by Tara Brown
Coop sighed. “And this is why we don't let your mom interrogate people. She’s terrifying and savage, but she’s also really only concerned with ending the Burrow. It’s personal for her. It ruined her marriage.”
The thought of that hadn’t really occurred to me. I knew my parents loved each other but had the Burrow actually been the death of their marriage? I had to assume it was. It was a jagged and bitter pill but it was true.
My father had chosen it over her and me and Sissy. I hated him a little bit in that moment as I realized it. With that came the realization that he was like Servario. So I had to assume he had meant to save the world as a show of his love for my mother. Servario wanted to be with me, but he had to fix everything first. And they were sort of the same man.
The idea that my mother had waited her entire life for him, terrified me. But it also explained why she wanted me to retire and choose Coop. She wanted us to both retire and live a simple life in the burbs. She wanted something for me that she could never have.
“Maybe we should consider how to kill everyone at the Burrow before we host a gala and kill the Organization. Maybe just ending the Burrow is the best solution. The Organization would have nothing to use as far as weapons are concerned and the fight would be fair. Us against them. Even Stephen.”
Jack nodded at me. “You're right. If we end everything at the Burrow, destroy the entire cache of scientists and weapons, we will be in a fair fight against the Organization.”
My stomach tingled at the thought of it all. Freedom. But not yet. “But we would have to keep our families in hiding until we were done. We would have to take away everything in those boxes. All our weaknesses.”
“Fine by me.” Luce shrugged. “The only info that might have been in that box was my grandparents, and they’re both old and senile as fuck. I am completely estranged from my family.” Her eyes darted to Jack.
The glare he returned burned.
“Time to tell me what was in that box, Jack.”
His eyes darted to the right but Coop agreed, “Yup. Tell her.”
Jack lowered his gaze and slumped, completely defeated. “My parents and my siblings are well known. They can’t be hidden or protected. They can’t vanish, and I can’t estrange myself from them.”
“Who the hell are you, Jack?”
He squeezed his eyes shut and blurted the name, making me tense everywhere, “Jacque Hollander.”
I knew that name.
He saw the look of confusion on my face. “My father is the President of France.” His French accent was back.
“What the actual fuck?” I covered my eyes with my hands and shook my head. “Wait—the French hate Americans. Why would your dad let you come and work for us?” The answer was obvious. I lowered my hands. “Oh my God, you’re the mole, aren’t you?”
He rolled his eyes. “Evie, be real. Of course not. This”—he held his hands out and scanned around us—“this is the cover. My real life is—”
“Oh my God, that castle belongs to your family.”
His eyes lowered. “Yes.”
“Why do the people there call you Walter?”
“My name is Jacque Walter Éire Hollander. I use my middle names as my casual names. Jacques Hollander gets too much attention in Europe. In the US no one knows who I am. Our boss doesn't even know who I am, not really. He knows I am not an American citizen, and I seriously think that's about it. He doesn't care. I passed my entrance, extensive background check, and training into CI—he doesn't care beyond that.”
“Your parents don't know?” This was baffling.
“No. They do and they don't. I told them I work for the UN in a secretive manner and that everything I do is highly classified. My dad lets me run with it, without asking too many questions. He’s not tech savvy, and I went to America for university and was recruited into CI from there. I go home when I can. I do everything secretively. I have managed to do him some serious favors a couple of times so he thinks the UN thing is pretty legit.”
I was flabbergasted. There wasn't another word for it.
His eyes darted to Luce, but she stared out the window, obviously angry by the whole deception.
“How did you find out?”
“He ran off not too long ago. Said he needed to go back to the main office and do some work for our boss. Except he was at an event and it was televised. I watched it and saw him with a beautiful girl.” Luce’s eyes lowered as her cheeks flushed with color.
“It was my sis—”
“It was his sister, Margolis,” Luce cut him off. This was her story, not his. “I love royals and was watching the Queen, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate on the red carpet for the event. The next thing I know, Jack walks up to William and Harry and shakes their hands.” Her eyes darted to him accusingly. “He shook fucking hands with Harry.”
“I didn't know you stalked royalty. How would anyone know that about you?” Jack appeared ready to beg any second.
“He has a point, Luce. You don't come across as the princess type,” Coop tried to defend.
“Clearly.” She focused back out the window. “Doesn't matter now, does it?”
It visibly mattered. “So that's why it can’t be you who goes to the Burrow, even though it sort of has to be? You might be recognized by Europeans, and if not, you can’t risk death. This is why you’re always in the basement?”
He pressed his lips together and let out a huge exhale. “Yup.” His accent was hovering somewhere between French and American, suggesting he was finally relaxed around me.
“Is your family royal as well then?”
His eyes and the small noise that came from Luce’s side of the car answered that.
“Awkward.”
“Not like a direct royal, more like a—”
“It doesn't matter, Jack. You are far more than you pretended to be. This changes things. You can’t go to the Burrow, no matter what. I’m surprised no one saw you and recognized you when we were there for that day.” He winced and I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Who recognized you?”
“Drusack. My father contacted me and said Vincent Drusack was quite concerned about the place he had seen me. He asked if I was in trouble. I told him no.”
