Massive shoulders shrugged up and down. "I want what everyone else has. I just can't have it on my own. I got wired wrong, I guess. Anyway, the plane should be here in a couple of hours. I'm trying to find some extra security, but this place is full of like divers and shit. If I wanted to go swim with a fucking dolphin we would be set, but finding someone who knows how to keep the crowds back is a different prospect. The way I heard it, the press is on their way as we speak. Some of them were already set up here because it got leaked that the princess is staying here."
The door to the bathroom opened, and Alea emerged looking soft and sweet and vulnerable all wrapped up in her fluffy robe. Dane and Cooper came out after her. Dane wore a towel, but Coop had changed into the sweatpants the concierge had hustled up.
It was weird not being naked with her.
Lan watched as Alea moved into the suite. She was bundled up, but there was a hint of a smile on her face. She reached for Dane's hand as he walked up to her. Lan watched as their fingers tangled together and was surprised that he didn't feel a hint of jealousy. All of that emotion had burned off on the island as they had found their unique roles in her life and she'd settled into her place as the sun in their sky. She was theirs, and they had to do everything they could to protect her. Including shielding her from the press.
Law softened around Alea, proving he wasn't as much of an asshole as he seemed. "Princess, your cousins are really happy you're alive. The queen has been beside herself."
Alea nodded, pulling the lapels of her robe together tightly. "It was very good to talk to her. Thank you for everything you've done in searching for us."
"But you didn't want to be found, did you?" Law asked the question almost sadly as though he understood.
Alea paused and sighed, her hand squeezing Dane's. "I will only say that the island wasn't so bad. If you're ever going to have a plane go down, I would highly recommend the accommodations."
"Most women would have gone crazy out there," Law said. "But you look like you bloomed."
"Hey, look at her less, buddy," Cooper said, crowding her other side.
But Lan realized that Lawson Anders wasn't hitting on their woman. He was longing for what she represented. Warmth. Love. Acceptance. "You do look gorgeous, darlin'."
She flushed beautifully. "I'm glad you think so. Could someone order tea?"
He'd already done that. "It should be here any minute. I ordered tea and some snacks. It'll be good to get some carbs, you know? And Law here promises me that Tal is sending us the big bus. It's going to be first class all the way home."
Alea nodded, but he could see the strain on her face. She could probably still remember how it felt to have the plane plunge and to wonder if they were going to make it. Hell, he didn't want to get on the plane and he used to jump off the fuckers.
There was a knock at the door. The tea service. He hoped they had gotten the order right, and there were some Cokes, too. Because he didn't do dainty teacups and cucumber sandwiches.
Alea moved for the door.
"Hey, I'll get it," Lan said, blocking her.
"I can get a door, Lan," she said with a smile.
"No. Not this one." He moved to the door but she stayed right behind him. As he pulled the door back, there was a flash and the quick sound of a camera shutter going off at high speed.
"Princess! Princess, is it true you have three lovers? What happened on the island?"
"Would you like to comment on the accusation that you aided your kidnappers in torturing young girls in Colombia?"
"Princess, the world would love to know what you were wearing when the plane went down."
There was a mob of them with cameras and video equipment, the light coming from the hall nearly blinding him. They were vultures, every single one of them. Rage popped through his system, adrenaline flooding his veins. They had no right to be here.
A microphone was shoved into his face. "Are you the guard? What are you getting paid to be the princess's lover? How many of you are there? How does it work?"
"Are you bisexual?"
The questions peppered against him like rapid gunfire. He reached for the first camera he saw, blocking the doorway to keep the fuckers off Alea. He could make damn sure these reporters didn't get at her again. They would have to get through him, and he was going to let them know that wouldn't be an easy task. He reared back a fist, anger nearly choking him as they shouted crap about the woman he loved.
Before he could connect, something jerked him back into the room.
"Shut that fucking door," Dane snarled, still grabbing his biceps.
Law jogged to the door. "I'll take care of this. You don't open this to anyone but me."