ensued, so he never got a chance to correct them. Besides, what difference would it have made? His family had already determined that he was impulsive and foolish to rush into marriage with someone so unfitting for the role of princess.
But that was then and things had changed a lot since then. Now Demetrius was cautious and he thought out his actions before he acted. In fact, he’d planned out what he would say to Zoe when they first met up again, but he hadn’t expected it to be here on these steps—in public—in front of a television camera.
Not about to get into anything personal right now, he settled on, “I’m the prince and I have every right to be here. After all, this project is under the direct supervision of the Crown.”
“Of course.” Her cheeks took on a pink tinge. “I should have known. I was just caught off guard by your presence.”
“Listen, there’s something you should know—”
“Sorry about that.” Ms. Russo smiled as she rejoined them.
Demetrius cleared his throat. It was time to put this all to an end before it blew up in his face. Instead of gaining the public’s trust, he might just damage his reputation beyond repair if they unearthed the truth about his very brief, very rushed marriage.
Demetrius stepped forward. “Ms. Sarris just informed me that she won’t be able to stay.”
SO MUCH FOR thinking Christmas had come early.
There appeared to be a lump of coal in her stocking.
Zoe arched a brow at Demetrius. Question after question crowded her mind. Like what exactly was her ex-husband really up to? Then again, their marriage had been annulled so technically he wasn’t her ex. So what did that make him? Her fairy-tale past? Her delicious mistake?
Not that any of it mattered.
They were history. That part was undeniable.
“The prince is correct. I just stopped by to check on something.” Zoe made sure to wear her friendliest smile. “If you’ll excuse me.”
She stepped past Demetrius and kept walking. The murmur of their voices resumed. It wasn’t until she’d reached the other end of the landing that she paused and glanced over her shoulder.
Her gaze scanned over Demetrius’s tailored charcoal-gray suit and polished dress shoes. He looked quite smart in his designer clothes. His hair was a little shorter and styled. So much for the laid-back, not-worried-about-his-looks prince. The tide had most definitely turned. The man standing in front of the camera definitely had a serious persona about him.
What had happened to turn Demetrius into the focused prince standing before her? The question teetered on the tip of her tongue, but she knew that it was no longer any of her business. The thought settled as a lump in her stomach. She’d done what she thought was best at the time by walking away—even if she had loved him.
When his dark gaze met hers, the breath hitched in her throat. It was abundantly clear that she was the very last person he’d expected to see today. And he was none too happy about it. Her fingers fidgeted with the material of her skirt. Would he have her replaced?
Zoe’s stomach dipped. This job was not only impressive but it also paid well—quite well. It’d certainly improve her declining bank account and give her the funds necessary to continue helping her ailing mother. Without it, she didn’t know how she’d make do.
She’d lingered too long. It was time to slip inside the mansion away from the paparazzi, away from the questions—away from Demetrius’s accusing stare. She was just about at the front door of the mansion when a man stepped out from behind one of the columns.
“Smile for the camera, sweetie.” He snapped a picture of her.
The flash momentarily blinded her. She stood rooted in the same spot. What in the world?
The man was short and had a paunch. He hadn’t seen a razor recently and his hair was greasy with a long, stringy comb-over. His eyes narrowed in on her. “They’re going to love you.”
“Who are you? What do you want?”
“I’m the man who’s going to learn your secrets.”
There was no way he was with Ms. Russo. Zoe started to back up. Not realizing there was a step behind her, she tripped and a scream tore from her lungs.
“Zoe?” Demetrius called out.
Her hands flailed about as she struggled to regain her balance. And then suddenly there was a steadying hand clutching her arm, pulling her to safety. Once she was on level footing, her gaze met Demetrius’s concerned look.
“Are you all right?” His voice was gruff with concern.
“I’m fine.” She glanced around but the man who’d startled her was gone.
“Did you see that man?”
Demetrius shook his head. “Was it one of the construction workers?”
“I don’t think so. He had a camera.”
Demetrius called over one of his security detail, and in hushed tones they spoke. Then he turned back to her. “Don’t worry. If he’s still here, they’ll find him. Do you know what he wanted?”
Zoe shook her head.
Ms. Russo rushed over. “Is everything okay?”
“There was a man here,” Demetrius explained. “He startled Miss Sarris.”
The reporter lowered her microphone. “I caught a glimpse of him just as he turned to leave.”
Zoe was so relieved to know that someone had seen him. “Do you know who he is?”
“I don’t know his name.” Ms. Russo’s dark brows drew together. “I’ve seen him before. I think he may be a stringer, selling whatever dirt he digs up on celebrities to the highest paying publication. He doesn’t look it, but he’s very good at sniffing out the scandalous stories.” Ms. Russo’s gaze moved from Zoe to Demetrius. “So Prince Demetrius, do you know why he’s investigating you?”
Demetrius frowned. “I have no idea.”
Wanting to diffuse this line of questioning, Zoe spoke up. “What will happen if they catch him?”
Demetrius’s gaze met hers. “Did he hurt you?” When she shook her head, he continued. “He’ll most likely be questioned and released.”
It wasn’t exactly a comforting thought to know that man would soon be loose. But Demetrius was right. They couldn’t lock him up just because he’d scared her.
“Don’t look so worried.” Demetrius’s voice was low and comforting. “He was interested in me, not you.”
Zoe wasn’t so sure about that. The man’s beady eyes had been staring right at her when he’d spoken. Goose bumps raced down her arms. She’d prefer to never see him again.
“Are you all right?” The reporter sent her a worried look.
Zoe nodded. “I should be going.”
“Please don’t rush off.” Ms. Russo gestured to her cameraman to start filming. “Since you’re here, can you give us some idea of what to look forward to with the mansion?”
Zoe wanted to leave—to get as far away as fast as possible. But how would that look? Talk about giving credence to that creep’s allegations that she had secrets. She refused to let him or anyone else run her off.
With every bit of willpower she could muster, Zoe flashed the camera a smile. “Sure. As long as Prince Demetrius doesn’t mind.”
He made a pretense of checking his