“I'm busy this morning and afternoon, Prince Mattias--”
“Stop placating me,” he snarled, losing his temper for a moment. When she turned around with a frown on her brow, looking ready to lambast him for his curt words, Mattias used the opportunity to step right into her personal space. She was every bit as breathtaking as she had been last evening, right down to the perfection of her skin and the pert ponytail she'd put her hair into.
“I'll do any thing I choose,” she snapped back. “After all, you hardly refrain from doing the things you want, isn't that right?”
“What is that supposed to mean? Stop talking in riddles and explain.” Mattias didn't know whether he wanted to kiss her or drag her to his room and prove to her just how thorough he could be when he wanted something.
An indignant flush colored her cheeks, which served to confuse Mattias more. Why was she blushing?
“Well?” he pressed when she stalled.
“I don't have to explain a thing. I also won't be going to the gala tonight, so have a good time.” She turned on a heel, marching through the halls toward her door.
Mattias, right behind her, wouldn't let her off that easy. He wasn't a man who chased women, but in this moment, he wanted an answer more than anything. “You could, at the very least, tell me what you meant by your comment. What exactly do you think I do--” He stopped walking and talking at the same time.
Could she have somehow heard through the grapevine that he'd taken a woman to bed last night? Maybe, even, she'd guessed or come to the conclusion on her own after seeing Katrina waiting for him at the end of the hallway. Was her change of heart due to annoyance—or jealousy? It was a long shot, but he had no other explanation for her actions. Picking up the pace, he cast a warning glance at Barrett, one that clearly read back off. Cornering Alannah as she unlocked her door, he crowded her into the space with his body, bumping them into her suite even as a squawk of protest left her lips.
“Is that what it is, hm? You're perturbed that I slept with Katrina last night, aren't you?” He wasted no time getting to the point.
Alannah caught her balance and spun on him, outrage making her gray eyes spark and shine in the dim room. “I have no idea what you're talking about. I could care less what woman you sleep with. Take the entire manor to bed with you.”
Mattias studied her face while she made her protests, listened to the quickened pace of her breathing. “You're upset about it. That's what's going on here. Well let me tell you something--”
“Oh, oh! Don't you dare spell anything out for me. I heard it well enough when I walked past your suite!” she said, raising her voice and making fists at her sides.
Shocked, Mattias stopped in his tracks. “You what?”
Alannah covered half her face with a hand, as if she regretted making the admission. Standing her ground, she lowered it again and poked him in the chest with her finger.
“That's right. I came back to ask you in for a drink last night, but you were already gone, hightailing it after that blonde. So I went to your room, but I didn't even get halfway down the hall before I heard what was going on in there. Everyone could hear it!”
Well. That explained that. Mattias's eyes narrowed at the idea Alannah had wanted to invite him in. He didn't think he'd imagined the chemistry between them last night. Now here she was, indignant and furious and jealous at his bedding of another woman.
“Yes, she gave me what I wanted—hey.” He caught her arm when she flipped around to put her back to him.
“Don't.”
“I'm telling you the truth. Being honest. The least you could do--”
“Is what, exactly?” she said, turning back around. “Listen to you crow about your conquest? No thanks. For a while, I thought you might be different but in reality, you're not. You're just like the rest of them, ready to have a fling at a moment's notice.” She snapped her fingers for emphasis.
“That's not accurate at all—”
“Isn't it? Because let's discuss what you did--”
“Stop interrupting me.” He did the same to her if only to let her know he deserved to get a word in edgewise. What an infuriating woman.
“I won't! You had some other woman in your bed the night before last too, did you not?”
“Yes.” Katrina again, but he didn't say so.
“See? You prove my point very well. Now get out.” She gestured toward the door, a flippant flick of her hand.
Mattias, irritated beyond reason at the order to get out—did so. He turned without another word and exited her suite, leaving the door wide open in his wake.
