Rachelle McCalla - Royal Heist

“It’s okay.” Galen reached out to her with his words, even as he kept his hands at his sides. “You don’t have to know. It’s our job as the royal guard is to keep you safe.”

Stasi jumped in. “As Kirk is always reminding me, safety means more than just freedom from injury. It means freedom from indirect harm, as well. Stressing about your own safety is bad for your health. Speaking of, have you had anything for dinner yet?”

“No.”

“Neither have we,” Kirk reminded Stasi.

“Let’s head over to the palace,” Stasi suggested. “They’ve always got something prepared over there.” She pulled Ruby to her feet.

* * *

“Galen!” Princess Stasi called back from the doorway. “Come on.”

Surprised by the invitation, Galen declined. “I’m on duty tonight.”

“Which is why you’re coming to supper with us. You’re in charge of guarding Ruby from now on. You’ll need to coordinate your schedule with hers.”

“I’m a sentinel, not a bodyguard.” Galen hated to argue with a member of the royal family, but guarding Ruby around the clock would mean a whole lot more than just walking her home. He’d promised her at the end of the previous summer that he’d keep his distance. How was he supposed to do that if he was at her side all day, every day? He’d been tempted enough to pull her into his arms on the street outside the palace walls earlier, lasting less than an hour before temptation had struck.

Besides, the assignment didn’t fit his job description. The royal guard had three distinct positions for non-officers: detectives, bodyguards and sentinels. Galen’s job description was all about guarding buildings, vehicles, and by extension, all the people inside them. He wasn’t authorized to protect just one person.

“Kirk was a sentinel before he became my bodyguard.” Stasi clearly didn’t see why the difference would be an issue. “He can explain the differences for you.”

“But Captain Selini has to authorize all changes.” Galen felt the futility of his defense as he spoke the words. The captain had already assigned Galen to walk Ruby home. Whatever his cautions about protocol, Selini would most likely agree to Princess Anastasia’s expanded request.

“He’ll authorize it,” Stasi assured him, already headed down the hallway, clearly trusting him to follow. “I’m the one who appointed him Captain of the Guard,” she added with a laugh.

Galen followed, but he didn’t laugh. He couldn’t guard Ruby. That would mean spending time with her, watching her smile, hearing her laugh, fighting the urge to beg her not to leave Lydia again. It would mean resisting, every moment of every day, the urge to pull her into his arms, to be close to her as he’d always longed to be. He’d promised Ruby he’d keep his distance. He intended to keep that promise.

But what other options did he have? Stasi wanted him to guard her friend. The captain had to go along with the royal request. Galen couldn’t challenge it—he was already under threat of losing his job. What if he accepted the assignment only to offend Ruby by his closeness? If she complained, Galen would receive the third strike against his record and be kicked off the royal guard.

But if he wasn’t there to guard her, who would keep Ruby safe?

Ruby met his eyes as they entered the kitchen, passing through the doorway at almost the same moment, her sudden closeness a reminder of those brief moments when they’d huddled together, out of sight of her attacker. She gave him an uncertain look, half fear, half questioning. Galen felt his heart twist, his mind made up. He’d keep Ruby safe, whatever the cost.

Even if it cost his job.

FIVE

While the captain took a phone call, Galen stepped into the hall and quickly dialed Ruby’s number. She answered after the second ring.

“You’re late.” In spite of the accusing nature of Ruby’s words, her tone sounded lighthearted over the phone.

“I’m sorry,” he explained quickly, ready to respond the moment Jason Selini finished with his phone call in the office. “My boss called me in to talk about what happened last night. I didn’t think it would take this long.”

“Do I need to be there?”

Ruby’s question surprised him.

“No, it’s fine. It’s mostly about guard issues.” Like the fact that he might lose his job—something he didn’t want Ruby to find out, if he could help it. Knowing Ruby’s insatiable curiosity, she’d want to know what he’d done to endanger his position. She’d feel terribly guilty if she learned that he was in trouble for rescuing her two nights before, and for going out in the boat two years ago.

Galen quickly adjusted the plans they’d made for that afternoon. “Can you wait at your apartment until I’m done here? It shouldn’t be much longer.”

“No problem. I have other things I can work on until then.”

“Thank you for being flexible.” Galen watched through the interior window to the captain’s office as Selini hung up the phone. “I’ve got to go.”

“Okay, see you—”

Unwilling to waste even a few spare seconds, Galen ended the call and stepped back into the captain’s office. To his relief, it appeared some of Selini’s initial anger had cooled while he’d been on the phone. Galen felt the faintest twinge of hope.

“Where were we?” Selini ran his hands through his gray-flecked hair. “I’m not happy with how this situation has developed, but at this point, it seems we’ve painted ourselves into a corner. Ruby trusts you. You’re as familiar with these events as anyone. So, while I disagree on principle with the princess’s decision to move you from sentinel to bodyguard, nonetheless, I’m going to confirm it. She moved Kirk from sentinel to bodyguard, and that turned out quite well.”

“Yes.”

“Although I won’t have this case ending like theirs.”

“Sir?”

“Kirk’s engagement to the princess.” Selini scowled with displeasure. “And now Linus Murati, attached to the duchess. I don’t want the royal guard developing a reputation. Don’t get romantically involved with this woman. Your position is precarious enough as it is.”

“Yes, of course.” Galen tried to speak with gusto, to make it sound as though nothing could be further from his mind.

Dismissed, he hurried through headquarters and across the palace lawn to the interior side entrance to Ruby’s apartment building. The ancient servants’ quarters had been beautifully renovated, modern conveniences enhancing the artful stonework and exposed timbers giving the building a high-end feel. Galen paused just long enough to press his thumb to the touch pad and waited for his print to register, illuminating a green light that indicated he was cleared to enter.

He headed up the stairs toward her door, eager to get on with the plans he and Ruby had made over supper the evening before. Given the possibility that her attacker was after the jewelry designs, Ruby wanted to visit the studio again to secure more of her notes and other materials that might benefit someone intent on knocking off the princess’s designs.

As he approached Ruby’s door, Galen steeled his determination. Of course he’d meant every word when he’d assured his superior officer that he wouldn’t get involved with Ruby. He’d reminded himself of the importance of keeping his distance ever since the enjoyable meal they’d shared in the palace kitchen with the princess and Kirk the evening before. Ruby made him laugh. She was a good friend.

And that was as far as their relationship would go. “Friends,” he reminded himself in a whisper just before he buzzed the intercom under her apartment number. “Just friends.”

Then Ruby opened the door, a sincere grin replacing the haunted expression she’d worn the night before. Galen felt a giddy smile rise to his lips.