Page 113 of Duty and Desire

“I’ll see you when you’re done.” Gio sounded numb.

I shook my head. “I want you there with me.”

“But—”

“Gio.” The word came out with a firmness that surprised me. “This is non-negotiable.”

“Your Majesty, I must advise against that,” Daniela interjected. “We have serious matters to discuss.”

I pulled myself up to my full height. “Advise all you like. I say he’ll be there.” I indicated the path that led back to the palace. “Shall we go?”

Daniela led the way, and I yearned to take Gio’s hand in mine as we walked. I needed the comfort of his touch.

This is beyond a mess.

By the time we reached the council chamber, I was shaking and doing my best to hide it. Every chair but two around the oval table was occupied, and everyone rose as we entered. No one said a word as we approached, but I couldn’t miss the raised eyebrows and shocked expressions when they spotted Gio.

Franz stood by the door, his hands clasped in front of him, and our eyes met. He gave me a slight nod, his expression careful.

Then it hit me. This had all taken place under his watch.

As soon as this fiasco was under control of some kind, I had to make sure his job was secure.

I touched Gio’s arm and pointed to a chair by the window. “Sit there, please.”

His face tightened. “I still think?—”

“I know what you think, but…” I looked him in the eye and lowered my voice. “I need you here, okay?”

Gio’s breathing hitched. “Okay.”

I waited until he was seated, then took my place at the table, Daniela on my right. As soon as I sat, the Prime Minister glanced at Gio before addressing me.

“Your Majesty, I don’t think it is appropriate for your guest to be here, especially in the circumstances.” He arched his eyebrows. “Heisthe man named in the article, after all.”

“Which gives him the right to hear what is said,” I countered.

Several voices rose all at once.

“Your Majesty, then this is true?”

“Any hint of such a story could be disastrous. We must make moves to suppress it immediately.”

“Your Majesty, the public backlash could be enormous.”

“Can we sue this gutter press journalist?”

“Can he be bought off? Paid to remove this libelous piece of fiction?”

I held my hand up, and silence fell. I took a deep breath.

“Let me answer your questions as clearly as I can.” I gazed at their anxious faces. “Yes, it is true, all of it.”

Uneasy murmurs rippled around the table.

“As for buying Hasler off, or paying him to remove the story, that would serve no purpose. The damage has been done.” I picked up a pen and tapped the polished surface with it. “We are not naïve. We all know the internet is forever.”

Across the room, I heard the buzz of a phone. Gio gave me anapologetic glance as he removed it from his pocket. A moment later, he froze, and I tensed.

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