a matter of time before the teams arrived. Honestly, I expected them last night.”

“Why didn’t you go to security at the Baicampo property yesterday?” Justin had a way of looking right through you, even from across a computer screen.

Ryker had been turning the question over in his mind. “I didn’t want to upset the princess. I truly believed security, or at least Princess Yvette, would be arriving at the cabin at any moment. Letting it take the natural course seemed like the right move.”

What he didn’t tell his boss?

That the best kiss of his life wouldn’t have happened if he’d gone straight to security.

And that would be the greatest loss of all.

* * *

As Amalia climbedout of the helicopter, she found herself searching for Ryker without realizing that’s what she was doing.

They landed at a secondary location then were taken by SUV to the palace. Surely, he would be waiting for her there.

Once inside, she was taken to a large room with a fireplace big enough to live in and quickly found herself alone.

She looked around and wondered why she’d been left without anyone to accompany her. They clearly knew she wasn’t a security risk. She wasn’t even certain where her actual phone was at the moment. The throwaway she’d bought had also disappeared, probably in the suitcase or purse Ryker had purchased before they left on the excursion.

Which reminded her, she needed to make certain he was repaid every bit of what he spent - and then some. Make sure he was compensated for any lost wages and travel arrangements.

The door opened and her parents rushed through with her mother reaching Amalia first. Amalia found herself in a tight hug with her father’s arms around both of them.

Her mother’s tears brought tears to Amalia’s eyes as well. She’d known she was all right, but, though the concern her parents would have gone through had occurred to her, she hadn’t really thought it would be quite this bad. She’d thought they’d realize she left just to get a little space but clearly not.

“You’re really all right?” her mother whispered, pulling back enough to look Amalia in her eyes and reaching up to brush a piece of Amalia’s hair back.

“I’m fine, Mum. I promise. I just needed to get away for a little bit. That’s all.” She moved away from her mum and reached out to give her father a hug.

He held her tightly. “We were worried, princess.”

Her father had always called her that. Always reminded her it had nothing to do with her lineage, but that she would have been his princess no matter what - and that she would always be a princess because she was a child of the King of Kings. It had nothing to do with her mother or grandfather, but her Heavenly Father.

“I’m sorry, Papa. I just needed some time.”

“If you just need time like that again, let us know. We’ll arrange for some time away from everything and everyone.” He kissed the top of her head. “But just sneaking off? That’s dangerous, princess.”

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