Trane ran down the long hallway, stopping at the corner before he would be visible from the conference room. Nico came up behind him. “What are you doing, Trane?”

He caught his breath. “Just trying to fit in some Seraphina time.” He shrugged.

Nico’s eyes held sympathy. “I’m so happy to be past all that.” He gripped his shoulder. “Hang tough, brother. I’ll get them started in there. You compose yourself.”

He straightened. “I’m all right. After you.” He gestured for Nico to proceed him and they both entered together. He was grateful for the strength of two and for the backing of the crown. This meeting was critical to creating a strong coalition for the Mediterranean environmental summit. They moved to the front of the room and sat. Trane cleared his throat and began his slide show on the far wall. After a brief intro and the first slide, the door slid open.

All eyes moved to Seraphina who stepped in and closed the door behind her, notebook and pencil in hand.

Trane paused mid-sentence. “Seraphina?”

“I thought you wouldn’t mind if I joined you?”

He looked around the room, concern on nearly half the faces. “Um, in what capacity?”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, this is a no press meeting.” He hated the immediate awkwardness between them and with the group. But part of the reason their meetings had been so successful is that they all knew the deliberations, the arguments, the honest concerns would be kept confidential. That after all the brainstorming, they would come forward with a unified plan.

“Oh, I see.” She pocketed her notebook and leaned back against the wall.

Nico shifted beside him.

Trane stood. “Excuse me a moment.” He nodded to the group and then gestured that Seraphina meet him outside the door.

As soon as the door shut, she said, “You said I could participate in meetings, be a part of the planning.”

“Of course you can, but not these meetings. How much do you think we can get accomplished in there if they think they could be quoted for your paper at any moment?”

“They shouldn’t care if they’ve nothing to hide.”

“It’s not that. Everyone has room for improvement. We are trying to do what’s best for the Mediterranean in the best way we can. It needs to be something that as a group, we all can get behind. It won’t work if we come up with something half the countries refuse to honor.”

“So you’re going to cave on what’s important.”

“No, of course not.” He looked back inside to where Nico was talking, but half the room was watching him. “Look, Phina. I have to get back in there. I plan to have a press conference early next week. You will have a front row seat.” He raised his eyebrows.

She frowned, but nodded. “Ok, see you later.”

He watched her go, but knew this conversation was not finished. She was way more persistent than he had planned. If she caused problems with the meetings or the summit, she would have to go. He hated the thought, but this was too important to risk anything going wrong. He took a deep breath before re-entering the room.

Immediately the prince of another small island similar to Torren said, “What is this? A reporter? What information are you feeding her?”

The others grumbled.

Trane held up his hands. “Nothing at all. She is a personal friend who will be attending the press conference and all other events for the press. We just had a miscommunication about what other meetings she would be invited to. But that has been cleared up.”

“From the looks of it, not without some collateral damage.” Some of those in the room chuckled.

He cleared his throat. “Yes, well, wish me luck. Dinner might be a cold affair tonight.”

The mood lightened, and he was able to finish his PowerPoint. They were all in agreement about most points. Things were progressing just as he hoped they would.

When they had at last cleared out of the room, Nico sat back in his chair with hands behind his head. “What are you gonna do?

“What are you talking about?” Trane bristled. He didn’t need his previously incompetent brother questioning his plans.

“Whoa there, relax brother. Just trying to help.”

Trane fell into the seat beside Nico. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s just…difficult to try to make things work with a woman when so many other things are going on.” He stared at the wall. “Important things.”

“And then she shows up in the middle of it.”

“Exactly. It reminded me that even though my purpose is to spend time with her, she is here to write a story.”

“We are going to need to watch out for that one. How did she even know you were meeting and where?”

“And she’s bold as brass, walking in here like that with her innocent eyes.” Trane had underestimated Phina. He had to admit he was impressed, but he couldn’t have her disturbing his plans. Seraphina as his girlfriend was one thing. Seraphina as his adversary, was quite another.

“Lucan will keep track of her.”

“I know. That was my thought but she’ll totally know what he’s doing. I would like to have some sort of relationship when all this is done.”

Nico thought a moment longer. Then his phone dinged. “Jo!”

Trane’s mouth lifted in a wide smile. “Does she have time? Phina loves Jo, thinks she saved the crown.”

Nico eyed him.

“Sorry, but it’s true.”

He shrugged. “It’s ok, half the country agrees with her.” He started texting. “I’ll see what she thinks. I know better than to answer for her.” He grimaced.

“All she needs to do is just keep our little spy company during key times. It won’t be that difficult. I’m sure Seraphina has other things to do besides wait around at the palace.”

Seraphina was not stupid. She knew when someone was trying to hide things from her. When she put it all together, the phone call at the airport, the reluctance to let her be a part of things, and kicking her out of their meeting, she knew they were hoping she didn’t discover something. Something to do with the environment and the well-being of the Mediterranean. That room had been crawling with royals. Her own country had not been represented. Unfortunately they did not share a part of the Mediterranean coastline. They were affected by it still. All the European nations were, all the countries of the world really. She asked for a car and driver. It was time she made contact with some new friends. Perhaps they knew what the Valdezes might be trying to hide. They could help her look in the right direction.

A little pinch of guilt reminded her that this was Trane she was planning to spy on, but she pushed it aside. He was certain he had nothing to hide so whatever she found would never harm him. In fact, the more deeply she researched, the better they would look in the end when she found nothing. She pushed forward with those thoughts as momentum. She hurried faster because she had promised to have dinner with Trane.