Royal Target

by Traci Hunter Abramson

  “I can’t live like this!” Janessa shouted, her words carrying on the wind. With some effort she managed to lower her voice, but the emotions didn’t fade. “As long as we’re together, someone will be trying to hurt you. I can’t spend the rest of my life wondering when someone is going to make it past security, always wondering if this will be the day that some security guard informs me that a bomb or assassin succeeded in taking your life.”

  “Janessa, these types of threats exist in all countries, including your own. You have to keep them in perspective,” Garrett insisted. “Rarely does anyone succeed in following through.”

  “Then explain to me why we’ve disarmed two bombs in the space of a week!” Janessa shook her head. “Maybe it would be different if I wasn’t American . . .” Her voice trailed off, and she twisted the engagement ring off of her finger. “I can’t change who I am any more than you can. I wish I could.”

  Garrett just stared at her as she pressed the ring into his hand. “Please tell me this is for the press’s benefit.”

  “I’m sorry, Garrett.” Janessa shook her head as tears threatened once more. Quickly, she turned and walked away.

  * * *

  The suitcases were loaded, the royal family’s private jet prepared. Janessa descended the front steps of the chateau and entered the waiting limousine. She took her seat in the back as was expected, barely aware of Tim sitting in the seat across from her. She fought the urge to look out the back window as Enrico started down the drive.

  “Are you okay?” Tim asked as soon as they cleared the chateau gates.

  “I will be,” Janessa said, praying that her words were true. She hoped the ache in her heart would subside eventually, but at the moment she couldn’t imagine that even time would erase the hurt and regret.

  “If there’s anything I can do . . .” Tim’s voice trailed off.

  “Just be a friend to him,” Janessa asked, struggling to keep the emotion out of her voice. “He’s going to need someone to lean on, and you understand him best right now.”

  Tim nodded. “I’m going to stay in the States for a couple of days, but Lauren and I will be back in time for Garrett’s priesthood ordination.”

  “I hope he keeps the gospel in his life,” Janessa said softly. As tears threatened once more, she stared out the window at the country she had come to love as much as her own.

  Chapter 30

  King Eduard’s private jet ascended into the air as dozens of reporters looked on. The limousine that had delivered Tim and Janessa to the plane now pulled away and headed back to the chateau. Enrico drove for ten minutes before he finally spoke.

  “Are you okay back there, signorina?”

  Janessa sat up in the back seat, grateful for the tinted windows that hid her from the outside world. “Yes, thank you,” she answered. “I hope your daughter enjoys her trip to Washington.”

  “She has never seen your country before,” Enrico told her. “She is excited to have the opportunity.”

  “It was kind of her to help us out,” Janessa commented. She had sent a letter for Tim to deliver to her sister, Mary. While she couldn’t give her sister details, she thought she could trust Mary to pretend that Janessa was staying with her over the next few days. She lifted her eyes to meet Enrico’s in the rearview mirror. “Do you think anyone could tell it wasn’t me?”

  Enrico shook his head. “With the wig, my daughter looked just like you.”

  “In that case, let’s see if we can be as successful sneaking me back into the chateau.”

  “With pleasure.”

  * * *

  Garrett stood beside his balcony door in the darkness. A swath of light spilled into the living area from the lamp in his bedroom, but he didn’t notice. The last of the reporters had left an hour earlier, after determining that Garrett wasn’t going to make another appearance. When Janessa departed, he had stood on his balcony and watched her go, his heart breaking as he thought of her words on the beach. Knowing she was going to continue on in her security responsibilities did little to ease his pain.

  He couldn’t understand how he had come to need her so quickly any more than he could understand her reasons for breaking their engagement. Surely she understood that the alliance between their two countries would progress regardless of their personal relationship.

  Though Garrett knew Janessa didn’t believe the newspaper articles, his father had insisted he address the press as though Cynthia had been the reason for her departure. Sounding upset took little effort as he spoke with the newspaper editors who had printed the tripe. Unfortunately, Cynthia had given several interviews insisting that she had been involved with Garrett since his return from the United States.

  Though he hated the “he said, she said” scenario, his father’s press secretary issued an official press release detailing the age of the photographs used with the articles. Along with Garrett’s side of the story would be the news that despite the falsehood of these allegations, Janessa Rogers had returned to the United States.

  In the meantime, his father’s press secretary would use his sources to find out who had pushed the story in the first place and why Cynthia Renault was lying.

  Garrett thought of Janessa’s reaction to the articles and shook his head. She had never doubted him. She hadn’t fallen prey to the pettiness of the press, but her fears for his safety had driven a wedge between them that he didn’t understand. Why was she suddenly so sure that her presence was the cause of their problems? Couldn’t she understand that his safety meant little if he had to spend the rest of his life without her?

  With a sigh, he moved into his bedroom. He needed answers, answers he couldn’t find by himself. Kneeling down by his bed, he bowed his head and poured out his heart to his Heavenly Father. Was Janessa the woman he was destined to marry? Who was trying to come between them and why? He continued to ask the questions, hoping and praying that the answers would be revealed to him. But the answers he searched for eluded him as he stood and looked out the window at the brilliant stars overhead. And yet, despite his confusion, a new sense of peace washed over him, a sliver of hope reminding him that his destiny was still his to control.

