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The disappointment was evident in her eyes and he hated that he couldn’t erase it, but he had a job to do There was always so that needed his attention Since he’d assus had never bothered him

Those busy activities had been just what he’d needed after Zoe had left hi lost in his loneliness The back-to-backin his brief e But noith Zoe back in his life, he wanted time to stop He wanted to talk to her—to comfort her—to help her

He scooped up the envelope with the annuletAnd there was one part of thelast, he could tell the king and anyone else that cared to hear that their suspicions about Zoe were totally unfounded His grip tightened on the papers He was holding the proof in his hand

While Zoe gathered her sketch pads and a few clothes, he pulled the papers froe dampened his excitement over the passionate kiss they’d just shared Zoe hadn’t lied She did indeed want out of their e Disappointment settled heavy in his chest There was still so much to discuss He wasn’t sure exactly what to do with the papers For now, he would keep them safe

“I’lass, ca over her shoulder She lifted her hand and placed a pink ball cap on her head and eased her long ponytail through the opening in the back “I wanted some stuff to wear for the times I walk on the beach”

He followed her out the door and down the steps Once they were next to the car, Zoe came to an abrupt stop Demetrius bumped into her He instinctively reached for her shoulders to steady her

“Zoe, what’s the matter?”

Her head was turned to the right, staring down the alleyway “Did you see that? There it is again”

He glanced around, not noticing anything out of the ordinary “What is it?”

“A flash Over there” She pointed between a couple of buildings across the street “In the shadows”

Just because he hadn’t seen it didn’t mean it wasn’t there He nodded to the head of security as standing by his side, hearing everything that was said A couple of ate

De car “Don’t worry You’re safe”

He would do whatever it took to protect her He remembered how they’d hounded his race—until that fatal day On an outing, the paparazzi had gotten out of control, blocking the royal processional And when his twin had grown bored and taken off into the crowd, mayhem had ensued Security tried to move the paparazzi out of the way, but before they could a shot rang out De shot