Chapter Sixteen
The next morning, shortly after Rachelle had finished getting dressed, even though she had nowhere to go, a letter was delivered to her hotel room. She sat on the edge of the bed and opened the formal envelope by peeling off the royal seal. It was an invitation written in calligraphy on thick cream-colored stock paper. “The Master of the House has been commanded by His Majesty to invite Rachelle Westerly to a reception by the King for the Orphanage Development Committee at Pavailler Palace on Tuesday.” Rachelle skimmed the rest for the date and time. “Dress: Lounge suit/day dress. Guests are asked to arrive between six p.m. and six twenty p.m. A reply is requested . . .”
She threw the envelope onto the bed beside her.
Fuming, she called her grandmother. “I’m not going, but I can’t believe you would sink that low. Orphans? Really?”
“Well, hello, Rachelle. Good morning to you as well.”
“There is no good morning that starts with being blackmailed into doing something.”
“I agree. Now why don’t you tell me what has you in a tizzy?”
“As if you don’t already know.”
Delinda sighed. “Must we go round and round? I don’t know what you’re upset about this time. Either explain it to me, or call me later when you’ve calmed down. I have neither the time nor the patience for guessing games.”
Rachelle read the invitation aloud. “Are you saying you didn’t orchestrate this?”
“It’s genius, but I can’t claim it as mine.”
While talking to her grandmother, Rachelle searched the Internet for how to politely decline going but found nothing. “Are you kidding me?” she muttered. “Doesn’t anyone decline a royal invitation?”
“I don’t believe they do, dear. Especially not to receptions regarding orphans.” Rachelle could hear the smile in Delinda’s voice.
“I’m glad you think this is amusing, Delinda. I don’t. And I refuse to be manipulated. I told Magnus yesterday that I didn’t want to see him again, and I meant it.”
“You did? Well played, Rachelle.”
Breathe. Count to ten. Think of all the reasons why swearing doesn’t help a situation. “I’m not playing. Maybe that’s what you don’t understand. I don’t care what’s all over social media. I don’t care that your pride was dented and that you think sticking it to the prince will make you feel better. Do you care at all about how I feel? Let me tell you why you can’t answer yes. You don’t know me well enough to know what I care about. That’s the tragedy here. Not my reputation. The real tragedy is that you don’t see how much you hurt the people you claim to love.” Rachelle hung up the phone and fell backward onto her bed. Well, that went well.
Was it past time for me to say that?
Or should I have kept it to myself?
I don’t know why I think I can help Eric or anyone else when I don’t even know what the hell I’m doing most of the time.
A knock on her door jolted her out of bed. She shook her head in resignation when she opened the door and saw a member of the hotel staff holding a bouquet so large only the person’s legs were visible beneath it. She directed the young man to put it on the floor and tipped him before hunting through the bright, exotic flowers for a card.
I tried. I can’t stay away. Magnus.
In a few minutes, Rachelle would remind herself why it was wrong for Magnus not to have respected her request. She’d muster up some indignation. However, she let herself bask for a moment in how good it felt to see that he hadn’t immediately moved on to another woman.
Pathetically, wonderfully good.
Her phone rang. She scrambled to retrieve it from beside the bed. Magnus.
Do I answer it? I told my grandmother I didn’t want to play games. “Hello,” she said in a husky voice.
“How are you today?” He sounded genuinely concerned.
She considered telling him not to call her again, then decided to be honest with him instead. Hell, that might be an even better deterrent. “I’m a mess. A wreck. I’m angry. Scared. Confused. Tired. Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like there’s no right choice?”
He was quiet for a moment, then said, “Come to lunch with me.”
“No.”
“You cling to that word as if it were a shield. What would happen if you said yes instead of no all the time?”
“Really? And I suppose the first thing you think I should say yes to is sleeping with you?”
He chuckled. “In my fantasy you’re awake, but we could try it your way, too.”
She laughed, then caught herself. “It’s not going to happen. Not awake. Not asleep.”
“See. All that negativity is making you unhappy. Want to improve your mood? I’ll ask you something simple, and all you have to do is say yes.”
