Rock Bottom (The Gifted Realm #4)

by Jillian Neal

  “This is going to be fun.” Emily was flitting around their suite, getting ready to go shopping. Rainer caught her hand and pulled her to him.

  “Have I mentioned how much I really, really like everything you had done at the spa?” He let his fingertips trace over the satin crotch of her panties. She hadn’t finished dressing yet. Emily giggled.

  “You have mentioned that, about two dozen times, after you freaked out that it might’ve hurt me,” she reminded him of his shock and then concern the evening before.

  “Well, I love you and I don’t want you to be in any pain, but if you’re sure it didn’t hurt, then I really, really like this.”

  “Well, I really, really like it, too. Fionna was right; the sex afterwards is amazing!

  Rainer caught her lips with his own as he allowed their extended love-making session from the night before to replay slowly in his mind.

  * * *

  Despite his initial hesitation to go shopping with Vindico and Fionna, they did have a very good time. Rainer was truly impressed with Vindico’s kind, gentle, patient demeanor with Fionna, despite being dragged all over Sydney in search of dresses, shoes, and hosiery for the girls.

  At a quarter to five, Rainer pulled on the monogrammed ‘L’ cufflinks that had been his father’s, and retied his tie as he waited on Emily to emerge from the bathroom.

  “Baby, we need to head out. The limo will be here soon,” he called, after glancing at his watch. Emily emerged a moment later. Rainer’s mouth hung open.

  “You look phenomenal.”

  She was wearing the dress she’d originally brought from home, though she’d tried on many others during their shopping excursion. It was a deep purple, silk wrap-dress that hugged her curves perfectly. It hung just below her knees, as that had been her father’s request. She was wearing one of her grandmother’s pearl and diamond broaches that Tad had designed. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant French twist.

  “Really?” she fussed.

  “Em, you look amazing.”

  He let his eyes travel the length of her body, until he landed on the strappy high heels fixed at her ankles that completed her perfection.

  “Amazing like, ‘hey, there’s an ok-looking girl walking down the street,’ or amazing like, ‘Hi, I’m the Crown Governor’s daughter, and you might be my best friend’s dad?’” Her face broadcast her completely bewildered expression. Rainer tried not to laugh.

  “Sweetheart, you look phenomenal, like my beautiful, classy, sweet baby, and her daddy’s baby girl, but that’s just the perfect amount of naughty, once I get her back here and out of that dress.”

  A broad grin stretched across her features. Her eyes lit at his compliment.

  “Do you think Logan managed to keep Adeline calm today?” Emily moved to the mirror over the dresser in the bedroom, and rechecked her hair.

  “Well, if anyone could, he did. I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but he does seem to have her number.”

  ~Dan Vindico~

  After checking his watch, Dan grimaced slightly. He didn’t want to rush Fionna. He understood the importance women put on an event like this, but he also didn’t want to do anything to cast any negative light on Adeline and Logan. Making the Caliph’s driver wait might not be the best way to start off their evening.

  “Honey,” he tapped lightly on the bathroom door, “uh, no rush. I was just checking on you.”

  She laughed; it was a sound that Dan had decided could bring about world peace. Fionna continued to chuckle at herself as she opened the door.

  “Ok, again, I swear, I’m not usually this much of a spaz, but I cannot get this strap fastened.”

  Her warm olive skin glowed in her embarrassment, but Dan was unable to respond immediately as he took her in. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid eyes on. Her hair was pulled up in a loose low bun, with several curled, tendrils fixed elegantly around her face.

  The dress she’d chosen was a cool aquamarine that dipped low in the front, though not low enough to be indiscreet in any way. The shoulders and back were made of delicate lace. The color of the gown, which was form-fitting down to her knees, fit perfectly around her shapely physique.

  She held up one of the pearl-colored heels she’d selected while they’d shopped. She was the absolute picture of elegant grace and poise. She was wearing slightly more makeup than Dan had seen her in thus far. The complete picture overwhelmed him.

  “Fionna, you are stunning, honey,” the words poured from his mouth.

  “Thank you,” she seemed embarrassed.

