Page 30 of The Problem with Princes
I sit back against the seat and frown. Not only am I disappointed that I’m not going to see this place I’ve heard so much about, but I’m also sad that Tyrone’s plans are ruined. He obviously put thought into this outing, and now we are going to have to turn around and head back to the city.
Tyrone opens his door and steps out. I guess seeing it from the parking lot is better than only seeing it in pictures. He opens my door and helps me out of the car. “Come. Perhaps I can persuade the guard to let us go up.”
Sander and two other men step up behind us. I quicken my pace next to Tyrone to keep a little distance between Sander and myself. These bodyguards, apparently, don’t have a notion of personal space.
Tyrone reaches out and grabs my hand again and I stumble. My smile is instantaneous, and my chest and stomach feel like a butterfly house. I seriously need to get a grip. But then Tyrone tugs me a little closer. “Are you okay?”
No. I’m not okay. I’m being me and overthinking every touch and facial expression. I’m just a jumble of nerves and emotions that are wholly inappropriate and misguided. I give a quick, nervous smile. “Uh, yeah. Just excited, I guess. Do you really think they’ll let us in?”
He winks at me. Oh, I so don’t need him winking on top of everything else. I’ll undoubtedly have bloodied palms and knees if I don’t get some control here. We’re just friends. I remind myself. He probably brings all his friends here when he shows them around the island. I’m nothing special. Just another friend. He does this for everyone.Okay.I relax my shoulders. I can get through the day knowing this.
We approached the guard stationed at the bottom of the trail. He comes out of his little booth and bows. “Everything is as you requested, Your Highness. Do you wish to take the tram or the trail?”
Wait, what? He knew the trail would be closed? I look back over my shoulder. He arranged all this just for me? Arranged for us to be here alone? I stare at the tram and tune them out.
Ty looks down at my shoes. “Are those comfortable for a semi-strenuous hike or would you prefer to take the tram?”
“Ummm.” Do I really want to take the tram? Do I want to be suspended in the air with no control over whether I fall to my death or not? The view will be spectacular but it’s still a tram. He will surely see my freakish fear of heights and this little friendship we have going on will end. I look up the steep hillside and take a calming breath. I can put on my big girl pants and take the tram one way, right? “Can we do both?”
I’m tapping my lip with my finger and Tyrone’s eyes watch intently. He pulls his bottom lip in between his teeth.This is how he treats everyone, I scream at my stupid body.
He clears his throat and shoves his hands into his pockets. “What if we take the tram up and then hike back down? That way we can see the view both ways.”
I nod. “That’s a really good idea. It won’t cause a problem for them to bring the tram down empty?”
He shakes his head. “No.” His eyes still linger on me even after he stops talking.
“Great. Should we get going?” I infuse more excitement than is necessary into my voice. PMA, right? A positive mental attitude and all will be fine.
He nods. “After you, my lady.” His hand sweeps to the left and the trail that is labeled as the direction to the tram.
To call it a trail is probably oversimplifying it. It isn’t paved of gold or anything, but it is definitely not like any of the trails I’m used to hiking. This one is paved with pavers to look like cobblestones. We don’t walk far before it opens up and the tram sits docked before us. Sander pulls open the door and I step forward, but he throws his arm out in front of me and shakes his head. Yeah, he’s not a big talker.
I step back as two of the men with him—I have no idea what their names are—step inside and the tram leaves the dock.
I look up at Ty.
“They’re just checking to make sure everything is secure up top.”
I nod with a sort of fascination. This guy’s whole lifestyle is so foreign to me. I just—oohhh. Suddenly things fall into place. “This place is closed to the public because we’re here—you’re here— isn’t it?”
He nods and it is like a bucket of cold water drops on me. I was right. He hadn’t arranged for us to be alone. This wasn’t all because I’m special in any way. We are alone for security purposes. I’m such an idiot. “And the restaurant?”
He nods again.
Is it always like this? Everywhere he goes, do places close? I think back to that day in the coffee house right after we’d first met. There had been other people inside then. So why now? Is it just a move to impress me with his importance? “Is it always like this wherever you go?”
He shrugs. “Not always.”
I frown. “It wasn’t this way at the coffee house. That place was full of people besidesyou and your UFC friends.”
He chuckles at my reference to Sander and the rest of his bodyguards. “Sander won’t appreciate the reference, but the other guys will.” He glances over to his head of security who nods. But I have no idea what the nod means. “Since the incident in front of the coffee shop,” his gaze returns to me, “Sander is insisting on implementing the complete security protocol. No unauthorized people allowed, and the areas are to have a thorough sweeping beforehand.” He sighs. “At least until the guy who snuck under my car is caught. Although, I don’t think even then Sander will let up. That incident rattled him more than it did me.”
Wow. That stinks.
He leans against an iron I-beam. “After I bumped into you in the street, Sander didn’t even want me to go get another coffee. He wanted to send someone for it because he was concerned that perhaps you were…” He doesn’t finish the sentence.
My eyes widen. “I was deemed a credible threat?” I know I should be offended, but I’m really flattered. I’ve never been a security risk before.
