“Yeah. Thank god for that. Now the publisher won’t freak out too badly. Next time anything happens, let me know right away, okay? We’re on the same team.”
“I know, Barbara. I really appreciate everything you’ve done.” Ouch, that sounded so final. She wanted to get off the phone. Emma had already overheard too much. “I’ll let you know if I have any new ideas.”
“You do that,” said Barbara snarkily, as if pigs might fly first. Then she rung off.
Serena put her phone away, embarrassment surging in her veins. “My agent. Kind of awkward.”
“It’s so great that you’re a writer.” Emma beamed. “That’s the kind of job you can take with you wherever you move to. All you need is a computer and an Internet connection.”
“I’m not really a writer.” Serena shrugged. “I’ve never sat down to write a book.” She’d never felt that more fully than this moment. She just tried to keep some balls in the air in the hope that some of them would find somewhere to land. But soon her face would puff up or something—that happened to the women in her family during pregnancy—and she’d have to put a bag over her head to make a video.
Or, more likely, get a real job. Except how could she do that if she told people she was pregnant?
And it was ironic that her agent was upset by the kind of secret keeping she’d accused Sandro of.
“Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I am sleeping in the haunted bedroom,” Serena said with a wry smile. “I’m a bit overwhelmed right now. I came here for a brief escape from everything.”
“And got plunged into a murder mystery with an intimidating royal cast.”
“Exactly.” Serena smiled. Emma was warm and easy to talk to.
“I know it’s hard to believe, but you get used to it. The palaces, the staff, the excess. I didn’t think I would, but it starts to seem normal.”
“I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that.” She tried to smile again, but it wobbled on her mouth. “I’ll be going home soon.”
“Are you dying to get out of here?” Emma cocked her head and looked sympathetic.
No. Her gut clenched. She didn’t want to leave Sandro. Which alarmed her. “Not just yet. I suppose I’ll be leaving when Sandro has time to fly me back.”
“Good. Because it would be a shame if you left before you had time to fall in love with Altaleone and its people.”
Serena and Sandro ate lunch at a quaint restaurant in the village—under the watchful gaze of the security staff. For some reason she didn’t feel all that bothered by people looking at them. The villagers were polite and didn’t stare, and now that she’d been in the palace and met everyone she actually didn’t feel like a total outsider anymore.
The food was delicious, a rich soup followed by crusty bread with cheeses and pâté and a warm “salad” of root vegetables.
After lunch he drove her around the village, then out toward the ski slopes, where they watched the long ski lifts carrying people up to the high peaks.
“Come on, you have to do a video.” Sandro had goaded her several times.
“What about?”
“About Altaleone, of course. Don’t you care about our tourism industry?” It was hard to tell when he was joking. Maybe Sandro was always joking. He didn’t seem to take anything very seriously.
“I’m not really in the right mood. I’m nervous. When are you joining this creepy society?”
“Tonight. Darias and I are driving out to the lake house.”
She inhaled sharply. “I want to come too.”
“What?” He looked stunned. “Why?”
To keep you safe. Though she had no idea how she’d go about it. She was hardly a black belt in anything. “It seems interesting.”
“You can’t videotape the meeting. It’s a secret society.”
“I know.” She wanted to laugh. “I wasn’t going to vlog the experience.” I don’t want to let you out of my sight—and into danger. “I just think everything will be smoother with…a stranger like me there.”
“I’m not so sure. They’d keep you out of the secret parts anyway. And I swear I won’t have kinky sex with anyone.”
She blinked. “You can do whatever you like.”
“Do you really think I’d want to?” They sat in the car, the heater blowing warm air, as they watched the skiers winding their way down the slopes.”
“I don’t know.” She looked at him. She really didn’t know him well at all. They’d been thrust together by a real estate mix-up and a storm…and now a baby.
“There’s only one person I want to make love with.” He spoke softly, looking directly out the windshield.
Serena’s insides almost burst into flames. She forced herself not to look at Sandro. That would be the end of her. Already the car crackled with the electric energy they accidentally created. “I think we both know that wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“Speak for yourself.” Now he turned and she could feel his gaze on her, burning her cheek. “And for the record, I think you’re wrong.”
“Look at the trouble that’s already got us into.” Now she turned to confront him. Damn his handsome, arrogant face.
His gaze met hers. “We’re having a baby together.” He paused for a moment, and she could feel her heart beating. “It’s a miracle, not a problem.”
Her insides melted. Could he really be so naïve? It was rather adorable. Still— “We’re from completely different worlds. Your family and everyone else expects you to date a celebrity or a princess or someone like that, not a commoner like me.”
He laughed. “You are a celebrity. You have followers hanging on your every word.”
“Hardly! Some of them are really upset that I broke up with Howard. You should see the comments.”
“What did they say?” He looked shocked.
“There are people who think I must have done something wrong to lose such a good man. I guess I made him sound too perfect. But heck, maybe I did do something. I was too controlling and concerned about what other people think.”
