An Errant Prince

Samuel Johnson, Royal Bodyguard

Kash and Sam made their way through the bustling kitchen and exited the luxurious Beaumont hotel through a service door. On the street, Johnson fumbled for his keys, unlocking a performance blue Mustang. "She's well-behaved but a little high strung."

"So is Jasmine." Kash pulled a bottle of pills from his coat pocket and spilled a few into his hand, but Sam knocked the pale blue amphetamines to the ground. "You don't need those, son."

"You're wrong on that account. I do." Kash went to retrieve more pills, but Sam grabbed the bottle from him and pocketed it.

"Give me my medicine." Six feet tall, Kash looked down at the shorter man.

"You've put enough poison in your body. I figure we have a couple of hours before your vicious fiancé gets suspicious. Just enough time to stop by my flat."

Kash moved forward without thinking, inexorably drawn towards the blue muscle car. Sam saw the lust in his eyes and laughed. "I feel a bit light-headed; maybe you should drive." He tossed Kash the keys.

"You're not drunk! You're trying to distract me from my habit."

"You have to be a good actor in my line of work. I was at your brother's wedding to find out from my contact where Diana's hiding in sanctuary. I got some good intel." The car's masculine smell of leather and cigars soothed  Kash's nerves. When he inserted the key in the ignition, the car turned over with a low rumble. Something in his mind clicked. He felt alive. "I know you're a good driver. I heard you raced in the Dakar motorcycle competition before you lost all your ambition."

"With the sun beating down on me, and the hot motor idling between my legs, it was a terrible experience." Kashs' words were slurred, but his hands were steady. He could drive in his sleep. The idling car vibrated, growling like a purring tiger. "Where are we going?"

"My flat's on Oxford Street. We'll stop by and pick up everything we need before we book a flight out of here in the morning."

Kash laughed. "I can't fly anywhere without my passport"

"Leave that to me."

"Tell me. How did you know I'd leave with you?"

"I haven't survived this long without a well developed sixth-sense. I can tell you love a good adventure."

What if I'm being kidnapped. I've traded one jailer for another. Kash shrugged off the disturbing thought. Even if I am, it's better than being hen-pecked by Jasmine.

When they arrived at Johnson's apartment, he expected to see a crusty bachelor pad, but upon entering Sam's home, he was pleasantly surprised. The living room was neat and orderly. Overall the apartment was a well turned out space. An ornate Victorian fireplace and a light-patterned oriental rug gave the room a luxurious air, while a white bistro-style kitchen with black steel doors led out to a balcony and a cozy second-floor den.

On the fireplace mantle, Kash saw pictures of a handsome young Sam in uniform with Diana. The Princess was relaxed and glowing. Interpreting Kash's shocked silence for interest in his work, Sam said. "I never envied the Royals their fame or lavish lifestyle. To me, it was a gauntlet of paparazzi and mind numbingly boring social obligations."

"Who are you?" Kash turned and faced the elderly man with new interest.

"I told you, I was on Princess Diana's security detail. Our department and the Royal Guard had the care of her personal safety for over fifteen years."

Staring at the pictures, Kash pulled out his phone and called his brother. As he had hoped, his call went straight to voice mail. "I'm sorry I left the party, Samruth, but I need time to think. I don't want to marry Jasmine. I'll call you in a few days. Please cover for me with mom and dad."