Heroes Ever After Boxset: Books 1-3

by Alana Albertson

  My father narrowed his gaze at Ryan. “That is absolutely out of the question.” He glanced at me. “Young lady, you can continue your trip with Henri, or you will return to the palace at once. It is your choice.”

  Ryan opened his mouth. “Doesn’t sound like much of a choice to me. Sounds like an ultimatum. Like the rest of her life ‘choices.’”

  No one ever stood up to my father.

  And now Ryan had.

  My turn again.

  “No, Papa. I will be continuing this trip with Ryan as my personal bodyguard.”

  A slight grin graced Ryan’s face. “Please don’t worry about your daughter. I promise she’ll be well taken care of, and I will not harm her or disrespect her or your country in any way. You have my word. I can leave you my information as well as the contact numbers for my military command. I can authorize them to send you my qualifications and the details on my numerous combat medals.”

  Now was my chance. “Bye, Papa. Please leave the copies of my identification, my credit cards, and my passport with the concierge.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek. His fists clenched, and confusion and rage swirled on his face.

  I turned and walked right back out of the hotel with Ryan trailing behind me.

  Ryan

  I GRABBED GISELLE’S HAND ONCE we were outside of the hotel. “Are you okay?”

  She leaned into my chest, and I embraced her. “No, of course I’m not. Thank you for backing me up though, it means a lot to me. No one has ever defended me to my father like that.”

  That’s because you’ve never dated a real man. “No need to thank me, babe. I was so proud of you and the way you stood up to your father.”

  And I was, but I knew that it was a onetime thing for to stand up to her father about a quick vacation before she was married. She would never stand up to him in the long term. No matter what happened between us in the next week, she would definitely go through with her marriage next month.

  Not that it mattered to me. I’d known her for only a day. Why should I care who she married? One thing was for certain—she would never marry an American like me.

  “Yeah, I did. I think I really made him upset. But he had no right to come after me and demand I return home. I just knew he would do this; I knew that he wouldn’t trust me to be on my own.”

  I smirked. I didn’t want to agree with her father and upset Giselle, but even so, I felt the need to be honest with her. I could tell that like most privileged girls I’d met, Giselle spent her life surrounded by yes-people who would never call her out on her shit.

  I would always tell her the truth, no matter what it cost me.

  “I mean, I can’t say that I blame him. I would’ve come after you too.”

  She gritted her teeth and pulled away from me. “I’m an adult. Why does everyone treat me like I’m a child? My father, Miguel, and now you? I can handle myself.”

  I exhaled. That did not come off the way I’d intended.

  “I understand, babe. I’m not saying that at all. I know you can handle yourself, but like I’ve been saying, you’re royalty. He was obviously worried, and rightly so.” I needed to change the mood. I put my thumb under her chin and forced her to look at me. Her mascara was smudged under her eyes, but I still thought she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. “So, what do you want to do now? Go out to dinner?”

  She shook her head. “Actually, no. I’d like to just rest and order room service.”

  I paused. We were staying at a small bed-and-breakfast. I didn’t think they had room service, but I could ask.

  “Sure, whatever. I’ll ask the innkeeper if she can make us dinner, and we can eat in our room.” Her face contorted. What was on her mind? “What? What are you thinking about?”

  “Nothing.”

  “No, it’s not nothing. What are you thinking?”

  She dropped her shoulders. “Seeing my dad rattled me. And I told him you were my bodyguard. Now that he knows about you, I don’t think we should lie.”

  “I’m not following you, babe.”

  “Is there any way we can stay at my hotel? I have a suite with two separate bedrooms.”

  “My place is fine.”

  “But it’s really not, Ryan. If word gets out that we are sharing a small room, it could be really damaging to my image.”

  I exhaled. I knew this was coming. Now that her father knew that I would be traveling with her, I would have to guard not only her but also her reputation.

  I had given my word to her father, so I might as well man up.

  “Fine. Let’s go check out.”

