“What’s going on?” Jacob asked as he walked in and gestured for Finn to take a seat. Finn just shook his head and leaned against the man’s desk instead.
“I need information.”
“Regarding?”
“Henry, in a way.”
“I see.” After a searching look, Jacob asked, “What’s going on?”
Finn, who knew Jacob could be trusted, told him what information Valleria was seeking, but didn’t mention what Henry wanted in return for it.
“So, you want to know who’s got it out for Valleria and their royal family.”
Finn nodded. “Time is of the essence here.”
“When is it not?” Jacob muttered. “You know this isn’t my job anymore. I left that world behind.”
“I know you did, but you still have contacts in that world. I would never ask you if I wasn’t desperate for help.”
“Desperate, huh? First time I ever heard you say that word.”
“But it’s not the first time I’ve felt it,” he said, and Jacob nodded. Finn knew Jacob was remembering the day of the fatal car crash that killed his parents; Jacob had been the one to pull him from the car afterwards. They had grown close after that.
“Will you help me? Or lead me to someone who can?”
After a charged few moments, Jacob said, “I’ll help you.”
Finn let out a visible sigh of relief; if Jacob hadn’t agreed he wasn’t sure what he would have done.
“The Vallerian royals are visiting right now, aren’t they?”
“Just the heir to the throne, Alexander, and one of his younger sisters.”
“Yes, I seem to recall some pictures in the paper this morning of you with a beautiful woman.”
“What?” he burst out as he stood. “Do you have the paper? May I see?”
“Behind you on the desk,” Jacob said and Finn turned to see his face staring up at him. Walking and smiling next to him was Arianna, as they strolled down the Food Street speaking with various vendors. How had missed this when he’d first walked into the office?
Crushing the newspaper in his hands, unaware of the ink coating his fingers due to his fierce grip, he scrutinized the picture. He knew Henry would see it, and gazed at it as someone who was looking for something untoward. After a minute of staring at the black and white image, nothing seemed improper. Arianna was holding a scarf in her hand, while Finn’s hands were tucked casually in his pocket. It was a simple scene. Finn hoped Henry would see it as such, too.
“There were other pictures,” Jacob said and Finn remembered he was in the room.
“What other pictures?”
“Others that may appear in the tabloids soon.”
“Damn it.” As Finn threw the paper down, he wondered if he could intercept Henry before breakfast, but dismissed the idea. In today’s hyper-connected world, Henry could just as easily access those images on his phone, or from one of his spies.
“I doubt the Princess will be bothered overmuch by them,” Jacob said as he crossed his arms over his chest. “She’s likely to understand about these things, having grown up a royal.”
Finn wondered if that were true. She held so much uncertainty and doubt inside her because she found it difficult to let go of the past. Arianna may seem polished on the outside, but Finn already knew she felt things acutely. The tougher the shell, the softer the heart.
Finn was momentarily blinded by the headlights of a car flashing as it parked nearby, and checked his watch. “How soon can you have something for me?” Finn asked as he carefully folded up the newspaper; for some reason, he wanted to keep their photo.
“Come by first thing tomorrow and I’ll give you an update.”
“That’s pretty ambitious.”
“That’s why I’m the best,” Jacob said with a wide smile.
Finn laughed. “So you are, my friend. I’ll sneak out the back, if you don’t mind.”
“I prefer it, actually. I’m trying to keep a low profile here.”
“No problem.” Finn shook Jacob’s hand. As Jacob went to assist his customers, Finn went out the back door of the office, exiting behind the cafe. In the growing dawn of day, few noticed him skirting through the alleys and between buildings, and only one or two may have glanced at him when he revved his engine and sped away.
***
Arianna and Alex walked into the dining room to find Henry already there and waiting for them. They all greeted each other, plated some food from the buffet, and sat down. Arianna’ stomach gave a little flip as she wondered where Finn was; she hoped she could keep a calm demeanor after a night of passionate sex with him.
She was wrong.
Finn strode in barely a moment later, his hair windswept and his air hurried. Lust curled sharp and swift inside her. By the way his gaze raked over her, she guessed he was having a similar reaction.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Finn said as he plated some food for himself and took an empty spot besides her, managing to put his chair as close to her as possible in the process.
“Really, Finn,” Henry said with a frown. “You should show our guests more respect.”
Finn merely cocked an eyebrow, and why the defiant look had Arianna’s blood racing was beyond her. “I had some business to see to this morning. I do apologize if I offended either Alex or Arianna.”
Did anyone else notice how Finn’s voice had softened when he said her name? Or was she merely imagining it?
“You didn’t offend me,” Alex said casually as he reached for his coffee. “I believe I can speak for Arianna when I state you didn’t offend her, either.”
