by Kait Gamble
Anika could hear the vultures through the tinted windows of the limo. Couldn’t they just back off for a second? There had to be other news out there—besides her being left at the altar. Wasn’t there some war going on? A banker caught embezzling? Surely, there was something more newsworthy than her life, or lack thereof, to report on.
“Ms. De Winter!” The horn-rimmed glasses and pink hair gave away the identity of the short woman grinning inanely in the front with her phone pointed directly at her. The blogger was like a piranha. And for some reason, she always focused on Anika. What was it she called herself again? Pink Penn? Pink Poison more like. The name was fitting.
“Is it true that he wasn’t able to thaw the heart of the Ice Princess?”
It had been three days since she walked out of her own wedding, husbandless. What she hadn’t realized until she’d gotten through the gauntlet of media and into her apartment in the trendiest part of London was that she wasn’t at all upset. In fact, she felt free. The wedding, the preparations and the lies that surrounded it all had been wearing on her. It was so much fuss over something that was little more than a merger.
The paperwork that had been dispassionately signed by herself and her fiancé, Joshua Rhys-Jones, not two days before, delineated the fact in precise terms. Their families had been rivals for years but with the economy tanking, their fathers had the genius idea of merging their dwindling fortunes. It was an asinine idea, but there wasn’t a thing they could do to go against the wishes of their families.
Joshua wasn’t ugly by any means. He was well educated, looked good on her arm, and by all measures a stellar catch. She just didn’t feel anything for him besides appreciation for her family’s sake. He had admitted he felt the same. There was nothing romantic between them whatsoever, but they would make it appear how they wanted for the cameras just like they had been doing for the entirety of their lives.
So when he hadn’t shown up for their wedding, she’d felt a myriad of emotions, though none of them had been sadness or shame. But whatever it was she felt was overridden by relief. It did, however, leave her confused and struggling to find the façade to use. When faced with the swarms of reporters and their questions, she didn’t know what to do or how to act. It was just better to stay away from them.
“Drive on!” Anika didn’t know what possessed her to think that it was okay to leave the apartment. No matter when she did, they were there ready to jump in her face. “Take me back home.”
The car immediately started a slow roll through the throng and into the treacle-like traffic. What she wouldn’t give to make it all go away.
Her phone trilled from inside her handbag, drawing her out of her misery. She extracted it and saw the familiar name. She swiped the screen. “Petra, you have to save me.”
The voice on the other end burst into laughter. “Down in the doldrums, are you, darling? And after all the excitement?”
“You have no idea. The vultures won’t leave me alone. No matter where I go, what I want to do, they’re always in my face asking ridiculous questions. And why? Who cares? Why do they give a fig about my life?”
“Because the common people are enamored by the life of the rich and famous—especially when it crashes and burns. That’s when they like to point and stare. It’s the same logic as people who have to slow down and look at a car wreck.”
Anika sighed. “So now you’re comparing my life to a car wreck.”
“Darling, if I didn’t tell you, who would?”
Anika laughed for what felt like the first time in eons. “I need to get away from all of this. If it’s not the paparazzi then it’s my family.”
“You should set them all on Joshua. It’s his fault anyway. Let him deal with the fallout.”
That would be so fantastic. “If only.”
“Well. If no one can find you, then they would have no choice, right?”
“And how would I manage that?”
“This is why you made friends with me at boarding school. You never would have survived otherwise.”
Anika rolled her eyes. “Just tell me your plan.”
“Well, you know who my mum is. I could pull a few strings and get you the hell out of there and into paradise.”
It was well known that the famed Claudia Bauer, PA extraordinaire to the equally illustrious James Conroy III, was the gatekeeper to the Totally Five Star world. Anika absolutely believed that Petra could pull some major strings.
“So far this sounds good. What’s the catch?”
The melodramatic gasp on the other end of the line made Anika smile.
“Can’t a girl help out her friend?”
