The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

I burst into a grin and then I'm out of my chair, reaching for my dad, who pulls me into a warm bear hug as he laughs. I hug him back, likewise laughing, so grateful that he always knows the right thing to say.

"Thanks, dad," I murmur, tucking my face down against his neck.

"I love you, baby trouble," he murmurs, holding me tight. "Don't let those stupid boys walk all over you. You're a Princess and a Sinclair, after all. You're in charge."

"I won't," I promise, sighing happily. And as my dad releases me and gives me a little shove towards the door, telling me to get a move on with my day because I've got in-laws to meet, I'm grateful again that I've got absolutely the best dad in the world.

As I move towards the door and smile at him, he smiles right back.

And I know that he feels just the same about me.

grinning as

baby," he

himself up off the wall when he sees me, his eyes crinkling with his smile. "Ready to go, Princess?" "Yup!" I say, grinning up at my old friend. Conner - he feels like so much more than a bodyguard. I've known him my whole life, and I know that mom and dad basically consider him family at this point. "Dad was just telling me about how he scared the

Conner says easily, raising an eyebrow

can you talk about it like

with a grin, gesturing down the hall and

do you know," I ask as we walk, narrowing my

a book. A couple of them, actually," he says, giving me a wink. "Did they ever tell you about the time they lived in a bunker for a few months because they were being assailed by Priests

nearly shriek,

Conner says, nodding and grinning as we make our way down to the garages beneath the palace, where a town car is waiting to take us to Luca's gym. "Buckle up,

to the gym, I'm absolutely gaping at Conner, who is clearly enjoying himself with the telling. "Wait," I say, shaking my head in disbelief, "mom's estranged uncle was trying to kidnap Rafe and take the throne for himself!? But