by P. G. Van
“I… I trekked the mountains for eight days to meet a family who was working for the government.”
“Holy fish! Dude… what motivates a fourteen-year-old to do something like that?”
“The accident my mom died in was caused by the rebel group.”
“Sid, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be, my mom was an Army colonel before she had me, and she died while protecting the royal family to secure the future of the country.”
She went silent for a few moments. “I don’t want you to go back to Edenridge if your job is to protect the royal family.“
“Edenridge is a beautiful country that accepts people for who they are, and it was the royal family who made the country great. Every single person who carries the royal blood is of utmost importance to the people.”
“I don’t get the obsession over kings and princes.”
“It’s not an obsession, it’s respect… respect for what the family has done for the country and the culture.”
“I know, but I’m not a warrior heart like you are. I would hate the royal family if my parents were killed because of them.”
“How long would you hate someone and would you kill for revenge?” His question surprised her.
Her breath hitched as the thought of taking someone’s life played in her mind. “I… I probably would want to give them a chance to reform before I’d take the route of ending a life.”
“I didn’t give them a chance to reform. I shot and killed the man who took my mother’s life.”
“What? No?”
“Yes, I shot the leader who started it all using the sniper training I got from his Army regimen.”
“Oh my God, Sid. How old were you, and how did you get out of that region?”
“I was nineteen when I took him out at a public event and made it out the same way I made it in. Spent eight days trekking through dense forest. They have no idea who shot the dictator.”
“Sid, pull over,” she demanded.
Sid felt a thread of fear circle his heart as he wondered how she was taking in the new revelations about him. He didn’t say anything but pulled over to the side on the highway.
“Amy, let me…” His words drowned in his throat as she reached to her side to wind her arms around him.
“I’m so sorry for what you had to go through, and I want you to know I respect you for everything you have done and everything you want to do for your country.” She sobbed into his shoulder making his chest warm.
“I want to be with you, Sid. I’ll go wherever you want to go…” She pulled back to look at him. “I love you, Sid.”
His face lit up with a glorious smile. “Baby, I love you too, it feels like I have for a long time.”
“Do criminal lawyers have good opportunities in Edenridge?” She sniffled.
He laughed pulling her closer to him. “You can do anything you want in Edenridge.”
“Promise never to leave me.”
“I promise you my life, sweetheart.” His lips found hers for an endearing kiss and the concrete highway, the fast moving cars, and the scorching heat were tuned out as she let him suck her lips like he couldn’t stop himself.
He grunted pulling her onto his lap deepening the kiss. “You have very bad timing for telling me what you just told me.”
“Hold it in until I sneak out of my room later tonight.” She smiled pulling back and looked away when something caught her attention through the small gap in the back of the car.
“Sid, why are there four cars lined up behind us?”
“That’s our security, baby.” He laughed helping her back into her seat.
“Your security. You are the big shot. I’m just a normal girl from the sweetest town in the world.”
“Right!”
“How did I not notice the security until a few days ago?”
She pondered.
“Well, now that you are my girlfriend, I asked for more security.”
“That’s right, you need protection from your girlfriend,” she mocked.
He laughed shaking his head as he pulled back onto the road, and Amy watched as the security cars merged back and blended into the traffic. She noticed a few cars joining back onto the highway a few miles ahead. “Those cars are your security, too?”
“Yes.”
“Dude, my mom and dad are going to freak out if they see all these cars pull into the ranch. They’ll wonder what my boyfriend does for a living.”
“How about we tell them I work for the Mafia?”
“Great idea!” She laughed settling into the passenger seat. “And can you drive a little faster, so we get there before it’s too dark so my mom doesn’t freak out?”
“Or I could drive really slow, so we spend the night at your favorite hotel.”
“Eew, call me a snob, but I’d rather sleep in the car than go to that hotel.”
“We’ll get there before nine tonight.”
“I wouldn’t have told my mom we were coming home, but I kinda had to tell them since I’m bringing a man home for the first time.”
“Will I have to go through an assessment before they let me in the house?”
“No, my family is normal so stop freaking out.”
“You are their princess, and I expect them to be protective.”
“Correction, I’m the queen.” She laughed.
“Very true!” he said softly.
“So what happened to the royal family? I know the King’s son was killed before the people voted, but how come there isn’t anyone to take over?”
“Most of the royal family members were killed by the rebel group.”
“What?”
“They attacked the palace in broad daylight when the family had gathered for a feast and…”
“Bastards.”
“No one was spared, and the only people who survived were the ones who were away for education. Only the lucky survived that day but soon after, every single person who could take over was hunted and killed by staging accidents in the various countries.”
“Unbelievable… Is that when your mom…” her voice trailed off when he nodded without looking at her.
“If there is barely anyone left of the royal family, how do you put an end to these fanatics?”
“We still have hope the Swan will protect us.”
“The what?”
“Our soon-to-be queen is under cover and will soon be crowned to protect the people.”
