After they finally wrapped for the day, Harrison couldn’t find Lani. He decided to head for the staircase where he’d met her every night, but instead he did one more sweep through the streets to see if he could figure out where she’d gone.
“Let go of me.”
His ears perked up at the sound of her voice. Where was it coming from?
A man’s voice said something, but Harrison couldn’t figure out what.
“Get your hands off me.” This time Lani sounded more insistent and angrier, with a hint of frightened.
He hurried toward the alley where he thought they were.
“Leave me alone!”
Harrison turned the corner to see a man gripping Lani’s wrist as he forced her against the wall.
“Hey!” Harrison grabbed the man’s other arm and spun him around. “She told you to leave her alone.”
“Do you know who I am?” the man thundered.
“No. And I don’t care. The lady asked you to leave her alone, and you refused. That’s all I need to know.”
The chuckle he gave sounded almost sinister. “How do you know she actually meant it?”
Was this guy for real?
The man went on before Harrison could respond. “For all you know, she’s my girlfriend.”
It was Harrison’s turn to laugh. He’d met this kind of man before. One who tried to bully his way through life. “She’s not your girlfriend.”
“How do you know?” he blustered.
“Because she’s mine.” Close enough. Given their interactions the last couple of weeks, he didn’t think Lani would argue about the insinuation.
“She’s your girlfriend?”
“Something like that.”
A flash caught his attention. Before he could figure out where the photographer was, the other man was gone.
Harrison went to Lani who sank against him in relief.
“Thank you.” Once again, her voice was muffled against his chest. “He wouldn’t listen to me.”
“Is he the one who’s been bothering you?” Harrison wanted to go after him, maybe tackle him, but he needed to be here for Lani first.
“This is the first time I’ve talked to him, but it’s not the first time we’ve met.”
Harrison held her tightly. “I won’t let him get to you,” he vowed. “It’s my job to protect you, and when I can’t, as a princess of San Majoria, you’re entitled to protection. Let me set it up.”
If he’d mentioned it the night before or even half an hour earlier, she probably would have said no.
But now she nodded. “I think I’d like that. At least for now.”
He rested his cheek on her head. “Consider it done.”
11
If only he didn’t have to leave.
For the moment, Lani didn’t want to leave his arms. “I need to get home.”
“I’ll walk you.”
Lani was glad he wasn’t going to let her walk alone. The last thing she wanted to be was alone.
And that’s what she told him when he went to walk back out the door.
“You want me to stay?” he clarified.
“For a little while, maybe, yes.” She sank onto the love seat, leaving plenty of room for him.
Harrison sat next to her, his arm wrapped around her shoulders and pulling her close. “Are you ready to talk about it?”
Maybe she should. No one knew what happened with Louis, at least no one she knew in real life.
“You know I did one HEA TV movie, right?”
“Yes. I even tried to stream it, but it wasn’t available.”
“No. It’s not. I wasn’t the lead anyway, just one of the friends. Not even the best friend but one of the group.” She snuggled closer to him. “Louis was the director of that movie, too.”
He didn’t say anything as she gathered the courage to go on.
“He came on to me. Told me I was doing a great job. I wasn’t even a secondary character, really. But he promised me I’d be starring in my own movie if I slept with him.”
She glanced at Harrison to see a neutral look on his face.
Because he didn’t believe her?
Or because he didn’t want her to see how angry he was?
Or because he didn’t care?
“He didn’t use those exact words, but the implication was there.”
“Did he hurt you?” This time, she could tell he was trying to control his emotions.
She shook her head, hot liquid stinging the back of her eyes. “Not physically. He was more physical with me tonight than he was then. I did what you were supposed to do. I went to Human Resources, told them what happened, and signed a statement and everything.”
The tears finally overflowed again. “He’d already reported me, saying I’d come on to him and threatened to report him for harassment if he didn’t sleep with me and give me my own movie.”
“Did they believe you?” His voice was low, and she could tell he was trying to control his anger.
“I think they did, but they couldn’t do anything about it, because he was the director and powerful, and there were no corroborating witnesses.”
“There was tonight. If you want to go to them again, I’ll back you up.”
“He’s the director, Harrison. No one cares what I have to say. I’m just the sister of the woman who wrote the book it’s based on. I’m working with the local townspeople to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
She looked up at him to try to get a read on what he was thinking.
“People care what I have to say. The whole I’m a prince thing. If you want me to help you go to them, I will.”
Lani pulled her feet up onto the couch and wrapped her arms around her legs, as she curled in to Harrison’s side. “Thank you. That means a lot to me, but I think I’d rather just let it drop for now. If he does something again, then maybe, but if I can’t be believed for my own word, I’m not sure I want to take it on right now.”
“I can understand that. But if you decide you want to skip HR and go straight to the local authorities for assault, I’d back you up there, too. You were in a public place, not private property.”