Anika was well versed in the kind of help Petra was capable of. Some of the time, she came through with flying colors and others were a downright disaster. The number of occasions they’d ended up across the desk getting a dressing down from the head mistress made Anika cringe. The fact that they were usually down to some insane plot hatched by her dear friend didn’t instill confidence in Anika.
“So what do you say?” Petra asked eagerly.
What did she have to lose? At the worst, she’d get away from London for a little while. “Okay. Just make sure that it’s not going to backfire on me.”
Laughter burst on the other end of the line. “When have I ever steered you wrong?”
“The time you got me to sneak out by climbing down the trellis and I fell onto the Head Mistress’ car. Or how about when you said no one would ever know it was us who swapped out the soap in the bathroom dispensers with red dye?”
“That was a brilliant one! We never would have gotten caught if it wasn’t for the cleaner who told on us.”
“Or how about when you thought it would be funny to dump washing powder in the fountain?”
“That was hilarious!”
Anika groaned. “Until it turned into a bubble monster that threatened to devour the grounds.”
Petra’s laughter tinkled through the phone. “We had some fun, didn’t we? And I swear that I’ll get you in somewhere great!”
“You’d better or this friendship is over,” grumbled Anika. It was a well-worn threat that she never managed to follow through with.
“Bah! You’ve been saying that for years. You love it and you know it.” Petra paused a second before she gasped. “I’ve got the perfect place! Monaco!”
Anika slapped her hand to her face, nearly mangling her forgotten sunglasses. She righted them and sighed. “I want to lay low.”
“It’s perfect! You don’t have to worry about privacy violations. Have you ever seen paparazzi pics from Monaco?”
Anika racked her already taxed brain. “No.”
“That’s because paparazzi aren’t welcome there. The place might as well be saying ‘Come for a visit, Anika De Winter! We’re perfect for you!’” Petra barely paused to breathe. “Look, just leave it all to me. Get yourself to Heathrow and I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Petra…”
“Don’t even bother to pack. Just get to the airport. You can thank me later.” She clicked off.
Anika banged the phone against her forehead before shoving it back in her bag. She pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head and rubbed her temples. She had to be crazy to let Petra talk her into another one of her schemes.
* * * *
Four hours later, Anika stared in awe at the Totally Five Star Monaco from the back of the limo. The longest part of the trip had been disregarding Petra’s advice and trying to figure out what to pack. The rest had been a blur of burgeoning excitement. In spite of the reservations she still had about everything, Anika couldn’t help the excitement coursing through her at the thought of leaving the city and getting away from it all.
Monaco was the perfect place to do it, even if she wouldn’t admit it to Petra. As her friend had mentioned, there were no paparazzi which made everything that much more enticing. There was plenty to do, and if she didn’t want to venture too far, she was sure the hotel would
be magnificent and more than worth exploring.
The Totally Five Star Hotels were known for their luxury and exclusive clientele. It was a miracle that Petra was able to get her in. As far as Anika knew, it took connections and a lot of cash to get a reservation. It was good to be friends with daughter of the PA to the owner.
Heart lighter than it had been since before she found herself engaged to Joshua, she almost floated into the magnificent lobby followed by a porter and her few bags. Her heels clicked on the gleaming marble floors as she made her way to the reception desk. She was no stranger to luxurious surroundings, but at the ambiance in the foyer, she slowed her steps so she could get a better look.
The designer had managed to combine a modern and classic look to great effect. The simplicity of the glass geodesic dome above the lobby contrasted with the painted scene around the edge under the arch. The purely decadent style depicted what looked like frolicking mythological beings. Anika took a few steps forward. It was needed to see what had become of them on the other side of the immense glittering chandelier. Curiosity about the fate of the painted characters sated, she took a moment to study the ornate lighting fixture, appreciating the beautiful way it lit the entire room with a warm, glittering glow.
