Читать книгу Capturing the Crown Bundle - Nina Bruhns, Caridad Piñeiro - Страница 30

Together, they watched the chopper land on the rocky beach near where they’d buried the pig carcass. Before the whirring blades had even slowed, a tall, dark-haired man climbed out, followed by two others. Not only did the chopper look military, but the men appeared dangerous. All wore sunglasses, and she could see they were all armed with pistols. All of them were large men with the build of bodyguards.

“They look like bad guys.” Sydney turned to Chase, still trying to adjust her clothing.

“Nope, they’re not. We’re in luck,” Chase said, relief lightening the harshness in his eyes. “Those are my men, they work for me.”

“Hell of a PR department you’ve got going.” She eyed the weapons glinting in the sunlight. “Do you guys double as covert ops or something?”

Immediately, his expression shut down. “What we do—or don’t do—in Silvershire has nothing to do with Naessa.”

Once again, he reminded her she was an outsider.

“I understand.” She matched his cool tone.

His gaze locked with hers. Another time, she might have found it amusing that Chase looked away first. Now, she felt only an awful ache spreading inside her heart. Despite that, when he held out his hand, she took it.

Fingers laced together, they ran across the sand, Chase shouting out one of the other men’s names as they ran.

Twenty minutes later, the pilot put the chopper down at a place she didn’t recognize.

The airstrip appeared to be private, with the helicopter’s landing pad clearly marked.

Chase stayed by Sydney’s side, helping her climb out from the chopper. A white Hummer limousine waited. With the other men leading the way, they bypassed this, heading for a small, unimpressive brick building. Inside, they stepped into an empty room furnished only with a single desk and a folding metal chair. A door marked Women was at one end; Men was at the other.

“Here you’ll find showers and all the necessities, as well as some new clothing.” The husky man Chase had introduced as William pointed to two suitcases. One, a small Gucci looked familiar, her favorite traveling bag.

“That’s mine,” she said. “Where did you get that?”

“Before his death, Prince Reginald had given us all the things you’d left at his flat, asking that we return them to you.”

“Us?”

William looked at Chase. Gaze locked on Sydney, Chase nodded slowly. “Go ahead.”

William flashed her an impersonal smile. “The royal public relations department. Us. We took the liberty of bringing your clothing, as well as of purchasing a few new items for your stay.”

Alarm bells went off. “Stay?”

This time they all looked at Chase. He murmured, “Why don’t you get cleaned up, then we’ll talk.”

Talk? About what? “I need to see a doctor before I do anything,” she insisted.

Expressionless, he surveyed her. “Clean up first. Then we’ll take you to a specialist for a thorough examination.”

“But—”

“There’s no doctor here, Sydney.” Chase touched her arm. “Get cleaned up, change your clothes and we’ll go. You’ll feel a lot better if you do.”

“What about my cello?”

He held up a finger. “Later, okay?”

Slowly, she nodded.

“I’ll be right there if you need anything.” He pointed to the other door. “William, Carlos and Jim will stand guard outside.”

Stand guard? Didn’t anyone else find it odd that Silvershire had a PR department made up of bodyguards? Shaking her head, she grabbed her suitcase and entered the women’s room, locking the door behind her. With a sigh, she peeled off her tattered clothing, dropping it in the trash bin. Then, crossing to the mirror, she studied her image. Nothing had changed. Sydney Conner, cellist, stared back at her. Other than the sunburn and the disheveled mop of hair, she looked much the same as the woman who’d stayed at the Hotel Royale a few days before. She caught sight of her ragged fingernails and grimaced.

Though externally she could see little signs of the ordeal she’d lived through, inside, her entire world had shifted. It would take more than a simple shower to make her feel normal again.

Her thoughts wandered to Chase. He seemed to have no problem reverting to the person he’d been before the crash. But then, he didn’t have a baby to worry over.

Turning the tap on full blast, she stepped into the shower, fighting the urge to hurry so she could get to the doctor. Despite her niggling worry, the soap and shampoo and hot water felt wonderful.

After toweling off, she eyed her still-flat stomach and wondered. She’d feel it if something were wrong, wouldn’t she? Combing out her wet hair, she muttered a quick prayer for her unborn child, then opened her door to find Chase and the others waiting.

The sight of him, clean and in a black, Armani T-shirt and pressed khakis, made her mouth go dry. He’d shaved and tied his damp blond hair in a casual ponytail, which made him even more rakishly and elegantly handsome.

