Page 61 of Mercenary Princess

Sophia was quick to recite names she would likely regret saying, but if she said nothing, her brother might attempt to hoist her into Jean Luc’s hands. That would never happen.

She felt the car slowing to a stop and couldn’t wait to exit into the unusually sunny day. Taking a deep breath, she donned her sunglasses again before stepping out. Thankfully, her hat stayed secure, though she set a gloved hand on it just to be sure.

She turned and smiled at the mass of people held back by uniformed police. Phones and camera equipment dotted the mix of shouting bystanders. Celebrities, royalty, and the uberwealthy all gathered on the exclusive grounds beyond the flowered gates. The cloying scent of the blooms was enough to give her a headache, but that wouldn’t show on her face as she, Nichole, and her mother waved and smiled prettily for the cameras before turning to the party.

A few hours of her mother, she could handle. She’d have to. At least the panic of the surprise visit had finally receded.

*****

“What did you just say?” Viktor had better have heard Ivan wrong.

“Jean Luc stayed in London. Pavel says he is meeting with your princess’s brother right now.” Ivan spat out the words with a foul look on his scarred face.

Viktor’s jet had just touched down in Paris, and they were taxiing to a private secure hangar. He’d known this could happen. Jean Luc had discarded a famous actress months ago. Marrying a beautiful princess was just what he’d love. Her beauty was part of that. The other part would be her unattainable reputation. Viktor had seen this coming and hadn’t liked it.

His fingers dug into the leather armrests as he waited impatiently for the plane to stop. He hadn’t wanted to leave London, even for a few hours, but this meeting was better held in person.

Especially now.

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