  Though the chateau was outwardly at rest, Martino and the staff had been busy all evening. After Janessa’s departure, Martino had met with all of the staff members, reminding them of their privacy agreements and the security issues of keeping the affairs of the chateau and the royal family confidential. Martino had also reviewed the new security procedures, which would remain in effect for the next several weeks. No longer would outsiders be permitted anywhere without an escort.

  Janessa’s belongings were moved into the suite across the hall just in case the paparazzi were aware of which window was hers. Unlike the rooms she had previously occupied, her new living space was actually an apartment, complete with an office and a small kitchenette.

  When Garrett heard the car drive up, he fought the urge to meet Janessa at the stairs. Instead he waited several minutes until he was certain she would be alone. He knocked on her door twice before she cautiously opened it. He slipped inside without a word and closed the door behind him.

  He studied her for a moment, concerned at how pale she looked. “What you said on the beach—you couldn’t possibly mean it.”

  “I do mean it, Garrett.” Janessa leaned against the back of the sofa. “If I stay, I might as well be the person holding a gun to your head. It’s like Rominez all over again.”

  “Who?” The name rang a bell, but he couldn’t place it. He assumed it was from a past assignment that had gone bad.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Panic flashed in her eyes before she managed to control it. “I’m sorry, Garrett. I can’t be with you knowing that my mere presence will put you at risk.”

  “Janessa, I love you.” Garrett stepped forward and took her hand in his. He ignored her resistance and pushed on. “Nothing matters to me more than being with you. Can’t you understand that?”

  “I c
an’t live like this.” She blinked hard. “I just can’t. One way or another, I’ll be leaving after the gala. If it’s too hard for you to have me here, I can ask Director Palmer to send a replacement. At this point, it won’t matter, since I’m no longer visible to the public.”

  Garrett shook his head vehemently. “I don’t want you to go.”

  “We don’t always get what we want,” Janessa said softly. “Please don’t make this any harder than it has to be.”

  The pain in his chest became unbearable. “Martino will check in with you tomorrow to see to your needs. Patrice also knows that you’re here. I believe she has already stocked the refrigerator for you.”

  “Thank you.” Janessa nodded somberly.

  Without another word, Garrett left the room with the shattered pieces of his heart.

  * * *

  Alan lingered by Prince Garrett’s living quarters. His knock had gone unanswered, and he had little doubt as to where the prince had gone. Enrico had informed him of Janessa’s arrival, and now he could only wait to do something he rarely did. Interfere.

  Janessa hadn’t told him that she was in love with Prince Garrett, but he had known her long enough that he didn’t need to hear the words. All he had to do was look at her. He also knew that the breakup on the beach wasn’t just for show. Janessa was hurting, more than he had ever seen her hurt before.

  When the prince came out of Janessa’s room, Alan realized that she wasn’t the only one in pain.

  “Your Highness, could I have a minute of your time?”

  “Can it wait until morning?”

  Alan shook his head. Patiently, he waited as Prince Garrett’s swirl of emotions melted into resignation.

  Garrett opened his door and motioned for Alan to follow him inside.

  “I believe you were informed of the explosive we discovered today,” Alan began as soon as the door was closed.

  Garrett nodded. “Enrico mentioned it.”

  “Did he tell you how it was found?”

  This time Garrett shook his head, puzzlement flashing in his eyes.

  “Your Highness, Janessa found it the hard way.” Alan’s voice was low as he struggled to keep his own emotions in check and fight back the guilt.

  “What do you mean . . .” Garrett’s voice trailed off as Alan’s meaning became clear.

  “My dog had already identified the problem. I was trying to locate where the explosive device was hidden when Janessa came down the stairs.” Alan took a deep breath. He wasn’t going to be able to stem

  the guilt after all. “I didn’t see her coming until it was too late. She stepped on the bomb and activated it just as she noticed me.”

  Garrett’s face paled, but he nodded for Alan to continue.

  “It was a crude land mine of sorts planted in the floor inside the private entrance.” Alan lifted a hand and waved away that detail. “I’ve known Janessa for a long time, but I’ve never seen her this shaken up. She knows that if we hadn’t found the bomb when we did, it’s doubtful you would still be here.”

  Garrett’s breath shuddered out. “This is twice she almost died trying to protect me.”

  “If she didn’t think you still needed protection, she wouldn’t be here,” Alan commented. “I thought you should know.”

  Garrett nodded as Alan reached for the doorknob. He thought of Janessa’s comment a few minutes earlier and asked, “Can you tell me about Rominez?”

  Alan stared at Garrett for a moment as he considered the security implications. Realizing that most of the information had already been printed in newspapers, he let out a sigh. “Miguel Rominez was a drug dealer turned informant in Venezuela. He had a huge estate that was supposed to have the best security known to man, and he insisted that he would be safe there.

