The accusation stung because it contained a kernel of truth. I had left when my assignment ended, as planned. But then everything had gone to hell—Viktor's murder, Alexandra's death, the media frenzy. And then—like a bloody fool—I'd realised that walking away from her had been the biggest mistake of my life.
Roger stepped forward, invading my space. "Face it, Banks. You're obsolete. You're an old school guard. The princess needs someone who understands modern security, someone who can adapt to her lifestyle."
"And you think that's you?" I asked, eyeing him with undisguised contempt.
"I know it's me." His smile widened. "She and I already have a rapport. She appreciates someone who doesn't hover like a storm cloud, someone who can actually smile once in a while."
A surge of jealousy ripped through me. Had they developed a friendship in my absence? Had she forgotten me so quickly? The thought of her laughing with this smug prick made my blood boil.
I took a measured breath. "You don't know the first thing about her."
Dara's radio crackled, and she stepped away to take the communication, leaving Roger and me momentarily alone in the corridor.
Roger leaned in closer, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "I know enough. Read her file, took the time to study her patterns." His smile turned predatory. "Plus, she's not exactly hard on the eyes, right? Makes this assignment a hell of a lot more pleasant than my last few. Watching that body move is definitely a job perk I'm enjoying."
Years of military discipline warred with the primal need to protect what was mine. The professional in me knew I should walk away. The man who'd held Evangeline through her nightmares couldn't let this slide.
Something inside me snapped.
My fist connected with his jaw before I'd even consciously moved. The crack of bone against bone was deeply satisfying, as was how he stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock.
"You son of a bitch!" he shouted, his hand flying to his face. Blood trickled from his split lip.
Dara rushed forward. "James! What the hell are you doing?"
I stood my ground, my body coiled tight, ready for whatever came next. "He needs to learn some respect."
Roger lunged at me, but I sidestepped easily, using his momentum against him to send him crashing into a nearby table. A priceless vase wobbled precariously before Dara steadied it.
"Stop this immediately!" she commanded, her authoritative voice filling the corridor. "This is the royal palace, not some back-alley brawl."
Roger straightened, adjusting his now-rumpled suit. "He's unstable, Dara. Clearly unfit for duty. I want him out of the palace within the hour."
"You don't have that authority," I said evenly.
"Maybe not, but I do," Dara countered, her eyes flashing with anger. "James, I've respected you for years, but this is unacceptable. You've assaulted the princess's appointed security detail."
"He disrespected her," I growled.
"And you think she'd want you defending her honour with your fists?" Dara shook her head, disappointment evident in her expression. "You left, James. You made that choice. You don't get to dictate what happens now."
The truth of her words settled like a weight on my shoulders. I had left. I'd walked away. My assignment was over, because I thought it was the right thing to do. And now I was trying to muscle my way back in as if I had the right.
Roger smirked, sensing his advantage. "Listen to Dara, Banks. Your time here is done. The princess is moving on. We all are." His smirk broadened. "She seemed quite receptive when I suggested we might get to know each other better once she's settled back into palace life."
I lunged forward, grabbing him by his expensive shirt collar. "You stay the fuck away from her."
"Or what?" he taunted, his eyes flashing with challenge despite the blood on his face. "What are you gonna do, Banks? Hit me again and you'll be banned from the palace permanently."
I wanted to beat him senseless. I wanted to erase that smug expression from his face, to make him understand Evangeline wasn't just another assignment, another pretty face to ogle. She was?—
What was she to me? My client? My princess? My one-night stand?
The woman I couldn't stop thinking about, couldn't stop wanting, couldn't stop needing?
"What's going on here?"
Evangeline's voice cut through the tension like a blade. She stood at the end of the corridor, her simple blue dress making her look regal and approachable. Her eyes travelled from Roger's bloodied lip to my fist still clutching his collar, understanding dawning in her expression.
