Page 20 of Royal Salvation

“I know you do.”

Justice opened the door and instead of leaving her, he followed her inside. Before she could say anything, she was swept up in hugs from her family. Her sister, looking sensational in a burgundy shift dress with lace at the wrists, rushed toward her.

Her sister’s embrace was like coming home and she hugged her tight before pulling back and assessing Lucía as she’d always done, the eighteen-month age gap meaning Maria took on the older sister mantle and ran with it. “Lucía, oh I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. How is my gorgeous nephew?”

“A little rascal like his father.” Maria beamed at the man who walked up behind her and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“Lucía, good to see you.”

“You too, Lucas. How is work?”

Lucía liked Lucas and adored how much he loved her sister. He was a kind intelligent man and they often talked shop when they were together. He’d been a human rights lawyer and she often asked him for advice on matters for the charity.

“Busy as always but you know I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As they chatted, she saw Justice talking to a man and a woman she didn’t recognise. The man was tall with reddish-blond hair and a powerful build. The way he kept glancing around the room told her he was probably one of Justice’s colleagues.

The woman was stunning with long dark hair, high cheek bones, ruby red lips, and a smile that was both genuine and seductive. Slim with long legs, she wore a navy shift dress, gold heeled pumps, and a three-quarter length sleeve cropped jacket over the top of the dress, giving her a professional and yet sexy look.

As Justice laughed at something she said Lucía felt the punch of jealousy in her belly, a proprietary feeling of ownership about a man she’d never even kissed and knew she was a fool.

“He’s very handsome.”

Lucía started and turned to her sister who was grinning at her and watching Justice. Waving her hand in a whatever motion she laughed. “He is but he’s my bodyguard, so off-limits. I’m not actually sure why he’s here.”

“Didn’t you hear? Daddy sent a missive earlier today that all personal protection officers would now be engaged to stay with their principal, and no part of the Palace is off-limits for them apart from the bedrooms, and then a female PPO must check the rooms.”

“Oh, wow. I had no idea.”

“Yes, he also asked me about Felix’s treatment of you over the years and I told him the truth.”

Lucía gasped, taking her sister’s hand. “You did?”

“Yes, of course. He behaves abominably towards you. Father was furious and I’ll be surprised if Felix isn’t hiding somewhere with his tail between his legs.”

Lucía looked to Justice to find him watching her, and a feeling of overwhelming gratitude and something more she couldn’t identify spread through her chest. When he looked at her as he did now, he made her feel like she was the only woman in the world.

“I think your hunky bodyguard had something to do with it.”

“Yes, perhaps you’re right.”

Before her sister could say more, the doors opened and her mother and father entered, as the rest of the room dropped into respectful bows or curtseys.

Her mother looked radiant in a cream lace dress with pink flowers overlaid, and her father wore a navy suit with his family insignia embroidered on the left lapel. They approached her and she let her father pull her into a tight hug which somehow always seemed to fix the wrongs of the world. His lips against her hair were familiar, his cologne the one he’d worn her entire life, making her think of happier times.

“Mi hija, it’s so good to see you.”

He pulled away, and as Maria had done, he looked her over, assessing she was well. “You look well.”

“I am well.”

“We’ll speak about things after dinner but for now it’s good you’re home, and I’m happy you’re safe.” He glanced behind her with a nod, and she followed his gaze, seeing him looking at Justice and the other two.

“Your security team will be joining us for dinner, and I’ve asked Mr Carson to escort you to the ball tomorrow night.”

“Really?”