Royal Heist. Rachelle McCalla

      “Okay, see you—”

      Unwilling to waste even a few spare seconds, Galen ended the call and stepped back into the captain’s office. To his relief, it appeared some of Selini’s initial anger had cooled while he’d been on the phone. Galen felt the faintest twinge of hope.

      “Where were we?” Selini ran his hands through his gray-flecked hair. “I’m not happy with how this situation has developed, but at this point, it seems we’ve painted ourselves into a corner. Ruby trusts you. You’re as familiar with these events as anyone. So, while I disagree on principle with the princess’s decision to move you from sentinel to bodyguard, nonetheless, I’m going to confirm it. She moved Kirk from sentinel to bodyguard, and that turned out quite well.”

      “Yes.”

      “Although I won’t have this case ending like theirs.”

      “Sir?”

      “Kirk’s engagement to the princess.” Selini scowled with displeasure. “And now Linus Murati, attached to the duchess. I don’t want the royal guard developing a reputation. Don’t get romantically involved with this woman. Your position is precarious enough as it is.”

      “Yes, of course.” Galen tried to speak with gusto, to make it sound as though nothing could be further from his mind.

      Dismissed, he hurried through headquarters and across the palace lawn to the interior side entrance to Ruby’s apartment building. The ancient servants’ quarters had been beautifully renovated, modern conveniences enhancing the artful stonework and exposed timbers giving the building a high-end feel. Galen paused just long enough to press his thumb to the touch pad and waited for his print to register, illuminating a green light that indicated he was cleared to enter.

      He headed up the stairs toward her door, eager to get on with the plans he and Ruby had made over supper the evening before. Given the possibility that her attacker was after the jewelry designs, Ruby wanted to visit the studio again to secure more of her notes and other materials that might benefit someone intent on knocking off the princess’s designs.

      As he approached Ruby’s door, Galen steeled his determination. Of course he’d meant every word when he’d assured his superior officer that he wouldn’t get involved with Ruby. He’d reminded himself of the importance of keeping his distance ever since the enjoyable meal they’d shared in the palace kitchen with the princess and Kirk the evening before. Ruby made him laugh. She was a good friend.

      And that was as far as their relationship would go. “Friends,” he reminded himself in a whisper just before he buzzed the intercom under her apartment number. “Just friends.”

      Then Ruby opened the door, a sincere grin replacing the haunted expression she’d worn the night before. Galen felt a giddy smile rise to his lips.

      Just friends had never looked so difficult.

      * * *

      Ruby felt her heart heave a sigh of relief at the sight of Galen. His face was starting to heal. She felt bad about his injuries.

      More than that, she was relieved that he’d arrived to escort her to Stasi’s studio. The more she’d thought about the possibility of someone breaking into the studio, the more she feared she’d left too much information within easy reach of a thief. Papers she still needed could be filed away in locked cabinets. She’d shred anything that was no longer necessary.

      The future of Tate Jewelry rested on the success of her royal jewel replicas. If thieves got their hands on that information ahead of time, Ruby didn’t know how she’d salvage her family’s stores. Everything her parents had worked so hard for all their lives would be lost. How would she earn back their respect then?

      “Thanks for helping me today,” Ruby said with sincerity as she pulled her apartment door closed behind her.

      “No problem.”

      But Ruby suspected it might be a problem. “You’re not in uniform.” She’d immediately noticed his green polo shirt and blue jeans. As they trailed through the hall and down the stairs to the door that led out through the back palace wall, she asked, “Are you off duty?”

      “Technically I’m supposed to be off today—”

      “I can’t impose on your personal time.” Ruby slipped in front of him as he reached for the door handle, as if she could physically block him from heading outside with her. She had enough reservations about spending so much time around him. Certainly she shouldn’t infringe on his personal time.

      “It’s fine.” Galen grinned one of his half smiles that was almost a smirk. “Captain Selini didn’t have any qualms about calling me in today. He’s working on his day off, too. Besides, securing these papers is important, right? I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to them. Or to you.” As he spoke, he reached past her for the door handle, his last three words softer than the rest, as though he’d realized at the last second he shouldn’t speak them aloud, but by then they were already spoken.

      Ruby’s heart gave a crazy leap, but her feet froze in place. Too late, she stepped away so he could reach the door. His hand brushed her arm, and she felt an embarrassed flush rise through her. “Oh!” She ought to protest further, but words failed her. She had to focus all her suddenly depleted brainpower on stepping out of the way of the door as he opened it for her.

      She ducked around his arms, met his eyes briefly and blushed deeper. “Warm day today.” She fanned herself as she stepped outside, hoping he’d attribute her sudden color to the heat of the mid-September weather.

      “A beautiful day,” Galen observed once he’d pulled the door securely closed behind them. When making their plans the previous evening, they’d debated whether to walk or take a car. Given the lack of parking, taking a car created more difficulties than it solved, taking them far out of range of the palace and the helpful presence of the nearby royal guard—and also introduced the possibility that Ruby’s attacker might lie in wait behind the car, if he decided to show up at all. Since the man had only appeared at dusk before, they could assume Ruby would be safest on foot in the bright light of day.

      As they started down the cobbled street toward Stasi’s studio, Ruby tried frantically to think of something to say to Galen to break the awkward silence. They’d had no trouble chatting over supper last night, but Kirk and Stasi had been with them then. Kirk had told stories about Galen, of the time he’d helped him change a flat tire, and how Galen had been sent by the old, corrupt head of the guard to intercept Kirk and Stasi as they’d tried to escape from the insurgents following the coup against the monarchy earlier that summer.

      Rather than stop them, Galen had told Kirk to give him a black eye. Galen had used the injury as an excuse, claiming Kirk had overpowered him.

      Galen had turned red at the story and insisted his actions hardly made him a hero, though Kirk and Stasi both insisted that he’d saved their lives and quite possibly the crown. As far as Ruby was concerned, Galen was a hero.

      Given the time they would be spending together, she felt she ought to clarify her statements from the summer before, and apologize for the harsh way her words had come out. But the mere thought of that encounter sent embarrassment through her all the way to her toes. She couldn’t bring herself to raise the subject.

      To her relief, Galen picked a different topic to discuss.

      “I don’t know a whole lot about jewelry,” he confessed as they walked along the street at a leisurely pace. “The princess’s designs must be something special though if these guys are after them.”

      “Oh, they are.” Ruby felt a rush of relief. She could talk about jewelry all day. “Stasi’s always been a talented designer. Her pieces were selling extremely well, even before she let her name be attached to them. Now that people know they’re designed by a princess, they’re even more popular.”

      “But I don’t understand when she says she’s designing the royal jewels. I thought all the crown