“You didn’t offend me,” she agreed, her voice huskier than she intended. She reached for her glass of water just as Finn’s hand came to rest of her thigh, teasing the edge of her dress. His hand felt like a fire against her skin.
Henry pursed his lips but didn’t say anything further about it. Switching topics, he asked, “Arianna, my dear, what are your plans for today?”
“We wanted to discuss that with you,” Alex interjected as he put down his cup; the fine china made nary a sound as it was placed on its saucer. Arianna, who knew what was coming, reached down and placed her hand over Finn’s.
“We’ll be heading back to Valleria today,” Alex said, his eyes fixed on Henry’s shocked reaction. Finn’s hand tightened around hers; she wished she’d had time to explain their plan to him.
“Today? But we have not finished our negotiations. You cannot leave yet.”
“I’m afraid we must. As I mentioned, there is the anniversary party for our parents that we must attend, and several family members are due to arrive for it.”
Henry glanced furtively at Arianna, who hoped she was keeping a straight face. “Arianna, my dear, surely you would like to stay behind, at least one more day?”
Arianna cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but I must go back with my brother. I do hope you understand.”
“Oh, well, yes, of course. I had hoped you would want to stay in Brazenbourg a little longer, if it is to be your home.”
Finn’s hand was gripping hers fiercely; she couldn’t bear to look at him just yet. “Nothing along those lines has been decided yet, as you well know.”
“Indeed,” Alex said with narrowed eyes. “You would do well to remember that, Henry.”
“Of course, of course. I was merely hopeful, that’s all,” Henry said with an awkward laugh.
“In any case," Alex said, “we would like to invite both you and your brother to the Anniversary Ball. I know it is rather short notice, but my father would like to meet you both.”
“Both of us? Surely only myself,” Henry said.
“Do you doubt my and my father’s word?” Alex asked as he leaned back against the chair.
“No, no, not at all. Not at all,” Henry said quickly. “Of course, if your father wishes to meet us both, then he shall. Would you like us to come down with you today?”
Alex shook his head. “We’ll be far too busy tod
ay to arrange the meeting. I’ll have my chief of staff, Tavin, contact your assistant; he’ll give you all the details.”
“With the ball tomorrow, won’t a meeting be difficult?”
Alex smiled. “Not at all, I assure you. A few minutes before the ball is enough for introductions. We can discuss more the day after, if needed.” Turning to Finn, he asked, “Will the short notice be a problem for you, Finn?”
“Not at all. I’m very honored by the invitation. I do have some business to attend to in the morning, but if you’ll have Tavin contact me with the details for our meeting, I’ll make sure I’m there. On time,” Finn finished with a pointed look at Henry.
“Excellent,” Alex said with a smile.
Unable to resist anymore, Arianna looked at Finn, who gave her a broad smile. She blushed and smiled shyly back.
Henry was looking less and less appealing.
Chapter 12
After Henry and Finn had seen Alex and Arianna off later that morning, Henry had forced Finn into the first empty room they’d found after returning to the palace.
“What the hell is your problem, Henry?” Finn said as he put some distance between them, moving to stand near a fireplace.
“My problem is you. I have no choice but to bring you on this trip, but you’re not to make a fool of me, you understand?”
“That’s not my intention and you know it.”
“You made plenty a fool of me at breakfast.”
“What are you going on about? Breakfast was fine.”
“Really? Did Arianna think it was fine while your hand groped her underneath the table? Don’t try to deny it.”
“I didn’t grope her, for Christ’s sake.” Not that he hadn’t thought about it; however, just holding her slim hand and remembering how she’d used it on his body had done plenty to him.
“Arianna is too much of a lady to draw attention to your lecherous ways,” Henry said; Finn wondered what Henry would think if he knew what she was really like in bed.
“You’re imagining things and blowing everything out of proportion, as usual,” Finn said, brushing off his comments. “Relax, would you? Don’t you think if I had been doing anything untoward, that Alex would’ve kicked my ass for it?”
Henry paused, letting those words sink in. “Yes, that’s true. Still, I don’t want anything to go wrong in Valleria.”
“They won’t.” Unless I want them to. He still couldn’t believe marriage was on the table, but he’d do whatever it took to prevent it. It was becoming harder for him to imagine a world without Arianna by his side.
Henry huffed, a disbelieving sound Finn had heard most of his life. With a wave of his hand, Henry dismissed him, and Finn left to follow-up on some more leads; Jacob wasn’t the only contact he had that could be trusted.