After looking her fill at the ceiling, she let her gaze follow the lines of the dome down one marble pillar. The furnishings in the waiting area looked as inviting as they did expensive. The polished wood of the legs and frames cradled the plush, subtly patterned creamy fabric. Anika let her observation follow the carefully arranged settees, chairs and tables. The scent of the fresh flowers weighed the air, drifting in delicate wafts in the unseen breeze. The ambiance immediately made her feel welcome, relaxed.
Study done, Anika inhaled the scent again as she made her way toward the desk and the immaculately dressed woman patiently waiting there. Her midnight black hair pinned up in a classic chignon at the back of her neck. Her crisp white blouse cut a blinding line against the perfect black of her skirt. Her striking red lips parted in a brilliant smile that lit up the room. “Bonne nuit. Welcome to Totally Five Star Monaco. I’m Marie-Thérèse. How can I be of service this evening?”
Anika smiled in greeting. Even the woman’s slightly accented voice brought an air of sophistication. “Anika De Winter, checking in.”
“Just one moment.” Her French-tipped nails flashed over the keyboard. She paused an instant before furiously typing again.
Anika’s stomach hollowed. “Is there a problem?” Of course there was. Petra struck again.
“Just give me another moment, s’il vous plaît.” She clicked the mouse repeatedly and typed briskly for another few seconds.
“It’s fine. Really.” She motioned for the porter to take the bags back outside. “Please call for another limo.”
“No, no, Ms. De Winter. It has all been sorted. I just missed a memo, but everything is in order.” She slipped a key card across the counter.
Anika picked it up, but still wasn’t entirely convinced. “Thank you. If you’ll give me a moment.”
“But of course.” Marie-Thérèse nodded, though she looked a little reticent. “I hope I haven’t upset you.”
“Not at all.” Anika pulled out her phone and dialed Petra.
She picked up after three rings. “Hey, babes, you get there okay?”
“I just checked in.”
“Fabulous!”
Anika sighed. “Not really, the woman had a hard time finding me on the system. Any idea why?”
“Did she?”
Anika wasn’t fooled by the innocent tone in her friend’s voice. “What’s going on?”
“It’s no big deal. I just had another guest moved so that you could get in.”
She rubbed her temple. “What do you mean moved?” Anika turned away from the desk and snarled “You bumped someone for me?” The outraged gasp that came from the other end of the line made her pinch the bridge of her nose.
“That sounds so horrible! I made sure she was compensated. Relax.”
How could Anika relax? “I can’t believe you did that!”
“I did it for you.” Petra sighed. “It’s too late now. She’s out. You’re in. End of story.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“Just take the suite. Get some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning. If anything goes wrong—and nothing will—it will come back on me. Not you.”
The weight that had finally started to lift fell back on Anika like a boulder off a cliff. “I’m too tired to argue. I’ll see if I can find another hotel tomorrow.”
“Don’t be like that. It’s all sorted.”
“Thanks for all you’ve done, Petra. I’ll call you in a few days.” Anika swiped the phone and pressed it to her forehead for a second. She truly was too tired to do anything but crawl into bed, curl up in a ball and sleep.
“Is everything okay, Ms. De Winter?” Marie-Thérèse watched on with concern etched on her face.
“Wonderful. Which way to my room?”
“Marcel will show you the way. You will find everything you require in your suite. If there is anything I can do to make your stay even more pleasant, don’t hesitate to ring down. Please enjoy your stay.”
Anika made her best attempt at a smile, but it felt lackluster, even to her. “I’m sure I will.”
* * * *
The porter swept open the door to her suite and stepped aside. Anika shuffled in feeling like an interloper in someone else’s home. How could Petra do this to her? Why did she let her friend talk her into these stupid plots of hers? Again. It was just another on a long line of mistakes that she let herself be dragged into.
She reached into her purse to find a tip, just wanting him to be gone so she could wallow in yet another bad life choice. He said something about enjoying her stay, she handed him the handsome gratuity, then he disappeared down the hall.