  With an adorable wrinkling of her nose, she held up the shoe.

  “Could you help me?”

  “Of course.” Dan took it and her hand. He led her to a chair in the sitting room. He tried not to chuckle as she walked awkwardly on one high-heel.

  After she was seated, she crossed her legs and offered him her left foot.

  “I feel like Cinderella,” she giggled as he knelt on one knee and slid the shoe onto her dainty foot.

  Dan grinned. “Well, I’m not certain that I would qualify as Prince Charming, but I would definitely search the kingdom for you, and I would do just about anything to make you my princess.” Her energy spun in elation as he made his vow.

  After he buckled the strap at her ankle, he stood and offered her his hand. She swallowed nervously.

  “You know, I’ve been to the Haydenshires’ farm dozens of times, and it never really occurred to me that Emily and Garrett’s dad is like royalty. I’m so nervous.”

  “Governor Haydenshire would be the first person to insist that he isn’t anything special. I personally think the Caliph thinks just a little much of himself with the limos and the palaces, but that’s the way their Realm is set up,” he shurgged. “But, baby doll, you look every part the princess; I just can’t take my eyes off of you. I cannot believe that I am lucky enough to have you on my arm tonight.”

  Maybe a dinner date at a castle where I can tell everyone she’s mine will make up for the times when I can’t, Dan continued to hope against hope.

  ~Logan Haydenshire~

  “You will be fine. I will not leave your side,” Logan vowed for the tenth time in an hour. With every lurch of the elevator, she seemed to fall further apart.

  “Logan, we are about to just show up at the home of the Caliph of the Australian Realm and announce that I am his illegitimate granddaughter,” Adeline blinked back yet another round of tears and hysteria.

  “Sweetheart, please,” Logan begged as they exited the elevator. “Emily has a good feeling about this,” he reminded her. His sister’s feelings were almost always right, and Adeline generally put a great deal of trust in Emily.

  “You look beautiful,” Emily gushed as soon as they made their way to the waiting limo. Logan caught Rainer’s concerned glance and shot him a look of abject panic.

  Rainer slapped him on the back as he followed Emily into the car, and immediately echoed Emily’s compliment to Adeline.

  She did look stunning. Logan had informed her of this numerous times. She’d curled her hair and pulled just a little of it off of her face, and was wearing an elegant, navy blue gown that showed off the hint of blue in her onyx eyes.

  Fionna beamed at Adeline as the driver closed the door to the limo.

  “Everything is going to be fine. I can feel it,” Fionna squeezed Adeline’s hand, and Logan was certain that she tried to push her soothing Receiver’s energy into Adeline.

  Vindico couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Fionna, who did indeed look ravishing.

  After taking Adeline’s hand, Logan concentrated. She let him in, and he felt her ragged energy soothe slightly as he willed calm into her.

  59

  The Daughter of the Prince

  A few minutes later, the limo arrived at a massive stone structure, nothing short of a castle, surrounded by a matching stone gate that enclosed acres upon acres of land. Neither Logan nor anyone in the car had ever seen any dwelling
that extravagant, much less been invited into one.

  Adeline whimpered and trembled as the door was opened.

  “I’m right here. We’re just having dinner. We don’t have to say anything at all if you don’t want to. We’re just here for Dad,” Logan kept up his steady reassurances.

  Vindico and Rainer both gave him sympathetic looks as they all guided their respective dates up the vast staircase that led to the massive front doors of the mansion.

  A servant of the Caliph swung the doors open wide and bowed as they were issued in to the great hall. The circular room was awash with marble tile work, gilded busts of the Nguyens’ ancestors, and four life-size murals that hung on the walls.

  Logan took in the vast, full-length portraits of each of the Caliph’s sons, and he knew that they were had. As he studied the last picture in the line-up, the one of the Caliph’s youngest son, he stared into the eyes of his wife.

  “Oh wow,” Emily whispered in stunned disbelief as she noted the very same thing.

  Vindico and Rainer shared a concerned glance.

  Adeline stared in stunned disbelief as Logan held her arm tightly.

  “I’m either going to pass out or throw up,” she trembled.

