Galen’s heart beat so loudly he could hardly hear the captain over the pounding in his ears. The princess had talked about ordering such devices, but had said they would take a while to arrive, and with her busy schedule in preparation for the wedding...
“The devices arrived via airmail the morning after you and Ruby were kidnapped. The princess insisted on installing them immediately, but...”
“But?”
“We tried to test their range and precision. The devices registered when she brought them over to headquarters and we installed the software. We followed their trail all the way to the old city walls and up the tower. And then...”
“Then?” Galen could guess, but he needed to know for certain.
“We lost them. It seems the vault is too far underground, the stones too thick for the transmitters’ signals to penetrate.”
“But the bandits carried the jewels back out.”
“We picked up the signal as soon as they did, just as the guards called in to tell us the bandits had escaped on the other side of the wall. It was chaos here last night.” The captain turned to the monitor beside him, angled it so Galen could see.
“So where—?”
“This is where we lost them again. Labyrinth Caves National Park.”
Galen swallowed, defeat clawing at his heart through the pain in his back.
The Labyrinth Caves were a national treasure, boasting over one hundred miles of explored passageways, in addition to untold miles of spurs that had never been documented, running in a tangled maze beneath the Lydian mountains southeast of Sardis. Though the main entrances were regulated, dozens of peephole entries dotted the park, to the delight of spelunkers who traveled to Lydia just to explore the tangled underground network. But occasionally, spelunkers got lost inside. Search parties would comb the caves for days to find them—and those were people who wanted to be found.
If the bandits wanted to remain hidden, they could hide inside the caves forever, the thick limestone blocking any signal the tracking devices might try to send.
“What about their SUV?”
“It’s not there. We suspect the driver left part of their party with the jewels, then drove away, probably to coordinate the next step in their escape.”
Galen closed his eyes. Pain radiated through him, pounding its message home. It was over. The bandits had won. They were going to get away with everything—had all but gotten away with it already.
“But if they come out with the jewels, the tracking devices will pick up their trail again.” He grasped at fading hope.
“Assuming the bandits don’t discover and disable the devices first. These are trained gemologists we’re dealing with.”
Galen hung his head. It was over. They’d gotten away.
Jason Selini cleared his throat. “I’m going to see through the security in place for Isabelle’s wedding. I’ll stay on long enough for the new recruits to transition from the Lydian army.”
“Sir?” Galen prompted when his captain fell silent.
“The crown jewels were stolen on my watch.” The captain met his eyes, sadness brimming in their steel-gray depths. “If they’re not recovered, I will resign.”
TWENTY
“Galen!” Ruby nearly jumped as the guard burst into the palace suite that served in place of Princess Stasi’s studio. “They told me you wouldn’t be released from the hospital for days.”
“It’s a hospital, not a prison. They can’t keep me there.” He strode toward her, wincing when she placed a hand on his arm.
She pulled her hand away. “Where can I touch you that won’t hurt?”
Thick bandages padded his shoulder, but the pain on his face gave way to a smile. “On my lips.”
She kissed him as gently as she could, tempted to lose herself in the kiss, but too many questions still hadn’t been answered. She pulled away reluctantly. “Did they let you keep your job?”
“The captain didn’t mention it. He said something even worse.”
“What could be worse?”
“He said he’ll step down if the jewels aren’t recovered.” Galen lowered himself into the nearest chair.
“How is that worse?”
“Ever since the attacks, the royal guard’s image has been tarnished. We’ve been trying to restore the honor of the guard. We’ve weeded out anyone with ties to the insurgents, we’ve been working double shifts to make up for the men we lost, waiting for the army to clear men for transfer, men with no treasonous connections. And now that we’re on the brink of finally having a full staff, of being in a position to be effective again, he’s going to quit. Even if I keep my job, what good will it do? The guard can’t afford another setback, not after all we’ve lost.”
Ruby felt his sorrow deep inside her. Galen loved being a guard, loved Lydia and the royal family, loved guarding all those he held dear. She hated to see him lose that, to lose even the chance to work toward restoring what had been damaged. She felt it with the same desperate determination that had coursed through her the night before when she’d feared Galen might die in her arms.
Somehow they had to fix things.
“We’ll find them. We’ll recover the jewels—then the captain won’t have to step down.”
“I’d love to do that, Ruby, but how?”
“Stasi got the tracking devices implanted. She ordered two dozen devices. Fourteen of them are in jewels still in the vault. The other ten are with the bandits.”
“Ten of them?” Galen sounded as though she’d shared bad news. “How can that many devices escape their notice? If they find one, they’ll tear everything apart until they find the rest.”
“Stasi knew what she was doing. She hid them well. She’s a trained gemologist.”
“So are the Verrettis.”
Ruby had to admit his words were true, but she wasn’t about to give up hope. “They won’t tear apart the jewels and risk destroying their value in the process.” She looked at him, pleading silently that he wouldn’t take away her last shred of hope.