Bad idea.
Very, very bad idea.
But I do want to hear his question. “Okay.”
“Come to lunch with me.”
She almost immediately said no, but this time didn’t. Instead, she paced her small hotel room and mentally listed all the reasons why she shouldn’t go with him. One, all he wants is sex. Two . . . isn’t reason one enough? I’m better off staying here at the hotel. Alone. With nothing to do. Waiting for Eric and hoping he wants to see me when he gets out.
What the hell? “Yes.”
“Perfect. Come down now. I’m parked in front of the hotel.”
“It’s only ten o’clock.”
“I thought you’d like to see some of the area before lunch.”
“Wait. You’re downstairs? What if I had said no?”
“Come down, Rachelle.” He hung up.
Rachelle rushed to the mirror in the bathroom to check her appearance. She hadn’t planned on going anywhere except for a walk, so she was casually dressed in jeans and tennis shoes. Her hair was loose and a little wild. She’d chosen her plain light-blue T-shirt for comfort rather than style.
Not exactly attire fit for a royal outing, but it’s the real me.
She squared her shoulders. I came here to find myself. Well, here I am. Not perfect. Not wise. Just me. Somehow that will have to be enough, because I don’t know how to be better than this.
A moment later, Rachelle turned from closing her hotel room door and screamed when she realized there was a man standing just behind her. He waved his hands at her nervously, and she calmed as she realized who he was. “Reggie. Oh my God. What are you doing here?”
Oddly, his reappearance reassured her. “Eric called me. He didn’t like the idea of you being alone in a city where you don’t know anyone, so he asked if the wife and kids wanted a mini vacation. We’ve got a suite over at the Royal Hotel. What are you doing in this shitbox?”
Rachelle laughed nervously as she came down from an adrenaline rush. “I like it here. Have you spoken to Eric?”
“You mean, do I know that he’s in a clinic across the street? Yeah.”
Good, I don’t need to pretend. “Then you know why I’m here. I wanted to be close by.”
“I walked over from the Royal Hotel.”
“Yes, well, I didn’t want to stay there.” She wasn’t willing to say more on the subject, since it would have involved both Magnus and her grandmother’s lecture about him.
Reggie looked around and made a face. “Whatever you say. Anyway, I just thought you should know that we’re down the street if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Reggie.” Rachelle stepped away from her door and started toward the elevator.
“Oh, and are you aware that you’re being followed?”
Rachelle froze. “Followed?”
Reggie hit the elevator button as if he hadn’t just said something shocking. “When you went out yesterday, the kids and I thought it would be fun to see if we could trail you without being seen. It was entertaining for about a minute until we realized there was a man who went everywhere you went.”
“A man? You mean Prince Magnus?”
“No, some other guy. Short blond hair. Real tall and skinny. He was dressed to blend in. I didn’t notice him at first, but my son said he was everywhere you were, and damned if he wasn’t right.”
Breathe. It’s probably one of the royal guard. Maybe Magnus is making sure I’m safe?
Reggie continued, “He was a little on the creepy side, so I sent my kids back with my wife and kept following you.”
Okay. That’s also a little creepy, but I’m going to try to see it as sweet. Don’t they say never ask questions you don’t want to hear the answers to? But I have to. “Did you see anything else?”
“This is where it gets weird—”
This is? This is? Rachelle kept silent, both because she wanted to hear what else he’d seen and because her head was spinning.
“There was a woman following the man who was following you. No shit. When you were in front of the café, about to make out with your prince boyfriend, did you think you were alone? They were both there, just standing around pretending they weren’t watching you.”
Lurch, you’re freaking me out. Rachelle rode down the elevator with Reggie. “Why would anyone be following me? I’m no one.”
“You’re an heiress to billions, the sister of an A-list movie star, and you’re dating a prince—not a no one. I bet you’re about to be kidnapped and ransomed.”
Rachelle gasped. She remembered how she’d initially felt about Magnus’s guards. “I’m paranoid enough without any help. Don’t joke like that.”
