Page 50 of His Runaway Princess

With his mouth set in a grim line, Ryker didn’t let go of Amalia’s hand. With his other thumb, he pressed a button on the steering wheel telling it to call the head of Amalia’s protection team.

“He’s here,” he told them without preamble. “Sidewalk, far corner. Black shorts, grey shirt, neon cap.”

“On it, sir,” came the disembodied voice. “Get the princess inside by any means necessary.” The line disconnected.

“What does that mean?” Amalia’s voice sounded anxious but not scared.

“It means I get you through the gate no matter what happens.” His eyes darted, taking everything in. From the outer wall of the palace on one side to the traffic on the other.

Did the man have an accomplice? Did someone else wait on the sidewalk?

The light turned green. Ryker wouldn’t stop until they were through the gate, even if he had to use the shoulder or the sidewalk. At least here the traffic lights were only a short distance apart.

He drove forward, holding his breath until they weren’t stopped at the next light, and he could turn into the drive, though he went much faster than he normally would have.

Someone must have warned those at the gate. It stood open with guards ready to defend if necessary.

Once through, the tension in Ryker’s shoulders began to dissipate, just a little bit.

He didn’t stop until the auto made it into the enclosed garrison and the door closed behind them.

“It was really him, wasn’t it?” Now Amalia’s voice trembled.

Ryker nodded as staff members opened both of their doors. He hurried around to the other side and wrapped his arm around Amalia, pulling her close to his side as they were rushed through the door by members of security and into the lower levels of the palace.

They were taken to a secure location, though Ryker didn’t know for certain where in the palace they were.

“This is a safe room,” Amalia told him, turning so her arms wrapped around his waist. “One of the places we can go if there’s a threat.”

With both arms around her, Ryker held her close. They had safe rooms in the Eyjanian palace. Everything you could imagine about a palace.

Hidden doorways. Secret passageways. Bolt holes. Safe rooms. Even a safe apartment as it were, with enough room for the entire royal family, though, with the addition of spouses and the next generation, they would be a bit cramped these days.

He’d been in them. Stood guard for Princess Genevieve when a truck ran through the palace gate and triggered an alarm. But this felt different.

This time, officially Ryker had become a protectee, though he would protect Amalia with everything in him should the need arise.

But it wouldn’t.

They were safe in the palace. There were any number of locked doors and passageways and armed guards between them and the man Ryker had spotted.

“I’ve got you, love.” He held Amalia even more tightly as she trembled.

After a moment, she took a deep breath and moved away from him. “I’m all right. Just a bit of a shock.”

“I know you are.” He looked around at a living area without windows. Taking her hand, he walked to a chaise lounge big enough for both of them.

She snuggled into his side as they waited. “Someone will come tell us what’s going on as soon as they can,” she told him.

Ryker kissed the side of her head. “I know. I’m usually the one out there.”

“I know you are, but I’m glad you’re here with me.” She took a deep breath. “So what did you think of lunch?”

“Delicious.”

They quickly lapsed into silence until someone entered about ten minutes later.

He stood then helped Amalia to her feet as the king’s head of security entered.

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