“Thank you.” She closed her eyes and let herself just sink against him. “And thank you for staying with me.”
With him next to her, his arm holding her close, Lani felt something she hadn’t felt since she realized Louis had been brought in to direct at the last minute.
Safe.
So when she felt herself drifting to sleep, the first real sleep she’d had in over a week, she just let herself drift.
And slept in Harrison’s arms on a love seat that wasn’t really big enough.
But she didn’t care.
When Lani woke the next morning, the first thing she realized was that Harrison was gone.
“What do you mean?”
She looked over to see him with his back to her and the phone to his cheek.
“What do the papers say?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “They actually got it mostly right for once. Except for the fiancé part, the story is essentially true.”
“What story?” Lani asked.
Harrison held up a finger. “Thanks for giving me the heads up, Dalton. You said my parents are on their way?” He nodded his head. “I’ll meet them when I can.”
He put the phone in his pocket and smiled at her. “This is my favorite morning ever to wake up.”
“Huh?”
“Having you next to me. Plus, the tabloids actually got a story mostly right.”
“What story is that?”
“Last night. They were there, hiding. I remember a camera flash going off, but didn’t realize the whole thing was caught on camera. From him threatening you, to me showing up, to us walking off together.”
“What part did they get wrong? Why are your parents coming?”
He sat on the ottoman in front of her. “They said you were my fiancée, that we’re getting married as soon as the movi
e wraps. That’s why my parents are coming. It’s only a matter of time before someone uncovers our trip and the law we’re dealing with.”
“And then you get exiled?”
“There’s always the chance my father will fight Parliament and convince them to go with some other consequence, but he didn’t seem eager to do that.”
“No, he didn’t.” Lani took a deep breath and shook her head to clear the cobwebs. “Then I guess there’s just one thing to do.” After last night, she had no choice. If he was willing to stand up for her like that, then there was no reason why they couldn’t make this work.
“What’s that?”
“We get married.”
Harrison wasn’t allowed to be on set with Lani the next day, though he wasn’t sure why. The order came from his people, not the HEA TV people, but Jonathan Langley-Cranston had more than one of his men working undercover to keep an eye on Lani.
Unfortunately, the part of the article where the director was a slimeball seemed to be ignored. He needed to ask Lani about it.
While the day wore on, Harrison spent his time with Gigi, who in turn spent her day planning the wedding. All of Harrison’s family would be coming along with a few other dignitaries from the Quad Countries.
Lani would have a guest list, but he hadn’t talked to her about it yet, or about when it was going to be.
As soon as reasonably possible was as far as they’d gotten. The family would be ready to go and only need about six hours’ notice, though they’d like more if possible.
The wedding would be held in the gazebo at the house where the family always stayed at Christmas. The reception would be in the ballroom. Mama Beach would perform the ceremony, if she was willing.
Harrison still hadn’t met the woman who’d been more of a mother to Lani than her own mother in recent years.
Esther, with help from Kenzie Langley-Cranston and Julia Bayfield, brought in some of the area’s best people to help decorate and be on stand-by for flowers. She called in her favorite designer from San Majoria to come to Serenity Landing with designs she had on stand-by.
Harrison hadn’t told Lani she wouldn’t be allowed to stay at her own apartment until all of this blew over.
Even though there was no indication that the press caught wind of the law saying Harrison and Lani were already married, they had identified her as the fiancée of Prince Harrison, and that was close enough.
He didn’t have much of an opinion on virtually anything Esther and her crew showed him. Really, Lani needed to be there, but instead Esther was putting together a couple of choices for each item and would have Lani choose later.
Esther finally set her tablet aside. “I need to go home for a bit. Lexi and Tori are probably about ready to wake up from their nap. I’d like to spend some time with them then come back later to go over everything with Lani.”
Harrison stood with her and walked her to the door. He leaned over and kissed her twice on the cheek. “Give those to my nieces. Unless Lani has a better plan, I’d love to have them as flower girls.”
Esther grinned. “I think they’re still a little young, but I’m sure the other little girls would love to.”
“Duly noted. Will you take care of that for me? I’ll ask Lani later, but having dresses ready for them would be a good idea.”
Esther patted his shoulder. “Of course. Gigi wouldn’t have us doing all of this if she wasn’t sure this girl was the right one for you. That means we’re all insanely happy for you, and we’ll do whatever we can to help.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll be back later.”
Harrison didn’t wait for her to leave to close the door. Her security officer would drive her home, so she could continue working.
He was grateful for her and her help, but the day dragged on. Finally, he got word that Lani was on her way to the house in a car driven by one of her new friends.
By the time the car pulled into the circle drive, Harrison was waiting. Normally, someone else would open the door to let a member of the royal family out, but this time Harrison would do it himself.
Lani wasn’t quite as wide-eyed as she’d been the first two times she arrived at the house, but he could tell she was overwhelmed.
