Page 61 of Royal Agenda

He nodded. His love was as perceptive as she was beautiful. “It is true. But you must understand that there is a good reason for this.”

She captured her lower lip with her teeth. “What?”

He glanced at Sean as the group made their way to the other lane, ignoring him and Grace and chatting so loudly it was obvious they were trying to show that they did not pay them any mind.. “I would very much like to give you all the answers you seek, but I cannot.”

In the next lane, Don threw his bowling ball down the alley and it hit the floor with a thud that made the room vibrate. The few employees on duty all spun toward the lanes.

Polly clutched her chest. “A little finesse, Don. We aren't trying to kill the pins.”

“Can you tell me why you can’t tell me?” Grace pressed her hand on his arm. It was clear that she wanted to believe him. A part of him hated himself for holding back from her, but there was no other way.

“Because it is not my secret alone to share. Others are involved.” He nodded toward Sean. It was true–at least, mostly. The men who protected him were in as much danger as he was–because they chose to be. A fact he was supremely grateful for and one he did not take for granted. He would not put them at risk any more than he already had.

He held his breath, hoping the explanation was enough to win him into her good graces.

Grace nodded as she processed this information. “Will you be able to tell me at some later date?”

He cupped the back of his neck. “I do not know.”

She tipped her head to the side. He could see her weighing the information against what she wanted–what she deserved from a man. After a moment, she hiked her purse up on her shoulder. “Okay. Well. I’m glad we had this talk.” Her voice was thick as if she were covering up tears that threatened to fall. She went to Nancy and kissed her cheek. “Have fun. I’ll see you at the bungalow.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Grace and then at Ryker. Sean’s happy-go-lucky smile fell, and he folded his arms and shook his head as if he were disappointed in Ryker’s actions—even though he had no idea what he’d said.

She pushed out the double glass doors, and awkward conversation resumed. Ryker ordered a plate of loaded nachos and sat at a table, no longer wanting to bowl.

Harry sat down. “May I?”

Ryker pushed the plate to him—not truly hungry. “You may.”

Harry picked up a chip and took a bite. “Seems to me, you’re having a bit of lady trouble.”

Ryker huffed and slouched in response.

“Do you want some advice?” He selected another chip.

Ryker reluctantly sat up taller. “I cannot imagine what you would have to offer that would help in my unique situation.” He was not trying to be rude, but Harry had no idea he was talking to a prince in hiding with a possible bounty on his head and a group of Navy SEALS dogging his every footstep.

“I might surprise you.” Harry grabbed a napkin and wiped his fingers. “My advice is this: When a woman knows you value her, she will wrestle an alligator for you. When she thinks you don’t value her, she’ll let it eat you.”He got up, wrapped his knuckles on the table, and said, “Think about it.”

Ryker was still thinking about it that night as he puttered around the kitchen. He’d not eaten the nachos, and his stomach complained.

Other than telling Grace his secret—and in the process reveal top secret, multinational information—how could he show her he valued her? There had to be a way and he would figure it out–and make the SEALs help him.

For the first time in hours, he smiled.

“Call the men!” he yelled to Sean, who was lying on his couch, watching a movie on his phone.

Sean bolted to his feet, his eyes wide. “Call the what now?”

“Nevermind. I will do it.” Ryker snatched his phone and texted Mack and Liam. “Get over here now,” he mumbled as he typed. He grinned as he tapped the send button. He threw Sean’s phone back to him and went to the kitchen to pull a pad of paper out of the drawer. “We will need a plan.”

“A plan to what?” Sean asked as he checked his texts. “Liam will not like your princely tone.”

“He will not like your princely tone.” Ryker pointed. “Not my phone.”

Sean typed furiously. “Ryker had my phone.” He hit send.

The door burst open, and Mack and Liam came in, looking ready for a fight. Good. They were going to need that fighting spirit if they were going to pull this off.

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