“There you are.” He smiled at her, but his smile didn’t touch his eyes. With a dip of his chin, he gave a signal, and the other men moved to flank them.

“Ready?”

She nodded. “I can’t wait to get to a doctor.”

They stepped outside into the bright sunlight and approached the limo with an almost military precision. William held the back door open. As Sydney climbed inside, Chase got in next to her. William and the other two men took the opposite seat.

The last time Sydney had ridden in a limo had been the night Reginald had broken up with her. He’d arrived for their date, flowers in hand, though this time instead of the usual red roses, he’d brought her pure white. He’d been unusually quiet, his aristocratic features reflecting his nervousness. He’d fidgeted in the plush seat, while the car took them to downtown Silverton’s finest restaurant.

That night had felt mystical, magical. Sydney had actually suspected Reginald was going to propose. Instead, over aperitifs, he’d told her their relationship was over and he could no longer see her.

While the car glided silently along the curving streets, William filled them in on how they’d been located.

“The plane’s emergency beacon was still working,” he said. “We were surprised to learn you’d crashed on Chawder Island.”

“Why?”

“You filed a flight plan to Naessa. Chawder Island is several hundred miles west of the correct route.”

Chase’s brows rose. “The storm must have blown Franco off course. He and Dell tried to land us safely. They were good men and damn fine pilots.” He shifted restlessly. “This Chawder Island, who does it belong to?”

“The Lazlo Group is looking into that. Ownership is registered to a corporation whose existence appears to be a front for someone else.”

Watching the scenery outside the car, Sydney knew a growing feeling of alarm. “This doesn’t look like the road into Silverton. In fact, I’d swear we weren’t even in Silvershire. Where are we?”

Chase glanced at William. The other man gave her a reassuring smile. “Carringtonshire.”

Carringtonshire? That was in the northwestern part of Silvershire, a part of the country she’d never visited. The twisting road seemed to be in the remote countryside. Nothing but trees and hills could be seen, no matter how far she looked.

“Why?” She stared at William, then Chase.

William tapped his laptop case. “We’re headed for the royal vacation lodge on Lake Lodan.”

“Vacation lodge?” She turned on Chase. “You promised me a doctor. I want to see a doctor immediately. Before anything else, take me to a hospital.”

Chase smoothed a wayward hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Calm down. It’s all been taken care of.”

William nodded. “Yes, Miss Conner. I’ve taken care of everything. We should arrive at the lodge in twenty minutes, and I’ve arranged to have a top-notch ob-gyn meet us there.”

“Top-notch?” She squinted at him suspiciously. “This Carringtonshire looks like a country area to me. How’d you manage to find a doctor like that out here in the sticks?”

“Luckily, Dr. Kallan was on holiday nearby. He’s excellent.” William’s professional tone spoke of one used to making arrangements for others. He regarded her expectantly, making her smile faintly. If not for his beefed-up appearance, he’d be a perfect personal secretary.

She sighed. “That’s a start, but honestly, I’m going to need more than just an examination. I’ll need blood work and a sonogram. I need a hospital. Then I want to go home to Naessa.”

William looked at Chase. So did Carlos and Jim.

“In good time, Sydney. First, we’re going to Lake Lodan.” Chase’s cool, calculating look no longer fooled her. “After that, we’ll take things one at a time.”

“I don’t understand.” She crossed her arms. The plush interior of the limo was starting to feel like a prison. “No more of this nonsense. Once I’ve seen the doctor and had my tests at a hospital, I want to go home. You can drop me at Silvershire International as soon as possible. I can arrange my own flight.”

Chase’s expression was closed, remote. “One step at a time, Sydney. One step at a time.”

Ever-helpful William leaned forward. “Chase thought, in view of the situation, it’d be best to keep you hidden here in Carringtonshire for a little while.”

“Situation? Hidden?”

The other men exchanged a look as she stared at them. Chase touched her arm. She was so angry she jerked away, glaring at him. “I think you’d better explain.”

“You know someone is trying to kill you. Until we learn who and why, better safe than sorry.”

She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “That’s not your problem.”

“But it is,” he said smoothly. “You are carrying the prince’s baby. Our employer, the Duke of Carrington, has asked us keep you safe.”

