Standing, Robert and Michael closed ranks around her, walking at a clip. They entered the VIP elevator and descended into an underground parking lot. As they stepped out, two Range Rovers idled. Quickly, Robert helped Ele into the SUV and followed her in. Within sixty seconds of stepping from the elevator, they were driving away.
“Robert?” Ele asked, even as she stared dazedly out the window.
“Ma’am?”
“Are you going to yell at me soon? The suspense is killing me.”
Robert chuckled. “No, ma’am.”
“Why?”
“Did you think I didn’t know?”
Ele’s head snapped around, her gaze locking with Robert’s. “What?”
“You thought I didn’t know? What kind of security guard would I be if I didn’t know you’d snuck out?”
“Well, if you knew, then I didn’t really sneak out, did I?” she said, chagrined.
“No.”
Ele crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. “How did you know?”
“There were all sorts of clues.”
She merely cocked a brow at him.
“First, when does Princess Juliana ever come to your room?”
Ele wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t really think about that.”
“Obviously.” He winked at her. “Your sister has about two inches on you.”
“I was moving fast.”
“Doesn’t matter. Two inches is two inches.”
“So, if you knew, why didn’t you stop me?”
Robert rubbed his jaw. He’d been her personal bodyguard for seven years, and Ele knew his tells. Rubbing his jaw was his way of buying time. Usually, when he wasn’t sure he wanted to weigh in on something or upset her, he would hit pause. Like now.
He finally shrugged, his internal struggle decided. “You were feeling brave enough to leave without an escort. You haven’t been compelled to do that since I’ve been with you. I knew there was nothing unsafe about where you were going. So, I just made sure you got there, undetected and unhurt. Without you knowing I was there.”
Ele couldn’t speak for a moment, her brain a jumble of emotions and thoughts. Only those close to her knew what she and her team orchestrated on a daily basis to help her feel safe. But what she wanted most was to be brave and unencumbered by the worry and fear she carried with her every day. It shouldn’t have surprised her that Robert sensed some burgeoning resolve in her. But it did.
The motorcade slowed to a stop in front of the hotel lobby doors. Robert alighted from the car, and after a visual check, he nodded to Ele. She stepped out and moved into the lobby with Michael in front of her and Robert behind. They arrived at her suite moments later. Robert completed a cursory check on the room and then let her come in from the foyer.
“Wine, Your Highness?” Millie asked from the bar as Ele dropped her clutch on the side table and headed in Millie’s direction.
“Yes, please.” Ele claimed her glass from Millie and then walked into the living room.
Robert followed her, and Millie remained.
“Is there anything else, Your Highness?” Robert asked.
She’d been ready to let it go, but since Robert was feeling talkative, Ele nodded.
Robert waited patiently as Ele deliberated on what to say.