by S. E. Rose
“Plus, I have you,” he adds.
I laugh. “I’m not sure I’m much of a consolation prize for losing one’s freedom,” I say.
The look on Logan’s face could ignite a fuse. “Don’t ever say that again. You are worth everything. How do you not see it?” he asks.
“Logan, I’m just me. I was born into all of this,” I say, motioning to our surroundings. “I didn’t do anything to earn this.” I stop and realize for the first time in my life that I want to do something to earn what I have, to be worthy of what I have. It’s like the world’s largest lightbulb just went on over my head.
“What?” Logan asks, clearly seeing my face light up with my one thought.
“I want to earn this,” I whisper. “I want to be worthy of all of this. I’ve never thought about that before…I’ve never thought of what motivated me to do what I do. I mean, not really thought about it.”
“So, do something. You have the world at your fingertips. You can do something, something big,” he says.
I nod, my thoughts exploding in my head like an atomic bomb. My mind begins racing with possibilities, possibilities that I’ve never considered before this very moment. I look up at him and grin.
He smiles down at me. “What I wouldn’t do to keep that very look upon this face,” he murmurs as he bends down and kisses me.
“Thank you,” I say against his lips.
“I’m not sure for what, but you are very welcome, my princess,” he says back as we continue to kiss.
I sigh in contentment and throw my arms around his neck. I hear movement somewhere in the palace, and I jump back and look up at him. He laughs and bends down, tossing me my clothes. We dress in a hurry, giggling as we do so, and then I wipe down the counter because I’m anal like that.
When I’ve determined that no one can tell we’ve desecrated the kitchen, I turn to Logan. He holds out a hand, and I look at it for a good long moment. Somehow, this seems different than just asking me to come with him, this seems like he’s asking me to be with him. I slowly reach out and grasp his hand. He smiles at me and pulls me against him, crushing me to his chest.
“You know what?” he whispers into my hair.
“What?” I reply.
“We are going to be a force to be reckoned with, my fierce princess,” he says. His words melt into my soul. I don’t know if he knows the Shakespeare quote that my brothers always recited to me, but the fact that he called me fierce confirms that he understands me on a cellular level. I melt into his embrace.
“Come with me,” he says, and he leads me to his room. I look around as we walk through the palace, curious if anyone will see us, but I don’t find a single soul meandering the halls, just the occasional shadow of a guard turning down the next corridor. It makes me a little curious, as I know I heard someone awake, but the palace usually has a handful of staff wandering about at all hours of the day. I decide it was probably a security guard. I don’t give it another thought as Logan pulls me into his room and closes the door behind us.
Chapter 26
It’s my phone buzzing that wakes me in the morning. I reach for it and look down.
Chris: Sten is here
I bolt up in bed. Logan reaches out and tries to pull me back down against him. I resist, and he opens his eyes. As soon as he sees me, he sits up.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
I turn my phone around to show him the text.
“Your uncle is here,” I say.
He opens his mouth and then closes it. “Why?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I don’t know,” I admit. “If our fathers thought we were in danger, then Sten wouldn’t be in here.”
“What if they are setting a trap for him?” Logan ponders.
“By bringing him into our home? Why would they risk our lives like that?” I ask.
Logan rubs his forehead. “I don’t know. I mean, I don’t even know Sten. I don’t know what to think,” he says.
“Stay here,” I say to him as I climb out of his bed and throw on my clothes. “I’ll text you once I know it’s safe.”
Logan gives me a look that says there is no way in hell he’s staying put. I sigh.
“Fine, come with me,” I say to him. I hate to tell anyone where my secret hiding place is, but something about Logan makes me trust him. I lead him a roundabout way to the butler’s pantry and then shut the door behind us. I frown when I notice my computer is on a different shelf than I normally set it on, but I can’t remember putting it away last. Was I in a hurry? Maybe.
“What’s wrong?” Logan asks.
“I think someone was in here,” I admit.
