Page 23 of His Forever Princess

He hadn't been surprised in the least when she'd been whisked away by an aide and quickly surrounded by an advisor and a stylist. Two security guys sat near the front of the plane, at ease for the moment.

Gideon had been plied with food and drink by the attendant and left to himself.

They were getting close now. Glorvaird was waiting for Alessandra. She'd slip back into her old life, and he would...?

What had he thought? That by stepping on this plane he was making some big gesture? The threat wasn't over. Someone was out there, possibly even on the ground in Glorvaird by now. Alessandra was determined to proceed with her meeting with Ambassador Cain. Gideon wasn’t needed as a bodyguard. And they hadn't made any declarations.

Through the space between two seats, he could see her blonde hair cascading past her shoulders.

If she'd wanted him to stay for her, wouldn't she have spared a few minutes in the hours they'd been on the plane to come and talk to him?

Maybe this was his answer.

He felt the change in altitude before he'd come to any decision. The easiest thing would be to hop on a commercial flight back home. A convoy of security would be waiting for Alessandra on the ground. They wouldn't make the mistake of taking this threat too lightly, not after what'd happened at Maggie's ball.

But just thinking about that made his stomach twist.

The plane touched down. He only had his duffel bag, the strap was quickly thrown over his shoulder.

Alessandra was closer to the door when the release was turned and the steps extended. He'd been right about the convoy. Through the window, he could see two black SUVs and several men in suits and dark sunglasses standing at attention.

Maybe it would be better to say his goodbyes here, where there was a modicum of privacy.

But by the time he'd gone out into the aisle, Alessandra was being escorted out the door by her security team.

His feet hit the tarmac and he breathed in deeply. How long had it been since he'd stepped foot here? He'd never forgotten the scent of ocean air, the rocky landscape beyond the airport buildings and a high fence.

She glanced over her shoulder and their gazes clashed. There was something in her expression, something vulnerable. Maybe this didn't have to be another end for them.

He followed her off the plane. The sun shone brightly, and he wished he hadn't forgotten his sunglasses in the SUV back in the States.

Alessandra was several paces ahead of him, between the two guards. He was familiar with this private section of the airport. Security was tight and it would be near-impossible for a threat to get through.

Still, he appreciated that the security guys were hustling her toward the safety of that SUV, with its bullet-proof glass.

Or was she the one hurrying?

Because standing next to the open door of the first SUV was Arnault, in a crisp suit, looking like a million bucks.

Gideon's stomach plunged.

Arnault was her welcoming committee? So much forthere's nothing between us.

The guy was watching her approach with a starry-eyed expression, and Gideon suddenly couldn't stand it. He wasn't staying.

Couldn't.

He jogged a few steps as her escort came even with a handful of other security guys.

"Alessandra," he called out.

One of the big, bear-like figures stepped into his path and nearly bowled him over.

"Hang on, buddy." The kid couldn't have been older than Bea. He was clean-shaven and bulky-shouldered. Just looking at him made Gideon feel old. "You got a press badge or something? Why don't you give Her Highness a minute—"

Heat flashed into Gideon's face. It'd been years since he'd been mistaken for a commoner—back when he and Alessandra had first married.

"It's all right." Alessandra was right there, flanked by two burly guys. "Gideon is my husband. No badge required."

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