The entire time he stalked away from her room, Mattias cursed himself for putting his emotions before Alannah's safety. He wasn't usually a man driven by them, not to this extent, and rarely over a woman. Chayton or Ahsan could take over for now, he decided, until he could cool his temper enough to try another round of conversation with Alannah.
Thanks to the lingering storm, the hallways he traversed back to his room were gloomy. Weak light filtered in through the windows, highlighting the center of the corridor but not all the way into the corners where shadows lurked.
Entering his suite, he paused halfway in and halfway out when he spotted movement near the bed. Immediately he tensed, ready for action. Chayton Black shifted away from his lean against the wall on the other side of the bed, hands in the pockets of his dark slacks.
“I thought you were someone else,” Mattias said, muttering a curse under his breath. He closed the door behind him.
“You're lucky I'm not. You're distracted,” Chayton pointed out, coming around the end of the bed. Of mixed heritage, the prominent being Cherokee Indian, Chayton had long black hair currently tied back at the nape. He wore a slate gray button down, nondescript but expensive, and boots that made no sound on the tile as he walked. His features were sharp through the cheeks and jaw, eyes an eerie blue against his darker skin.
“It's Miss Astbury,” Mattias admitted. “She's proving to be a handful. Have you heard anything new?”
“Nothing. I saw Leander on the way here and he's having a hard time getting connected to the outside thanks to the lack of power. His phone's out of juice.”
“I bet he is.” Mattias contemplated that while Chayton came to a stop a few feet away. If Leander couldn't get access to the outside world, finding the information they needed would be much more difficult.
“Why do you say Astbury is proving to be a handful?” Chayton asked.
“It's a challenge to keep her in our sights. She has a tendency to walk off or not want to be around people.” Mattias didn't explain why Alannah didn't currently want to be around him.
“She was very perturbed last evening.”
Mattias glanced at Chayton. “What?”
“I spent the night in her room--”
“You did what?” Immediately, Mattias saw red. And to think, Alannah had played the wounded card for all she was worth.
“I said,” Chayton repeated, “that I spent the night in her room. Hiding out, keeping watch. She tossed and turned or paced by the window. Her sleep was disturbed until the very earliest hour of the morning. She never knew I was there.”
“I see.” Once Chayton explained, the tension gripping Mattias's shoulders eased. The reasons why he was so on edge about the thought of Alannah spending time with any of his brethren eluded him. Perhaps it was because he knew what they were capable of, or what the darker side of their lives were like. Yet that hadn't stopped him from spending time in her company.
For work, he reminded himself. And for her safety. Not because he was jealous.
“Did you two have a falling out?”
“You always were too astute for your own good. Yes, we did.” Mattias went straight to the sidebar and poured himself a stiff drink. It was a little early for liquor but that was the last thing on his mind.
“Over what?”
“The fact that she caught me sleeping with another woman.”
; “I didn't realize she had a claim on you to care about that one way or another.”
Mattias took a long swallow, hissing at the sting. “She doesn't.”
“Then why is she upset over it?”
“I really don't know what's gotten into her. We were supposed to meet up at one of the extra parties tonight. Now I have no idea if she's going or who will watch over her.” Mattias stood by the window and stared out at the overcast day.
“Is she alone right now?”
“Yes. Except for her bodyguard, whom I'm not sure I trust.”
Chayton pulled a cell phone out of his pocket and tapped out a text. “Don't worry. Between Ahsan and I, we'll cover her this evening. I'll send someone over now so we don't leave a gap through the protection.” He paused, then said, “Damn. My battery just died.”
“Mine's out, too,” Mattias said. There wasn't any way to recharge until the power came back on.
“Either way, we'll cover Alannah's room if she stays in.”
“Thanks. As long as someone's paying attention.” It wasn't an optimal plan, Mattias admitted to himself. Chayton had already pulled an all-nighter and Ahsan wasn't known for his patience with target-sitting.