  “Janessa and Levi kept pointing out problems, but the higher-ups didn’t listen.” Alan shrugged a shoulder. “In the end, Rominez was assassinated right in front of his fortress. A close friend of ours was on protection detail and died right beside him.”

  “Janessa was there when it happened?” Garrett asked.

  Alan nodded. “Yeah, she was there.”

  Chapter 31

  Janessa scrutinized the employee lists as she moved across the room. She turned away from the large mirror hanging on the wall to avoid seeing the puffiness under her eyes and the lack of color in her cheeks. The food Patrice had left for her in the refrigerator had been left largely untouched. When Janessa did think to eat, she couldn’t seem to decide what she wanted, so she didn’t eat anything at all.

  She didn’t want to cry anymore, but tears always seemed to be just beneath the surface. The what ifs were killing her, one memory at a time. What if Garrett wasn’t a prince? What if they were from the same country? What if they caught whoever was behind the latest bombing attempts? With a shake of her head, she reminded herself that even once the current threats were eliminated, Garrett would always be in danger as long as he was paired with an American.

  Her stomach grumbled, but she ignored it, instead trying to concentrate on the list of service employees once more. She had been at it so long she could already recite the names, but something was nagging her and she couldn’t put her finger on it.

  Only a day and a half had passed since she had snuck back into the chateau, and already she craved the outdoors. Levi had stopped by the day before to give her an update. The investigation into the most recent bomb had not revealed anything that she didn’t already know. Except for those living at the chateau, only the caterer’s staff had been present at the time the bomb had been planted.

  Security levels had once again been heightened, and Levi had ordered some additional surveillance equipment to be installed in the interior of the chateau. Janessa prayed that all of their preparations would thwart any further attempts against the royal family, but still she worried.

  She set the employee lists aside and picked up the schedule for the upcoming week. A number of luncheons and small dinner parties would take place beginning at the end of the week and continuing on until the day before the gala that was still two weeks away. Thankfully, Patrice and her staff were taking care of the food for the smaller events. The only deviation from this plan would be if Patrice was once again shorthanded in the kitchen and requested help from the catering service.

  Janessa started across the room once more, her mind turning to the day she had helped out in the kitchen. Just as she was considering how she might send for Patrice, a knock sounded at the door. She pulled the door open a crack, sighing with relief when she saw Patrice standing in the hall, a basket in her hand.

  “Come in, Patrice.” Janessa ushered her inside and closed the door behind her.

  “I brought you some lunch and a few more things to stock your kitchen.” Patrice set the basket on the table and pulled out the plate she had fixed for Janessa. Her eyes narrowed, and she fisted her hands on her hips. “You aren’t eating.”

  “I’m fine,” Janessa insisted as she motioned to a kitchen chair. “I actually wanted to talk to you.”

  “I can only stay for a minute,” Patrice told her, but still she sat.

  “Patrice, the day when two girls were out sick, do you know what was wrong with them?” Janessa asked.

  “They said it was some kind of stomach virus,” Patrice answered. “Personally, I think it was something they ate. They went out to dinner the night before and were sick by morning.”

  “Did anyone know they were going out to dinner?”

  “Everybody,” Patrice told her. “They go out to eat at the same restaurant every payday.”

  “You told me that day you didn’t call in help from the caterers for security concerns. Do you have any specific reason not to trust their employees?”

  “I don’t like the way those people work.” Patrice hesitated a moment before confiding in Janessa. “I feel like I have to watch them all the time. They get lost looking for the bathroom or take forever to return when I send them out to serve.” Patr
ice gestured with both hands. “I just don’t trust them.”

  “Is there any way to find out who would have been sent to help out the day of that luncheon two weeks ago?”

  “Lilia might be able to find out for you. Her mother is one of their cooks.”

  “I’d appreciate it if she could get me those names, preferably without anyone realizing she’s looking for information.”

  “I’ll ask.” Patrice nodded as another knock sounded at the door. Patrice stood and motioned for Janessa to stay where she was. She peeked out the door and then opened it wide when she discovered Martino on the other side. Turning to Janessa, she said, “Eat your lunch. I’ll stop by and check on you later.”

  “Thank you.” Janessa watched Patrice leave, sidestepping some packages in the hallway. She stepped forward as Martino wheeled in several boxes.

  “These just arrived from the United States,” Martino told her. He unloaded the boxes in the office and then handed a small box to Janessa. “Prince Garrett also asked me to give you this.”

  Janessa took the box, trying to ignore the way her stomach jumped at the mention of Garrett’s name. When she discovered a cell phone inside the package, she looked up at Martino. “I don’t understand.”

  “The prince said that he heard you could no longer use your phone since you were worried someone might pick up the signal. This one has a secure connection to everyone in the royal family. The numbers have already been programmed into the phone’s memory.”

  “Thank you, Martino.”

  “His Highness asked that you call him at your earliest convenience.” Martino stepped to the door. “Please let me know if you need any assistance with your packages.”

  “I will.” Janessa nodded, torn between whether to call Garrett first or find out what had just arrived. Garrett won. She had not spoken to him in almost two days, and she missed him more than she had thought possible. Just the thought of hearing his voice sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.