A Silverhill Christmas by Carol Ericson

gave a short laugh and dragged a fry through a puddle of ketchup on her plate. “Not exactly.”
    â€œA slow courtship? He wined and dined you. Introduced you to the beauty of his country, the magnitude of his wealth and power?”
    She compressed her lips and smashed the fry on her plate. “Not. Exactly.”
    The blood pumped in Rio’s veins, fast and hot. Had the SOB coerced her in some way? He knew it. No chance a classy woman like Tori would fall for scum like Alexi.
    Rio reached for her hand, entwining his sticky fingers with hers. “What happened, Tori? How’d you become Princess Victoria of Glazkova?”
    For the second time that night, someone knocked on the hotel door. Gasping, Tori disentangled herself from Rio and jumped from the sofa. She shushed him and tripped toward the door.
    Standing on tiptoes, she peeked out the peephole. Then she spun around, and with her face as white as a sandy beach, she drew her index finger across her throat.

Chapter Five
    Tori’s already rapidly beating heart went into full gallop when Rio charged toward the door. What exactly did he think he was going to do to Alexi in her hotel room?
    She rushed at him and grabbed his forearms, the muscles corded and tight. Drawing him close, she whispered, “You can’t do this now. You have to hide.”
    Rio huffed out a warm breath, stirring her damp hair. “I’m not leaving you alone with him.”
    â€œIt’s what I wanted. It’s what I came for.” Not that she didn’t want to leave that door closed on Alexi forever and fall into this man’s warm, protective embrace. But she had to get Max. Nothing else mattered. “You’ll be putting me in more danger if Alexi finds you here, if he figures out who you are.”
    Alexi rapped on the door again. “Victoria, I know you’re in there. Let me in.”
    Tori shoved at Rio’s solid chest, although she had no idea where he could hide in the suite. His chocolate brown eyes darkened and he crushed her against his body and murmured into her hair, “Be careful.”
    Rio cruised past the coffee table and scooped up the extra plate and glass and then slipped through the sliding glass door.
    â€œJust a minute. I’m here.” She unlatched the chainfrom the door and swept it open. It was a mistake to show any weakness in front of Alexi. He’d detect it and go in for the kill.
    The lean, dark man lounging against the wall pinned her with piercing dark eyes in a craggy face. He had a few more lines than she remembered. Drugs? No, Alexi sold but never indulged. Stress. Must be nerve-racking to have to watch your back 24/7.
    Her gaze slid past Alexi to the dark shape hulking in the background. She leveled a finger at the bodyguard. “He’s not coming in here. He scared me spitless when he grabbed me earlier.”
    â€œStill giving orders, Victoria?” Alexi’s heavy lids fell over his eyes as if she bored him already. “Damn straight.”
    He raised his brows. “If you came all the way to Maui to talk to me, you can at least let me into your hotel room.”
    Stepping aside, she ushered him in, sweeping her arm into the room. “After you.”
    Alexi strolled around the room, wrinkling his nose at the tray of half-eaten food. Good thinking on Rio’s part to take the extra plate and glass. She’d have had a hard time explaining the table for two to Alexi.
    He plucked a napkin from the tray and wiped off the edge of the credenza before leaning his hip against its edge. “What is it you want, Victoria?”
    â€œHow’s Max?”
    â€œMaksim is fine. He’s a little prince—imperious, demanding and self-confident—everything he should be.”
    Tori gulped against the sour bile rising from her gut. He was turning her sweet boy into a monster, just like his father. “I want to see him.”
    Alexi clicked his tongue while he smoothed