‘Your Highness.’ He bows low. ‘Thank you for coming.’
It’s a perfectly respectable greeting that gives little away. I force myself to smile, but it’s almost impossible. ‘Naturally.’
‘There’s a shovel over here!’ Henrik’s tone is jolly, perfectly at odds with the depth of my feelings.
‘I understand you are going to dig the car park?’ Santiago murmurs in a light joke.
I don’t smile. ‘Just a ceremonial shovel, I’m afraid. No free labour today.’
‘Pity. Car parks are always the most expensive part.’
I lift my eyes to him and feel as though the world has tipped completely off its axis. I lose my footing a little but he shoots a hand out to steady me, pressing it to my elbow then releasing again just as quickly—almost as if I imagined it, as if he can’t bear to touch me.
I stare at him, stricken, panic making it impossible to think straight. People are watching. Photographers are everywhere.
‘Your Highness?’ Claudia’s voice drags me back to reality. ‘This way, please.’ She inserts herself between Santiago and me, gesturing towards a small timber platform that’s been erected for the purpose of today.
I’ve done this sort of thing dozens of times in my life, yet my hands shake when I’m given the shovel.
Henrik makes a short speech about the importance of design innovation and the twenty-first century, the impressive work Del Almodovár Industries has achieved around the world and the promise for a new generation that this precinct will bring.
There is applause when he’s finished, and then I do my part—smiling brightly as I wield the shovel, delicately sifting dirt around to ensure the press pool has a chance to get a decent photograph of the historic moment.
I hate to think what my father would say.
* * *
‘Princesa, wait.’
His voice is low, something in the tone causing my feet to slow. I’m within sight of my car. Another minute and I’ll escape.
‘Freja.’ He speaks my name low enough that only Claudia and I hear.
I stop walking and turn to face him, not even capable of offering a civil smile.
Up close, and almost alone with him, my legs feel completely hollowed out.
‘Mr del Almodovár,’ I murmur. ‘What can I do for you?’
He’s frustrated and annoyed by that. His eyes flash to mine, irritation obvious in their depths. ‘I’d like a moment of your time.’
Panic flares in my breast. I cannot tell you how badly I want that too. I shake my head. ‘It’s not possible. I’m sorry.’
‘Then when will it be possible?’ he demands, his teeth bared.
‘Her Highness’s schedule is quite full,’ Claudia offers.
‘I believe Her Highness can speak for herself,’ Santiago responds with icy disdain.
I glare at him, then turn to Claudia. ‘It’s fine.’ I put a reassuring hand on her arm. ‘I’ll meet you in the car.’
Alone with him, I speak quietly. ‘There are people and cameras everywhere. Please remember that.’
‘Have you looked at the plans?’
This is what he wishes to discuss––the bloody plans?
I shake my head. ‘I sold the land to you, Mr del Almodovár. The nature of your casino construction is no longer of interest to me.’