Page 1 of Royal Affair
Chapter One
James
"Welcome to the Kingdom of Bellavista," the immigration officer greeted me as he returned my passport. I felt conflicted and anxious about this assignment. I hadn't accounted for the worst-case scenarios when I gave Jake this contract, yet every one of them had happened.
It was the beginning of September, and I was supposed to review the recruits this week in the office. Instead, Jake had called me three days ago from a Swiss hospital—the bastard had broken his leg and hip in three places whilst climbing a mountain. Now I was heading over to take over his assignment. He was in the hospital after extensive surgery, so I couldn't be too harsh, and yet I was pissed. I'd tried to get another agent to take over, ensuring the princess would get the best of the best, but there was no one else available and not enough time to recruit someone new. Having a Special Forces or ex-Marine would be ideal, but the palace needed someone as soon as possible, so I had no choice. I had to fly out to ensure my reputation in this business would remain intact.
The Kingdom of Bellavista contract had been a lucrative offer. This enormous client would bring me substantial cash flow and connections, and as much as I hated being involved, I couldn't turn it down. I had done a little research on the princess, her history, and the previous contractors.
The most recent incident with Cameron Matthews had been embarrassing for everyone involved—caught in a compromising position with palace staff, creating a security nightmare. That breach of protocol was precisely why they needed someone with my discipline and professionalism. Her past protection had been good, but at thirty-six, I felt I was getting too old for this shite. Since returning from Iraq, I had protected several high-profile clients, famous actresses, and models. All these beautiful women had one thing in common: they were empty and bored.
I kept my face expressionless as I thought about them. That's how I operated—no emotions, no attachments. It made the job easier. Several of them tried to make moves, but I never mixed business and sex. I cared too much about my business and reputation, so I assumed I would have to do the same thing with the princess. She was pretty, with some calling her one of the most beautiful European princesses, so I prepared myself mentally for being in her company.
"Agent Banks, you're a bit early. The princess is finishing up some estate business and asked not to be disturbed until your scheduled meeting time," Dara, the head of security, pulled me away from my thoughts. After arriving at the palace, which was about an hour's drive from the capital city, Grizik, where the airport was located, I was told I'd have to wait. There had been a car waiting for me at the airport. The driver picked up my suitcase and then drove me through the countryside. The drive was pleasant, and I was glad the driver didn't spark a conversation. I hated small talk.
Woodlands from all sides surrounded the palace building; we passed a large lake during my ride. This place was idyllic, and I would settle here if I ever had a family. The estate was massive—I could see why it took an hour to drive here from the capital, though the working areas of the property seemed to be clustered closer to the main buildings.
"I would rather be early than late, Dara," I replied, shaking her small hand. Dara Karkov was almost as tall as me, and she looked like she used to be a bodybuilder. Her dark, short hair framed her ordinary features. She didn't look impressed by my comment.
"You're almost an hour early, so if you do not want to sit in the reception area, you can go to the gardens. The weather is glorious, or you could head over to the lake," she suggested. Technically, this was my fault. I'd been so focused on catching the earliest flight that I'd miscalculated the drive time from the airport. This was my idea of hell, but what else could I do? "You can leave your luggage with me, and if everything goes well later, I will show you your new accommodation."
I handed her my small suitcase and then nodded. September was surprisingly hot in Bellavista; the weather in London had still been slightly chilly. My white crisp shirt was sticking to my body as I headed outside; one gardener told me to go around to the palace grounds. The sun blazed as I walked around the sprawling, elegant garden. I ignored the flowers, but I knew this place was only open to the public once a year, because the Romanov family preferred their privacy. They weren't as popular as the British Royal Family, but they were well-known in other European countries.
I've always been a man of routine and structure. Predictability is safety. I didn't like it when I had to change my usual routine, and I had taken no new assessments in the past two years, ever since I launched my security company, so I knewthis would be an enormous adjustment. I was stuck in my ways throughout my thirty-six years of life; I didn't enjoy changing anything. Luckily, this assignment would last only two months, which was more than enough time for Jake to heal and slowly get back on his feet. Though I didn't know it—maybe I was a little too optimistic.