“Staff?” Logan asks.
“No, no one comes in here. Thus why my laptop is here,” I explain.
I fire it up and begin my search. Nothing seems out of place on my computer, so I decide I must have moved it. I don’t exactly know what I’m looking for. I stumbled upon the last message, lucky really that I was able to trace it.
“What are you looking for?” Logan asks.
“I don’t know…clues, I guess,” I answer as I continue to search. My searches of the dark web are almost like shining a small flashlight into the vastness of a dark cavern and hoping to find a missing ring. The odds of hitting the ring at just the right angle with the small amount of light in such a huge void, are almost null, but I keep searching. Logan jumps up on the counter of the cabinet. He watches me in silence. I feel his penetrating stare, but I don’t stop my quest. I can’t stop. I’m a woman on a mission now. The minutes pass as I look, and look. The code starts to scramble in my brain, and I blink back the blurriness I see on the screen.
“We should get you something to eat,” Logan says.
I sigh. I tap out a search and set it to run. “You’re right,” I agree. “But I’m having breakfast brought to you; I don’t trust Sten yet.”
“Like hell then that I’m letting you go without me, especially if you don’t trust him,” Logan says. “Besides, what’s he going to do, shoot me in front of everyone?”
I sigh again. “I suppose not,” I admit.
“Then, let’s go eat,” he says. I grumble as I give in to his demand and follow him down to the dining room. I open the door and find my family, Logan’s family, and our staff all seated around the giant table. Everyone pauses mid-bite as we enter the room. My gaze travels down the table to Sten, who’s seated next to Uncle Eddie. He gives me a warm smile and then looks curiously at his nephew.
Sten rises from the table and walks toward us.
“Hello, Sten,” I say to him.
“Anna, so good to see you, my dear,” he says as he leans forward, and double cheek kisses me. He then looks at Logan. “So, I hear I’ve gained a nephew. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Logan.”
Sten holds out his hand, and Logan shakes it. I internally cringe. My mind is trying to meld the Sten I know with the Sten I am now fearing. I look past him to the table. Everyone is watching us closely, including Uncle Eddie.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sten,” Logan says, splintering me from my thoughts.
Sten nods and walks back to his seat. Logan and I take seats across from Chris and Auggie. Tessa hurries in with Liza behind her as they lay out a second course, or at least what I guess is a second course considering that everyone’s plates are already filled with fruit. The whole thing seems so formal for the summer palace. This is typically a place where we put aside many formalities and customs, a place where we act more like a normal family than the royal family. But today, looking around the table with its fine china, crystal goblets, silver-plated serving dishes, and multitudes of silverware, it looks like a state dinner at the royal palace. If Uncle Eddie were any other king, I would expect this, but he’s not, he’s Uncle Eddie. He’s the man that played hide-and-go-seek with me and had tea parties in my room. He’s the man that camped in a tent with us in the garden and roasted marshmallows over a fire pit while telling us scary stories. He’s the man that has c
old beer from the bottle with my dad while sitting out at the pool.
I catalog everything I know about Sten next. Sten is five years younger than Uncle Eddie. He’s always been kind to us and at times played with us when we were visiting, but he’s not nearly as close to my father as Uncle Eddie is. It’s probably the age difference and the fact that Sten lived a rather charmed and boyish existence. Well, Sten still lives a rather charmed and boyish existence. He’s been the fodder of tabloids for years. He’s a known playboy who always has a new woman on his arm. As second in line to the throne of Montelandia, he is constantly scrutinized. The public has a real love-hate relationship with him. The anti-monarchists were often citing Sten as a reason to dissolve the monarchy. I know Sten had one close relationship years ago, but it’s a bit of mystery why that ended, or at least Uncle Eddie and Daddy never speak of it. I always viewed Sten as a bit of a wild child/wounded bird, but now I’m rethinking everything I know.
“So, this all must be quite a shock for you, Logan,” Sten says as he helps himself to eggs and sausages.