“Ruby,” he said her name softly, reaching for her, wincing as he stretched out his arm.
She kissed him again, loving it, loving him, but at the same time wondering if she wasn’t just causing herself more pain in the long run. She still had to return to the U.S. and fix her parents’ business—much more urgently now that she’d found out what the Verrettis had done to sabotage it. Given Galen’s devotion to the guard, she knew she couldn’t ask him to come with her. Granted, he’d offered to follow her, but she knew his heart was in Lydia. It would tear him apart to move.
She couldn’t ask him to make that sacrifice.
The door burst open with a loud bang and three men poured through, talking at once.
“There he is.”
“Now we know why he was in such a hurry to leave the hospital.”
A charming fellow in a T-shirt extended his hand toward her. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
“These are my brothers,” Galen explained hastily, “Milos, Timothy and Adrian. Guys, this is Ruby Tate, assistant to Princess Anastasia.”
“A pleasure.” Timothy shook her hand.
Milos shook a bottle at Galen. “That IV you pulled out was your pain medicine. Take one of these or you’ll be crying for Mom within the hour.”
Galen held out one hand. Milos handed over a pill, which Galen swallowed. “What are you guys doing here, anyway? You don’t have clearance to be inside the palace.”
“We’re here to help.”
“Show him the badges.”
“It was supposed to be a surprise.” The brothers jostled each other as they held out their wallets for Galen to see.
“We’re transferring from the army,” Milos explained with a broad smile.
“Somebody’s got to keep an eye on you.”
“Mom worries about you.”
“But—” Adrian held out a hand, silencing the others “—we don’t officially start until next week, so if you want our help, you’re going to have to tell us what’s going on.”
Ruby had been desperate to hear what the guard knew, and felt grateful that Galen didn’t ask her to leave as he explained all he’d learned.
“So they’re in the caves?” Timothy clarified as Galen finished his explanation.
“Yes, unless the bandits have found all ten tracking devices and destroyed them. But I doubt they’d have stashed the jewels and left. Most likely they’re guarding them, armed to the teeth, ready to hide if they hear someone coming and shoot if anyone gets too close.” Galen started to shake his head, winced, froze. “I don’t want you going in there.”
“How else are we supposed to flush them out?” Milos asked.
“I’m familiar with the caves,” Timothy added. “In fact, I can think of several likely spots where they might be hiding.”
“And with Isabelle’s wedding rehearsal today and the ceremony tomorrow, your captain can’t spare a single man on such a long-shot mission. We’re perfect for the job.”
Ruby felt her hopes, which had been nearly crushed, rise again with new life. But Galen looked terrified at the thought of letting his brothers walk willingly into danger.
“Mom will never forgive me if anything happens to any of you.” Galen’s face had gone white, either from overexerting himself too soon after his injury, or out of fear for his brothers, or both. “I regret that I’ve told you as much as I have.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to us. We’re professionals.” The brothers waved off his concerns and headed for the door, conferring about helmets and armor and weapons.
Galen rose unsteadily to his feet. “I’ve got to stop them. They’ll get themselves killed.”
“No.” Ruby waved him back down, afraid to touch him for fear of upsetting his injury. “You need to take it easy. Rest. Isabelle’s wedding is tomorrow. I’ve been invited to attend.”
“It’s a public event. You’ll need a guard.” Galen frowned, probably wondering who the royal guard could possibly spare.
“Precisely.” She smiled at him. “You’ll need to rest if you’re going to accompany me.”
* * *
Galen checked his phone discreetly below the edge of the banquet table. Still no word on anything. His brothers had last checked in hours ago, not long before the wedding started, to let him know they hadn’t found the bandits yet.
Not even the beautiful wedding reception could ease the ominous feeling in Galen’s gut. The wedding had gone off perfectly, a blur of flowers and music. Or perhaps they’d only seemed that way to Galen, who’d kept his eyes mostly on Ruby throughout it all.
“Is everything okay?” Ruby leaned close, her red hair a marvel of curls and jeweled clips, her curves draped in a turquoise dress which made her eyes look even more dazzling than usual.
He stared at her for just a moment, memorizing her every feature. She’d be going back to the U.S. far too soon. He didn’t ever want to forget her beauty.
“Galen?” Her prompt carried concern.
“No word,” Galen assured her. “But I can’t shake this feeling—”
“Your brothers will be fine. They’re big boys.” She clearly wanted to make him smile.
He wished he could smile, but anxiety ate at him. “The Verrettis aren’t stupid. They know we’re watching them, that the roads still have checkpoints, that the airport security is on high alert, looking for them. Unless they want to hide in those caves forever, they’ve got to know tonight is their best shot at escaping, while everyone’s distracted with the wedding.”
“Simon and Oliver are both on duty tonight,” Ruby reminded him. “If those tracking devices move, they’ll call.”