  “Emily,” Logan ordered. Emily nodded and moved in. She took Adeline’s forearm with both of her hands and willed more calm into Adeline than Logan was capable of.

  “Here, I’ll help,” Fionna immediately came to Adeline’s aid as well. Two more attendants dressed in uniforms, complete with the Nguyen swan crest, appeared.

  “Caliph Nguyen and his sons would like to extend a formal invitation to the men of the group, to join him for a few sporting rounds of clays on the back deck. Lady Nguyen has requested that the ladies meet her in the parlor for tea prior to supper, which will be served in just over two hours, per her request.”

  “No,” Adeline breathed. Her voice choked in her terror. Logan felt his heart ache. He wasn’t certain what to do.

  Vindico stepped in, and Logan was truly astonished with his calming demeanor.

  “Fi,” he whispered. “He has to go. His father is the American Crown.” He instructed Fionna while barely moving his lips. She nodded her understanding.

  He moved in front of Adeline. “Adeline,” he soothed, “just go with Fionna and Emily. Logan isn’t going anywhere. He’ll be with Rainer and me, but he needs to do this. We can’t offend the Caliph. You’ll be fine.

  “If you want Logan at any time, you can call him or text him, or Fionna can call me, and I will get him to you. I won’t let you down,” his tone remained steadfast and soothing. The command rang with certainty and calm.

  To Logan’s shock, Adeline nodded her understanding. She seemed to draw on deep resolve. At that moment, two men entered the vast foyer.

  One was the Caliph’s youngest son, with the very same jet-black hair as Adeline, the same long, lanky frame, and identical eyes. He gaped at what appeared to be his personal assistant, and then immediately took one look at Adeline, pale and trembling in the foyer, clinging to Logan, and being casted by Fionna and Emily.

  He stared into her eyes as his mouth fell open in disbelief. His assistant had a similar reaction as Logan prayed that his reaction would be at least somewhat reassuring to Adeline.

  “Uh, sir, perhaps I should cancel your appointments for the evening?” the assistant suggested.

  “Too right,” the Caliph’s son agreed in a choked whisper. “And for the morrow as well,” his tone grew slightly more audible. His assistant nodded his agreement, while still staring bewilderedly at Adeline.

  After shaking himself slightly, the man stepped up to Logan.

  “Uh, I am Lucas Nguyen,” he offered Logan his hand. With a quick steadying breath, Logan nodded.

  “I’m Logan Haydenshire. This is my wife, Adeline,” he introduced the man to his daughter.

  “Holy dooley,” Lucas whispered. His breaths were short and ragged, as were his daughter’s. “Uh, hello, dear. So…nice to meet you.”

  “Hi,” Adeline managed to eke out.

  “Uh, sir?” one of the butlers urged Lucas.

  After quickly studying the expression on the butler’s face, Lucas nodded and then turned back to Logan.

  “My mother’s invited them to tea?”

  Logan nodded.

  “She should go. My mother is very sensitive,” Lucas urged. “But uh,” he turned back to the butlers. “Tell my father and brothers that I’ve decided to stay in for the evening with our American friends, and that I’ve detained them in my den for…” he paused, and then added, “…several minutes. Tell them we’ll meet them on the deck in time.”

  “Yes sir,” the butler agreed. “Right this way, ladies.” He gestured down a massive corridor to the east. Adeline clung firmly to Logan’s arm.

  “Adeline,” Fionna soothed, “come with us. Logan will be back in just a few minutes.”

  Logan nodded his agreement. “Let me go talk to him, baby.” He kissed Adeline’s forehead. “I’ll be right back; I promise. I’ve never let you down, Ad, and I won’t now.”

  “We’ll stay right beside you,” Fionna continued to calm Adeline with Emily’s help.

  “Ok,” Adeline agreed in a terrified whimper as she allowed Fionna to forcibly remove her hand from Logan’s arm.

  “I’ll be right back,” Logan assured her again as the women led her away. Lucas ran his hands through his hair and stared after Adeline. He swallowed hard and broke out in a visible sweat.

  “Uh, I could really use a drink. Would you care to join me?” Lucas begged Logan, Rainer, and Vindico, who all nodded their agreement.

