“You’re a lot better prepared than me, then. Sometimes people ask me if we’re going to start trying for a baby, and I want to laugh. I’m not sure anyone in my family has ever gotten pregnant on purpose.”
Like me, thought Serena. She never thought this would happen to her. Hers was the kind of family that planned everything. Her parents had probably waited until marriage to French-kiss. “Are you and Darias talking about having kids?”
“Not yet. We want to settle into marriage and our new roles first. If it happens that’s perfectly fine too. I think Lina is dying to be a grandmother. She’s such a loving and supportive mother. I want to be just like her when I grow up.”
Serena smiled. “She does seem lovely. You’ve lucked out in the mother-in-law department.”
“Yeah. Shame about her sister, though.” Emma rolled her eyes. “She’s a nightmare, and Lina’s too nice to tell her to get lost.”
“She does seem…challenging. Do you think there’s any chance she’s involved in the murders?”
“I doubt it. She’s awful, but I think she’s just lonely and bitter and jealous of her sister’s royal husband and beautiful family.”
“That could be motive for some people.” She could hardly believe she was talking this boldly to a member of the family. But the thought had been bugging her since dinner. “Though she couldn’t have done it alone.”
“There’s definitely some kind of conspiracy going on. Darias thought it might be related to this creepy secret society that all the monarchs get inducted into. It has a huge trust held in a Swiss bank, so there’s a possible money motive. I was kidnapped by two people who wanted the secret code—one of them was an old girlfriend of Darias’s—but as far as we can tell they had nothing to do with the murders.” Emma pushed back her long, blonde hair. She was ridiculously pretty. She really did look like a fairy-tale princess. It was kind of weird—and reassuring—that she came across as so unpretentious and normal.
“And then there’s this ancient land feud over a lake on one of the borders. This guy Lorenzo Aldobrando—who’s young and hot, just to confuse matters—made some overtures about buying it back so he could develop the land on his side, and he was upset that Darias’s grandmother wouldn’t consider it. Everyone seems to hate him, so I suppose he’s a suspect, but they can’t pin anything on him…yet. Darias says it’s a waiting game. We have a lot of evidence, but it’s like a puzzle where none of the pieces fit together. We need to stay safe until they play their hand and we get more pieces to figure it out.”
“That sounds scary.”
Emma laughed. “I suppose it does, but honestly, day to day life is so full and busy I don’t have time to worry about whether someone is watching me through crosshairs. I’ve been visiting every class in all of the local schools and reading to the kids, then discussing the books with them—in English, thank goodness. I wanted to be a teacher since I was little so it’s about the most fun I can imagine.”
“It’s great that you’re so happy.”
“I know, right! Who’d have thunk it?” They laughed, then Serena noticed Beatriz staring at them from across the room. Beatriz looked away quickly when Serena glanced up. “Do you suspect Beatriz of anything?” Once more she felt like she was overstepping her bounds, since Emma had said Beatriz taught her everything when she’d arrived. But again, she couldn’t resist speaking her mind. As the newcomer here, she might be a more clear-eyed observer than the others.
Emma’s smooth brow wrinkled slightly. “I did wonder about her when I first arrived. She is rather cagey, but I can’t think what her motive would be. And she’s super close to her mom. I don’t know what Lina would have done without here over these last few, tough months since the murders. She’s been a rock to her.”
Serena glanced up at Beatriz. Maybe, since she had no real life or interests of her own, she felt a need to make herself indispensable. At that moment Beatriz glanced up again and looked right at her.
Serena glanced away so fast she could only look guilty of something. This whole socializing-with-royals thing was exhausting. Luckily Sandro was walking toward her so she turned her attention to him. “I’m really tired,” she said quietly when he drew close. “Would it be okay if I go up to bed?”
“Of course.” His expression brightened. “That’s a great idea.”
And the light in his eyes suggested that sleep was the very last thing on his mind.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sandro offered to take Lucky out, and Serena was only too happy to let him since it was so cold. Her heart filled with affection for him. He would be the kind of dad who’d go comfort the baby in the middle of the night rather than just bumping her awake and telling her it was crying.
Stop it, Serena! Letting herself think about Sandro as a loving dad was one sure route to madness. He was a prince. He had servants to get babies in the middle of the night. And most likely even if the impossible happened and this did turn into an actual relationship, he’d be busy traveling to bring solar power to the world and wouldn’t even be aware of any midnight disturbances back at home.
And she’d better hurry up and shower before he came back so he didn’t catch her naked.
What if he expected to make love with her? She’d been hesitant enough about that in the privacy of his mountain retreat. Here, under his mom’s roof, with about a million people within earshot, having steamy sex was about the last thing she wanted to do.
She rushed through her shower and donned her plain blue pj’s, then plugged in her phone to charge and climbed under the heavy covers of her dramatic four-poster bed.
It was only then that she remembered the ghost. What did ghosts do again? In movies they mostly fluttered around trying to scare people but didn’t cause any actual harm—unlike whoever was out to kill key members of the Leone family. She had more to fear from living, breathing humans than from spooky beings.
