by Kathryn Shay
“And you.” Her voice quavered on the last words.
“We’ll have to set up some protection.” This from Gabe.
Nick said, “We can talk to the president.”
“Wait just a minute.” Francesca’s voice rose. “I’m a member of the Baltimore PD. Calla’s family has some say in this.”
“This is too big for the police.” Nick brushed her concerns off. “We need the Secret Service.”
Her sister fumed at being ignored.
Max stepped forward. “Whitney and I can guard them.”
“Isn’t anybody listening to me?” Francesca put in.
“Yes, we are.” Gabe, the mediator. “We simply don’t agree with you.” He turned to their cousin. “Whit, do you think you two could guard them?”
“No.” Whitney’s quietly uttered word silenced all of them.
“Why not, love?” This from Max.
She scanned the room. “Well, I didn’t plan to have an audience for this, but I haven’t gotten my period in six weeks.”
“Are you pregnant?” This from Max.
“I don’t know. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, honey. But I was working on this with Eve.”
“I’m confused,” Brie said.
“Join the club.” This from Francesca. “Your family is as complicated as ours.”
o0o
James Manwaring once again sat across from his brother-in-law in the Oval Office.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here,” Nick said.
“Miss it?”
“I do. But I’m happy. The little ones could come any day now.”
“Isabelle’s well, though, right?”
“You’d know since you call her every day.”
“Yeah. I guess. I understand they often put expectant mothers of twins on bed rest.”
“The doc said not now. He put her on standby for that. Lord knows how she’ll stand that.”
“She’ll do what she has to.” Jim sat back into the cushions. “So, I hear there was an incident with your brother.”
“You already know?”
“Nick, I have resources reporting to me every day. Max Blackwell was on the scene. I was told Connor was involved.”
“Yes. He’s in the hospital.”
“How is he?”
“Battered. Under observation. Gabe’s staying with him right now.”
“I had the FBI check into this. I understand one of Alessio Gentileschi’s daughters resides at the house Connor was heading to, which is the property of one of her sisters. Why don’t you fill me in on the rest?”
“The Gentileschi woman is my brother’s girlfriend, I guess you could call her, and is staying with her sister Gabriella on that street.”
“So two of the king’s daughters are involved?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Give me the whole story.”
“Apparently, Gentileschi...” Nick proceeded to tell Jim what had happened.
“I’m shocked about Gentileschi.” Jim remembered the confident, brilliant young man that he’d crossed paths with.
“He was a visiting student for a year at Yale when I was there, and we had several political science classes in common. We talked at length about making the world a better place. He used to be so progressive.”
“That’s hard to imagine from what I’ve heard.”
“Since then, we’ve kept in touch. When I was a senator, I spearheaded an educational agreement with Casarina. My daughter studied for a summer at the prep school. My wife went to Casarina with her. While they were there, they were treated like royalty themselves at the palace. Sasha spent time with the Gentileschi girls, so she probably met these two. When they got back, they described the place as idyllic.”
“Seems like there was a snake in the garden.”
“To a degree, I understand his dictate; not his actions, though. Foreign countries are concerned with lineage much more than we are. Alessio needs an heir and since they don’t have male children, he’ll want their daughters to give him some. But to deny your daughter protection? How can she ever forgive him?”
“I don’t know. Since I’m about to have girl twins, I can’t image it.”
“What protection have you arranged for Connor and Calla?”
“We’re working with Director Paul to get some agents assigned to them until Lorenzo Bertocchi is caught. The situation is twofold. Connor and Calla aren’t safe. And we need your help to investigate this.”
“I can facilitate the asylum and put the Threat Assessment Center on the investigation. But that doesn’t seem to be enough if she fears someone is actually coming after her now.”
“And my family can’t guard them.”
“Not you and Gabe. You just got out of the line of fire. But what about Max and Whitney?”
With a chuckle, he explained their situation.
“Good news, I take it?”
“It would be.”
“Then they can do the work at Threat Assessment. Meanwhile I can assign government protection for them.”
“That would be helpful. Now we have to find a place where they’ll go. We have safe houses—”
Jim held up his hand. “I have a better idea. We’ll send them to Camp David. It’s set up for maximum protection.”
“I thought the camp was only for you and foreign dignitaries and their families?”
“Well, the compound was originally built in the thirties as a vacation house for government officials. Now it’s reserved for the leader of the free world. But because this involves the daughter of one of our allies, sending them there would be akin to housing foreign dignitaries.” He shrugged. “Even if it wasn’t kosher, I owe your family a lot and Isabelle adores Connor.”
“I hadn’t even considered the compound. With its 125 acre security fence, they wouldn’t even be cooped up.”
“Not to mention the variety of activities available.” Nick had spent time there guarding Jim on many occasions and the place had two pools, walking trails and other sports activities.
“I’ll offer it, then. For my buck, it’s the best answer.”