“Who’s joking?” Reggie said with a shrug.
Grabbing Reggie by both arms, Rachelle said, “I’m going out with Prince Magnus now. Do you think he’s involved?”
Reggie pried her hands off him. “Now you’re letting your imagination run away with you. Not everyone is out to get you.”
“Just the two people who are following me around?” Rachelle asked in a high pitch. She looked around. “Do you see them now?”
“Listen, I wouldn’t have told you if I thought it was going to upset you. It could be nothing.”
“You said I was about to be kidnapped.”
“I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t know. It’s just a feeling.”
Rachelle hugged her arms around herself. How could I not have noticed someone following me?
Where was my mind? Chocolate and Magnus.
What great final words those would make.
Eric had been right about money changing a person’s life—and not all in good ways. She was beginning to see what he meant. “Reggie, do you think I need a bodyguard?”
He made a face. “I’d get one. I’m willing to watch out for you, but take a bullet? Eh. I have kids. You know?”
Rachelle nodded. Note to self: Reggie—not a hero. At least, not mine.
The elevator stopped before the lobby, and Reggie stepped out.
“Where are you going?” Rachelle asked.
“Not on your date. I’ve seen how the two of you drool all over each other. It’d be awkward.”
“I shouldn’t go, either.” She went to step out, also, but Reggie held up a hand to stop her.
“You want my opinion? You’re safer with him than you are alone.”
The door of the elevator closed a few inches in front of Rachelle’s face. She stepped back and almost lost her balance. Safer with Magnus? If we’re at that point, shouldn’t I go to the police?
And say what? “My brother’s electrician was covertly following me and noticed he wasn’t the only one doing it”? “Oh, where’s my brother? I can’t say. Who’s following me? I don’t know.”
Am I losing my mind?
Probably.
She took out her phone and considered calling her grandmother. I can only imagine what she’d say if I tried to explain this to her.
And then I’d have to tell her why I won’t leave Vandorra yet. Eric would never forgive me for involving her.
When the elevator door opened at the lobby, Magnus was right there—smiling.
Rachelle took a shaky step toward him.
Magnus tensed when he saw how pale and unsteady Rachelle was. He took one of her arms and guided her to a bench near the elevator, then sat beside her. “Are you feeling okay?”
She shook her head. “No. I might throw up.”
Phillip took a step back. Magnus didn’t budge. “Are you ill?” He placed his hand on her forehead. No fever. He took one of her hands in his. It was cold. “Did something happen?” This wasn’t at all how he’d imagined seeing her again would go, but he didn’t care. He needed to make sure she was okay. “Tell me.”
“Can I trust you?” Large, scared eyes sought his, and his heart began a wild dance in his chest.
Her question hit him like a punch. He’d come to her thinking mostly of himself and what he wanted, but when she looked at him, none of that mattered. “Yes.”
Her eyes shone with emotion. “We have to make sure Eric is safe without letting everyone know where he is or what’s happening.”
“Eric is safe, Rachelle. I spoke with him this morning.”
She shook her head. “That’s not enough. I need to know he is. I need to know I am.”
She was genuinely upset, and he was filled with an anger that had nowhere to go. Something had spooked her. Whether the threat was real or imagined, he would do whatever it took to make sure he never saw that look in her eyes again. “I should not have allowed you to choose your own hotel. Phillip, have her things packed and brought down.”
“No,” she protested. “It’s not the hotel.”
He nodded for Phillip to do as he asked, then turned his attention back to Rachelle. “Women shouldn’t travel on their own.”
She stood. “Don’t go there. Don’t get me all upset with you, too. I can only freak out about one thing at a time.”
Magnus rose to his feet. “What happened?”
She rubbed a hand over her forehead. “First, could you just apologize for that comment about women? I can’t be rescued by a sexist pig . . . not even if he’s a prince.”
Well, then. Her mind went on curious tangents. “Which part was wrong?”