Anika kicked the door closed and surveyed the suite. The living area was well decorated. Like the rest of the hotel, it was a blend of modern and florid classical designs and there was a lightness to the color scheme. The fabrics were all creamy white with a subtle pattern to add interest. She ran her fingers over the pale, polished wood of the little table near the door. Vases bursting with flowers sat on polished tables of matching wood throughout the room.
She kicked off her shoes to scrunch her toes into the plush carpet as she wandered. Anika followed the edge of a large rug as she took in the well-chosen art decorating the walls. That artist was unknown to her—perhaps a new talent—but she admired the bold strokes even when the color choice was soothing and restful. She delicately ran her fingers over the painting on the wall as she passed. No, definitely not a print.
Anika liked the mix of modern and classic styles. If it were all modern, it would have been too austere while the other way around would have been an overwhelming assault on her senses.
She flowed from room to room admiring the restraint that had gone into the design and decoration of the suite, her favorite rooms being the gloriously decadent bedroom and bathroom. Anika knew if she wasn’t going to be in the massive bed watching the boats in the harbor through the floor-to-ceiling windows, she would be lounging in the almost equally huge bath testing the contents of the various bottles provided by the hotel.
By the time she had done a full circle, her nerves had calmed somewhat and Anika started to regret how she’d spoken to Petra. Her friend was only trying to help her out—in her own, strange way.
But first, she would get some room service. Anika picked up the menu and browsed it as she dialed. Minutes later, she had ordered a small three-course meal, baked scallops in licorice-flavored crust to start, an entrée of bouillabaisse, with a dark chocolate soufflé for dessert, accompanied by a bottle of Bollinger.
Order made, Anika crossed the room to open the French doors that led onto the balcony. The fresh sea air beckoned her over to the stand at the railing to admire the view while she waited. Watching the yachts in the harbor
against the backdrop of a magnificent sunset calmed her further. Maybe this had been a good idea after all?
A muted ping from her phone made her look over her shoulder but she couldn’t muster the energy or the interest to go searching for it. Her mother hadn’t stopped hounding her with calls and texts since Anika had left one telling her parents she was going away for a while. Apparently flitting off and hiding wasn’t how she was expected to handle the situation. Anika couldn’t help blaming them for putting her in the position in the first place.
The last thing she needed was to talk to them and let them bring her down. It was why she hadn’t told them where she was going. The last thing she needed was her parents showing up in person and giving her a lecture on the duties of being a De Winter.
All her life she’d been told what to do and who to do it with. Every inch of her life had been delineated with rules. As she’d gotten older, she found they only grew in number and got tighter in constraint.
Sighing, she leaned over the wrought-iron balustrade to look down at the shimmering indigo water. She’d figure things out. But she had to do it on her own without anyone else whispering in her ear.
What she wanted to do now was just be herself, enjoy her time away, and just shut everything else out.
The abrupt knock at the door drew her attention. Anticipating room service, Anika hurried to the door. She was more than ready for food and a good champagne to wash it down. The fact that more than two glasses of champagne would incapacitate her didn’t hurt either. Maybe numbness would be just what the doctor ordered.
Anika opened the door with a practiced smile on her face but rather than be greeted by a waiter with a cart of food, there was a darkly handsome man in an exquisite suit, the expectant smile on his face waning when his gaze alighted on her.
“Where’s Danielle?”
His voice was like warmed honey, the slight accent she caught telling her he was Italian, as did his dark eyes and hair. The powerfully built man towered over her by at least a head, while his broad shoulders filled her vision and his long legs added to an already alluring package that made her wonder what was under the impeccably tailored black suit and crisp white shirt. She followed the long, lean line of his body down to his shoes before traveling back upward. When she got to his face again, Anika realized that he was familiar, not someone she knew personally, but she’d seen him before.
