Royal Target

by Traci Hunter Abramson

  Garrett’s laughter rang through the line. “If something comes up, I’ll give you a call. Otherwise, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Alright, I’ll see you then.”

  * * *

  The instant Garrett hung up the phone, it rang again. “Hello?”

  “I can’t believe you’re finally home.” Tim’s voice came over the line. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for days.”

  “Things have been pretty hectic around here.” Garrett settled back into his favorite chair. He ran through his schedule in his head and decided he could spare a few minutes.

  “I know. I’ve been reading all about it,” Tim began. “Are you really engaged? You never even mentioned this girl before.”

  “I ran into her in Caracas.” Garrett chose his words carefully. He hated to mislead his friend, but he couldn’t risk breaching security, especially over the phone. “We hadn’t seen each other for some time.”

  “I can’t believe you’re getting married,” Tim said and then hesitated. “How does she feel about you getting baptized?”

  “I haven’t talked to her about it yet.”

  “What?” Tim interrupted. “Have you changed your mind?”

  “No, nothing like that.” Garrett laughed at the sudden concern in his friend’s voice. “I promise she’ll support my decision. She’s Mormon.”

  “Garrett, that’s great!” Tim’s tone changed instantly. “Have you decided on a date yet?”

  “We haven’t gotten that far,” Garrett told him evasively. Desperate to change the subject, he asked, “What ever happened with the FBI? Did you get the job?”

  “I start training in two months,” Tim told him cheerfully. “I was hoping to start bringing in a paycheck earlier, but at least this way we’ll have time to come to Meridia the week before the gala and do some sightseeing.”

  “That’s great.” Garrett stood up as a knock sounded at the door. “I’ve got to get going, but I’ll give you a call when I have a little more time.”

  “In other words, I’ll talk to you when I get there in a couple weeks.” Tim laughed. “Take care of yourself.”

  “You too.” Garrett disconnected the phone and opened the door to find his brother on the other side.

  “I thought you’d want to see this.” Stefano handed him a thin file. His face was serious. “It just arrived today.”

  Flipping it open, Garrett drew a quick breath, and his vision blurred with fury and terror. His eyes darted up to his brother, who was still standing in the doorway. “I can’t let this happen.”

  “You know the family will support whatever you decide,” Stefano said soberly.

  Garrett just nodded as his brother turned to walk away, leaving him with the terrifying images and the fears they invoked.

  Chapter 19

  Janessa stepped outside, relieved to escape the chateau. She had met with the florists that morning, and it had taken three phone calls to the queen to settle everything for the gala. Thank goodness Queen Marta was so patient with the details. She smiled as she thought of the way Marta could shift from being a queen to a mother in an instant. In business matters, Marta was like a general ordering troops into action. When speaking of her family, however, her voice turned soft, and Janessa suspected that her happiness was deeply entrenched in the well-being of her husband and sons.

  Janessa took a deep breath of fresh air and considered her next task. The extra security measures were in place, but she needed to double check all of them. A smile lit her face when she saw a van pulling into the drive. Alan Neisler waved from the driver’s side window as he pulled to a stop.

  “I was wondering when you were going to show up.”

  “Did you miss me?” Alan laughed as he stepped out of the car. He took a look at the chateau and let out a low whistle. “Pretty fancy.”

  Janessa laughed. “Wait until you taste the food.”

  “I love it here already,” Alan replied. He lowered his voice and added, “I even remembered my autograph book.”

  Janessa narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you dare ask Garrett for an autograph.”

  “Garrett, is it?” One eyebrow lifted. “You’re on a first name basis, I see.”

  “Don’t start with me.” Janessa sighed, wishing she had more time to talk to her friend. “I hate to put you straight to work, but I’d like you to do an initial sweep of the chateau. I’m going to go out for a ride to see if the new motion detectors can track me.”