“Mine, too.” He smiled. “Thank you, Mr. President.”
o0o
Connor was packing to go home. Or wherever they decided would be the best place for his safety. Maybe he could stay with Whitney and Max. His brothers wouldn’t approach him about his protection, though. Instead, they’d send Whitney in. Tired, he sat on the bed and thought about her. Took comfort in their closeness and the times they’d turned to each other. Even to navigate the murky waters of adolescence...
“You’re all mussed,” Connor said one night when Whitney came to the doorway of his room. Her hair was askew and her blouse was buttoned wrong. “What have you been doing?”
She blushed. He threw down the book he’d been studying. “Go on, you didn’t!”
A goofy smile spread across her face.
“Come in and tell me.”
Flying to the bed, she flopped on her back and spread her arms. “Actually there’s not much to say. It was over so fast. We were in the backseat of a car, and he couldn’t even get the condom on. I had to do it.”
Connor laughed.
“It hurt a little.”
“You were a virgin, so I’m not surprised.”
“But it was kind of nice to be that close to Gary.”
“When I tell Nick what you did, Gary better watch out.”
“Oh, my God, Connor.” She came up on her knees and jumped him, pinning him to the bed. “Say you’re kidding.”
“Of course I’m kidding. We never share our secrets.”
“Whew.”
When she rolled off, she sat cross-legged. “What about you, Con? When are you going to do the deed?”
“Marci says after the prom. But now I don’t know. I’ll fumble for sure.”
“It’s got to be with somebody.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Gabe told us some things when we tur
ned sixteen. About, you know, making it fun for the girl.”
“That didn’t do you any good.”
“Yeah, but you’re the guy. If you can take your time, you might get it right.”
“I suppose. But Jesus, how do you take your time?”
“You should jerk off before the prom. Maybe once during the night in the bathroom.”
He threw a pillow at her and laughed again...
He was distracted from the memory by the door opening. Of course, it was her. “I thought they’d send you in.”
“Yep, I drew the short straw. Con, I—”
“Wait a sec.” He crossed to her and took her hands. “You might be pregnant.”
A kind of glow came over her face. “Yeah. Max and I decided not to use any birth control. Figured this would take a while, if it happened at all. But I’m not certain. I skip periods all the time.”
“What is this aversion you have to pregnancy tests?”
“My counselor says I don’t want to know. Maybe I’m not ready. But I’m going to give it a little more time.”
“In any case, I’m glad you and Max are out of protective duty.”
“All of us are. Who would have thought?”
Connor turned back to the bag he was stuffing his clothes in. “Life doesn’t always turn out like we planned, honey.” His certainly hadn’t.
She sat on the bed so he couldn’t ignore her. “Why didn’t you tell me about the solider?”
Connor took in a deep breath, remembering the young face of the man who gave his life for him. “Maybe because I had to suppress it to deal with it.”
“The exact opposite of what you told me to do.”
“Yeah, I know. And I felt like a hypocrite. But sometimes you can forget the horror.” He stopped and sat down next to her. “I will tell you being with Calla is killing me. I love her, but my fears about her always come true.”
“What do you mean?”
“In Syria, she was conflicted about going back to Casarina to marry Bertocchi. After we got together, we talked about her staying with me. She said she wanted to. That she might not return to Casarina. But I always feared she’d leave me. And she did. She married the bastard.”
“And now?”
“When she came to D.C. while you were dealing with all your troubles, she asked for a second chance. I was afraid again that if I allowed her into my life, her family might convince her to go back some day. And, just a few days ago, during this whole ordeal, they suggested that very thing. She considered it. Hell, Whit, what if we had kids, a boy, and her father tried to lure her there again permanently. He’d want the future king there. That would kill me.”
Whitney was thoughtful. “I’m guessing that the issue is compounded by the fact that someone else was hurt, killed.”
“In a very convoluted way, I know. But that’s how it shook out in my mind.”
“I’m sorry your worst fears seem to be materializing.”
“You’d know the feeling.”
“Connor, my issues weren’t life and death.”
“They were important, honey. Your happiness depended on them.”
She looked away. He watched her. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“They did send me in. And I do have bad news for you, especially after you told me about how hard it is being with Calla.”
“What?”
“All of us and even the president want you to go to Camp David until we find Lorenzo or his henchmen.”
“Me and Calla?” Whitney nodded. “No, absolutely not. Send her there alone.”
“You’re in danger, too. You have to be protected.” She took his hand and brought it to her heart. “Please, Con, do this for me. I can’t guard you. And if I lost you, I’d want to die, too.”
o0o
While Whitney was up in Connor’s room, Calla met Gabe in the hospital cafeteria at his request. The big, but often gentle man, sat before her with a clarity in his eyes that was comforting. He’d already purchased coffee. “Hello, Gabe.”
“Thanks for coming.” After she sat, he nodded to the brew. “That’s for you.”
She sipped it.
“I’ll cut right to the chase. We have a place for you to go to keep you safe.”
