Off-Limits To The Crown Prince (Mills & Boon Modern) by Kali Anthony

Author:Kali Anthony [Anthony, Kali]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon Modern
Published: 2021-07-22T18:09:26+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

THE JOURNEY BACK to the palace had been in near silence. There was too much going through Alessio’s head for him to say anything at all. The sly comments, the innuendos, all directed at one woman.

A woman who’d seen fit to defend him in the face of obvious attacks.

‘Do you need to discuss this evening’s events?’ Stefano asked as they walked towards the royal suite. Hannah remained silent. Alessio wanted to know how she felt, given everything that had passed. ‘And would you like me to take Signorina Barrington on a very public sightseeing tour tomorrow? A quiet word in the right news organisation’s ear and—’

‘No, and no press.’

‘If we used them properly, it could be to your advantage. They fabricate news about you, since they get none. Why not feed the beast a different story?’

This old argument between them could wait for another day. He didn’t want Hannah used to deflect attention from his own errors. Inviting her into the hornet’s nest was his mistake. She’d done enough tonight by tolerating the dinner. For that alone he must thank her.

‘I need to place the necklace in the safe,’ he said. Hannah stood there with her head held high, looking more like royalty than he felt after tonight’s efforts. Lasserno’s aristocracy had not crowned themselves in glory.

Hannah reached behind her neck to undo the clasp and he shook his head.

‘You can remove it in my room,’ he said, then added to Stefano, ‘We can speak tomorrow if there’s a need.’

Stefano gave Hannah a lingering look, nodded, then left.

Alessio opened the door of his suite and walked inside with Hannah following. The burn in his gut overtook him now, raging close to the surface over the way she’d been treated. All the while his emotions mingled with something softer, more tempting. She’d defended him, worked to ensure there were no rumours about them. Pretended for him. That protectiveness was unfamiliar in his experience. Its allure potent. The memory of their knees pressing together, the hidden support...he couldn’t put it out of his mind. In his role as Prince of Lasserno he was tasked as protector of a nation. The weight of all decisions fell on his shoulders. Tonight, Hannah had relieved some of his burden and he could never thank her enough.

‘Would you like a drink?’ He rarely resorted to alcohol, avoiding any kind of excess, but he needed something to dull the immediacy of his anger.

She shook her head. Standing under the soft lights, glittering and perfect. As if this were her place. But it couldn’t be, no matter the temptation.

‘No, I think I’ve had more than enough wine. But feel free.’

He smiled at the audacity of her giving him permission in his own rooms. She was a constant challenge to his position, and he feared he was enjoying the challenge far too much.

‘I will.’ He poured a slug of amber fluid into a glass.

‘You are the Prince and all. You can do what you like.’

The weight of responsibility sometimes threatened to crush him, and yet he couldn’t yield to it.

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