A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Mr. Banks?" Evangeline's voice carried through the door, crisp and imperious. "I need to speak with you."
Fuck. I glanced at the clock—nearly 9 PM. I opened the door to find her wearing casual clothes—jeans and a soft sweater that somehow made her look approachable and untouchable. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and those blue eyes were bright with determination.
"Your Highness. It's late."
"I'm aware of the time." She pushed past me into the room without invitation, and I had to suppress the urge to grab her arm and escort her back out. "I heard you've been demanding room changes and security reviews."
"That's correct." I left the door open—partly for propriety, mainly because being alone with her in a bedroom felt dangerous. "Is there a problem?"
"Several." She turned to face me, arms crossed. "First, you've upset half the palace staff with your ultimatums. Second, you're treating our security team like they're incompetent?—"
"They are incompetent." I kept my voice level. "Cameron's breach proved that."
Her eyes flashed. "Cameron made one mistake?—"
"One mistake that could have gotten you killed." I stepped closer, using my height to tower over her. "Tell me, Princess, how many death threats have you received in the past month?"
She hesitated, and I knew I'd hit a nerve. "That's confidential information."
"Not from your bodyguard, it isn't. This brings me to my third point: if you want me to protect you, you don't get to withhold information or override my security decisions. I am here for your protection, princess."
"I see." Her voice was dangerously quiet. "And if I disagree with your... methods?"
"Then you can find yourself another bodyguard." I shrugged, though we both knew that wasn't an option. "But until you do, we do this my way."We stood in tense silence for a moment, the air crackling with hostility and something else I didn't want to name. Then she smiled—a sharp, brittle thing that didn't reach her eyes.
"How refreshing. A man who thinks he can control a princess." She moved toward the door, pausing for a moment. "Sleep well, Mr. Banks. Tomorrow should be... interesting."
The door closed with a soft click that sounded more ominous than if she'd slammed it.
A few more meters, just a few more meters. Something or someone was chasing me, and I have never been more scared. It was a dream; it must have been a dream; otherwise, I knew I was going to die. I was running through the forest in the darkness; sweat was dripping down my face, and my chest was fucking burning. The pounding of feet behind me grew louder. I could hear the howling, then the yapping and growling of animals; there were several of them, maybe wolves. The adrenaline was rushing through me, but I was slowing down. My legs felt like lead. I dropped to the ground, rolling for several meters.
Disoriented and gasping for breath, I looked up, staring into the eyes of the biggest beast I've ever seen. The wolf approached slowly, baring its teeth, while my heart was jackhammering in my chest. I didn't know how I had found myself in this situation. Where the fuck was my gun or a knife? I stared at the yellow eyes of the beast, knowing that I had to fight, or I would die.
I woke up in the darkness, panting and shaking. For a split second, I didn't know where I was or what was going on, but I soon realised I had had another nightmare. I dragged my hand through my hair, exhaling loudly as I sat straight, trying to get my chaotic thoughts in order.
The nightmares always intensified when I felt my control slipping. First with the Princess's unexpected effect on me, now with these dreams. I couldn't afford to be vulnerable—not when someone's life depended on my focus.
After catching my breath, I got up and headed to the bathroom. My clothes were stuck to my fucking body. Sweatdrenched me. It was one of those nights when the nightmares rolled in. Usually, I didn't remember any of them, but I recalled this one. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, thinking again about therapy. After Iraq, it was mandatory to see a specialist, but later on, I refused to go.
The nightmares always got worse when I felt I wasn't in control. Meeting the Princess had thrown me off balance in a way I hadn't experienced since returning from Iraq. This had been going on for years, but lately, the nightmares were much more intense, and the flashbacks were the worst. I never used to sleep much, but since I came back, my insomnia has been much more frequent.
I washed my face, returned to bed, and knew I'd need to work more tomorrow to secure a replacement. I was not entirely on form yet and couldn't jeopardize the Princess's life. The palace investigators shared some info, but I knew they hid more from me. It felt like I would regret staying. I had never been so immediately and intensely attracted to a client. Some had been exceptional beauties, but none had affected me like this. Princess Evangeline Romanov could be the first one who could truly break me.
Chapter Four
Evangeline
Iwoke up very early, way too early, just after six in the morning. I barely slept last night, my mind replaying yesterday's confrontation with my new bodyguard. Despite my anger at his presumptuous attitude, I couldn't shake the image of those piercing blue eyes or how his presence had filled the reception room. Even more disturbing was the fact that I'd woken from a dream about him that left me shaken and aroused - something that had never happened to me before with someone I found so infuriating. Maybe it was because I hadn't had sex for a long time. It had been what, almost two years, damn it.
Luckily, the academic year was starting soon, and it was my last year to complete my veterinary studies. I have always loved animals, and it was my dream to practice, but it might never happen, as I am second in line to the throne of Bellavista.
It was six a.m., and the entire palace was fast asleep. My mother, Queen Sophia, was away on a diplomatic mission, so I didn't have to worry about her for now. We weren't particularly close, not enough compared to Alexandra.
Putting on beige leggings, I went to the garden with my mat for yoga. I was pretty fit; my girlfriends have always teased me because I did yoga at least five times a week. I had my favourite studio in Luxembourg, which gave me a sense of freedom and helped me destress whenever things were hard in the real world.
It was a beautiful day, and I went to my usual spot by the large tree, where no one could really see. Staff rarely wandered off that day, and Damian had already cut the grass here.