Which reminded her of the text she’d received. She’d turned off the sound on her phone for dinner as she didn’t want the meal interrupted by her social media notifications. She should check up on her video and comments before bedtime, so she reached for her phone.
There was a text from Asia. How was Chi-town? Call me!
Serena sighed. It was almost impossible to believe that she’d been in Chicago yesterday. It felt like at least a week ago! And she felt like she’d gone a week without sleep. Pregnancy was really sapping her energy. She had way less get-up-and-go and already wanted to sleep one or two more hours most nights.
She texted back. I’m in Europe with Sandro. Long story. Will update soon! She didn’t have the energy to go into detail right now. Her body was ready to sink into the thick feather mattress.
There was another text from a number she didn’t recognize, and when she clicked on the thread she could see it was from the same mystery texter as before. Boo! I am the ghost in your room.
She sat bolt upright in bed and suppressed the urge to scream. She glanced around, knowing that of course it wasn’t the ghost, just someone trying to scare her.
Another, longer text came in. Did I frighten you? Good. Your stay in Altaleone will be short, and you have important work to do. You must convince Sandro to join the Cross of Blood Society. If you tell him about this message or my communications, he will die just like his father and grandmother. His life is quite literally in your hands.
She frowned, unable to stop herself searching the room with her eyes. Who is this? She texted back, trying to stay calm. Sandro should be back with Lucky any second. For all she knew he was in immediate danger. She, however, would mean nothing to the person texting her except as a means to their end.
She jumped when her phone pinged. The ghost. History is a part of the present in Altaleone. Don’t ever forget that. I’m watching you RIGHT NOW.
She swallowed and pulled the covers up over her. Was someone watching her with a hidden camera? Or even possibly the camera on her phone?
She slid out of bed, crossed t
he room and rifled through her bag for the box of tiny Band-Aids she kept in case she got a blister walking around New York City. She unwrapped two and stuck one over the front camera and one over the rear camera.
At that moment she heard a knock on the door. Heart pounding, she hesitated.
“Serena, it’s me, Sandro. May I come in?”
“Yes.” The word sounded forced, panicky. Part of her wanted to tell Sandro about the text so they could both go to Gibran immediately, but what if that meant he would be killed—perhaps shot right now in front of her by some hidden assailant? It would be safer to wait for morning and at least tell him somewhere outside the palace, while they were walking Lucky and out of earshot.
If she could just get through this night and keep this crazy person on the hook thinking she might help them, she and Sandro could figure out a strategy together in the morning.
“Sorry we were gone so long, he wanted to smell everything in the garden.” Sandro held Lucky in his arms, and Lucky licked his face affectionately. He put the dog gently down on the floor. “What’s the matter? You look like you just saw the ghost.”
“Maybe I did.” She forced a laugh. She wanted Sandro to get out of here fast. Every moment he stayed she risked telling him and possibly causing his death. “No, really, I’m fine. Just very tired.”
He smiled and moved toward her. Oh, no. He was still thinking they might.… Her whole body was rigid and almost shaking with fear. She really didn’t want him to touch her and find out. “I’m way too tired for…anything.” Another forced laugh. “Being pregnant really takes it out of you.”
His eyes glimmered with disappointment. “A kiss?”
She swallowed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. Our kisses have a way of getting out of hand.”
A teeny smile tugged at his mouth. “That is true. I suppose I’ll have to be uncharacteristically patient and wait for a better time.”
“Yes,” she said quickly. “I’m sure tomorrow will be better.” She wanted to make plans to meet with him and head outside but didn’t want to tip off whoever might be watching her. “Come get me in the morning. I’m an early riser, as you know!” Her words sounded so weird and unnatural. He frowned slightly, like he knew something was up and wondered what, exactly, it was.
“Are you sure you won’t be nervous? I could sleep in here with you. I could even promise to keep my hands to myself.
Yes! Her body ached to be close to him. She even kind of believed him about keeping his hands to himself. He’d been very good about respecting her wishes.
But there was no way she could get through the night without telling him about the menacing text. “I’m sure. You’re right next door. If I need anything, I’ll yell. And you do the same!”
“I might well take you up on that.” He looked amused. He had no idea she was truly afraid for him.
The idea of someone killing Sandro sent a chill right through her. Why would anyone want to do that? He didn’t even live in Altaleone most of the time, he wasn’t close to being in line for the throne, and he was a nice person doing important work for the world.
It made her damned angry that someone could even think about killing him. “Are you going right to bed?”
“I’m going to go chat with Darias for a bit first. We need to come up with some ideas.”
Be careful! She ached to warn him. And Darias too. Did they have any idea that someone was in their midst, wishing them ill?
Of course they did. Their dead father’s severed finger had arrived in the mail today. She shivered at the thought.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You look quite strange.”
“Just exhausted. I really must sleep!”
“Okay.” He looked doubtful, like he really didn’t want to leave her. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate, okay?”
“I promise.” She watched Sandro as he walked to the door, Lucky hard on his heels, then turned and gave her a wistful look before he closed it behind him.
“Lucky, come up here!” She patted the bed. Lucky looked up at her. Maybe he was shocked because she wouldn’t let him on her bed at home. Right now she wanted all the protection and comfort she could get. Also, Lucky would be sure to bark if anyone tried to get into the room.