“And you didn't tell the rest of us that Drusack was in the Burrow and on the outside?”
“No. I assumed, like the rest of us, that he was in the Burrow and never left there. I hadn’t seen him in ages. I was under the impression the people at the Burrow never left the Burrow. But when Janice said his name I knew I was wrong. It’s how I showed you all his pictures so quickly on the laptop, because I knew exactly whom she meant.”
“Well, isn’t this just a pot of doom. What exactly are we going to do with this?”
His dark brows lowered over his eyes. “Evie, this changes nothing. I am still me.” A slow grin spread across his lips. “Still smarter than you, younger than you, and I hate to say it, but far handsomer than you.”
“And he can get us into places you can’t.” Coop smiled wide from the front seat.
“And he draws attention so when we are chilling out in Europe people stop and stare at him and then their eyes slowly scan our faces,” Luce added with a bit of venom in her tone.
Jack seemed wounded.
I sat back in my chair and sighed, already exhausted and the road trip had just started. Luce gave me a knowing look and then turned back to the window.
We drove in awkward silence.
23
Wedding bells spell disaster
The Neuschwanstein Castle turned out to be the largest tourist attraction I had ever been to. I thought Disney was off the charts, but the castle was a thousand times worse.
“This place is nuts,” I mumbled facing the window.
“It’s not as bad as the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.”
I looked at Luce and laughed. “You have a sickness.”
“It’s going to get much worse now that it’s out in the open.
I’ve always kept it hidden.” She cringed. “I love Prince Harry.”
“He’s my favorite too,” I added and climbed out of the car when Coop parked.
“I’m going to hang here.” Jack studied the crowd and then the rest of us.
“Good idea.” Luce mocked him. “It would be like the Beatles had showed up I’m sure. Everyone wants to see a real prince outside a real castle.” She turned and stalked off.
Jack’s head went down, nodding and taking the abuse.
I walked next to Coop, toward the entrance. “It’s like the worst foreplay I have ever endured.”
“Yeah, they need to fuck and get it over with. Jack is absolutely in love with her and her pride is wounded.”
I gave him a sideways glare. “How would you like to find out the true identity of the person you thought loved you? I know I don't want to turn on the TV and see him shaking hands casually with the one prince I have always wanted to meet. And he had a girl on his arm.”
“His sister.”
“She didn’t know it was his sister. Just some hot chick who was good enough to take to the ball where Luce wasn't. She’s good enough to fuck but not good enough to tell the truth to?”
He lifted his hands. “Oh, I get it. You don't have to spell it out for me. I understand completely.” He shrugged. “I just think you girls need to realize that Jack is embarrassed. To be honest, he hates his life in France. He hates that his father and mother live the political life. He hates the spotlight. He avoids the cameras at all costs. He isn’t coming with us because he doesn't want to be Jacque Hollander. He likes being nerdy Jack in the basement with the glasses and poopsock jokes. His dad doesn't understand gaming or even relaxing. It’s all about schedules and timelines and public approval. He’s the black sheep and because of all that, we’re his family.”
I hated to admit it, but he made sense.
I felt a little sorry for Jack.
We strolled past a village at the base of the mountain that appeared to be staged. Kids bought candy and ice cream from the Bavarian-themed houses and shops that lined the cobblestone roadways. It reminded me of Cinderella’s castle but it was real. Luce bought tour tickets for us and caught up.
We strolled like tourists. I pulled out my phone and snapped photos for the kids. It was exactly as it should have been, so European and yet touristy. No matter what happened in the world, Jules needed to see this. The architecture and majesty of it all made me believe in magic.
“Imagine that there was once a king so romantic he built a castle like this one,” Luce muttered, almost to herself, lost in a daydream staring up at the huge hill we were about to embark on. “Imagine the balls.”
“There wouldn't have been balls, Luce. Ludwig was known for being a recluse. Plays and orchestras played for him alone,” Coop mentioned as he too took photos from the base.
“Bummer.” Luce shrugged. “But I can dream.”
We strolled along up the hill, taking photos and touristing. I assumed we were all doing the same thing though: searching for Servario in the crowd of people going up and down.
“This is quite the hike.” I noticed people were struggling to catch their breath.
“We could take the shuttle or the horse-drawn carriage ride.”
“We should have,” I grumbled.
“I love horse-drawn carriage rides.” She beamed. It was super strange to see her so girlie and excited. Like watching her get the makeover on the plane with Roxy.
“He should be on the stairs. That's where Cinderella lost her shoe,” Coop said absently.
“How many sets of stairs are we talking? This place is built on a frikkin’ mountaintop. Why don't you guys go on the tour when we get to the gates, and I’ll see if I can explore the grounds a little.” I couldn't stop nattering as I searched for him.
Coop seemed ready to argue, but Luce didn't give him a chance. She grabbed his arm and headed through the red and sand-colored brick gatehouse at the front of the castle and over to the lineup to start the tour.
I walked through the red brick gates and along the courtyard, imagining how it must look in the winter. The pale bricks of the main castle would have stood out against the white snow and majestic hills. The entire view was magical.