“It’s quite a lot to process,” Logan says.
“Well, I’m happy to talk with you whenever. Give you pointers and such,” Sten says.
“That’s very kind of you,” Logan replies. I want to roll my eyes. Like Sten should be giving anyone pointers on being royal, unless they want to end up on page six. I look over at Auggie, who’s clearly trying to keep from laughing. My father gives him a sharp look, and he pretends to wipe his mouth with his silk napkin, only I think he’s really stifling a chuckle.
This entire meal is completely strange and awkward. My aunt and uncle are silent as they eat. And I wonder why Hans hasn’t tried dominating the conversation yet. He’s known for creating friendly table banter.
I excuse myself as soon as I can, looking at Logan and pleading with him through my gaze. I don’t want him staying here. I don’t want him near Sten. But he only gives me the subtlest shake of his head. I frown and head toward the door.
“Anna?” my father says as I attempt to escape.
I turn and look back at him. “I’d like to see you in my study,” he says and rises, excusing himself as well.
I follow my father down the hall, and he closes the door behind us. I note that Pete is already in my father’s study. He’s standing at attention.
I look from Pete to my father.
“Sit, Anna,” he says.
I comply and give Pete a questioning look. He doesn’t give anything away but keeps his face indifferent.
“I’ve asked Pete to join us,” my father states the obvious.
“I can see that. What is this about, Daddy?” I ask him.
“I’m uncertain if Sten is involved or not. I have Victor working on things and Jack at Interpol, but in the meantime, I want security with us twenty-four seven,” my father says. My eyes bulge.
“In the palace?” I say.
“Yes, Anna, in the palace. Now, Pete will accompany you from here out. Your brothers were made aware of the situation before breakfast, this morning. I can assure you, that no one is happy about this situation. However, I see no other way around it for now. So please, for the love of god, Anna, just do as I say. Don’t argue with me,” my father pleads as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Fine,” I say curtly.
My father looks slightly surprised that I’m not putting up a fight, but Pete is also my closest security confidant. So, if I have to have a shadow, it might as well be him.
“Is that all?” I ask.
“That is all. I’ll keep you updated if anything changes,” he says to me. “Oh, and, Anna?”
“Yes, Daddy?” I ask.
“Please don’t attempt to keep up your game of spies. Victor has things under control,” my father tries to assure me.
“Right,” I mutter.
“Anna, I’m serious,” my father says.
I look at him. His eyes are hard, and I know he means business. I sigh.
“Fine,” I lie.
“That’s all,” he says, dismissing me.
I nod and exit the room with Pete in tow.
I swivel around once we are out of earshot.
“Listen, I know you don’t like playing babysitter anymore than I like to be babysat. Can we just agree to our normal working relationship?” I ask him.
His serious look tells me that he’s not going to back down easy. “Anna, I’m under strict orders. I’ll do what I can to make this…less painful for you, but I’m not letting you out of my sight except when you go to your chambers. Understood?” he replies.
My shoulders sag. “Yes,” I say to him. Undeterred, I begin to hatch my escape plan as I walk to the drawing room to meet Shannon, whose text conveniently pops up the second Pete and I finish speaking.
Shannon drones on and on about the canceled event that I had scheduled. Her voice is laced with strain as she tries to reorganize my appointments.
“Shannon, calm down, really. You’re going to give yourself a coronary. I’m barely missing anything,” I try to reassure her.
“Well, I don’t like you to miss any appointments. It looks bad,” she says as her fingers click-clack on the keyboard of her laptop.
“I know. I know. But…these are very unusual circumstances,” I try to reason with her.
She looks up at me, pushing her black-rimmed glasses up her nose. “I understand that, Your Highness, but I still have a job to do. We all still have jobs to do. Now, let’s talk about the possibility of presenting this award tomorrow via video conference,” she says as she begins to go over details of some charity award ceremony the next day.
