His Forbidden Princess(12)
“You must hate that you’ve been saddled with me. I can’t imagine this is going to be very exciting.”
She still caught his vibe, knowing when there was something bothering him, but this time she was reading him wrong. “I actually do a lot of analysis. Not very exciting.”
“You aren’t chasing bad guys on a daily basis?”
“Not every day, no. I head up teams when there’s an especially high risk of violence.”
“I see. So everyone knew this visit was a bad idea, but me.”
She didn’t know? Not a chance.
“I doubt that. You’ve got your finger on the pulse of this threat. You came to New York to prove something.”
“Don’t be absurd. I don’t have anything to prove.”
Stopped at a traffic light, Ian looked over. “You forget it’s me you’re talking to, Princess.”
She went quiet. Glancing over, he saw her watching the houses of Front Street pass one after another. “After we lost Philippe, there were many opinions regarding what we should do.
Some said we should go into hiding. There was talk of exile. Parliament had some very long discussions with my mother. She’s officially Head of State, but wields a lot of power. She’s dug in her heels. It makes my father a bit mad, as he’s just concerned for everyone’s safety.”
She was rambling as she sometimes did. It was her way of thinking things through. Ian was happy to see that so much about her hadn’t changed and as beautiful as she was, Sofie’s brains were still her most attractive feature.
“So you were in New York as a show of strength. Standing with your mother.”
“If I’m going to be queen someday I can’t very well hide, can I?”
“No,” he said, throwing the car into park. They’d reached the ferry dock, but he wanted to talk to her before they made the crossing. “But you don’t have to paint a target on your back either.”
“Those bloody bastards killed my brother. I’m not giving up my home for them.”
There was the girl he knew—full of spit and fire, and not willing to take anyone’s shit.
“Look, I get this. I understand you, and how much you love Aubonne, so I know where your defiance is coming from. But we’re laying low while we’re here. Once we get on the island, you are Sofie Luzano, my girlfriend. I know people here, and they’ll be curious, but there’s lots of space. It’s a very friendly place. But less is more. Be “shy,” don’t give a lot away.”
“I have to be your girlfriend?” She glanced out the window, containing her emotions once again. He couldn’t even imagine how she felt.
“That’s the plan.”
“You know, you didn’t have to take me on. I could have flown home,” she said once he got back in the car.
Did he tell her? Not everything. “No you couldn’t. Once your sister is able to travel, your family is going into hiding. The attempt was made with a great deal of precision and we simply don’t know how many people the terrorists have who are feeding them information.”
She leaned her back into her headrest, closed her eyes. “They’re winning. The terrorists.”
“Not yet. Everyone is fine. Your sister is conscious. But they’re getting out of town. This is one of those times when getting all of you out of sight could force their hand. They’re going to be looking for you and we hope that trips up their organization.”
“I have no idea what to think about all of this.”
“Your father wanted me to get you off the grid. That’s what I’m going to do.”
“Mio Dio. He wanted you, truly?”
“I was surprised too. His request went through at a very high level. I’m not even sure how high.”
“Rest assured, I’ll be cooperative, especially if it keeps my family safe.”
Not knowing what made him do it, he reached out and covered her hand with his. The reaction was instant. Ian’s entire body warmed and Sofie’s eyes locked on their two hands. His large, rough and tanned; hers small, soft and creamy white. “This isn’t an ideal situation, I know that, but everything is going to work out.”
“Thank you, Ian.” She pulled her hand away. “I do appreciate your efforts and the efforts of your government to help my country.”
They stayed there, not moving. Finally, when he heard the horn blaring from the
incoming ferry, he turned his head away. He’d just been told in the nicest way possible to keep his hands off of her. And just like when they broke up, he missed the feel of her. He’d missed it every day since he’d lost her.