Ruled by her Daddies

by Roberts, Laylah

  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.

  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.

  “They’d get angry. They’d yell. Throw things,” she whispered.

  “We should just take her home,” Wolfe said. “Fuck this shit. It’s not like we enjoy it.”

  “We can’t just leave,” Aleki argued.

  “Why not? I don’t even like any of these people. She’s more important than any of them.”

  Caleb stepped back slightly and grasped hold of her chin turning her face up so she had to look at him. “If this is too much, we can go home.”

  Alarm filled her. Then she’d really be disappointing them. All these people were here
for them. For her.

  “She’s shaking,” Wolfe spat out. “I don’t like it.”

  “Wolfe,” Caleb said warningly, without moving his gaze from hers. “We can go home if you need to, jelly bean. But first listen to me, okay? Can you do that?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “None of us expects perfection. None of us wants perfection. Perfection is scary. It’s not real. Do you think that any of us are perfect? Do you not think that Wolfe is going to spend the night scowling at everyone and not talking? Or that Aleki won’t end up spilling food all down his front?”

  “Or that Caleb won’t end up trying to dance and looking like a chicken pecking for food,” Aleki added.

  Caleb gave Aleki an offended look. “I’m an excellent dancer.”

  “You’re a shit dancer,” Wolfe told him.

  She had to smile.

  “Jelly bean, there is no way you could embarrass us. All we want tonight is for you to be yourself and have fun. But if you’re uncomfortable and want to leave, then we’ll head home now. Truth is, Wolfe is counting down the minutes until he can safely leave. He usually avoids these things like the plague.”

  “If you don’t want to talk to anyone just stand by him,” Aleki told her with a wink. “Everyone gives him a wide berth.”

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, allowing her nerves to settle. “I want to stay. But if it gets too much then we can go?”

  “Anytime you want.” Caleb cupped the side of her face. “Anything you want.”

  “I really want a jelly bean.” And Piggles. But that was kind of impossible.

  Caleb grinned and reached into his pocket, pulling out a packet. Damn, how did he always know what she needed? He opened the pack and handed her one. She took it with a smile of thanks.

  Leaning in, he kissed her forehead. “Remember, you do you, jelly bean.”

  * * *

  An hour later, she was shocked to discover how much fun she was having. She was currently laughing at Prince Aric’s truly awful pick-up lines. Caleb had already briefed her on the princes. Kassim was the oldest and the most serious. Prince Matek was the second oldest. Caleb said not to take offense if he didn’t talk to her, since he was standoffish with most people. Prince Tavi came next. He had an obsession with Arianna, Caleb’s friend who was a famous singer. The youngest was Aric. He was also the friendliest and had the worst pick-up lines.

  “Are you a parking ticket, because you’ve got fine written all over you,” Aric said. He tried to keep a straight face, for all of three seconds, before he burst into laughter. She found herself giggling along with him.

  “You’re a terrible flirt.”

  “I’m going to take it that you mean I’m terribly good,” he replied.

  “Aric, maybe you should go find your own woman to flirt with before Wolfe loses his cool,” Aleki suggested, although he was grinning.

  “Wolfe? Lose his cool? That never happens.” Then Aric glanced at Wolfe and paled slightly. “Hmm, maybe you’re right. I think Tavi will need a break from all the ladies lining up to dance with him.”

  He gave her a wink and kissed the top of her hand before he headed over to an older woman with graying hair and a stately demeanor. He bowed lavishly over her hand and Vivi giggled.

  “He’s crazy.”

  “He needs to ease up or Wolfe will have a coronary,” Aleki told her.

  “Where’s Caleb? I thought he was getting you a drink?” Wolfe demanded. “Do you need to sit down? Are you feeling all right?”

  Aleki and Caleb had danced with her several times, but now her feet were starting to hurt. She was also tired. But she knew better than to say that to Wolfe.

  “I’m having a great time. Just a bit tired.”

  A strange feeling ran over her. Almost like she was being watched. That wasn’t the first time she’d felt it tonight. But every time she looked around, she couldn’t see anyone staring.

  “We can go home if you need to,” Wolfe told her.

  She sighed in happiness. “I’ll stay a bit longer.”

  “Something’s wrong,” Wolfe said suddenly, tensing behind her.

  She looked over to find Owen working his way towards them. Wolfe turned to Aleki. “Stay with her. I’ll go see what he wants.”

  Wolfe walked over to meet Owen, who said something quietly to him. Wolfe frowned and glanced back at them then nodded. He strode quickly over. “There’s a suspicious package in the south garden. They want me to look at it before they move it. Could be nothing. Just be on alert, all right?”

  Aleki nodded back seriously. “I’ll inform Caleb.”

  Wolfe took hold of her chin. “Stay with Aleki and Caleb. Do not move from their sight. Understand?”

  “I understand. Be careful.” She squeezed his hand gently.

  “Don’t worry about him,” Aleki told her as Wolfe slipped away like a shadow. “He can take care of himself.”