“Are we back to that again? You were taking me home when—” She inhaled sharply as a horrible thought occurred to her. “You don’t think the plane crash—?”

“We’re looking into that, ma’am.” William didn’t even glance at her as he spoke. He was too preoccupied downloading information into the smallest, sleekest laptop she’d ever seen.

“If they caused the jet to crash, they killed those two pilots.”

“True.” Chase touched her arm lightly. “But I’m thinking hail brought it on. It was an accident.”

William looked up from his screen. “Do you seriously believe that? It seems awfully convenient.”

“I was there.” Chase’s sharp voice contained a rebuke. “Besides, no one could have known Sydney would be on that jet.”

“You filed a flight plan.” One of the other men spoke up, earning a sharp glance from William.

“True.” Chase gave the other man a thoughtful look. “But if the jet was sabotaged, that would mean it’s someone on the inside.”

All three men shifted uneasily. Chase folded his arms. “Any thoughts?”

The more these men talked, the less they sounded like public relations workers. She could easily picture any of them in Silvershire’s secret service.

None of the others had any answers. But they all agreed Sydney was still in grave danger.

“Right now,” Chase said, his gaze intense, “whoever they are, they’re probably searching frantically for you.”

“Not to mention the press. They’ve been going wild since the princess disappeared. No one knows about the crash. We’ve managed to keep a lid on that.” William’s wry smile and quick shake of his head told her he had his doubts as to the truth of that statement.

“The press?” Sydney fought the urge to rub her aching lower back. The sooner she could talk to that doctor, the better. “Why would the press care what I do? Since they publicized Reginald’s and my breakup, they’ve left me alone.”

“You’re in the news again.” William swallowed, looking from her to Chase. “Reporters are scouring the streets trying to hunt you down. In the meantime, they’ve dug up every detail about you they could find.”

“Why?” Chase’s voice was cold. “Because she was Reginald’s last lover before he died? I wouldn’t think that’s newsworthy now.”

“That’s only part of it. Someone leaked information to them about the pregnancy. We know it wasn’t you—” he jabbed a finger in Sydney’s direction “—since you were on Chawder Island when the story broke.”

They all looked at Sydney.

She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I didn’t do it. I avoid the press like the plague.”

“Then who?” Chase barked, glaring at his employees. “If there’s a leak at the palace, I want it found, now!”

“Understood, sir. We’re looking into it.”

“Who’s in charge of damage control?”

William shrugged. “I’m not sure. Melody has been running the department in your absence.”

“Damage control?” Sydney crossed her arms and resisted the urge to tap her feet. “Why would you even need such a thing? So I’m pregnant, and Reginald and I weren’t married. Things like that happen occasionally, even in Silvershire. What’s the big deal?”

“For one, you are Prince Kerwin’s daughter.” Chase bit out the words.

William cleared his throat, looking nervous. “There’s more, and it’s worse. The press is reporting you and Reginald were wed and that the child you carry is heir to the throne. They’re citing a reliable source.”

“What?” Both Chase and Sydney erupted at the same time. “It’s only been four days since Reginald died.”

“The papers claim you and Reginald married in a secret ceremony last month. One of them even says they have explicit photos.”

Chase narrowed his gaze. “Is that so?”

Sydney gave in and rubbed her throbbing temples, then moved her hands to her lower back. “Well, they’re lying. Reginald and I were never married. The only truth in all that is that I am pregnant. And—” she leaned forward, looking from one man to the other “—I really don’t care what the reporters say. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m pregnant, I want to rest. I just want to see a doctor and then go home.”

Chase shook his head. “It’s not safe.”

“I don’t think these people, whoever they are, will follow me back to Naessa.”

“They will.”

“Fine.” She gave up and let herself sink back into the plush leather seat. “We’ll talk about this later, after my examination.”

When Chase didn’t reply, she turned her attention to the scenery. Lined by granite boulders and an occasional cliff, the winding road curved through massive oaks and towering pines. Finally, Lake Lodan came into view, sunlight glinting off the water.

“It’s beautiful,” she said.

“The royal family’s lodge is on the western side of the lake.” Chase watched her intently, as though he expected her to bolt as soon as the car stopped. Not a bad idea, but hardly likely. He must have forgotten she’d seen how fast he could run.

