“We don’t do that.”
“Ask the guy on the speed date where she connected with one of the dating partners that question and you might be surprised by his answer.”
“Speed dating?”
“Yep,” I said. “That’s what she resorted to after leaving her security detail in the wind.”
“So what are you asking?”
“That every member of the Prince family gives her some time. I’ll be right here to ensure nothing happens to her, although she certainly doesn’t want me to get but so close.” Did I feel bad for not disclosing what I’d found out about her speed date, Alex Carmichael? Not yet. I’d called one of my soldiers to see if he could try to find the man. I’d rather know what I was dealing with first.
“I don’t know if Alexander will go for it.”
“If he doesn’t, you stand a chance of losing her forever.”
I allowed the gravity to settle in. Hearing his groan seconds later brought a smile to my face. I hadn’t lied to him about anything. Not yet anyway.
“Maybe I should talk to her.” Jaxon had always had a hard head.
“Not a good idea. I’m telling you. You’re going to need to place your trust in me, my friend. If I detect anyone has discovered her identity, I will hogtie her and bring her home.”
“Why do I get the feeling you don’t mind spending time with her?”
“I’m a professional, Jaxon. You don’t need to worry about what I’m doing here.”
“Relax, brother. I’ve seen the way my sister looks at you, as if skewering a cockroach with the plastic spear previously holding her olives in her dirty martini.”
“Smart girl.” Perhaps I should feel guilty not only for savoring every moment of her writhing underneath me the night before, but also from the filthy thoughts currently scouring through my mind.
I didn’t.
“Yes, well, she can take care of herself against men such as yourself.”
“Ouch,” I grunted. “I’m hurt.”
“I would think after all the shutouts with women you’ve had, you’d learn to take rejection better.” Our standing joke since I usually walked away with the beautiful woman for the night. That was before he’d met the love of his life.
“And I would think you’d learn I have a mean right hook.”
His laugh was typical, boisterous and unaware of just how close I’d gotten to his sister. “Now, it’s your turn to do me a favor.”
“And what would that be?”
“Try not to either terrify or provide her with a more significant reason to remain hiding away in a tropical location.”
“As I said before. I’m professional.”
“Yeah, I know that. So, I’ll talk with Alexander, but I can’t promise anything. You know he’s like a papa bear with sharp claws now that he’s become a father.”
“I’m aware. Try your best. I’ll see what I can find on my end. Locate the photographer. Oh, were the computer experts able to discover anything on the sim card?”
Jaxon grumbled. “You were right in that it’s damaged, but they’re hopeful.”
“I have a feeling there might be something to pay attention to. What, I don’t know.”
“Then we’ll keep working on it. Call me.”
“Yeah, I will.” When I ended the call, I squeezed the phone before shoving it into my pocket. I’d be damned if I didn’t detect a presence. I didn’t even bother turning around. “How long have you been standing there?”