Sandro’s eyes glittered. “There might be some truth to that. When something so obviously wonderful is happening between us and all you can think about is whether we’re appropriate together.”
She swallowed. Was he right? She did like Sandro a lot—as a person, not just a prince. He was warm and energetic and caring. He loved his family, and he’d been endlessly patient with her. Okay, not endlessly patient but somewhat patient. What was she so afraid of?
Humiliation. Getting dumped—again. Being rejected.
“I’m wary and with good reason,” she protested. “I don’t mind living my life in the public eye in a small way…”
“A very controlled—by you—way.” He lifted an arrogant brow.
“Yes. And what’s wrong with that? Do you enjoy tabloids speculating about your business?”
“I’ve learned not to pay any attention to it. If I’d done all the things the tabloids reported I’d have at least eight wives and fifteen children by now.” He turned his shoulders toward her and reached for her hands. She braced as he took them and the warmth of his skin heated hers. “I’ve been getting requests for information about my engagement to Maya Dunham all day. Am I really supposed to respond to such nonsense? What strangers say about me doesn’t affect who I am.”
She blinked as his words struck her with force. She drew in a shaky breath. “I’m not sure who I am right now. I’ve put so much effort into creating a persona that I don’t know what I want. I thought I wanted to marry Howard and live happily ever after with him in some expensive suburb, but part of me is really glad I escaped.” It was a strange admission and liberating to get it off her chest. “My followers would have a heart attack if they knew that.”
“I bet some of them would feel cheered by the truth.” He squeezed her hands gently. Her skin sizzled under his touch. “You’re unique and vibrant and daring. Most people would crack under the pressure
of your book tour while hiding a secret breakup and an even more secret pregnancy—”
“Who says I haven’t cracked?” She felt half crazy most of the time lately.
He laughed—and leaned closer. So close she could smell the scent of his skin. “Me. You have a core of steel under that beautiful exterior. It’s one of the many things about you that I find absolutely irresistible.”
Her insides turned molten. Which probably wasn’t safe when there was a baby in there. “You’re not helping. I think I’m getting crazier by the second. And we need to have our wits about us at the Cross of Blood do tonight.”
“You really can’t come.” He looked apologetic. “It’s a secret society. By invitation only.”
“Are there any black people in it?”
He stared at her for a moment. “I don’t think so.”
“Then they might appreciate some diversity.” She smiled sweetly.
Sandro’s face creased into a smile. “When you put it like that, how can they resist? But seriously, you need to be safe back at the palace with my mom.
“Would you promise to come back safe if you get to come and give me a good night kiss?”
His eyes widened. “Absolutely. Is that a promise?”
“It’s a promise.”
The grin on his face spread contagiously to hers and she wanted to kiss him right now, but she knew the security crew in the car behind them was watching their every move.
Really, she had nerve, offering him the honor of coming to kiss her! But the way Sandro spoke to her and looked at her did make her feel special, as if she deserved to be treated like a princess.
He started the engine. “Damn, I can’t wait to get this evening over with.”
She bit her lip. Would he expect her to make love to him?
And if he did, would she be able to resist?
Her body throbbed with excitement at the prospect of him visiting her late at night.
You really are losing it. But maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing after all?
The snowy drive back to the palace went by too fast, and soon they were back in the warm gilded interior being fussed over by staff and licked to death by Lucky, who’d spent the afternoon there being fussed over by everyone.
“Darling.” His mom rushed up to him with a worried look on her face. “There’s someone here.”
“Who?”
She whispered and gave a weird look to the side, as if warning him not to say anything untoward. “Maya Dunham.”
“What?” Sandro hissed the word.
“She arrived this afternoon. I didn’t know what to do so I invited her in.”
Sandro looked uncharacteristically lost for words.
“She’s in the blue sitting room. What should we do?” She shot an anxious glance at Serena. Did she think a catfight might break out between them?
“Perhaps I should go up to my room,” said Serena, as calmly as possible.
“No,” said Sandro firmly. “I want you to come with me.”
“Uh…” She hated the idea. “I don’t think so.”
“Please come. I broke up with her and she knows about you, so by coming here it’s like she’s pretending you don’t exist.” He stroked her back. “Don’t worry, you won’t have to say anything.”
But we’re not even dating, Serena wanted to protest. But she knew better than to say it aloud in front of family and staff. Already she was learning to behave like a royal. “Okay,” she murmured. “Just for a moment.”
“Trust me, it won’t be more than a moment.”
Sandro thrust his arm through hers, which gave her a weird thrill of pride as well as a flutter of misgiving, and together they marched over the polished parquet floors toward yet another of the many elegant sitting rooms.
Maya sprang to her feet—she was much smaller in person than she looked on screen—but froze when she saw Serena. “What’s she doing here?”
“I’m honored to have her as my guest here. The pressing question is what are you doing here?” Sandro spoke far more formally than Serena had ever heard him before.