One more sweeping curve brought them close to the lake. The wind stirred the sparkling water into choppy waves, sending them crashing against the stone cliffs. Sydney sighed, thinking of Chawder Island. Though their stay there had been brief, she’d felt as though they’d existed in another world, a cocoon filled only with her and Chase. Surreal. No wonder she felt different.

“Are we climbing?”

Chase answered with a short nod.

William looked up from his laptop. “We’re nearly there.”

The road became steeper. More cliffs, rocky and studded with trees, rose on one side. On the other, the lake spread out like a glistening blue jewel.

“Christ!” The driver swore. Directly ahead of them, a car swung wide around a sharp curve. Moving fast, the other driver headed directly toward them on the wrong side of the road.

“Hold on.” The limo driver wrenched the wheel. The large vehicle, not made for precise turns, swung and began to skid toward the rocky cliffs. If they went over, they’d be killed.

At the last instant the other car switched lanes, again coming directly at them.

“He’s trying to hit us!” William screamed, one second before the other vehicle slammed into them.

The impact spun the limo the other way. Luckily for them their rear fender barely touched the guardrail, not enough to slow their reverse sideways motion.

The other car, having hit them in the rear quarter panel, ricocheted the opposite way. It took out the guardrail, hanging on the edge for one awful moment before vanishing over the side of the cliff.

After careening left, then right, and hitting a huge boulder, the limo came to a stop. They all looked at each other. Chase held Sydney in place, while the other men shot out of the car, guns drawn.

“All clear,” William said.

“Come on.” Chase got out first, extending his hand to Sydney. Shakily, she climbed from the backseat.

“That was no random accident,” Chase shook his head, his expression grim. “I’m thinking that was another attempt to take you out of the picture.”

“No way,” she scoffed. “It had to be an accident, a drunk driver or something. First off, how would they even know where we are? Second, I still don’t know why anyone would want to kill me.”

“You’re carrying the prince’s only child.” He caught her arm. “That might be reason enough for some people.”

William and the other two men peered over the rail. The limo driver was on his cell phone, no doubt calling in the accident.

“I want to see.” Sydney shook off his hand and went to the edge of the cliff. The other car had come to rest at the bottom of the rock wall, a crumpled heap of twisted metal. “I hope you called for an ambulance,” she told William.

“I called the police. They’ll dispatch medical assistance.”

“If they survived.” Again, Chase spoke almost in her ear. Still dazed, Sydney fought the urge to turn her face into his chest for comfort.

Looking shaken, their driver walked over. His short, black hair was mussed, as if he’d run his fingers through it in agitation. His face drained of color, he shook his head. “They were either drunk or…”

“Something,” Chase put in smoothly. The warning look he gave Sydney let her know he didn’t want his speculation about the near miss revealed to the driver, a man not in his employ.

Lights flashing, the police arrived, along with a fire truck and an ambulance. Because of the wreck’s location, only one police cruiser stayed to take the report; the others drove back the way they’d come. There was a public swimming area further north that would give them access to the crash if they drove up the beach.

Once they’d finished supplying the remaining officer with details, and determined the limousine was still drivable, they climbed back in to resume their journey.

A few more miles and several more curves in the road later, they pulled up to massive iron gates. Worked into the iron was the royal coat of arms. She sighed, watching as the gates swung slowly open. The Royal Family of Silvershire’s private lake lodge, one of their many vacation hide-aways. This particular one she’d never heard of, though the press had reported on many others. In such a remote location, with no easy access, it seemed even the press hadn’t been able to infiltrate these gated walls. No doubt this was why Chase had chosen it as a hiding place for her.

After the accident that might not have been an accident, she was beginning to think Chase wasn’t so far from the mark. Until those crazy people were caught, maybe staying here with protection was the best option.

Inhaling deeply, still shaky, she tried for calm. None of their party had been hurt, but if the other car had merely made a blunder, she felt horrible for them.

“Chase?”

He looked at her, his hazel eyes serious. “Yes?”

“Can we call and check on those people back there? You know, whether they lived or…”

“Died? We can check with the police department later.” His serious expression told her he was just as affected by what had happened as she.

“Miss Conner?” William leaned forward. “I think you’ll like it here. The royal family maintains a very sumptuous lifestyle, even at this lake lodge. We have a full-service salon, a masseuse and personal trainer, as well as a fully equipped gym and indoor pool.” He smiled, too brightly, as though he was trying to erase the last hour with his words. “What more could you ask for?”

What more indeed? A clean bill of health for the baby.

