his arse.
“Oh, please say he’s not waiting for me.” My stomach dropped with disappointment. “Keep the car going, D-man. We’re going to Cuba. Actually, anywhere you want to go. My treat.”
Dalton grinned, catching my gaze in the mirror again. “Not a fan of the new bodyguard?”
“Not at all.” I pulled myself up between the front seat. “Are you?”
Dalton stayed silent, but his mouth thinned.
“Enough said.” I nodded. “What happened? I was so upset when you weren’t there earlier this week.”
“It’s not my place to have an opinion on what His Highness decides, my lady.”
“Like hell it’s not! You have been his lead guard since he was a boy. That’s fucked up. Do we even know who this guy is?”
“He has impeccable military training. Spotless background check. He might not have a lot of personal guard service, but I can’t deny he is a natural. Whatever they went through in training, he seems to have a real dedication to the prince’s safety, and in the end, that is all that matters.”
“Screw the formal niceties, Dalton. This is me. You matter. Your job matters.”
“Thank you, ma’am, but don’t worry about me. I was promoted to overseeing all the security and guards,” he said with not an ounce of emotion.
“Well, congrats.” I tilted my head. “If that was something you wanted?”
His eyes met mine briefly before he unlatched his seatbelt, reaching for the door.
“You are a very perceptive and wise young woman. I hope that doesn’t end up hurting you here instead of helping.” He stepped out before I could respond, walking around to my door and opening it.
Lennox took a step down, nodding at Dalton. Dalton swung my door open, not responding to the new guard.
“My lady,” Lennox said evenly, reaching for my hand.
I climbed out, moving around his outstretched fingers, turning to Dalton. “Thank you, Dalton.” I nodded at him. “I know coming all the way to Wentworth House must have been inconvenient with all your new duties.”
“You are welcome, my lady.” He bowed to me. “I enjoyed the break. And of course, seeing you again, my lady.”
I grinned, stepping up the treads, ignoring Lennox next to me. I knew he got the not-so-subtle jabs at him. It was in my nature to be loyal. People were hard to trust in the world I lived in. When you found the few you did, you held on to them. Plus, I just didn’t like Lennox.
Several steps away from the grand entrance, I realized Theo wasn’t here. I had no clue what to do without him, and I hated that.
Lennox stayed silent next to me, but I could feel his cockiness kick in like we had just stepped onto a chessboard, and I was going to have to move first. After not taking his hand, he was turning this into a game of dominance.
He should have known I would win in the end.
I sighed, giving in this once. “Where’s Theo?”
I swore I saw his mouth twitch.
“His Highness apologizes for not meeting you here. Duties called him away.”
“Away? Where?” My pitch rose as fear sank like a rock in my bones. Swinging to the man next to me, it was the first time I really noticed his eyes. A blue-hazel color that had me blinking in utter awe. Bright blue, the middle around the pupil was like a ring of flaming fire. Like a golden-brown sun against a bright blue sky. They reminded me of a wolf’s. Fierce and deadly.
“He will be with you shortly.” He vaulted forward into the palace, forcing me to scramble after him. My heels clicked on the polished stone floor between the luxurious embroidered rugs underfoot. I tried not to gape, my eyes rolling over the foyer with awe. My house seemed like a peasant cottage in comparison.
Ornate ceilings reached two stories high with large crystal chandeliers dotting every twelve feet. Fifteen-foot gold-trimmed antique mirrors lined the wall reflecting marble statues, rococo-style chairs, and benches upholstered in deep red silk. Deep blue drapes accented the massive windows, and a large round table under an even more elaborate chandelier sat in the middle of the room, ornamented with fresh white flowers.
It was everything I imagined the inside of a palace to look. Exquisite. Refined. Stunning. But cold. Aloof. Not a home. I couldn’t imagine growing up here. You couldn’t touch anything.
Afraid my arms would suddenly start flailing around like a Muppet, I locked my hands together in front of me, walking stiffly after Lennox. We moved up a flight of