She had to get off the bed to lift him up, and he kissed her enthusiastically. She ignored the pang of guilt at breaking her own self-imposed rule about dogs on beds. Desperate times called for desperate measures.
I’m watching you right now. The creepy message gave her goose bumps. Where was he—or she—watching from? The windows were covered with heavy curtains, but there could be a hidden camera anywhere. Maybe even somewhere in the carvings of her elaborate bed.
She refused to look at her phone to see if there were any new missives. “Come here, Lucky.” She pulled him into her arms and rested her head on the pillow. How on earth she was supposed to sleep tonight, she had no idea. Between the menacing “ghost,” a potential real ghost, the baby in her belly, her feelings for Sandro, Sandro’s intimidating family—not to mention her newly revealed status as a professional phony for writing a book about waiting for Mr. Right and then getting dumped by him.…
Sandro walked back downstairs, cursing the desire that stormed through him. It was almost unbearable to be so close to Serena and unable to touch her. He felt guilty at bringing her here to the palace when she’d clearly stated that she wanted peace, but he was also thrilled at the opportunity for her to meet his family. How could she not like them?
“Hey, Darias.” He called to his brother, who was sitting in the living room chatting with the others. “I want to show you something I got in New York.”
“Can’t we all see?” screeched Liesel.
“Sorry.” Sandro shrugged. “It’s in Dad’s office, and it would bore you to death anyway. Some new tech.” He barely even flinched at the lie. He was desperate to get Darias alone.
Darias rose and followed him, and together they climbed the stairs up to their father’s old study on the third floor. Sandro ushered him in and closed the door. “Are we being tapped?”
“Probably,” answered Darias. “Gibran has the whole place bugged to protect us. He claims they’re not actually listening to conversations, but I don’t know whether to believe him. That’s one of the reasons Emma and I moved out to the castle.”
“What the hell is going on here? How can the bodies be dug up and defaced under our eyes? It’s got to be an inside job.”
“Yep. And with a staff this size there are too many possibilities. Everyone is under scrutiny.”
“Including members of the family?”
“You mean Liesel?” Darias’s face creased into a wry smile.
“I’m not kidding. She’s nasty enough.”
“She has no motive.”
Sandro sat down in a leather chair. “We don’t have any idea what the killer’s motive was. That’s what makes this so alarming. You can’t predict someone’s actions when you don’t know what they want.”
Darias sat down nearby. “The motive has to be something to do with either money or power.”
“Or both. They are usually inseparable.”
“Agreed. Whoever is behind this is doing their best to destroy us, but they’ve underestimated the Leone family. I’ve heard that some people didn’t think I’d move back from New York to be king, and I’ll admit I wasn’t thrilled by the idea myself, but now I’m determined to fulfill my role to the best of my abilities.”
“We’re all grateful. And I want to do everything I can to help you. What do you need from me right now?”
Darias frowned. “You’ve always been more of an outgoing charmer than me. Could you move back here and do some socializing with the local aristos?”
Sandro recoiled. He could hardly move back to Altaleone and expect Serena to stay here with him. And he knew all the caveats about trying to maintain a long-distance relationship. He’d tried—and failed—at them before. “You’re hardly the
reclusive artist.”
“I’m no Van Gogh, but everyone knows I don’t really love parties the way you do.” Darias cocked his head. “Papa and Grandmama were very social, and we need to figure out exactly who they were associating with.”
“Aren’t there records of that? Invitation lists, that kind of thing.”
“Yes, but it’s the unofficial contacts I’m more interested in.”
Sandro hesitated. “Like the Cross of Blood.”
“Exactly.”
“Aren’t they a sort of…sex society?”
He watched Darias pause like he was choosing his words carefully. “They do exist to, uh, satisfy the less socially acceptable desires of the royal family. And as you know I am now married and have no desire to engage in activities with anyone other than my wife. You’re still single and—” Darias stopped. “Or are you? You’ve never bought a girl to the palace before. Are you serious about her?”
“I am.” Sandro said it without hesitation. “So there is no question of me participating in any activities of that sort.” He shuddered at the idea that a bunch of masked aristocratic weirdos were ready to get naked with any member of the Leone family.
“Damn. I can’t see Rigo doing it either. He’s way too serious. And the others are—”
“Too young. Leo’s not even twenty-one.” Sandro shoved a hand through his hair. “Perhaps I can join. I wouldn’t have to do anything. I could just pretend I might want to while I feel them out.”
Darias looked pleased. “I think they’d open up to you more than to me. As the king—and something of an unknown quantity due to my years abroad—I’m suddenly treated with a rather respectful distance that keeps information at bay.”
“Okay. I’ll join. What do I have to do?” He didn’t need to tell Serena about this. It wouldn’t mean anything to her anyway. She knew nothing about the Cross of Blood.
“I’ll let my contact know you’re ready. They’ll plan an initiation. Mine at least was painless. Once you’re in try to befriend them and figure out what makes them tick. Go hunting with them, invite them for dinner—all the kind of stuff Papa would have done.”
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