  They followed Lucas down an opulent marble hallway and up two flights of stairs, bedecked with ornate polished fixtures and deep crimson carpeting.

  “In here,” Lucas gestured as he opened a set of cherry-wood French doors that revealed what appeared to be a lush office, with leather couches situated around the large room.

  The walls were painted a heavy, hunter green and large pictures of Lucas and his brothers hunting and holding up their kills hung on the walls.

  Lucas’s assistant followed them into the den and offered everyone drinks. Lucas shook his head.

  “I’ll get the drinks. Just cancel all of my appointments, and then you’re dismissed for the evening, Fred.”

  “Yes sir,” Fred agreed. He turned and gave Logan a speculative nod before he exited.

  Lucas moved to a broad, cherry-wood liquor cabinet. As the doors swung open, a rather well-stocked wet bar was revealed. He poured what appeared to be nothing but a shot of gin and drank it in one sip.

  “Uh, what can I make you?” he gestured for the three of them to take a seat. He slid bottles around in the wet bar. “I have some American whiskey around here somewhere.” His nerves seemed to be getting the better of him.

  “It’s fine. How about we have a beer, and you and Mr. Haydenshire can talk,” Vindico suggested.

  Lucas spun; he studied Vindico intently for a moment. He was clearly used to being the one who gave the orders. Vindico raised his eyebrow. His jaw flexed. He wasn’t backing down. Lucas, however, did.

  “Of course.” He pulled three bottled Australian beers from a lower compartment, chilled them with his hand, and handed them out.

  Logan felt the sheer power of Vindico’s hand as he slapped him on the back and urged him on.

  “Well, I don’t really know where to begin except to just come out with it. She is most definitely your daughter, and she needs your help,” Logan stated calmly. He impressed everyone in the room.

  Lucas rubbed his temples. He seemed to will understanding and calm.

  “Uh,” he drew another deep breath. “I’m so sorry; tell me her name again.” Fury shot through Logan’s veins as he narrowed his eyes.

  “Adeline,” he huffed indignantly.

  “He just met her, Lo,” Rainer tried to calm him.

  “I had no idea. You have to believe me. I would never have allowed my child to go
on not knowing that I was her father,” Lucas pled adamantly.

  “We know,” Vindico agreed as Logan and Rainer nodded.

  “How old is she?”

  “She’s twenty-one,” Logan studied Lucas closely.

  “I was seventeen,” Lucas murmured then shook his head as the shock washed over his features. He grasped the edge of the substantial desk in the room. “Wait, you said she needs help. Do you need money?” Lucas moved to his desk and withdrew a checkbook from the top drawer.

  “No,” Logan stood and held up his hands, “although that would’ve been nice twenty years ago.”

  Lucas looked devastated.

  With his eyes goggling again, he sighed and moved to the couch.

  “Wait, she’s twenty-one? Dear saints, please tell me that woman didn’t raise her!”

  “If you’re referring to Candy, then yes and that’s why we’re here.”

  “Who’s Candy?” Lucas looked confused again.

  “Adeline’s mother. The uh…” Logan choked.

  Lucas sighed, “Molly.” Logan’s brow furrowed and Lucas shook his head, looking thoughtful.

  “Uh American…American… uh I believe you call them hookers,” he landed on the appropriate term. Logan nodded his understanding.

  “She’s changed her name several times in the last twenty years or so,” Vindico commented.

  A deep crimson color spread up Lucas’s neck and settled in his cheeks.

  “Not that I know any of you well enough to have this conversation, but seeing as it’s my fault you’re here, uh it was my first time. The franger broke. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. She told me not to worry about it when I told her it was my first root. She said that she couldn’t get pregnant. I was off my face. My brothers arranged it.”

  Though there was a good bit of Australian slang in the tale, everyone listening got the gist of the story.

  “Uh, let’s not tell Adeline all of that,” Logan ordered.

  “Of course not,” Lucas agreed instantly.

  “Wait, do you know what a franger is? My God, how could there be so many different forms of English?” he quizzed the air around him as he began to pace.