Destroying the Prince (Babysitting the Prince book 2)

Chapter 20.

Chapter 20.

*****

I looked up at the palace as we drove into the yard. I had not expected to see it this soon again when I left last time after I broke up with Adrian. Seeing it made me feel quite annoyed and I knew the feeling was just going to build the longer I stayed there. I climbed out of the car thanking the driver before I made my way to the back to grab my suitcase and tug it out of the car while I declined help from the palace guards.

"Is Riley upstairs?" I asked one of the guards figuring I would have Riley brief me on what had been going on since he was assigned before I went to see Adrian – or decided if it was necessary to see him.

"Should be on the second or third floor. No one is allowed up there." I nodded at the guard and attempted to begin pulling my bag but raised my brows hearing Maximilian shout my name from somewhere near the door. It was followed by him running through the guards before he pretty much tackled me into a hug and I had to stumble to keep from falling back as he hugged me.

"Ari!" I felt my face heat as Maximilian squeezed me tightly in front of everyone. I was too embarrassed by this to admit that I had missed him a lot in the time I had not seen him.

"Max, I'm working." I mumbled. He smelt and felt so sweaty and wet, even his hair was wet.

"Sorry, I just really miss you." He looked guilty and I had to fight to keep from smiling at him as I looked down embarrassed. "You look... exactly the same." He said glancing over me.

"It's been two days, go away." I pushed him and he laughed. What was he expecting?

"Fine, I was working out and I'm not that happy you're here anyway." I smiled at his pettiness.

"See you later, Max." I attempted to walk into the house but he held out his arm in front of me.

"Wait –" I gasped as he hugged me again. "There. Now you're smelly too." He barely had a chance to grin before I shoved him away from me hard.

"Maximilian, what's wrong with you?" He just laughed as he ran away. I glared towards where he had ran into the house before I turned to the guards, frowning as I glanced down at my damp shirt and tried to pat it dry. Damn it, he's so annoying sometimes.

"Shall we take you upstairs?"

"No, thank you. I can manage."

I made my way into the palace and towards the stairs frowning as I neared them and automatically glanced to where I figured Adrian and Iris had been that night. There were two guards at the bottom of the staircase who already knew my face so I just passed by them after they looked at me. I carried the case the rest of the way upstairs and was happy to find Kennedy in the hallway upstairs. We greeted each other before he led me towards Adrian's room and I furrowed my brows at him.

"We figured whoever is targeting him would expect that he swap rooms, so we just kept him in here. Of course only Riley and I are allowed up here, and the third levels assigned to the other princes."

"There were more people assigned?"

"Just in case." He said, "They're not here right now, except Maximilian's... Natalie." I nodded remembering seeing her around once or twice.

"For Maximilian?" I asked looking at Kendall. He nodded.

"Apparently she's quite impressive." He said. I did not respond as looked back down realising my brows had lowered when I looked at him.

She had to pretty good at what we did, I guess. We barely ever spoke, maybe because we almost never got off missions at the same time and she had been a third level for the most part of four years so there was not really a need to interact. She should have been fourth by now... if she was actually that impressive. I frowned at myself wondering what the hell was with my attitude and cattiness towards her in my mind suddenly. She was his new guard. She was definitely good if she was still part of the agency. Everyone struggled to become 4th levels, that's why there were barely any so her not being one yet did not make her any less 'impressive'. I should be glad Maximilian has someone taking care of him, he definitely needed it most given how reckless he could be.