  She placed her hand on my arm. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  We walked down the street in silence. I was careful to keep my distance from her while I scanned the area for any suspicious people. Once we arrived at the bed-and-breakfast, I had the awkward talk with the innkeeper. She had been so kind to us that I didn’t want her to think we hadn’t enjoyed her place. I paid her in full for my week and explained that Giselle wanted to be in the center of town.

  As I carried our luggage back to the château, I began to have doubts about what I had agreed to. What on earth was I doing playing bodyguard to some pampered virgin princess? I wasn’t even going to get laid on this trip, and now I was working during the vacation I’d dreamed about for the past seven months.

  I quickly squashed my desire to ditch her. I had agreed to this, and I always finished what I started.

  We checked into the château, and Giselle was pleased to know her father had done as she’d asked and left everything she’d requested with the concierge.

  The bellman led us to the suite. I entered and took in its opulence. It was nothing like my cozy room back at the bed-and-breakfast. There were crystal chandeliers, velvet curtains, sculptures, and artwork. There was even a grand piano in the middle of the room. Too bad I couldn’t play.

  It was still cool as hell—I could get used to this.

  The bellman tapped me on the shoulder.

  “Pardon, monsieur. Your room is across the hall.”

  Oh, hell no. “I’ll be staying with Princess Giselle; I’m her bodyguard. There are two separate rooms in this suite.”

  “Her room has secure locks and an alarm. I was given strict instructions by her father, King Rémy, that you are to stay in the room across the hall.” He handed me my key.

  Giselle turned to me, a look of distress plain on her face. “I had no idea. I—”

  I put up my hand to stop her from completing the sentence. I’d expected this. “It’s fine. I’ll sleep there. Good night, Princess. Enjoy your room service.”

  And with that, I went into my room. Alone. Just how I liked it.

  Well, usually.

  Giselle

  THE NEXT MORNING I WOKE refreshed and ready to face the day.

  I felt awful that the bellman had asked Ryan to stay in a separate room, but it had given me the space I’d needed to think. After taking some time alone, I was surer than ever that traveling with Ryan was the best decision I had made recently. I needed this excursion. And for now, I needed him.

  I just hoped Ryan wasn’t having second thoughts about traveling with me. I wouldn’t blame him if he was. I couldn’t help but feel like I was ruining his vacation.

  But today, I would make it up to him. I had the whole day planned. We were going to see the Normandy beaches. I had already arranged for a tour guide and limousine to take us.

  I ordered a full breakfast to the room and got ready. I picked the prettiest sundress I had packed, curled my hair, and put on my makeup. I was full of joy for no reason at all; all I knew was that I wanted to look good for Ryan.

  I was about to leave the room and knock on his door when I heard a rap on my own. It was probably room service.

  I pulled open the door—but it wasn’t room service. It was Ryan, who looked as handsome as ever.

  Except for that scowl on his handsome face.

&n
bsp; “Good morning. Why are you so sour?”

  “Why did you open the door? You didn’t even ask who it was. I could’ve been some stalker.”

  Ah, Ryan. “You are so paranoid. We are in an exclusive hotel, and no one knows I’m staying here besides you and my father and the staff. Anyway, I thought it was room service; I ordered breakfast. Come inside.”

  “Are you sure? Your father won’t be too mad if I’m alone with you, will he? I can wait in my room. Or even in the lobby, if you’d prefer.”

  His condescending tone didn’t go unnoticed by me. “Stop, Ryan. I’m sorry about that. But I do think it’s for the better. We really shouldn’t be spending the night together. It is inappropriate.”

  Ryan smirked and then pulled me into his arms. “So that’s it, huh? I’m just your bodyguard now?”

  My heart beat strongly. I should say yes, that was all he was. That was the honorable thing to do.

  But I didn’t want to be honorable; I wanted to be bad. “No, Ryan, that’s not it.” I tilted my head, offering myself to him, and he didn’t hesitate to kiss me.