“They’ll call Selini first.” Galen watched as the captain circled the room, alert, watching the dancing begin, keeping a wide distance between himself and the wedding planner.
Galen looked back down at his phone.
Still nothing.
He wiggled his earpiece, which the guards had switched to a different frequency. They were careful not to reveal anything sensitive when they used the devices, but they weren’t able to do away with their use altogether, not when they had such a large gathering to coordinate. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his back angry about his prolonged seated position.
“Dance with me?” Ruby slipped her hand into his.
Galen swallowed. His back might appreciate the change of position, but he’d only make things worse. “The captain will see.”
“Is that a problem?”
With regret, Galen realized he’d never explained the captain’s injunction. “Captain Selini warned me not to get involved with you.”
“What? Why? Other guards—”
“It’s because of the other guards. He doesn’t want the royal guard to form a reputation. He’s not happy about the others but they’re seeing royalty, so what can he do?”
“Will he fire you?” Ruby asked. “Don’t dance with me, then. I don’t want to cause trouble.”
Galen thought about it a moment longer, his mind feeling sluggish and disoriented from the pain in his back and the pills that dulled it. It didn’t matter if Selini fired him, really. Ruby wanted to dance. And Galen wanted to dance with her.
He stood and extended his hand. “They’re starting another slow song.”
“I thought—” She rose halfway, then started to sit again. “Your job—”
“You matter more to me than my job.” He raised his most imploring eyebrow. “Dance with me?”
They made it halfway to the dance floor, Galen’s back sending warning shots through his spine, making him question the wisdom of moving, when Ruby stopped.
“Selini’s on the phone,” she whispered.
Galen turned discreetly to the spot where he’d last seen his captain. At the sight of Selini’s face, he changed direction.
Jason Selini looked up, a ripple of relief passing over his face when he spotted them approaching. He strode to meet them. “They’ve jammed our radio frequency again, but Oliver just called—he’s picked up the signal from the tracking devices. They’re out of the caves headed toward the north exit of the park.”
“I’ll go.”
Concern and apology mingled on Selini’s face. “I’m calling Sam and Paul. I don’t know who else we can spare.”
“Keep the wedding guests safe. We’ll handle it.” Galen ignored the shooting pain as he darted from the banquet hall, punching a call to his brothers, then ran down the back stairs toward the garage, into the darkness of the mild September evening.
Milos didn’t answer.
Timothy didn’t answer.
Galen wondered if they were still deep in the cave, too far below ground for their phones to pick up his call. He reached the garage, smashed his thumb against the print pad on the cabinet that held the vehicle keys, and pulled out the set to a jeep as he sent a call to Adrian.
“I’m coming with you.” Ruby nearly blocked his way.
“You can’t. It’s far too dangerous.” He prayed his brother would answer the phone.
“You’re supposed to be guarding me.”
“Only if you leave the safety of the palace grounds.” He moved past her to the jeep. “Go to headquarters. See if Oliver and Simon need your help—you’ll be safest there.”
“Yeah?” Adrian answered the phone in a breathless voice as Galen climbed into the vehicle, his body protesting his every movement.
“The jewels are moving toward the north park exit.”
/> “No kidding.” Adrian panted. He sounded like he was running hard. “Thanks for the phone calls, bro, you gave me the moment of distraction I needed.”
“What do you mean?” Galen clicked the garage door open and got the jeep started and shoved into gear, trying to listen and shift at the same time.
“The Verrettis have Milos and Timothy. They had me, too, until two minutes ago.”
“What?” Galen nearly shouted as he paused at the back gate, waiting impatiently for Elias to make it open while Sam ran past him toward the garage.
“They took us hostage as an insurance plan in case they encounter any trouble on their way out of town.”
“Then what are they going to do with them?” Galen tried to steer, to think.
“According to their threats, once they’ve served their purpose, the bandits plan to dump their bodies at sea.”
TWENTY-ONE
Ruby looked at the thumb pad on the key cabinet across the room, thinking quickly. Her handprint had opened the underground vault. And she’d been authorized to use vehicles during her stay—had even driven a few, but only after someone had handed her the keys. Would her thumbprint work on the box?
Sam had nearly seen her when he’d run in, grabbed some keys, hopped on a motorcycle and gone zipping off. Paul darted in next. Ruby hid in the shadows and picked out a vehicle while Paul grabbed another jeep. The moment he pulled out of the garage, she hoisted her skirts and leaped toward the key cabinet. If she didn’t hurry, she wouldn’t be able to follow them.
She pressed her thumb to the pad and prayed.
A light turned green.
Ruby quickly found the keys she wanted hanging on an American fob. They went to the eco-friendly green Chevy Spark she’d driven a few times before they’d assigned her a guard. It wasn’t powerful, but it was familiar, and considering that she had no idea what she was getting into, she needed a vehicle she was accustomed to.
Royal Heist Page 18