  Alan nodded as he led the way to the back of the van. He opened the back to reveal his partner, Max, a four-year-old German shepherd. “Let me give Max a few minutes to stretch his legs, and then we’ll get started.”

  “Sounds good,” Janessa agreed as Martino walked up beside them. She turned to address him. “Martino, this is Alan Neisler. Can you please show him to his quarters?”

  “Of course, signorina.”

  “I’ll see you both later.” She headed for the stables and found Paolo inside brushing down one of the horses.

  “I was wondering if you would find time to come to the stables today.” Paolo motioned for her to follow him and led her deeper inside. He stopped and motioned to the tall, white Arabian that was favored by Prince Stefano. “This gentleman needs some time out in the open. Prince Stefano calls him ‘Lightning.’”

  “He’s a beauty.” Janessa took the lead rope from the hook just outside of the stall and pulled open the stall door. With calm efficiency she clipped the rope to the horse’s halter and led him to the tack room so she could saddle him.

  “Keep your wits about you with this one,” Paolo warned her. “He likes to have his own way.”

  “So do I.” Janessa laughed. “I’m sure we’ll get along fine.”

  Janessa retrieved the saddle that Paolo now kept reserved for her. Out of habit, she checked the length of the stirrups. After sharing equipment with five siblings growing up, she was still surprised to find anything the way she left it. After slipping the bridle on, she led the horse outside to mount.

  Lightning pranced from side to side under the weight of his rider for a moment before settling down. Janessa patted him on the neck and urged him toward the hills. Moving as one, horse and rider climbed up a rise and disappeared among the trees.

  * * *

  Garrett entered the chateau through the private entrance and headed straight to Janessa’s room. The threats against his family, which continued to arrive at the palace daily, now had a new twist. Janessa was among those being threatened. His stomach sickened as he thought of the latest threat against her, and he knew he wouldn’t rest until she was safely home in her own country.

  The demand was simple enough: don’t grant the United States access to Meridian waters—or Janessa would be killed. Who would benefit from such a demand was still a mystery, but Garrett didn’t think about that now. All he could think about was how to get Janessa to leave Meridia.

  He knocked on the door and waited impatiently before he pounded his fist against the door in three quick raps. Frustrated that she wasn’t there, he turned and stalked down the hall, his irritation compounded by stress and lack of sleep. The last two days had been grueling as he continued to face his country’s vulnerability. Despite a strong Navy, a well-trained police force, and efficient emergency personnel, someone was causing destruction in Meridia, and no one knew why.

  With his thoughts still on Janessa, Garrett made his way down to the parlor, where he found Martino instructing one of the maids.

  “Where is she?” Garrett demanded, his tone sharper than he had intended.

  Martino’s eyebrows rose, but his tone was businesslike when he spoke. “Signorina Rogers left the chateau over an hour ago. She said something about taking one of the horses out for a ride.” He motioned down the hall. “The new sensors are in place. I believe the security guards are tracking her movements.”

  “Well, let’s see if they know where she is then.” Garrett followed Martino to the security office. When he stepp
ed inside, he noticed the extra panel of sensors in addition to the monitors feeding visual images to the security office.

  “Good afternoon, Your Highness,” the guard greeted him. Beside the guard, Levi Marin was fiddling with some controls.

  “Do you know where Signorina Rogers is?” Garrett asked, trying to control his impatience.

  Levi glanced up at him as he answered. “The last time she triggered a sensor, she was headed east toward the naval base.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  “About twenty minutes ago.” Levi looked at him apologetically. “I’ve already sent two guards out to look for her.”

  Garrett sensed the concern in Levi’s voice and was afraid to ask whether he was worried about Janessa or a faulty security system. “She’s alone?”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  The muscle in Garrett’s jaw tensed, but he said nothing as he nodded and headed back down the hall. He could already be too late. For all he knew, someone had gotten to her before he arrived.