I’m about to lose my mind as minute fifty-eight approaches. Serious Shannon is a force to be reckoned with, and she’s also a taskmaster. She’s rearranged my schedule, called in favors, and lined me up for several video appearances over the next week. When she finally closes her laptop’s lid, I slouch against the chair that I’m sitting in and sigh in relief.
“We’re done then?” I ask her.
“All done,” she says.
“Thank god,” I mutter as I rise and walk toward the door. Pete tries to keep a subtle ten feet behind me, but I find that even more annoying.
“Pete, just walk with me. You don’t have to act like my invisible shadow,” I protest. “If we’re indefinitely stuck together like glue, then you might as well walk next to me.”
He picks up his speed until he’s walking by my side. “So, where to?” he asks. Fortunately, while Shannon was lecturing me on video conferences, I devised a rather brilliant plan.
“Mr. Winters’s chambers,” I say. He rolls his eyes.
“Great,” he mutters.
“What was that?” I ask, almost gleeful.
“Nothing, Your Highness,” he says slightly louder.
“Uh huh,” I reply with a smirk.
We walk the rest of the way in silence. I knock on Logan’s door, and a moment later, he opens it.
“I’d like a word with you,” I say to him.
“Uh, sure, please come in,” he says, looking at Pete and then back to me. I turn to Pete.
“Is it acceptable if I have an audience with Logan in private?” I ask him.
He rolls his eyes. “Yes,” he answers.
“Good. I’ll just be a few minutes,” I say as I shut the door and quickly usher Logan into his bedroom.
“What are you doing?” Logan asks.
“I’m using you,” I say with a wink.
“Excuse me?” he replies.
“I need to use your passageway,” I say as I motion to the secret door in his bedroom that I used the other night.
“Oh, can I come with you?” he asks. I shake my head.
“I need you here to cover for me in case Pete knocks on the door,” I say to him.
“Anna,” he says.
“Logan, I just need to get my laptop. It’s running a search, a follow-up to my other one. I need to know where the signal is coming from now,” I say.
“But wouldn’t you expect it to be here, since Sten’s here, and we all think he’s the guilty party since he was down at the house?” Logan asks the obvious question.
“Yes, but something doesn’t add up. Why would Sten send a signal from a house where we knew he would be? It’s too obvious. I…it’s just a hunch, but I’m questioning whether he’s involved. Maybe he is, but maybe…just maybe, he’s not.” I say out loud the possibility that’s been in the back of my mind.
“You think it’s not Sten, then, Nancy Drew?” Logan prods. I roll my eyes.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly.
“Fine, I’ll cover for you, but you better hurry,” Logan says. I start to walk away but he grips my arm and pulls me to him.
“Be careful,” he whispers before crashing his mouth to mine.
“I will. I promise,” I say to him. “Well, as careful as I can be,” I add with a wink. He returns the eye roll.
“Anna, why do I think that you might be the death of me?” he asks. I grin.
“Why are people always asking me that?” I say in my most innocent voice.
He cups my cheek, and all humor is gone. His eyes penetrate my soul as he stares into them. I swallow hard.
“I’m serious. Be careful,” he reiterates as he leans his brow against mine. I close my eyes and breathe in that oaky cologne, which I immediately commit to memory once more. I feel the strength of his muscles under my grasp on his upper arms, that too is immediately committed to memory. His lips brush against mine, and I sigh with contentment. For a split second, I wish I could stay here in his arms forever, safe from the world. But then I open my eyes again, resigned to the fact that I have to face the future. I can’t rest until I know who’s behind all of this, and I don’t trust anyone but myself to solve that mystery.
“OK,” I answer, seriously this time. I kiss him once more and then go to the door and pop it open. I turn as I go through, and I see that he’s watching me. “I’ll be right back,” I say as I hurry into the passageway. It doesn’t take me long to sneak through Auggie’s room, which he is thankfully not in as I use another hidden passage to get to the butler’s pantry. I find my laptop, undisturbed this time.
