The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(101)

“What is it?” I ask, nervous, though I still don’t know why.

He turns and lifts his phone with a lazy hand, his lips straight. “The Internet has exploded. The one good thing is that no one knows it’s you under the hoodie.”

I approach him, my eyes set on the screen of his phone, where there is a picture of Josh ushering a bundle into the hotel. Me. “Oh.”

“There’s a video on YouTube gone viral, too.” He swipes his screen, and I suddenly hear Josh yelling at the press to back off. He sighs. “Who is under that hoodie? It’s the most asked question on the Internet. Apparently, the crowds outside have doubled and the hotel staff are being overrun with calls.”

“Oh,” I say again, hating the tightness in his jaw.

“We should start thinking about how we’re going to get you out of here.”

For the first time since I stowed away in Damon’s car, I think about the fact that I haven’t once considered how I will get back in. “Oh.”

“Have you lost the ability to string a sentence together?”

“I can’t get back into the palace.”

“What?”

I turn and start pacing the room, kicking myself. I was so desperate to escape, I didn’t give a moment’s thought to getting back in. “I will never get back in without being seen and prompting an investigation as to where I have been and how I managed to get there.”

“We’ll call Damon,” Josh says, all matter-of-factly, like it’s problem solved.

“Are you insane?” I gasp, swinging around to face him. “He will string me up alive.”

“What else do you suggest? A zip wire from a nearby building? Parachuting in? Or maybe we can dig a tunnel from here.” He clasps his chin, contemplating his outlandish ideas as he hums. He’s mocking me, and I don’t appreciate it. Had I not been blindsided by him, maybe my brain would have been functioning at its fullest when I hatched my escape plan.

Scowling at him, I stomp my way to the bed and drop my arse on the side, flinching when my skin makes contact with the soft sheets. “I hate this.” I whine, my fingers fiddling in my lap, resentment building. “When I leave here, I’ll leave with my head held high. Let the world see. Let my family see. They can’t stop me from being with you.”

“Slow down,” Josh orders, coming to me and kneeling at my feet, taking my fidgeting hands. “You can’t let them find out like that. It won’t help.”

“Nothing will help. Don’t you see?”

“Won’t you let me go shooting with your father? Get a feel for how the land lies?”

“The land?” I laugh under my breath. “It will lie under your back when the King orders you dead.”

“So dramatic.”

“So realistic, Josh.”

His phone rings again, and this time he puts it on speakerphone. “Did you see?” a lady asks when he answers.

“Yeah, I saw.”

“So who was under that hoodie, Josh? And if you say the Princess of fucking England, I might hunt you down and take you out myself before the royals can get to you.”

Josh lips form a perfectly straight line. “Say hello to Adeline, Tammy.”

She gasps, a gasp full of horror. “Your Highness.”

“Hello.” I smile, though it is tinged with despair.

“We have a situation.” Josh presses forward.

Tammy scoffs, “You don’t say.”

“I don’t need your jokes, Tammy. I need your help.”

“What’s the problem?” She all but sighs.

“We need to get Adeline out of here, but the place is heaving with press and fans.”

“You need a decoy.”

“Something like that.” Josh rises to his feet and walks away from me. “What can you do?”

“Give me an hour. I’ll call you back.”

“Thanks, Tammy.”

“Don’t mention it.” She hangs up and Josh’s shoulders rise, a sign of his deep inhale. Then he turns to me, and I can tell by the expression on his face that I am not going to like what he says next. “What’s Damon’s number?”

I take in air like it could be my last opportunity. “No.” I shake my head furiously, flat refusing what he is suggesting.

“Adeline, our options are pretty limited. Tammy can distract the mob, but we hit a brick wall when it comes to the palace gates. We have no choice.”

Dread fills me. “But he’s having a romantic night in with his wife,” I explain, my words coming fast and panicked. “They’re having steak and sex.”

Josh’s forehead bunches as he pulls his boxers up his legs. “Steak and sex?”

“Yes.”

His sweats follow his boxers, his body slowly being covered before my eyes. If I could focus, I’d mourn the loss. But I am too wound up, all for the wrong reasons. “Then let’s hope he fucks fast and eats faster.”

“Josh!”

“What do you want me to do, Adeline?” He shows the ceiling his palms, and I flop back onto the bed, exasperated and worried. “Give me his number.”

“I don’t know his number off the top of my head.” I lift a limp hand and point to my pile of belongings. “My phone is in my pocket. But it’s broken.”