“What is she waiting for?”
“Waiting for the right time,” he declared softly.
“Where is she? Does the rebel group know where she is?”
“The data that was stolen had information about people who could lead them to the Queen, not the Queen’s information. We didn’t trust anyone to keep her safe if the information was saved anywhere.” His voice was suddenly authoritative.
“So you don’t know where she is, but you are hoping she would save the entire nation?”
“We know where she is, but she doesn’t know anything about this.”
“What about the people who can lead the idiots to the royal family?”
“They were moved to safety as soon as we were able to reach them.” Sid wasn’t ready to tell her she was the only one left of the family. He wanted the man who protected her to tell her everything.
“Good, how did they even get to such secure information?”
“Exactly how I made it into their region. This guy was an intern in the security systems and hacked his way to the information. We picked up the details on the information scans after he sent the data to someone here,” he growled.
“Where is that kid?”
“In jail.” He snickered.
“Have you considered using that kid to get back at the rebel group?”
Sid was taken aback. “I would love to hear your thoughts on it.”
“Meet me at eleven, two thousand feet north of the main door once we get to the ranch.”
“We’
re using code language are we?” he taunted.
“Yeah, my boyfriend is a hot Army commander!” She laughed settling into the passenger seat for a nap.
Chapter 12
Sid pulled up to what looked like a security checkpoint with a high metallic gate which led to the entrance of the ranch. He had advised his security to disperse and secure the ranch. Amy had dozed off a few hours ago and had not woken up for a bathroom break, so he kept burning the tires until they reached the ranch.
“Welcome to the Watson Ranch. Can I see some ID please?” An elderly but well-built man demanded from Sid.
“Daren!” Sid heard Amy squeak before she opened the door to run around the Hummer. She ran into the arms of the big man whose eyes glistened with happy tears.
“Amy, I didn’t realize it was you in the passenger seat. Who is this guy?” Daren’s tone was protective.
“Daren, this is Sid. He is my roommate, and he is here for Aaron’s birthday.”
“Is he your boyfriend?” The older man was quick to ask.
“If you tell me who you went out with on Saturday, then I will tell you who this guy is,” she teased.
“It wasn’t like a date.” The man smiled sheepishly.
“I never said it was a date, but since you did, who is it?” She tried to shake the rock-solid man by his arms.
Sid watched as they conversed and noticed the additional guards stationed in a more camouflaged manner. He took in the spider cameras hanging from the huge sign for the ranch and wondered if the fence that ran around the ranch was electric.
The man sitting in front of the computer inside the checkpoint stepped out and approached Daren and Amy. He whispered in Daren’s ear making the big man turn abruptly to look at Sid.
Daren put his arm around Amy and walked her back toward the driver’s side of Sid’s vehicle.
“Welcome to the Watson Ranch, Commander.” Daren held the door open for Sid.
“Daren, are you still playing with your facial recognition toys?” Amy objected.
Daren completely ignored her as he shook Sid’s hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir. Please take care of her. She is the mother I never knew.”
“Jeez, Daren stop calling me your mommy,” she spat.
“You got it, Mom, and my mom knows the way to her house,” he teased hugging her and helped her back into the car.
“Don’t tell Dad anything about Sid!” She ordered as they drove away from the checkpoint.
“Why do you have a security checkpoint for the ranch?” He asked knowing the reason, but he wanted to know what she thought about the setup.
“Oh, the ranch is partially owned by my dad’s friend, and he has some expensive car collection sitting in one of the barns. He pays for it all, and Daren and the other guys have jobs.”
“Interesting. What is Daren’s story?”
“Ex-military came back from the Gulf War with a serious case of PTSD. His then girlfriend dumped him and kicked him out of his apartment instead of working with him. He tried odd jobs, but they didn’t work and finally moved to the ranch almost ten years ago and has worked for my dad since.”
“Was he one of your treasures?”
“What?”
“Someone you found on the streets?”
“Yes! Daren was the first one, and I met him when we were at Disneyland. My mom was pregnant with Aaron and went into labor right outside Disneyland, and this guy happened to be there to help us.”
“Nice! Is that why Aaron is the Disney Prince?”
“Yes. Do tell him the name is appropriate.”
“So how much longer before we pull into your parents’ driveway?” He asked taking in all the cameras installed on the streetlights.
“We are almost there. The internal roads are like a maze, and anyone new will surely be lost.”
“Yeah!” He followed Amy’s directions for the next thirty minutes before pulling onto a massive circular driveway.
“I’m nervous, why am I nervous?” She shivered.
“Don’t be, you can dump me if your mom and dad don’t like me,” he teased getting out of the car.
He heard the main door of the house open and saw a woman in her late forties rush out of the house.
“Hi, Mom!” Amy called out like a little girl jumping out of the car to wrap her arms around her mother.
Sid looked at Aaron and smiled before making eye contact with the man who had kept the life of his country safe and secure.