“Where?”
“Camp David, a retreat compound for the president of the United States. He goes there for vacations and also brings dignitaries and their families there for meetings.”
“Ah, we have one of those in Casarina on the Mediterranean Sea.” Before, the memory of romping with her father and the girls in the pool at Masuria, their nights outside gazing up at the stars and how happy her mother had seemed there, were comforting memories. No longer.
“I don’t know about the one in Casarina, but Camp David is a secure facility.” He told her some of the safety precautions of the place.
“So I would go there and be protected by strangers?”
“Trained agents, yes, but also by the location itself. It’s isolated and has an electrified perimeter. The Secret Service would be less intrusive than they would be at an ordinary safe house. You’d see them, of course, but you’d have a lot of privacy.”
“All right.” She drew in a breath. “Since it’s so safe, can one of my sisters come with me?”
Briefly, Gabe glanced away. “I’m afraid you don’t understand, Calla. You’ll be going with Connor.”
Her heartbeat speeded up. “Oh, no, Gabe. I can’t. First of all he won’t want to be with me.”
“I agree. He’s probably telling Whitney the same thing right now. But, quite frankly, you both have to sacrifice your wishes to stay safe.”
The thought of being in such close proximity with Connor devastated her. He’d be within touching distance but would never touch her again. Would he even talk with her? Spend time with her? But Gabe was right. She didn’t have a choice. “For how long?”
“The president is assigning the investigation into who attacked Connor, who might be after you to the Threat Assessment Center. Max and Whitney will work on that end.”
“So this sequester will be short?”
“Hopefully.”
“I can’t believe Connor will agree. And after what I heard about the soldier who was killed, I don’t blame him.” He still hadn’t spoken to her about it as her sisters had shown up. “He hates me.”
“You know that’s not true, Calla. He loves you. And that, above anything else, is one of the reasons he won’t object.”
“What is the other?”
“Because my cousin will make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
Chapter 6
* * *
“This is lovely.” Calla made the comment from the backseat of the armored vehicle that transported her and Connor to Camp David. They’d entered through the gate of an electrified fence. Along with that barrier, and the guards stationed here, the spot was isolated, especially as they drove deeply into the wooded compound.
Connor, who had promised himself he wouldn’t be as surly as he’d been since she came back into his life, tried for an even tone. But it was hard when she looked so beautiful in a chic rust-colored pants, top and sweater which highlighted her coloring. “Yeah, we’re in Catoctin Mountain Park in Fredrick County, Maryland. Though you wouldn’t know it, we’re not far from D.C.”
“I’ve never heard of these mountains.”
"The whole range has interesting topography. Its elevation varies from normal size to 1900 feet.” He decided to lighten the mood. “There’re rattlesnakes, black bears and vultures here.”
She gave a smile. “We faced down blistering heat and swarms of bugs in Syria. I think we can manage a few bears.”
He was glad she joined in the levity. “I can still remember the taste of sand in my mouth and my eyes feeling gritty.”
Sighing heavily, she glanced out the window. “I know. I have the same sensations sometimes.”
“You said you have a retreat like this in Casarina.”
“Yes
, it’s called Masuria Park. It’s situated at the edge of Casarina in a cove, and the climate’s temperate.” She glanced out the window. “But the place is a fraction of the size.”
“This is one hundred twenty-five acres.”
“The United States doesn’t do anything in a small way, do they?”
“I guess not.”
From the front seat, one of the two agents accompanying them buzzed down the privacy window. “Doctors, would you like a tour of the grounds so you know what’s here?”
“Calla?” Since he wasn’t ready to be alone with her, he was hoping she’d say yes.
“I would. You?”
He nodded.
They left the privacy screen down so the agents could talk to them. “Over there is the Aspen Lodge which houses the president and where you’ll stay.” The lodge sat back on a hill and was obscured by the woods. He added, “If either of you play golf, there are three tees right off the lodge.”
“Do you play, Calla?” In so many ways he knew nothing about her.
“No, but some of my sisters do.” She waited. “How about you?”
“Yeah, in college.” He’d been on the golf team at Johns Hopkins, where he’d gotten a full academic scholarship.
“There’s also a pool in the back of the main house. Here’s another, in front.”
Calla gazed out at the pool which had been built into the landscape. The water glistened in the sun. “I love to swim. In Casarina, April is warm. But there’s a chill in the air here.”
“It will diminish, Dr. Gentileschi, as the day goes on. Besides, the pool is heated.”
“Do you swim, Connor?”
“I come from Lakeville. No way can you grow up in that area without water skills. Gabe taught Whitney and me to swim. Later my father showed us how to jet ski and water ski.”
“Would you like to stop at the residence now?” the agent asked.
“No, keep going.” This from Calla who seemed excited to see the place.
As they continued, Connor noticed the signs. “All the streets along this route are named for trees.”
“Yes.” The agent sounded amused.