She turned to look at Chase, startled to find him watching her intently.

“What?” She asked.

He shook his head and looked away without answering.

As the limo drove through, the gates closed behind them with a clank. Sydney let her head sink back against the plush leather and briefly closed her eyes. Deciding to stay was a relief of sorts. She was exhausted and could use a few days of rest and relaxation, especially in such lavish surroundings. No doubt this place had the kind of luxury she rarely got to enjoy anymore, especially when traveling with the symphony.

But she couldn’t relax until she’d received a clean bill of health both for herself and for her baby. She sat up, eager to see the physician and begin the tests which would, she hoped, relieve all her worries.

William stowed his laptop and the two other men put away their Palm Pilots. Briefly, she considered asking if the royal PR department issued the devices as standard equipment. Then she caught sight of the “lodge” and forgot all that.

Perched on the cliff like some massive cedar hawk overlooking the lake, the building looked large enough to easily accommodate one hundred or more guests. Through the two-story window over the door, she could see a wall of windows on the waterside, filling the house with light and a breathtaking view.

The limo coasted to a stop. The driver got out and opened the door for Sydney. When she stepped into the blinding sunlight, she stumbled. Instantly, Chase was there, offering his arm.

At first, she wanted to snub him, to show him she was perfectly capable of walking in on her own. But when she saw the massive double doors open and a footman wearing royal livery emerge, she changed her mind.

Though she might carry the blood of a princess, and, as a child, had often longed to meet her sire, Reginald had been her only exposure to royalty. Quite frankly, she found the prospect intimidating.

“Come on.” Keeping her arm in his, Chase led her up the stone steps, through the great doors and into the foyer. Their footsteps echoed on the green marble floor.

He released her arm as the doors closed behind them. Turning slowly, Sydney tried to take it all in, but couldn’t.

Gleaming floors, walls and ceiling crafted of warm oak, she had an impression of granite and wood and steel, skillfully melded into a welcoming warmth that could have won design awards. This place was the stuff of glossy magazines, reminding her of her mother’s penthouse condo.

As she took it all in, she spied a familiar black instrument case leaning against one wall.

“My cello!” She crossed the room, trailing her fingers over the black case reverently. “How did you locate it?”

“We had it flown in.” William smiled as both she and Chase turned to stare at him in surprise. “Rest assured, it wasn’t damaged in the shooting. The hotel was holding it in their lost-and-found department, along with your suitcase full of clothing. We’ve put that in your room.”

Chase shot her a look that said I told you so.

No matter. Sydney sighed with pleasure. Now all she needed was a clean bill of health for her baby and a way home. Then her life would be just about perfect. Even if her baby would never have a father.

A man who could have only been the butler cleared his throat. “May I show you to your room?”

She swung round to eye Chase. “I’d prefer to see the doctor first.”

“Get settled and freshen up.” Despite his size, or maybe because of it, Chase looked at home in the deliberately rugged yet opulent surroundings. He stood out from the other men like a rare coin among wooden currency. “I’ll send someone for you when the doctor is ready.”

Nodding, she turned to follow the butler and realized her misgivings were because she didn’t want to leave Chase—proving once again that she wasn’t herself since the plane crash. Despite feeling mortified, she couldn’t stop herself from looking at him over her shoulder.

“You’ll be fine.” The kindness in his voice told her that somehow he must have understood.

Her room was, like the rest of the lodge, luxuriously comfortable. Everything, from the oversized bed covered with a cream-colored, exquisitely soft, down comforter, to the well-made, gleaming oak furniture, was of the highest quality. The room had the feel of an ultraprivate, ultraluxurious, resort for the very pampered ultrarich.

Feet sinking into the thick carpet, Sydney padded over to the windows and pulled the heavy lined drapes open.

She gasped out loud at the view. Her room overlooked the lake. It spread out below her like a liquid sapphire, shimmering in the sunlight. Whitecap waves dotted the surface, along with sailboats and the occasional yacht. She could make out other homes dotting the countryside, all large and luxurious, though none matched this one for sheer magnificence.

Since she’d showered earlier, she had nothing to do but wait.

“The doctor’s here.”

Startled, Sydney turned to find a smiling young woman in a maid’s uniform hovering in the doorway. Evidently, she’d once again forgotten to close her door.

“If you’ll follow me, please?”

Eagerness warring with nervousness, Sydney went.