Maya’s eyes darted around the room for a moment as if she was plucking up the courage to speak. Then two fat tears rolled simultaneously from her big, famous blue-green eyes. “I’m pregnant.”
Serena felt her mouth drop open.
“I don’t believe you.” Sandro spat back his answer at lightning speed.
“Sandro! How can you say that. We shared such special times.”
“We shared a few nights in bed. Why did you tell the press we’re engaged? I broke up with you.”
Serena felt like he was saying that for her benefit. He didn’t want her to think he’d lied about breaking up with Maya.
“I don’t know where they got that idea. They sure seem to love it.” She looked up at him with those big eyes.
Serena felt Sandro’s body stiffen. “I don’t believe you’re pregnant.”
“She’s pregnant.” She shot a withering look at Serena. “Why can’t I be pregnant too?”
Serena felt her knees grow weak. How did Maya Dunham know she was pregnant? Sandro must have told her. She pulled her arm from his like it was a snake that might bite.
“Oh, did I spill your little secret?” Maya looked right at her, eyes flashing fire. “Well, step aside, honey, you’re not the only one here who’s having Sandro’s baby.”
Sandro turned to Serena. “I didn’t tell her.”
How could she believe him? What other way could Maya have possibly know about the baby? Serena hadn’t told anyone at all except Asia and Sandro. And Asia certainly wasn’t spilling tea with Maya Dunham. “I’m going upstairs.” She turned and fled.
“Wait!” She heard Sandro’s footsteps coming after her. She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved that he followed her or annoyed that he wouldn’t let her get away. “Serena, she’s probably lying. About everything.”
“How could she possibly guess that I’m pregnant?” She whispered it, but it came out as a super obvious stage whisper. Not that everyone in the palace hadn’t already heard Maya’s pronouncement.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to send her away immediately.”
“How can you do that?” Her heart ached at a very real possibility. “What if she really is pregnant? I would have been devastated if you’d been cold and cruel to me when I told you.”
“I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her.”
“Still…” Serena resisted his attempt to stroke her arm. “You need to get to the bottom of this. Go talk to her.”
Sandro heaved a sigh, then nodded. “For you I will.”
Serena blinked. Again, she wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or furious. But either way she wanted to be behind closed doors right now. She hurried down the hall and up the stairs to her bedroom as fast as she could walk without actually breaking into a run—Lucky at her heels—but not fast enough to avoid overhearing Maya’s wail of distress, “It’s true! I swear it!”
Behind the door of the infamous moonlight room, Serena collapsed on the bed. Typical that this had to happen! Just when things were beginning to feel the teeniest bit hunky-dory with Sandro, when she was starting to think that something real might actually happen between them, another new explosion of madness erupted in her life. She didn’t think he was going to rush off and marry Maya, but at the very least she was sure that the secret of her own pregnancy was no longer a secret.
And she was going to have to reveal the truth and deal with the fallout—in her family and among her followers—fast before someone else did it for her.
Who should she tell first? Her mom or her sisters? It was the kind of news that was supposed to be happy—“Guess what? I’m having a baby!”—but under the circumstances she knew no one would really be happy for her.
She decided to get the worst over with first and tell her mom. But as she picked up her phone, a text came in. A text from the “ghost.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Sandr
o arranged for Maya Dunham to be driven to a hotel in Zurich. He wanted her out of Altaleone. Although there was no way to prove or disprove paternity at this early stage, he did not intend to acknowledge anything. But Serena was right to call him onto the carpet—he had to be a gentleman about the whole thing. Even though in his gut he felt it was all a sham and that Maya was a lot crazier than most people realized.
As soon as Maya was escorted from the palace, he went into an empty room and called Darias. “I need to bring Serena tonight.”
“Are you crazy? It might be dangerous.”
“I don’t like leaving her here. Some stranger has already been in contact with her. And she wants to come. Was Emma there for your initiation?”
“Um, well, yes. Not for the ceremony itself, but she met them and was there in the castle while it happened.”
“See? It’s important to me that Serena be a part of this. She thinks I don’t consider her important enough to come. And now Maya has her thinking I betrayed her. I need to prove to her how much she matters to me.”
“You’re totally smitten, aren’t you?”
“I’m just being practical,” Sandro protested. “She’s having my baby, and I need to keep her close.” Very close. Preferably in his bed.
“You’re madly in love with her.” He could hear the laughter in Darias’s voice. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Would you focus on what’s important?”
“I thought I was. I want to keep us all safe.”
“Gibran and his men will be coming with us. They’ll wait right outside. We can summon them at the touch of a button.”
“True.” Darias paused. “I suppose there isn’t too much that can go wrong. Except that I’ve thought that before….”
“Relax. My goal is to join, pay close attention to everyone there, memorize that damn top secret bank information, and see if I can offer more insight into who is out to get us and why.”
“You realize that by learning the number you’re putting yourself at risk.”
“Hardly.” Sandro paced impatiently. He couldn’t wait to get on with tonight’s events. “I’m only any use to someone who wants it if I’m alive.”
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