I walked around the long, pebbly, narrow paths, passing various flowery bushes and other palace staff members working nearby. I reached a wooden gate. It was so hot, and I should have insisted that Dara show me my room so I could relax instead of wandering around the palace. I knew she had to follow protocol, but we had known each other for a while, and she could easily overlook it.
The large wooden gate stood open—meant for staff access to the working areas of the estate. I pushed through and found myself in what appeared to be the agricultural section of the palace grounds, with an old barn that was probably serving as one outbuilding. In the distance, I could see another barn where they kept farm animals, so I headed there.
I glanced at my watch, then realised I had another forty-five minutes before I met with the princess. There was no point in getting back to the palace. Deep down, I reminded myself that I regretted permanently settling back in London every day. The constant noise and concrete had always felt suffocating compared to the open spaces I craved. Ever since my parents had taken me to Sicily, I had fallen in love with life in the countryside. My grandfather had a farm on the island, and he taught me a lot throughout all the summers I spent there—how to milk the cows and care for the horses. This barn reminded me of that period of my life when I didn't have to worry about anything; I was happy being surrounded by farm animals and the stillness of farm life.
That was before Iraq. Before I had become the man who felt nothing. Who showed nothing.
I entered the barn feeling good. Suddenly, the burden I felt, the past, and my extra responsibilities weren't necessary anymore as that familiar smell wafted through the air. I was still the eight-year-old boy who milked the cow for the first time whilst my grandfather talked in rapid Italian, encouraging me to keep going.
As I ventured deeper into the barn, a woman appeared holding a baby duck.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought I would be alone here for at least an hour. David sent you to fetch me, didn't he?" she asked, staring at me and sounding irritated. She had long blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes.
"No, I'm not here for you. I was just walking around, trying to kill some time, and then I saw this barn from a distance, so I decided to check it out," I replied, and then turned, ready to get back to the gardens.
"Wait? Where are you going?" she asked, and looked surprised.
"I don't want to intrude," I replied, as I disliked not knowing who she was and being forced to explain myself. Before arriving here, I studied the security files thoroughly, but she wasn't mentioned in the briefings I had received—though she was clearly palace staff managing the agricultural areas.
"You're not, and I feel like you really want to hold this little duckling, so come on, don't be shy," she said playfully, then sat down on a block of straw. I could smell and hear the cows further away, but I didn't want to act like a total arsehole, so I nodded. She was young, much younger than me, and wore khaki shorts with a blue t-shirt. I didn't sit down next to her as she lifted her eyes. "Wow, you're enormous. I don't think I have ever seen a bloke as tall as you, so what are you doing in Bellavista?"
"I'm here on business with the palace, but I arrived earlier than expected," I said carefully.
"You must be the new security person," she said knowingly. "Dara told the staff to expect someone today. We're not supposed to gossip, but…" she shrugged with a grin. "I'm Ella, by the way—Ella Kovac. I manage the agricultural side of the estate for the palace. Been here three years now. The thing about working on a royal estate is that the palace and farm staff eat in the same dining hall, so news travels fast. Security changes affect everyone—we must be briefed about new protocols."
I took a seat reluctantly. After wiping her hands on her shorts, she continued, "The princess is getting a new bodyguard."
Despite my usual aversion to small talk, my guard lowered. Then she handed me the duckling, and an instant calm fell over me. The duckling peeped as I stroked it gently.
"I can assure you I'm not like anyone else who has ever protected her before," I muttered, knowing about that story. Cameron Matthews was British too, and he had been with the princess for over two years. He was the reason I had to drop everything I was doing in London and then come here to babysit the woman who was supposed to be the second heir to the Bellavista throne.
"Trust me, the princess is very strong-minded. She won't listen to you unless she likes you," Ella laughed.
