Page 69 of Iron Unicorn

SIXTEEN

For some reason, the rower presented a threat to most women I knew.

Upon returning to the hotel,Olivia barreled into me, wrapped her arms around me, and held on tight. Her brother attempted to peel her off, working his arms around her waist and tugging. I raised a brow at the absurdity of the situation, awaresomeonein the lobby would be taking pictures of us. When presented with the insane, I would do as I always did and maintain a calm disposition.

Sometimes, remaining a bastion of sanity in a world gone mad worked.

“Is there a problem?” I asked, debating how to stay on my feet when dealing with two royals fighting over me.

At least His Royal Majesty of Montana wasn’t attempting to drag me away from the woman. Angling my body and bracing allowed me to stand firm despite the siblings waging war.

“There’s no problem,” Olivia’s brother replied, grunting as he failed at dislodging his sister. “Melody tried to get Olivia to use the rowing machine. She bolted. We’ve been chasing her around the hotel ever since. Thank you for coming back. I was about to call Daphne and request that you serve as bait.”

As my queen had indulged in similar behavior, I understood the problem.

Even the strongest of women could be overwhelmed with the urge to flee from dangerous situations.

For some reason, the rower presented a threat to most women I knew.

“You’ve been chasing her around the hotel for several hours?” As I wanted to make sure Olivia stayed put, I worked an arm around her, shooed her brother away, and served as a hiding place. While she was taller than I was, she bent so she could bury her face against my shoulder and neck. “I can handle her general containment from here. I think running around for several hours is the same general exercise as the rower.”

“It really is,” Her Royal Highness of Maine said, strolling up and grinning at me. “I was trying to get a marker on her endurance, but she’s scoring high across the board for that. Opening her airways has made a wonderful difference in her general health.”

“There you go, Olivia. The doctor is praising you for a job well done. That deserves reward. What do you want for dinner tonight?”

“Steak and my brother’s heart on a silver platter.”

“I can provide the steak, but alas, your brother’s heart must remain where it is at, in his chest. You’d make his children cry.”

“Mackenzie might cry, too—maybe.” Daphne patted my shoulder before intervening so Montana’s king couldn’t try to take Olivia away again. “I’m pleased to report we finished all our errands. The RPS agents decided we’re capable of walking into the lobby without an audience. Terry attempted to buy out most of the store. He filled three SUVs with books and other stuff. It was a slaughter. I’ve never been so proud of him in my life. It’s like something switched on in his brain, transforming him into a shopping demon. He has his list of books on his phone, Will. He referred to it while checking out every section he likes. He did not hold back.”

“I saw the charge, and I will be covering that as promised.” Montana’s king laughed at me. “I’ll make sure Rachel knows you need a place to store books.”

“The suite in the palace has enough space for most of it, and I’ll figure something else out for the rest.” I rubbed Olivia’s back. “I think it’s safe to say you passed your breathing check, so we’ll get those Texans to take us to the trail tomorrow so we can go on our ride. Then I’ll have to do some work, but I’m sure the Texans can give you something meaningful to do.” I eyed Olivia’s brother. “Youdohave meaningful work for her, right?”

“Actually, I do. If you don’t mind, you can finish handling some negotiations with Pat and Jessica while I head home with Daphne and convince my children and wife I’m still alive.”

I read between the lines: the king needed to return home before his wife killed him.

Olivia nodded, but she remained glued to me, a situation I didn’t mind in the slightest. “I can handle the Texans while you go home.”

Melody cleared her throat to catch our attention before saying, “Terry, I want you to keep an eye on Olivia. Maintain your counts, continue mirror therapy for an hour or so a day, and do try to convince her that having a pretty face doesn’t automatically turn her into a monster.”

I laughed at the thought of Olivia turning into a monster. In her family, she defined what it meant to be sweet and caring.

Sometimes, she talked about taking her brother’s heart on a silver platter, but anyone who knew her understood the truth: she wouldn’t be able to scratch him. Throwing a plate at a terrorist fell more in lines with what she would do, and I would be working with her in the future on being lethally offensive when appropriate.

The events following the wedding in London could have ended in a far different fashion.

“I’ll keep an eye on her. Does that mean we’re free to go riding tomorrow?”

“You’re free to go riding tomorrow. I’ll be back in two weeks for your exam, Terry. Olivia, exercise him thoroughly. If he isn’t struggling to get his hour of reading time in a night, you haven’t tired him out enough.”

I raised a brow at that.

Olivia snickered. “I’ll make sure he’s appropriately tired out.”

“Then I’ll see you in two weeks. Will, do impress upon the RPS that they have had sufficient fun with Terry. I would hate to have to give them a taste of their own medicine.”

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