“F-for me?”
“Of course,” Caleb said. “So everyone can meet you. And we can all celebrate the formation of our harem.”
Ohh. So, no pressure or anything. “Is everyone going to be staring at me? Wanting to talk to me?”
She started to feel sick. She’d already felt nervous about all of this but now . . . she’d spent the last eight years having to perform in public. Wasn’t like this would be any different.
Except it was more important. She couldn’t let the guys down. She’d have to be careful not to spill anything or say something stupid.
No eating or drinking. Check.
No talking unless someone talks to you. Check.
Straight posture. Check.
“Jelly bean? Everything all right?” Caleb asked.
“I’m fine,” she told him.
They arrived before he could ask her anything more. They all exited the car, with Aleki slipping her hand into the crook of his elbow.
The palace was lit up and there were people arriving in a constant stream up the driveway. As they approached the front doors, Owen and Beck were standing there in suits. They also had earpieces. She’d met all of Beta team the other day. Hux was definitely her favorite. She wasn’t sure what to think of Judd, their leader, quite yet.
“Owen, Beck,” Caleb greeted them.
“You’re not checking bags?” Wolfe asked disapprovingly.
One of the men frowned. “Prince Kassim didn’t want us to. He wants us to blend in. He said it would be rude to check our guests.”
Caleb let out a frustrated noise. “They’re getting complacent. I’ll talk to him.”
“Is everything all right?” she asked quietly as they entered the huge foyer. It was so beautiful. Marble floors and enormous ceilings with white walls.
“Nothing to worry about, jelly bean,” Caleb told her. “Just need to have a chat with Kassim about who is in charge of security and overriding our orders.”
Her eyes widened. “But isn’t he your boss and like, the leader of Escana?”
“Yes, he is,” someone said from behind them.
She gasped, turning in fright. There stood a truly stunning man. He had dark hair that was neatly combed. Eyes that were almost black took her in.
“Kassim,” Caleb greeted.
Oh God. How had she messed up already?
“I . . . I . . .” Jesus, Vivi. Get it together.
“Hello, you must be the lovely Genevieve,” the prince said, holding out his hand to her.
“Hello, your majesty,” she said quietly, giving him her hand.
He brought it to his mouth, shocking her. She wondered what it was like to be the reigning prince. The guys had told her that his father, the King, was still alive. But the King had decided to pass on the leadership of Escana to his eldest son and retire on some private island he owned.
“Please, no need for formalities. Call me Kassim. We’re family after all.” He didn’t smile as he said that but his eyes did warm marginally.
“Please call me Vivi.”
“We need to talk about security protocols,” Caleb said.