Page 43 of Powerful Prince
“Okay.” She trotted outside with me. Beside her, I was calmer, but as we made it onto the street to return to the hotel in town, she bumped into me and said, “We’re alone now. What happened?”
I glanced at my side. Nicole was vibrant and alive in a way I’d never been. I knew better than to believe we had a love-filled future, but her nearness sent hope in my veins and butterflies in my belly. I wasn’t sure what this meant, but she deserved the truth. “He believes the photos you took in your room violate castle security as the tower can be figured out from the angles of your photos.”
She reached in her phone and swiped and hit buttons fast as she said, “Oh, wow. I’ll take them down, but I don’t know if anyone might have downloaded them already, or taken a screen shot.”
I put my hand in front of her to stop her. “I told him he didn’t get control of your blog or social media. He disagreed.”
She put her phone back in her pocket and asked, “So what do we do?”
I stopped. I didn’t care that we were about to enter the small fishing town where people might see us. “I’m hoping you’ll marry me without my father’s approval.”
She stepped back, took out her phone, and stared at the street and not at me. “I don’t know right now.”
Fuck. I knew better than to believe in love. I’d been rejected for years, so this wasn’t anything new. I stared back at the palace and said, “I asked for too much.”
She patted my arm and her touch sent a thrill through me like we were the only people in the world. “That’s not it. I need time. I’ve texted Frank. I’ll take the photos down, and give the crown the right to censor me while I’m in the castle, or any military place, or with your family.”
She hadn’t wanted me to know her plan. The chill in my body lessened. I hadn’t expected this switch and I rubbed my forehead. “That’s okay with you?”
She let out a sigh and said, “It’s what we agreed originally. Remember? I agreed to not use your family without permission. I should have thought that it would include your family’s private quarters in the palace. I’ll stop taking photos in the castle. I’m hoping it’s enough.”
Once I gave in to whatever my father demanded, he usually steered the ship. I pressed my forehead to hers and said, “He’s stubborn.”
She laughed. “Like you?”
A chill rushed through my spine, but I didn’t let go of her as she held me closer. “I hope I’m nothing like him.”
Her phone beeped. She didn’t look at it, but she held my arm and took a step, tugging me along with her. “Come. I think you should sit with my family for dinner. Let’s go back to the hotel and change. We’ll figure out what’s next tonight.”
Then, I was at her mercy. I went with her and said, “I’ll do as you want, Nicole. Just don’t expect my father to change.”
However, my heartbeat was off. I knew it. I needed to protect myself because my father was going to ask for more than she offered. He’d never been reasonable when it came to me. Nothing would change and I could lose her fast.
Chapter 15
Nicole
My sisters being with me, at least some of them, was like I’d been thrown an anchor in the chaos of today.
Stephanie’s sensible brown eyes and Olivia’s bright blues had helped me follow my own path since we were little.
Nothing had changed. I needed them in my life.
The walk from the castle had my stomach twisted. Ryder was so sure his father would refuse.
If he did, though, then I had to stop this. If I signed over rights to my social media, then there was no way I’d ever be able to start over.
I’d started writing my blog before I graduated high school. This life was part of me. And all my messaging was my own.
My parents hadn’t been able to stop me. They’d trusted me. The concessions I offered should be fine. I deleted the photos to prove I meant what I’d said.
Ryder’s tension was palpable in his every step, so we didn’t talk much on the short walk.
Even more important than my life, though, was Ryder’s. He might not realize it, but he loved his family. The loss of his mother was hard, but he’d be happier if he had the rest of his family in his life, even if he didn’t see that right now.
As we joined Stephanie and Olivia at the private table that overlooked the wharf, Stephanie poured us both glasses of wine. Ryder held my chair for me, then joined us.
Olivia slid closer to us in her seat and asked immediately, “How did the meeting go? Is everything okay?”