“They really need to get the power working.” Chayton slid his phone away. He glanced at Mattias. “I've never known you to be this affected by a woman.”
“I haven't either.” Mattias didn't bother to deny it. His relationship with his ex-fiance Viia had been more of a duty than anything. Mattias, in total control of his feelings in that regard, rarely allowed their flare-ups to bother him or ruffle his feathers. Viia was the woman his mother wanted him to marry, and so, he'd fallen in line and done right by his title. Emotions hadn't come into play until after, when he'd belatedly realized that he shouldn't be living his life for other people, no matter what was at stake. The breakup with Viia had been as emotionless as his proposal.
This, however. This was a different story. And it bothered him on levels he couldn't name that the flighty, fidgety heiress to a banking empire was under his skin in less than twenty-four hours.
“Are you still attending the party tonight?” Chayton asked.
“I don't know. Because I don't know if she's going or not. If she does, and we're all hovering around her room or at the main gala, then we might leave her unprotected at a critical time.”
“I think you should go. We'll cover her here, and if she leaves her room, we'll shadow her as indiscreetly as we can. This way, if she does happen to attend the party, we'll have her covered from all angles.”
“All right. With all our phones dying, and no way to recharge, we're going to have to rely on other methods to get messages back and forth.” Mattias would use one of his guards, a man he knew he could trust with sensitive information.
“If it comes to that, we'll send one of our contacts.”
Mattias poured himself another drink. “Then I guess we're set up for this evening. Are you going to be spending another night in Miss Astbury's room?”
“That depends.”
“On what?” Mattias eyed Chayton over the rim of his glass.
“On whether or not you're spending the night in her room.”
“She can barely stand to look at me right now. Unless a miracle happens, and she decides to forgive my 'indiscretion', then I don't see that happening.” The reminder of his conversation with Alannah annoyed Mattias all over again.
“Either way, we'll be keeping tabs on her. I have a feeling she's not done with you yet.” Chayton's features tilted into lines of amusement, a brief flash before it was gone.
Mattias snorted. “We'll see about that.”
A trio of urgent knocks brought the conversation up short.
Mattias caught Chayton's eye. Exchanging a curious glance, Mattias set down his tumbler, expecting to see an angry Alannah waiting in the hall. Maybe Chayton was right. Maybe Alannah wasn't done with him after all.
Approaching on silent feet, Chayton snagged the knob and opened the door with an abrupt swing. Instead of Alannah, one of Ahsan's personal guards stood there wearing a sober, serious expression.
“Prince Afshar asks for you,” the man said to Mattias in heavily accented English.
“What seems to be the problem?” Mattias had been around Ahsan's men long enough to know when something was up. Ahsan was not in the habit of sending guards to Mattias or Chayton or any of the other members of the Elite unless there was a problem.
“He has been in an altercation. Is in an altercation. Can you come?” The man looked between Chayton and Mattias as he backed slowly away from the door. As if luring them, coaxing the men to follow.
Mattias traded another look with Chayton, this one more bemused than the one before. An altercation? Ahsan, a man of fierce spirit and sometimes short temper, never needed help in a fight. Mattias could tell Chayton was thinking the same thing. Why had Ahsan sent for Mattias, unless it had to do with Alannah?
“Where is he?” Mattias asked, as he stepped into the corridor.
“In the great hall. This way.” Ahsan's guard aimed for the staircase leading to the first floor.
Mattias split from Chayton, who diverted toward Alannah's suite, and descended to the main level on the guard's heels. Confident Chayton could cover Miss Astbury for the time being, he prepared himself for the upcoming confrontation.
Chapter Six
Mattias walked into a scene of chaos. In the great hall, where many guests had gathered, he discovered an annoyed looking Ahsan staring down none other than Mumford Cleary. The middle aged billionaire with the paunch and full head of brown hair sported a fat lip and growing bruise over one cheek. His clothing—khaki slacks, baby blue button down and camel colored blazer—sat askew on his body. Security hovered around both men, appearing hesitant to do more than stand between them. Ahsan, as far as Mattias could tell, didn't have a scratch on him.