Sid took the man’s hand in his. “It’s an honor, sir. Thank you!”
“Good to meet you in person, Sid.” The man smiled and turned to look at Amy as she put her arms around him and asked teasingly. “Who is this young man, sweetheart?”
“This is my boyfriend, Daddy, and you’ve talked to him already.” She sheepishly smiled, her eyes dazzling at him.
Sid took in the glow in her eyes and promised himself to keep that happiness there for eternity.
“Sid, welcome to our home.” Amy’s mom smiled shaking his hand.
“Thank you, Dr. Watson.”
“Jen, please call me Jen.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“This must be Aaron.” Sid held his fist out and got an enthusiastic fist bump from the eleven-year-old.
“Thanks, Sid. I am so glad I won’t be driving a ‘mommy van’ to college,” Aaron cheered.
“Not cool!” Amy objected as they walked into the house.
Sid stepped into the house taking in the thick concrete walls, hidden metal railing that could slide over the windows —the way the multi-level house was built was almost like a fortress. He walked on the thick marble floor convinced there was a basement to the house, which was rare in that part of the country.
“Beautiful house, ma’am,” Sid cheered as they settled into the family room.
“Thank you, Sid. What would you like to drink?” She smiled getting up from the couch.
“Honey, I got it. Sid, do you mind joining me in the wine cellar?” Amy’s father led him toward the back of the house.
“Be nice to him, Dad!” Amy called out as she headed up the stairs. “Sid, your room is up the stairs to the right.”
“Thanks, Amy!” Sid called out following her father down a small staircase.
Amy’s father closed the heavy door shut before speaking. “Sid, how did you find her? You were supposed to wait until I sent out a communication. She is not ready yet.”
“Sir, we weren’t looking for her. I was investigating her as a potential suspect with connections to the Barkha Group.”
“What?” He was taken aback. “Why would you think she was connected to the group?”
“Amy helped a guy who had the information about you. She saved a member of the group who took the lives of her parents.”
Her father sat down on a wine barrel shaking his head. “I don’t believe this. When did this happen?”
“It was the night she left home to start working in San Francisco.” Sid dug his fingers into his jeans pocket.
“I protected her every minute, and yet she came so close to someone who could harm her?”
“Sir, she just happened to be around at that time.”
“Who was it that she helped?”
“We have an identity that turned out to be fake. This person seems to have been living in this country for a long time and may be a facilitator and not part of the core group.” Sid sat on a wine barrel next to the older man.
“Sid, she is yours to protect now.”
“Yes, sir, I accept the duty with honor and respect. I am impressed at how well you have secured her and the ranch.”
“I had to… for the promise I gave to Amy’s father.”
“Sir, you need to talk to her. We don’t have much time before she turns twenty-one. She needs to know. She needs to know she is the Queen of a nation that has been waiting for twenty years, the Queen who needs to protect her people.”
“Sid, she is a child. I wasn’t planning on c
ontacting the Eagle because I wanted her to have a normal life.”
“A normal life? How can she have a normal life with a fortress around her? She needs to do what she was born to do… rule, protect, and preserve,” Sid’s voice was elevated with patriotism.
“I lost my best friend and my baby sister to that country. She is all I have left. I can’t let her go yet.” Amy’s father held his head in his hand.
“Sir, you kept your promise, and you have done everything you can to protect her. She is my responsibility now. I will guard her with my life.”
“Do you love her?” Her father asked taking him by surprise.
“Yes, sir. I do.”
“Don’t break her heart.”
“I won’t, sir.”
“Sid, I’ve dreaded this day from the minute I brought her home. I still cannot get myself to tell her the truth, she is…” his voice trailed off when a sensor on the door went off.
“We need to go back. Amy is headed down here.” The words barely left his mouth before Sid heard Amy.
“Dad and Sid, are you guys making the wine now?” She squeaked from the doorway pushing the door.
“I was taking advantage of Sid’s politeness and bragging about my wine.” Her father laughed putting an arm around her.
Sid smiled at her as she went up on her toes to plant a kiss on her father’s cheek. “I missed you, Daddy.”
“I missed you, too, sweetheart.” His eyes filled with love for his niece who he raised as his own child.
“I’m hungry, can we go eat?”
“Your boyfriend didn’t feed you on the way?” he teased winking at Sid.
“The queen wanted the special pizza you make for her,” Sid called out as he followed them up the stairs.
“Damn right, and it’s always worth the wait.”
“What happened with the law firm?” Her dad inquired casually.
“Oh, they are one messed up bunch of partners who are not good mentors. They had a major client who they needed to work with and declared they didn’t have time for us,” she grumbled looking at Sid.
“Does that mean you will stay home the rest of the summer?” her mother asked enthusiastically.
“Umm… I think so, but I might have to go back to San Francisco.”
“Why?” It was Aaron who jumped in while her parents hesitated to ask.