  His eyes were burning and dry as he pushed open the front door. He squinted beneath the noonday sun at a horse and rider galloping on the beach. As they moved closer, he realized the horse was one of their own, the stallion his brother had acquired several years before.

  His relief was instant when he saw the red hair. He took a moment and just watched as Janessa continued past the chateau and headed into the trees near the stables. Several minutes later, Garrett found Janessa still astride his brother’s horse. Swamped with relief and concern, he struggled to control his emotions. “Janessa.”

  The horse sidestepped, forcing Janessa to keep her attention on her mount rather than on Garrett.

  Paolo moved forward to take the reins while Janessa dismounted. He looked from Janessa to the prince, bowing slightly. “I’ll cool down the horse, signorina.”

  “Thank you, Paolo.” Janessa nodded. She ran her fingers through her hair and turned toward Garrett. Her eyes widened when he closed the distance between them in two long strides and pulled her into his arms.

  Her arms came around him instinctively as she looked up at him, concerned. “Is everything okay? Your family?”

  “Everyone’s fine. I need to talk to you.” He skimmed a knuckle down her cheek, just staring for a moment before he took her hand and led her down the path.

  When they reached the gardens, Garrett slowed and turned her to face him. A million thoughts raced through his mind, but overshadowing them all was his concern for her safety. “Janessa, I’m sending you back to the United States.”

  Her face went white. She looked as though he had slapped her. She pulled her hand from his and took a step back. “I beg your pardon?”

  “You fly out first thing tomorrow morning.”

  She took another step back and created more than just physical distance between them. Her tone was cool when she spoke. “May I ask why? I thought you wanted me to stay. You said I could finish my job here.”

  “This has nothing to do with your job and everything to do with you.” Garrett’s voice sharpened, and he ran a hand through his thick, black hair. “We have received more threats against my family. You have also been threatened.”

  “I see.” Janessa tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. “Will you be leaving as well?”

  “Of course not.”

  “And your family?”

  “We live here.”

  “For now, I live here too.” Janessa turned to walk away, only to be whirled back around when Garrett grabbed her arm.

  “Don’t you understand? You have to go!”

  “I won’t go.” Janessa’s voice was calm, but fury vibrated through each word. “I won’t be chased away any more than you will.”

  Garrett clenched his teeth. He watched her storm away before turning to look out over the Mediterranean. Waves of emotions rolled over him—annoyance, frustration, and the underlying fear that she would fall victim to the violence threatening his family.

  He should have known she wouldn’t leave. Her sense of duty was every bit as strong as his own, and he knew he couldn’t leave Meridia right now regardless of the threats, not even for Janessa. He spotted one of his bodyguards nearby, and an idea began to form. If Janessa refused to leave, he would do everything in his power to make sure she was protected.

  * * *

  Janessa stopped outside of the security office and took a deep breath. She wouldn’t be able to do anyone any good if she let her anger get in the way. Pushing the door open, she saw the surprise on the security guard’s face and the frustration on Levi’s.

  “If you’re surprised to see me, this isn’t good news.”

  Levi nodded to the guard. “Why don’t you take a break and let everyone know we found her. I’ll run the activity report for the past two hours, and when you get back, we’ll see if we can fix the problem.”

  “Thanks.” The guard nodded and exited the room.

  As soon as the guard was gone, Levi punched a button and paper started feeding through the printer. He turned to Janessa. “The last time you set off a sensor was half an hour ago. We’ve got a big gap somewhere.”

  “That would have been about the time I got down to the beach.” Janessa nodded. “We should probably post guards down there until we figure out how to compensate.”

  Levi nodded in agreement. “I’ll print out an extra copy of the activity report so you can take one with you.”

  “Thanks,” Janessa said as she noticed Garrett on the monitor displaying the garden entrance. He looked so serious as he stared out over the water. The armor was back, she realized—the same impenetrable shield he’d carried with him when she had first met him.

