**Elena**
"Your Highness," Nick said with a small bow toward Xavier.
He didn't respond, but something in his eyes looked tense.
"Thank goodness you're here," I blurted, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward me.
Why did I do that?
I didn’t even think—my body just moved, like he had come at the right time.
Nick blinked, surprised, but didn’t resist. His hand hovered near my back like he wanted to support me but wasn’t sure if he should.
Behind us, Xavier cleared his throat. Loud. Purposefully.
"Hmm... Hmm."
Here we go.
"I didn’t know you and my wife were that close," he said, eyes fixed on Nick like he was a problem that needed solving.
The f**k.
His tone was sharp, dripping with fake calmness. But I knew that look. The tight jaw, the flick of his wrist, the way his eyes narro
