The Prince's Christmas Vow

She sprang up off the couch. The parts of his body where she’d been snuggled quickly grew cold. But the fire in her eyes practically singed him. “What do you mean you had me checked out? You mean you had people spying on me? How could you?”

“Of course I didn’t have people following you around. But a standard background check was imperative, especially if we were going to make things formal. I don’t know what you’re getting so worked up about. They didn’t uncover anything. You didn’t even have so much as a motor vehicle violation.”

“Of course I didn’t. I don’t own a car. Public transportation is so much easier. But that’s beside the point. You violated my privacy.”

“Why are you getting so worked up? I didn’t do anything that the paparazzi wouldn’t have done when they found out about you and me.”

Her mouth gaped as though she hadn’t realized how intrusive the paparazzi would be in her life. That creepy reporter would be nothing compared to the numerous exposés about any little bit of juicy information the press could dig up. And if they couldn’t dig up any dirt, they’d create some—of that he was certain since they’d done it to him. Although to be honest, after his mother died and his father had withdrawn from his family, Demetrius had given the press plenty of fodder to fill their front pages. But Zoe didn’t need to know any of that.

“And you didn’t find out anything about me that would stop you from marrying me?” Her big eyes searched his.

“Of course not.” Was she trying to tell him that there was something there—something that the palace staff had missed? “Tell me, Zoe. What should they have found? Is this about your mother?”

“No.” The little bit of color in her face faded away. “Um...it’s nothing. I’m just rambling.”

He wanted to believe her. Honestly, he did. But there was still something she wasn’t saying—something that she was afraid of him learning. Still, he didn’t think it was as big of a deal as she was making it out to be. His staff may have missed something small—something inconsequential—but there was no way they’d have missed something that would affect the royal family.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

TWELVE DAYS.

Twelve very fast days had passed.

This amazing fairy tale was almost over.

Zoe started down the steps from the administrative offices of Residenza del Rosa. Perhaps she should smile because at last she’d secured her mother’s safety and care. And she’d done it without involving Demetrius. She’d negotiated with the center’s administrator to get her mother a room there. The administrator realized that Zoe had the prince’s ear, but to her relief, he didn’t make a big deal of it.

However, the administrator did make a big deal of her completed mural. He was exceedingly impressed with it as well as her interior design. He offered that in exchange for Zoe teaching art classes to the center’s residents, she would get a reduced rate on her mother’s care. Zoe immediately jumped at the offer. Even with the reduction, the cost would stretch Zoe’s budget. However, she would do whatever it took to see that her mother had the care she needed. And this move would retain as much of her mother’s dignity as possible. That was very important to her mother. And her mother’s happiness was very important to Zoe.

She had reached the last step when she noticed Demetrius stroll past the reception desk. He wasn’t alone. There was the female reporter, Carla Russo, next to him with a mic and a photographer in front of them. Demetrius’s manner was casual as though he lived in front of the camera all of his life. Then again, he pretty much had lived out his life with a camera following him around. She could never imagine being at such ease with the press.

This interview must be another push for publicity for the revitalization project. Zoe hung back. She knew that he was keeping certain parts of Residenza del Rosa under wraps until the night of the Royal Christmas Ball—rooms such as the library, the garden and the ballroom.

As though Demetrius could sense her gaze on him, he turned her way. “And here is the mastermind behind the mural.”

The photographer focused in on Zoe. The flash practically blinded her. What in the world? She wasn’t prepared for this. She wasn’t even dressed appropriately for photos. Her hair was pulled back in a haphazard fashion while her makeup was almost nonexistent. What was Demetrius thinking?