  Slowly, her fury went from full boil to simmer as she watched him. She was surprised that, despite her annoyance, she wanted to comfort him and help soothe away the worry. At the moment, however, she doubted he would let her. He looked so unapproachable standing there, so royal, so alone.

  “Here you are.” Levi handed the report to Janessa, snapping her back to the present.

  “Thanks. I’ll touch base with you in the morning.” Janessa took the printout and headed for her quarters.

  Once inside her sitting room, she dropped down onto the sofa and scanned the report. She shook her head in frustration as she flipped through the pages. She could track exactly where she had ridden that afternoon, right up until she disappeared from the sensors and penetrated the chateau’s security. No one had even known where she was until Garrett had seen her. At night, she could have slipped into the chateau completely undetected.

  She moved to the desk and retrieved an overhead photo of the chateau that Martino had given her. With a sigh, she pushed Garrett from her mind and got back to work.

  Chapter 20

  Garrett knocked on Janessa’s door twice that evening before she finally answered it. Her hair was still damp from a recent shower, and her feet were bare. Her blue jeans were comfortably faded, and the sleeves of her button-up shirt were rolled past the elbows. Despite her casual attire, her voice was formally aloof when she asked, “May I help you?”

  “I came to escort you to dinner.”

  Confusion flickered over her face. “I wasn’t aware we had dinner plans.”

  “You were working, and I didn’t want to disturb you.” Garrett held out his hand. “You need to eat something.”

  Janessa glanced down at her clothes. “I need to change.”

  “There’s no need,” Garrett insisted.

  She gave a little sigh and slipped on her sandals by the door. Reluctantly, she followed him down the hall. He pushed his door open to reveal a table set for two. A bud vase held a single red rose, and two slim candles were waiting to be lit.

  When Garrett and Janessa entered the room, a member of the kitchen staff lit the candles and set appetizers on the table.

  Garrett pulled out a chair for Janessa, pleased that she sat without argument, even if she did look disgruntled. Once he was seated across from her, he nod
ded to the servant. “That will be all for now, Brenna.”

  As soon as they were alone, Janessa spoke. “Okay, Garrett. What’s your agenda here?”

  “I’m not intending to seduce you, if that’s what you mean,” he said teasingly before taking a more serious tone. “I just wanted to spend some time with you. Do you mind?”

  Her shoulders lifted as she considered his question. “Perhaps I do.”

  “You’re still angry.”

  “I’m trying hard not to be.” Janessa reached for her glass of water, her fingers fiddling with the stem of the goblet rather than picking it up. She let out a little sigh and lifted her eyes to meet his. “I realize you’re used to people obeying your commands, but, as I’ve told you before, I’m not one of your subjects, and I don’t appreciate being treated like one.”

  “I’m worried,” Garrett said. “I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”

  “How do you think I feel?” Janessa blinked against tears that suddenly threatened. “Every day I know that if I don’t do my job, I could lose you or someone close to you. And even if I do everything I can think of, that possibility still exists.”

  Garrett considered her wording. Was it possible that her feelings mirrored his own? He glanced toward his room and thought of the Book of Mormon hidden in the drawer of his nightstand. Looking back at her, he chose his words carefully. “Things are going to be difficult for the next few weeks. I guess we both need to have faith that the Lord will help us through it.”

  “Believe me, I pray for His help night and day.”

  “So do I.” His voice was barely more than a whisper. He cleared his throat against the emotions welling up inside him, both his growing love for Janessa and the fear that went with it. As much as he understood her desire to keep a professional distance between them, he knew he had already lost the battle. A little hesitantly, he reached for her hand. “We pray to the same God, you and I.”

  “What do you mean?” Her eyes had dropped to their joined hands, and she gently pulled her hand away.

  “I’ve read the Book of Mormon. I know it’s true.” Garrett took a deep breath and continued. “I investigated the Church when I was in the States. I had hoped to talk to my family about my desire to get baptized when I returned home, but then your embassy was bombed . . .” His voice trailed off.