PROWESS. (COMPLETED)

Chapter 60

Brody POV.

Patrolling the training grounds, I shout orders here and there as I survey the drill exercises of my guards. My mind weightily occupied with scrutinizing each man's strengths and weaknesses, judging each. They were all currently competing to prove themselves worthy for my consideration, all aware that I was looking for a bodyguard for the Prowess for the duration of the southern trip. Everyone knew it would be an honour, after all Ana would one day be Queen.

Annoyed, once the training is over and I'm back in my office, I rub my face with frustration. I didn't like any of the guards for the job, none of the candidates I had for consideration possessed enough experience or the right attitude I felt would work well with Ana. My eyes drift to the photo of Kari on my desk and I start to smile. My peace of mind amongst the stress. My queen, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her – I was planning to ask her to marry me soon, but those plans had been put on hold due to everything going on within the royal family.

My biggest headache remained the issue of Jennifer, supposedly the mother of Kellen's child. She had by no means gone away; since causing a scene at the ball, and having a private conversation with Ana, she'd desisted but not disappeared. I had spies tracking everything she did; anywhere she went, whoever she spent time with, every movement of hers was under my investigation. Kellen's current state left him in no position to make decisions regarding that situation, so I'd fed her the same story we'd fed to the media about Kellen being ill and unable to attend to his duties at the current time. It made me uneasy, I wanted to ask Ana what she and Jennifer had spoken about, but the mere reminder of the anger I'd incurred when I asked Ana about the newspaper headlines prevented me asking. I kick myself again for the way I'd addressed the subject, I had been raised with better manners than that – it hadn't come out the way I'd intended. I merely wanted to know if she'd spoke to anyone about her relationship with Kellen, and if she had, whether that person would sell the story to the media. I realize now it was stupid to even entertain the idea – Ana was one of the most private people he'd encountered, you only had to remember how she'd managed to keep her identity a secret from the Royal family for so long, to find the suggestion of her being the leak laughable.

"Stressed?" Calls a familiar voice. I swing my gaze to the doorway blocked by the hulk figure of Jones.

"That obvious, huh?" I ask, motioning for him to sit in the seat in front of my desk.

"I can tell." Smiles the older man enigmatically. At 6'4, with his buzz cropped silver hair, bulk-built form and sharp jaw that hid his age well, Jones gave off an intimidating persona. I'd known him too long to be afraid of him now though, I was pleased to see him. "What's bothering you?" He asks, sinking his large form into the comparatively tiny chair.

"None of my guys have got what it takes to be Miss Wolfe's bodyguard. There are a few promising ones but they're so headstrong, they just wouldn't suit, and I feel they are inexperienced. You and I both know there are men amongst our ranks who would take issue with orders from any women that wasn't there mother or Queen Maryanne. You always taught me that, the demeanor of the bodyguard must be suitable to the nature of the client. I can't find anyone suitable. Someone older with more experience would be better, she'll need someone who knows royal protocol. Do any of your guys fit the criteria?" I ask running my hands through my hair. I knew it was a tall order since a lot of his guys were already assigned to the other Royals on the trip. There were two sets of guards within the palace; those who followed my orders, all in their prime and trained at different levels for all manner of positions within the palace – and then there were Jones' men, just past their prime, very experienced, retired pack members, usually trained to be elders or entourage members for the royals. A secret service of sorts.