  He slammed the door shut and pressed my back against the wall, kissing me like he had been dreaming of kissing me all night.

  Had he?

  He hiked up my dress, and his hand gripped my thigh. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too.”

  This passion and heat were unreal. I had always believed this kind of chemistry only existed in movies.

  I was glad I was wrong.

  Ryan’s hands were sliding under my dress and up my legs when there was another knock at the door.

  “Room service.”

  Ryan grunted and then released me. I straightened out my clothes and peered in the mirror—my lipstick had smeared—the truth about my bodyguard was written all over my face. How embarrassing.

  Ryan opened the door, grabbed the trays from the guy, and placed everything at the table.

  His eyes widened when he saw the food. I had ordered almost everything on the menu because I wasn’t sure what Ryan liked. I hoped he didn’t think I was showing off—I didn’t know how else to repay his kindness.

  Ryan shoveled some eggs on his plate and doused them with hot sauce while I poured him coffee.

  After a few bites of food, he seemed to relax. He winked at me. “So what do you want to do today, babe?”

  “Oh, I booked us a tour of the Normandy beaches. We have a chauffeured limousine and a private guide. It will be great.”

  Ryan raised his eyebrow. “A limousine? A private guide? No thanks. I’d prefer to just go low key.”

  My chest constricted. Had I made a mistake? I was just trying to do something nice for Ryan, and it had backfired on me. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just thought it would be nice to go with an expert.”

  “It’s really not my style, but thanks. I appreciate the thought.”

  I knew I shouldn’t push, but I couldn’t help myself. Ryan was so stubborn and prideful. Why was it so difficult for him to accept kind gestures from anyone? It probably had a lot to do with his childhood. I needed to stop prying into his past. “Are you sure, Ryan? The guide is a war historian. Very knowledgeable. Could you at least try for me since I already paid? I promise you will have a great time. But if not, I understand.”

  Ryan’s eyes met mine. Maybe he wasn’t used to people doing sweet things for him, but I wanted him to know he could trust me. “Hmm. Well, in that case, let’s just take the tour. Since you already booked it.”

  Gotcha. “Yes, it would be easiest.” I beamed and he grinned at me in return.

  We finished our meal and then headed downstairs to meet the limo. Ryan checked the limousine driver’s identification and made sure it matched the itinerary. Wow. It must be exhausting to be that thorough and paranoid.

  I climbed into the back of the limo first, then Ryan raised the divider and put his arm around me. I nestled against his chest. It was nice. Very romantic but very chaste. I had spent my life traveling around the world, but usually only accompanied by my chaperone or my father. I enjoyed having someone by my side with whom I could share new experiences.

  The drive was breathtaking, and the beauty of the French coastline mesmerized me. I imagined honeymooning here, with a view of the ocean.

  But when I closed my eyes, I pictured Ryan by my side, not Miguel.

  I was clearly irrational. Ryan would most definitely not be going on my honeymoon.

  I looked over at Ryan, who didn’t seem to be having the same reaction to the view that I was. His eyes were red and watery.

  I placed my hand on his thigh. “What’s wrong?”

  “I just imagine all those young men seeing this coast as they rushed off the boats, knowing they were going to die.”

  My chest constricted. I had always considered myself so cosmopolitan, but Ryan saw the world through a completely different lens, one I could never understand.

  How could I lead my own country if I didn’t understand the hardships of the world?

  I kissed him on the cheek. “You are amazing, do you know that? I’m so glad I met you.”

  He cupped my face and kissed me back. “I’m glad I met you too. And I need to thank you. I have never in my life traveled like this—the château, the limousine, the private tour. It’s really nice to have someone to experience this country with.”

  And with that, we melted into each other and made out like we were teenagers.

  Ryan

  MY EYES BEGAN TO TEAR WHEN I stared at the ten thousand perfectly aligned crosses. They were placed in formation, like little soldiers, on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach.