***
Arianna was exhausted by the time evening came around. After arriving at the Vallerian Royal Palace, Alex had been rushed off to see to pressing business and Arianna had been ushered into preparations for the ball. She’d constantly checked her phone though, as she and Finn had traded numbers before she’d left Brazenbourg. He’d messaged only once, letting her know that he was thinking about her while he chased down leads on the information Valleria needed.
She missed him.
It was almost dinnertime when she entered her apartments in the Royal Wing of the palace. The majority of her siblings had slowly trickled in today, with only Ethan, Marcello and Grace left to arrive early tomorrow. Tonight was another famed family dinner, which she usually loved, but today only made her tense.
As she made her way to her bathroom, she began to strip off the sky high heels and business dress she’d worn for most of the day. She needed at least a bath before dinner, even if it made her late.
A woman whose future may soon change deserved to be a little late to dinner, didn’t she?
Arianna tucked in her hair, which was still pinned up from the long day. There was a low throb at the base of her neck, and she was contemplating leaving her hair down for dinner. It would be out of character for the persona she’d adopted, but maybe a small change wouldn’t draw too much attention to her.
She sat down into the achingly hot water and sighed. She flexed her toes under the water, letting the steam and heat soothe her tortured feet. The image of another bath, and an addictive man, drifted into her mind.
Finn.
She was growing to like him, she realized. No, that wasn’t true. She already liked him; she wouldn’t have slept with him otherwise. No, it was the other dreaded ‘L’ word that had her heart stuttering.
Love.
Arianna was growing to love Finn. His sharp, quiet mind, the pain hidden below that she could recognize in herself, and his body, oh my, his body. Just the thought of it had arousal blooming and a gasp escaping her lips.
Her wet hand slid beneath the perfumed water and followed the line of her body to settle between her legs. While one hand gripped the side of the tub, the other tortured her below. She imagined not her own, but Finn’s deft fingers arousing her. She remembered his cocky smile and impossibly dark green eyes just before her fingers slipped inside. She remembered his clenched teeth as he held back his own release until she found her own. Now, Princess. Now.
The memory felt real, as though he were whispering the words into her ear, and she came fast and hard, water shifting dangerously against the edge of the tub. She cried out his name as her body became impossibly hot, and then fought to cool itself in the still heated water. She fell limp against the tub, rubbing herself idly until the tremors stopped.
She blinked her eyes open - when had they closed? - and took in the steam-filled room around her. A moment of disappointment pinged through her when she realized she was alone, but it passed. As her eyes swept the room, an absent glance at the clock had her sighing. Time to face the family.
She stood, letting the water sluice down her flushed skin. She stepped out carefully, drying herself tenderly. As she walked back to her bedroom, she wished Finn were here.
It was harder and harder for her to imagine marrying Henry, not with Finn so much on her mind and invading her heart. Was it the same for him? When he’d held her hand at breakfast, emotion had tugged at her, and she’d felt, for the first time in a long time, that she wasn’t alone.
She hoped Finn had found a way to get what Alex needed; she wasn’t sure she could go through with the wedding now. Duty and honor warred in her heart with her growing feelings for Finn. If she was forced to choose, what would she do? How could she turn her back on her country facing an unknown threat? Was her happiness such a high price to pay for the safety and security of her whole country and the rest of her family?
She sighed again as she began to pull out a simple dress for dinner. She hoped Alex had some news.
Chapter 13
Alex walked through the secret corridors within the palace, going from his set of offices to the Queen’s. Though he loved his mother, his main goal was to see his fiancée, whose office was now situated within the Queen’s set of offices. Fortunately, his mother was busy dealing with last minute preparations for the ball tomorrow, so Rebecca should be alone.
Just how he liked it.
After checking the peephole to make sure she was alone, he used a special fingerprint scanner to access the door to her office. The scanners were installed in all the secret corridors of the palace - both here in the offices and on the other side of the palace in the Royal Wing, where the royal family lived in apartments of their own.
The door opened, and he entered to find her on the phone. Her back was turned to him and one hand held the phone to her ear while the other feebly massaged her shoulder. Alex’s eyes narrowed; he didn’t like to see her hurt or upset. The memory of her kidnapping a few months ago rose like bile in his throat but he pushed it back. She was safe now, and she was his.
He shut the door behind him, and it seamlessly blended into the wall; no one would know it was even there. He walked up behind
her and used his strong hands to massage her shoulders. She gasped at his touch and turned around, then sighed in relief when she saw it was him.
“No, no I’m all right,” she told whoever she was speaking to. “Listen, I’ve got to go. Are you sure you’re all set for tomorrow?” A pause. “Good. Yes, all right. Love you, too, Mama. Bye.”
Rebecca dropped the phone in her purse nearby, then tilted her head back against the chair. “You startled me, Alex.”
Arianna & Finn (Royals of Valleria #3) Page 15