Guests whispered between themselves, caught up in the unexpected confrontation. Some of the single women took advantage of the situation, sidling close to bachelors and striking up conversation in the guise of concerned curiosity. Antonia lurked at the fringe of the commotion not far from his position, then departed the hall after a waitstaff member whispered something in her ear.
“I said, take another step back, boy,” Cleary stated through clenched teeth. He snatched a linen handkerchief from one of his security members and dabbed at his lip. The cloth came away with a minor patch of red.
Ahsan stood his ground, aggressive and unwilling to move. “First things first—I'm not your boy. Second, I'll move when I'm damn well good and ready and not a moment before. Next time, watch where you're walking.”
Cruising into the outer circle of men, Mattias made eye contact with Ahsan, a clear question in his gaze. Ahsan wasn't the type of man who started fights for no reason, and Mattias thought it prudent to find out exactly what was going on.
Ahsan cut a quick look his way, and in that single glance, Mattias discerned this had something to do with Alannah. It could just be suspicion on Ahsan's part, but Mattias as well as the rest of the men had learned long ago to listen to gut instinct. Why Mumford Cleary might be involved baffled Mattias no end. He didn't know too much about the affluent gentleman, and until he had more information, would treat the situation with all the attention it deserved. If Ahsan was wrong, and this was simply a misunderstanding, then no harm done.
“I think it's you who better watch where he's standing. Get out of the way when someone's coming through,” Cleary argued.
Ahsan caught Mattias's gaze again. This time, he jerked his chin a different direction.
While the men bristled and worked through the end of the fight with words instead of fists, Mattias scanned the immediate area, looking for the object Ahsan had directed him to. Three guards hovered around Cleary, all dressed in suits. Ahsan had one member of security blocking him with his body but that was all. It wasn't until the third sweep that Mattias saw the retreating shape of a man heading out of the
great hall, walking in that way people did when they didn't want to draw attention to themselves. He could be just another guest, tired of the argument.
Or he could be someone involved with Cleary, possibly the hit man. Either way, something had triggered Ahsan's protective nature, and Mattias would see it through to whatever end.
Cutting away through the crowd after another telling glance from Ahsan, Mattias followed the skulking man and took in the details: tall, lean, dark hair, leather jacket. Sneakers instead of boots. Not exactly the attire of a wealthy aristocrat attending a well-to-do party.
Pretending to be heading the same direction, keeping his pursuit casual instead of predatory, Mattias shadowed the stranger to the stairs and up them. Mattias understood he was aware of him, though the man never glanced back. Not until he emerged onto the landing on the second level.
Mattias purposely looked the other way, as if he had no interest in this gentleman. Only when he had to step past did Mattias acknowledge with a nod of his head. The stranger, sporting ragged features and an overlarge nose, returned the gesture. Though he glanced toward the corridor housing Alannah's suite, the man strode down the same hallway as Mattias. Good thing, or Mattias would have been forced to follow and make it clear the stranger was under surveillance.
Stopping in front of his bedroom door, Mattias pretended to fumble for his keys while keeping the stranger in periphery. The man stopped before the last room at the end of the corridor and entered a moment later.
Pocketing his keys, Mattias retreated to the juncture of hallways and waited for one of his guards. He didn't have time to loiter in the hallway himself to mark the comings and goings, which would only appear suspicious anyway. There was no solid proof that the stranger was a hit man, and to leave off their search could be a grave mistake. Besides that, he needed to have a talk with Ahsan to see what had set the man off to begin with.
Shortly, a guard appeared. Mattias left instructions to observe the hallway, and to shadow the man at the far door should he emerge. Retreating back downstairs, Mattias was just in time to see Cleary and Ahsan split off and go their separate ways.
The Royal Elite: Mattias Page 6