Once inside, he kept his arm around her waist as he directed her to the kitchen. “There’s food in here for you. I know you haven’t been eating well.”
Everything she needed to make a sandwich waited for her on the bar. One of the staff had set it up as soon as the word had come in that Lani was on her way.
“They have craft services to feed the cast and crew, but I didn’t have a chance to make it over there,” she admitted, grabbing one of the sandwich rolls and opening it onto a plate.
Harrison paid attention to how she put her sandwich together. A thick slice of ham. Several different kinds of cheese plus another slice of ham, topped with mayonnaise, a condiment he didn’t understand the appeal of.
She dished up some potato salad and cheese dip before grabbing some crackers to eat with it. But then she looked kind of lost.
“Do you want to eat in here or the breakfast nook?” he asked.
Lani set her plate in front of one of the barstools. “This works.”
He’d discovered she liked her water very cold, so he’d put some in the freezer. It hadn’t been in there long enough to freeze completely though. After handing it to her, Harrison put some of the cheese dip on a plate for himself then sat on the barstool next to her.
“What’s the verdict?” she asked. “When’s the wedding? Six months? Less?”
“As soon as you have a day off. My family needs about eight hours’ notice, but otherwise everything else will be almost ready.”
Lani choked on her water. “Seriously?”
“Yep. My sister has been planning it all day. She’ll be here in about ten minutes to go over it all with you. I don’t care one way or the other about any of it, but you should have your choices.”
She nodded as she took a big bite of her sandwich. “I’m sure your sister has great taste and knows what’s suitable for a royal wedding and all of that.”
“It’s not my taste that matters.” Esther walked in from the other room. “Do you mind if we get started while you eat? I’m sure you’d like to get to bed as soon as possible, but we do have a lot of ground to cover.”
Harrison listened as Esther went through everything, offering an opinion when asked - if he had one. By the time Esther left and he walked Lani up the stairs to the room she’d been assigned, all of the decisions had been made, except for the dress.
And the engagement ring.
Esther had mentioned it earlier, but Lani hadn’t. Harrison had a vault of jewels to choose from in San Majoria. He’d have to figure it out soon.
But first, he gave Lani the same hug he’d been giving her for nearly two weeks and then kissed her forehead.
“Good night,” he told her softly. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thank you for everything, Harrison.” She leaned her forehead against his chest before he could leave. “Thank you for arranging for security. I felt much safer today even though I didn’t know who they were.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” He waited another moment then asked the question that had been bothering him all day. “But what are they doing about the director? That part of the story - what he said and did - was true.”
“One of the HR people asked me if I felt safe. I said yes. I got the impression he’s being watched very carefully until this wraps, and this will be his last HEA TV movie, but they don’t want to rock the boat in the middle of filming.”
Lani swayed back away from him. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
It took everything in him to walk away, to not kiss her for the first time, but he did. Some things were more important.
Right now, that was sleep.
12
With a blink, Lani tried to absorb the information. “Could you repeat that?”
<
br /> “We won’t be shooting today.” One of the production assistants Lani didn’t know had given her the news. “Something from craft services yesterday gave two-thirds of the cast and crew food poisoning. Rumor has it the romaine was bad.”
“Will we be back tomorrow?”
“Probably?” The PA shrugged. “I guess it depends on how fast everyone gets better.” She moved on to her next task.
Lani stared down the street and hoped Louis was one of the ones afflicted then reprimanded herself for the snarky thought.
Instead, she texted Harrison that she’d be heading back to the mansion when a notification came through that production would be closed for at least two days. She sent a follow-up then looked around for the security guard who would take her home.
He must have already heard, because a car was waiting for her at the end of the street.
She swiped to answer Harrison’s call.
“You really have two days off?” He didn’t even say hello but sounded cautious.
“Looks like it. Maybe three or even more depending on how bad it is and who’s sick. If Eli or Claire are and are the last to get better, then there’s only so many scenes that can be shot. If there’s still a few crew members out, then they can be replaced.”
She heard talking in the background behind him.
“I’ve got to go,” he told her. “But I’ll see you when you get here in a few minutes.”
He disconnected before she could say goodbye, but the drive back to the estate wasn’t terribly long.
She did something she knew she shouldn’t and looked at the articles online from the day before.
Speculation was rampant about when the wedding would be and if they were living together since Harrison had gone into her apartment that night and hadn’t left.
They also knew she wasn’t staying there anymore, but security stayed on the premises.
No one greeted her in front of the main doors this time, so Lani took a deep breath and let herself in. Harrison had told her it was her home for the time being, and you didn’t knock on your own door right?
“This afternoon,” Esther told someone on the phone. “Can we do that?” She listened then nodded. “Wonderful. Thank you.” She tapped at the phone and barely paused. “Gina, what time can you be here?”
Small Town Girls Don't Marry Secret Princes: A Small Town Contemporary Christian Romance (Beaches of Trumanville Book 2) Page 8