She sighed and waved her hand. “Forget it. You’re right, it would take too long. I don’t need to move to another hotel, but I do need to hire a security guy . . . a bodyguard . . . something. One for me and one for Eric. Are they expensive? I have money in my savings if we’re talking about a couple thousand, but I’ve tied up a lot of my money in a retirement fund. I can’t ask my family for help. Not until I know if I actually need it. And I’m fine. I can do this on my own. Is there an Uber app for goons?”
“Rachelle Westerly, if you don’t start making sense soon, I will be forced to call your grandmother.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I would.”
She glared at him. “Oh, yeah? Then I’ll call your father.”
“And say what?”
She wilted somewhat. “I don’t know. I don’t even know why I said that.” She sat back down. “This is stupid. I’m arguing with you about nothing when I should be doing something.”
“Because?”
“I’m being followed.”
Her words shot through Magnus. “Why do you think that?”
“Reggie told me.”
“Who’s Reggie?”
“He’s my brother’s electrician, but he’s here in Vandorra. Eric asked him to watch over me.”
“And discovering that this electrician is following you is what upset you?”
“No, while he was watching me, he saw a woman watching a man who was watching me.”
“Have you been drinking?” Was she even in danger, or did she need to speak to a professional as well?
She flew back to her feet. “I don’t know why I thought you’d help me with this.” She paced in frustration. “Go back to your palace and your orphan receptions, and I’ll figure it out on my own.”
She moved to walk away, and he pulled her to him. “Stop.”
She froze against him.
He struggled to keep his thoughts straight as his body went haywire simply from having her so close. “Who is following you?”
“I don’t know,” she said, and her eyes reflected her confusion. “Reggie could be wrong and there’s no one. Or he could be right—”
“What did he say he saw?”
She relaxed somewhat within the circle of his arms and told him exactly what Reggie had said her pursuers might want. “Crazy, right? Stuff like that doesn’t really happen, does it?”
He debated which she needed more: the truth or comfort. People absolutely were kidnapped for ransom. The world could be an ugly place—even in Vandorra. “It does, little Rachelle. Unfortunately, it does. I’ll send two of my royal guards to watch over your brother.”
She nodded and met his eyes. “And me?”
“I’ll protect you.” He pulled her closer. If someone actually was following her, his men would find them and deal with them accordingly.
She leaned back and said, “The driver who took me from London to you gave me a black card with only a phone number on it. He told me to call it if I ever needed help. He said I’m never alone.”
How did Phillip miss this? “Did you recognize the man?”
“No. I’d never seen him before.”
“Where’s the card now?”
“In my purse.”
“Give it to me and I’ll find out who he is.”
She hesitated, then stepped back, dug the card out of her purse, and handed it to him. “Who do you think is following me?”
Magnus pocketed it and chose his next words with care. The real possibilities would only scare her, so he kept those to himself. “Probably photographers hoping to get a shot they can sell.”
She didn’t need to know that Reggie’s guess was a very real threat—especially since she was now in the public eye. Sadly, it was impossible to have something without someone also wanting to take it from you. He would never forget the day he’d discovered his cousin Davot had hired a man to kill his father. The attempt had failed, but there had been no way for Magnus to reclaim his childhood innocence. The world would forever be a different place for him. One in which he needed to be strong enough to fend off any threat at any time. Despite only being seventeen, he had gathered enough evidence that he could have had his cousin convicted; then he and Phillip, who at that time had been new to the royal guard, had gone to threaten his powerful cousin. Together, armed with evidence, they had backed the man down. His father still did not know the real cause of his boating accident. At the time, he had been reeling from the death of the queen, and Magnus had not wanted to add betrayal to his grief. From then on, Magnus had cleared the way for his father. King Tadeas’s strength as a leader had always been his ability to inspire his people, and Magnus made sure nothing stood in his way for long. Together they had moved Vandorra forward. As much as the world needed warriors, it also needed people like his father and Rachelle to make sure society was something worth defending.
Rachelle smiled in relief. “I hadn’t thought of a photographer. That makes sense.”
Magnus placed his hand on her lower back and guided her out of the hotel and to a waiting car. “Now tell me, what’s your issue with orphans?”