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.
Kassim waved a hand. “Not tonight. This is to celebrate you all, tonight you are not working. You must make sure that Vivi has a good time.”
Someone called out to him and she saw his face lighten for a moment. She tried to see who he was looking for, but couldn’t figure it out.
“I must go. Dance. Drink. Eat. Have fun.”
She gave him a shy smile and a nod. Then she turned to the guys, bracing herself. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know he was behind me when I said that. I didn’t mean to mess up.”
They all stared down at her.
“You didn’t mess up. What are you talking about?” Aleki asked.
Wolfe frowned but it was Caleb who stepped up to her, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Let’s get her somewhere quiet.”
He was taking her somewhere quiet to lecture her. That was good. She’d rather that than have him berate her in public. They found a small, unoccupied room. It was filled with books. A library? If she wasn’t feeling so anxious, she’d have been in heaven.
“I’m really sorry,” she blurted out first before they could say anything. That sometimes worked to appease her father and William when she made a mistake. “I won’t make any more mistakes. I’m going to be really careful about what I say and do. He didn’t seem to be insulted though, right?”
The prince was a hard man to read.
“I don’t understand what she’s talking about,” Wolfe said.
She raised her gaze to his. “I don’t want to embarrass you all.”
Caleb started swearing. Oh shit. This was worse than she thought. She bit her lip, wincing when she realized she was probably smudging all her lipstick.
She started shifting her weight from foot to foot. She felt her airways start to tighten. Her heartbeat started to race. Nausea bubbled in her stomach.
Oh no. No, no, no. She couldn’t have a panic attack now. She hadn’t had one in so long. She’d thought they were under control.
“Caleb, shut up, man!” Aleki snapped at him, startling her.
Oh no, now Aleki was mad too? Tears filled her eyes. Crap! She was going to smudge all of her make-up.
Her breathing started to come in pants.
“Shit, she’s having a panic attack,” Caleb said.
“Fuck, princess. Breathe,” Wolfe ordered.
“Let me.” Aleki was suddenly in front of her. He helped her sit on a chair then he crouched down. “Breathe, baby. Nice and slowly, in through your nose. Now out. That’s right. You’re okay. In, one, two, now out. That’s it. Good. Just keep breathing and counting.”
“I’m s-sorry,” she spurted out, feeling her breathing ease. Aleki had managed to calm her before it became a full-blown attack.
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Aleki told her firmly.
Thank God no one saw her.
Wolfe studied her. “Why would you think you’d embarrass us?”
“Wolfe,” Caleb said sharply. “You need to ease up. Vivi, do you need to go home? To rest? Some water? What do you need?” His words were almost a plea. And it sounded so odd coming from Caleb who always seemed to know what she needed.
“I’m s—”
“Nope,” Caleb told her with a firm look. “Remember what I said about saying sorry for things you didn’t need to be sorry for.”
“I embarrassed you guys.”
“Like hell you did,” Wolfe said, pacing up and down. He was like a ball of coiled energy, ready to strike at any second. But not at her. Never at her. “Why do you keep saying that?”
“I just . . . I don’t know the protocols or what you want from me. What topics do I avoid? Who should I not talk to? Do you only want me to talk when people speak to me? Just tell me what you want!”
Caleb stepped forward then dragged her against him. His hold was tight, to the point of nearly suffocating her, but she melted into his touch.
“Caleb, you’ll wrinkle my dress. And my make-up will get all over your suit.”
“Shut up,” he told her. “Just. Shut. Up.”
Shock held her immobile.
“Hey, why are you telling her to shut up?” Wolfe growled. He tugged at her arm.
“I’m telling her to shut up because I can’t hear any more of that shit coming from her mouth without wanting to get on a plane, track down her father and ensure that the only food he takes in from now on is through a fucking straw.”
There were several beats of silence.
“That’s why she’s acting like this? Her father?” Wolfe asked.
“And her asshole husband I’m guessing,” Aleki said.
“They always demanded perfection. I’m guessing there were rules you had to follow when you were out in public? At engagements?” Caleb asked, rocking her slightly.
“Yes.”
“And what would happen if you messed up?” Aleki asked, moving up behind her. She turned her head so her cheek was resting against Caleb’s suit jacket. Her gaze was caught by Wolfe’s.