  She nodded, but she knew she’d worry about him until he was back in their sights. Caleb joined them, his face pensive.

  “You heard?” Aleki asked him.

  “About the box in the east garden? Yeah, Judd is there.”

  Aleki shared a look with her. “I was talking about the box found in the south garden. Owen just came and got Wolfe.”

  Caleb’s eyes widened, he brought out his phone, turning away from them to speak into it quietly. “Yep. Got it.”

  He ended the call and looked to Aleki. “There’re two suspicious boxes. Judd has some of the guards searching the grounds for any more, but I think it’s time for the party to end. I need to update Kassim and we need to get people moving without panicking. Jelly bean, I want you to go home.”

  She nodded worriedly.

  “I’ll take her,” Aleki offered.

  Caleb nodded then looked at his phone. “Fuck! Another box was found. Let’s start evacuation. Damn it, Aleki, I need you in the security room. I’ll take her home.”

  “Is everything all right?”

  She glanced over as one of the princes’ cousins approached. There were five of them. But Jeric, the one walking towards them, had rubbed her the wrong way when she’d met him earlier.

  “We have a security issue,” Caleb told him briskly. He sent her an apologetic look. “Let’s go talk to Kassim, Vivi. Then I’ll escort you home.”

  “I can take her,” Jeric offered.

  No. Nope. She didn’t want to be alone with him.

  “You seem to be busy,” Jeric added. “I have nothing to do.”

  “What’s that?” she asked, staring down at wisps of white stuff that ran between her ankles. It didn’t smell like smoke.

  “Fuck! Aleki get to the security room,” Caleb demanded.

  “Is it fog?” Jeric asked, looking confused.

  Around them, people were starting to notice and there were a few cries of panic.

  “I’m calling Wolfe. He’ll have to come get you.” Caleb had hold of her arm, his phone in his other hand. He spoke into it quickly, telling Wolfe what was going on. “He’ll meet you at the house. I have to get to the princes.”

  “I can help,” Jeric offered.

  “Caleb!”

  She glanced over to see Hux making his way towards them. “I’ve just come from the security room. I grabbed you this.” He handed Caleb an earpiece. “The princes are being escorted to the safe room.”

  “Fuck. I have to see the princes to safety,” Caleb said. Then he looked at her.

  “I can go home on my own,” she offered.

  “No.” Caleb frowned. “I’d take you with me but if this is an attack on the princes then I don’t want you near them.”

  “I’ll take her,” Hux offered.

  Caleb stared at him the nodded reluctantly. “All right. Escort her home and wait for Wolfe. Guard her with your life.”

  Hux nodded seriously. “I will. Prince Jeric, they’re looking for you.”

  Jeric gave a nod, but he looked a bit annoyed.

 
Caleb kissed her quickly. “Listen to Hux. Stay with him. Wolfe is in charge of your safety once he gets to you.”

  “I will. Be safe. I love you.”

  Her heart was racing, panic filling her.

  “Love you too. Prince Jeric, come with me,” Caleb called out as he pushed through the people that were being directed by other security personnel to exit the building.

  Fear made her feel ill as Hux led her to one of the golf carts she’d seen a lot of security personnel using. People were alarmed as they exited the building, talking loudly, wondering what was going on.

  “What’s happening?” she asked. “Where do you think that fog came from? It wasn’t poisonous, was it?”

  Hux shot her a look as he headed towards the house. “No. It seemed like that stuff that comes out of a fog machine.”

  “What about the boxes? Have you heard anything about them? If Wolfe is coming back to get me, I’m guessing that they were nothing threatening?”

  “They had alarm clocks in them. The ticking worried the guards that found them. They have no experience with explosives. Not like Wolfe.”

  Wolfe had experience with explosives? Okay, she guessed that was something that had come about from being in the SEALs.

  “Is it safe to come over here?” she asked quietly. She didn’t feel right about leaving Aleki and Caleb.

  “Safer than staying at the palace. The princes will be the target so you’re safer being far away from them.”

  But Caleb and Aleki had to be close to them. She let out a small noise.

  “Oh, fuck. I didn’t mean it like that. Caleb and Aleki will be fine. Honestly, this seems to be some weird prank. Come on.”

  He parked around the side of the house. “I’ll take you inside. Wolfe won’t be far.”

  As they walked towards the courtyard, the security lights started to come on. Something rushed out of the shadows towards them. Hux swung around, pushing her to the ground just as someone swung a bat, hitting him in the head.

  He went down with a thump.

  43

  “Hux? Hux!”

  “Shut up you little bitch, before someone hears you.”

  She froze. She knew that voice. “Uncle Ben?”

  What would Uncle Ben be doing here? He threw something on the ground and she looked down in shock at the bat. He’d hit Hux in the head with a bat? Fuck! She tried to move away from him, but she wasn’t fast enough and he grabbed her arm so hard that she knew he’d leave bruises.