The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(121)

I’m cloaked in one of Josh’s security men’s jackets as I’m helped from the car, surrounded at every angle, squished in the middle so not to be seen. I don’t recognize where we are, though it seems to be residential from what glimpses I have had through the army of people flanking me. I had seen Bates take a call earlier. He watched me the whole time he was talking. I smiled as he nodded through his conversation, knowing it was Damon on the line giving him instructions. It was reassuring to know that even now, my head of protection is looking out for me.

When Josh’s people disperse, we’re in the foyer of a plush apartment block, and I look at Josh in question. “A friend’s place,” he tells me. “He’s in LA. Said we could camp out here.”

I suddenly feel like such an inconvenience. We’re whisked up to the top floor, the lift opening up directly onto a huge open penthouse. “It’s not a palace,” Josh’s publicist says as she exits before us, “but it’s off radar for now.”

“I hate palaces,” I say mindlessly, letting Josh guide me across the open space to the window spanning the far side. The clear view across London is extraordinary. I’ve never seen it like this. “Oh.” I laugh lightly, pointing across the skyline. “And in case I get homesick, I can see Kellington.” The royal residence, nestled between one of the smaller royal parks and a row of Georgian terraces, looks so small from here, unimportant and almost bland amid the rest of London’s grandeur. “Oh, and there’s my parents’ house.” Claringdon appears anything but unimportant; the colossal structure looks like it has grown there over hundreds of years. The lack of a flag tells me the King isn’t home yet. No, he’s in Scotland, undoubtedly still ranting and raving. Dr. Goodridge has probably been forced to feed him a sedative.

“Why don’t you take a shower?” Josh asks, moving in behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. “One of the guys has gone to collect some things for you to change into, but until then, there’s a clean robe on the back of the door.”

I turn in his arms. “And what are you going to do?”

His blue eyes look so tired, lacking the brilliant sparkle I love so much. And his dark hair is a wild mess atop his head. His stubble is well overgrown, too. All because of me. “I have a few things to go over with everyone.”

I cast my eyes across the room, where a dozen people have set up office, laptops popping up everywhere, people circling the room on their phones, other making notes on pads. It’s a little chaotic, all of them talking loudly. I sigh, hating the significance of the scene. Again, all of this because of me. “Shouldn’t I know what is happening?”

“No, trust me to deal with it.” He turns me by the shoulders and leads me on, persistent and firm.

“When do I get you to myself?” I grumble as we enter a lavish shower room, all black marble and chrome.

“I won’t rest until I know exactly how we’re moving forward, so you need to be patient.”

“I already told you, take me back to America.”

“You have your passport?”

I turn my nose up to the mirror before me. “Smuggle me out.”

Josh rolls his eyes and flips the shower on, filling the room with steam. “Just do as you’re told.” A towel is pushed into my front and his lips pushed to mine. “Please, Your Highness.”

I smirk through a scowl. “So I have to stay locked in here while you discuss with your people how to deal with me?”

“Oh, I know how to deal with you.” He hunkers down, his hands on my arse squeezing hard. “But I’m not sure everyone out there wants to hear the details, darlin’.”

“No, but I do,” I say, goading him, taking a little nibble of his chin. “I want explicit details.”

Josh groans, capturing my lips gently. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“We do.”

“Your ass is gonna be stinging like a bitch.”

“Good.”

He smiles around our kiss, as do I, and I lock him in my arms. “I may even let you sit on your throne.”

I laugh, losing the contact of our lips. “You’re terrible.”

“And you love it.” He turns me and swats my bottom. “In the shower.”

“Yes, sir.”

He winks and leaves me to sort myself out.



BY THE TIME I’M WRAPPED in a luxurious robe, my phone is set to explode from the volume of missed calls. I can’t look at who has called me though, because at this point, my decision to run is still completely surreal. After the adrenaline rush of racing through the countryside, leaving Damon, leaving my family, I feel so flat. So exhausted. Yet I know there is much to be done. Time to rally my royal-arse fa?ade of strength and meet the new people who will manage me. At least, for now.

I walk into the open space of the penthouse, finding everyone sitting around the huge table, and they all fall silent when they detect my presence. “Don’t stop on my account,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat.

Josh moves back in his chair and pats his lap, and I walk over, placing myself there without question, handing him my phone. “It refuses to stop ringing.”

He takes it and passes it over to his publicist. “You should take over this.”

She nods sharply. “Your code?”