  The crosses were pointed toward America.

  I choked up. Though I had read many books about the war, being in the cemetery rattled me. I knew that I risked my life every day as a SEAL and that I, too, could end up sacrificing my life for the freedoms of my country.

  Just like Giselle was sacrificing her happiness for the sake of her own country. The irony about what we had in common was not lost on me. I loved my country; she loved hers. And this love would ultimately keep us apart.

  The escort was chock-full of information. Some of it I’d picked up over the years from various books and documentaries, but a good amount was still new to me. Despite my initial reluctance to take a guided tour, I was grateful that Giselle had hired him.

  As Giselle and I walked hand in hand through the memorial, I saw an old man wearing a cap that had D-Day Survivor stitched on it.

  I extended my hand to him. “Sir, I’m so honored to meet you. I’m a Navy SEAL, and I’m completely in awe of how brave you were here. Thank you for your service.”

  He smiled and shook my hand. “Thank you, young man. I appreciate your kind words, but it still feels strange to be thanked for the worst day of my life.”

  His reaction caused me to pause. I saw him as a hero, and even though he was revisiting his past, the pain of his memories was evident in his sad eyes. How many friends had he lost here that day? What had he seen?

  “I understand, sir.”

  He glanced at Giselle. “Is this beautiful lady your wife?”

  I winced. He must’ve seen her ring. “No, sir. Unfortunately, she is not.”

  He placed his hand on my back. “Son, I fell in love with a girl once. She was beautiful. A nurse. Hair the color of sunshine and eyes the shade of rain. But I didn’t want to get married while I was in the army. When I returned, she had eloped with someone else. I never forgave myself for letting her go.” He looked again at Giselle then gave me a knowing look.

  I nodded. “Thank you, sir. It was nice to meet you.”

  His words seared me deeply. Would I regret letting Giselle go? But unlike this man, I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Giselle was engaged to another man. Someone of royal birth, while I was just a literal bastard.

  But even in the few days since I had met her, I realized that I wanted more out of life.

  Maybe I would like to have a girlfriend.

&nb
sp; Too bad it would never be Giselle.

  Giselle placed her hand on my chest. “I’m sorry about that. I should take off this ring, but I keep it on in case I get photographed. I hope you understand.”

  Right. Those pictures could be explained away. After all, I was just the help, her bodyguard. “I get it.”

  My heart was overwhelmed with death and sadness. We finally left the memorial and headed back to the hotel after an exhausting day. I felt satisfied that I had paid my respects to the men who had sacrificed their lives for freedom. The greatest generation.

  By the time we got back to the château, we were both wiped out after our long trip. Giselle had even fallen asleep on me for part of the ride home.

  She stood in front of the door to her room. “Would you like to come in? We can order dinner and watch a movie.”

  I exhaled. Normally, of course I would. But I wasn’t in the right mindset after what we had seen today.

  “I’d love to, Princess, but I’m going to call it a night. Today was rough for me. I just need to be alone.”

  She looked down at her feet. “I understand.”

  I lifted her chin and kissed her. “Good night, Giselle.”

  “Good night.”

  I surprised myself by telling her no, but I wanted to think about the day we had just spent together. I went to my room and ordered room service and liquor. The more I drank, the more I started to relive my darkest memories. I could feel my foster dad’s hand around my throat, smell his tobacco-laced breath, hear my foster sister’s cries for help. The cocktail of alcohol and death consumed me until I passed out.

  The next morning, I woke with a wicked hangover. Despite that, I felt a little better and brighter. I grabbed a quick shower and pulled myself together.

  I really regretted not sleeping in Giselle’s room last night. We only had a few more days together. What had I been thinking?

  Now that I had achieved my goal of seeing Normandy, I wanted to have some fun with Giselle. This was my vacation. So far, she had been mugged, we went on an emotional picnic, she received a lecture from her daddy, and yesterday we took a trip to a cemetery. Man, I really knew how to show a girl a good time.