I hurried out of bounds and crept up the side, checking out the area for pathways to follow. The cool summer breeze toyed with my hair as I made my way along the rocky path. The cliffs were terrifying.
Realizing quickly there was nothing along the side but cliffs and walls, I hurried back to the main courtyard. At one side of the castle, nearest the tower, there was a single set of stairs. It was smaller and plain and not at all where Servario would wait. He was too showy for something so simple.
I turned around and headed back to the large courtyard where most of the tourists had gathered. The cascading staircase was grand, and when I stood back and took it in, I could picture Cinderella running down the steps, maybe losing her shoe on the landing between one of the flights.
She was holding the bottom of her dress up in her arms and had a panicked look on her face.
Her prince would come from the top, shouting her name and hurrying after her.
I turned around, seeing the gilded coach in my mind’s eye. Of course it was fancy and awaiting her. The footmen had the doors open and the driver cracked the whip just as her toes touched the inside. It was fabulous to imagine.
I could see how Luce was lost in it, the fantasy and the fairytales.
Turning back, I scanned higher up the stairs, smiling when the sun glinted from a glass shoe in the hand of a grinning man. He was truly pleased with himself or maybe that he had caught me daydreaming.
I pretended not to see him, again looking at the surroundings through my phone like everyone else was.
When I met him on the stairs, the slipper was resting on the stone railing.
“You figured it out.”
“It was easy.”
“You mean for Jack, obviously,” Servario joked.
“It was Coop actually.”
“Of course it was.” He sighed. “Young Cooper would have been just the right age when Cinderella came out, wouldn't he?” He paused. “No, wait he would have been too young. Must be that wonderful memory of his then.”
I folded my arms. “Did you know who Jack was all along?”
His eyes sparkled. “You mean His Royal Highness? Yes. His father and I were friends when I was young. We would frequent Monte Carlo. He’s very good at poker.”
“Why doesn't that surprise me?”
He left the shoe and started walking up the last of the stairs. “I think at this point nothing should surprise you. You should be ready for the unexpected at all times.”
“We’re going to blow up the Burrow.”
He glanced back, his eyes narrowing. “Now that surprises me and rarely do you surprise me, Evie.” He lifted the ruby ring from his pocket and fingered it. “Twice in two days. Bravo.”
“We want to level the playing field.”
That made him chuckle. “And destroying the Burrow will level what exactly?”
“Removing the weapons cache will prevent the Organization from using any of it.”
“I suppose.” He held a hand out for me as we entered the massive doors to the entryway. “You must see the grotto. It is a wonder of its time. A fake cave to represent the cave in Wagner’s Tannhauser. Quite something.”
“You realize this isn’t an expedition, right?”
“No. I certainly do not realize that. We are on a date.” He took my hand in his and pulled me inside. He didn't let go of my hand as we walked. “To destroy the Burrow, one of you will have to go back. That in itself is a death sentence. Not to mention, you will have to find a way to smuggle something in to destroy the area. Clearly, you have to make it appear to be an accident so the Japanese don't go to war with whoever does the deed. America will not thank you for fucking that up. And lastly, you will have to find a way to do it all and get out. T
hat will be the tricky part.”
“Why does it have to be so hard?”
“It was made to be hard. No planes can land nearby. No one would dare declare war on Japan for some weaponry and technology. This isn’t going to be easy, Evie. It was made to last.”
“How would you do it?”
That brought a grin to his lips as he pointed at the artwork and fineries. “Now that is the right question.” He leaned in closely, brushing his lips against mine. “I would use the nanorobots that just happen to be there.”
“You knew?”
“Of course.”
I wasn't sure how, but he had surprised me again. “Let me guess, you have the codes as well?”
He pressed his lips together. “What if I do?” He offered his seductive smirk. I looked down at my right hand, suddenly noticing the ruby was there. He had slid it on so gently, not like last time. I lifted my fingers, trying desperately not to be impressed, but there was something about a Harry Winston ring being on your finger while you stood in the most beautiful castle that made the world stand still.
I closed my fingers, in case he wanted to take the ring back. I wasn't agreeing to his terms, and he obviously wasn't able to agree to mine just yet, but it felt nice to pretend this was us for a moment or so. “What do I have to do to get those codes from you?”
“Marry me.”
I stopped dead in my tracks.
He scowled back at me. “You don't have to be so melodramatic about it. I didn't ask for a kidney.” He leaned in. “It would be the right moment for a huge gala—Gustavo Servario marries. Imagine the people who would come to that.”
My mouth dried. “You heard us talking?”
“Of course I did. You overconfident morons never check for bugs. It’s a problem. Americans always think they are the top of the food chain.”
I yanked him closer. “Stop dicking with me and tell me what you mean. Are you in with us? Will you help us destroy the Burrow and host the gala of doom?”
“No. It was a joke. You needed a gala.” His voice trailed off, but he was still grinning, although nothing about it was funny. “I will get Jack those codes.” His gaze softened as he continued, “And I will marry you one day, Evie, but our wedding day will be a celebration, not a doomsday. Once I get those codes, my involvement in the Burrow and the Organization stops there.” He gave me a smug grin. “Here’s that other address you were seeking.”