by W. J. May
“It's more complicated than that.”
“No, it's quite simple. We’ve spent one afternoon with the Prince and soon-to-be Princess of Wales, and you can tell they love each other and are passionate about the things that matter to them. They'll make a difference in the world together.”
“We make huge differences every day.”
“Don't get me wrong, I work for the Privy Council to protect and serve, like you. However, I just see it through a different pair of eyes. I want to make a difference, but I also want to have a life. Have friends, a husband, kids. I'm not going to be the Privy Council's bionic machine. They will never own me.” She had no idea where all this serious talk had come from. A minute ago she had been teasing Devon on how grown up he had become, and now she was telling him she wanted kids!
Something crossed Devon's face, but Rae couldn't figure out what it was. “This is the job I dreamed about since I was a kid. I couldn't imagine anything else.”
“I'm not asking you to.” Rae wasn't sure what he meant. Does he think…? She wanted to get back to the beginning of this conversation and let everything else go. She blew her bangs away from her face. “For the record, when you broke up with me I didn't understand, but now that I'm here, where you were not too long ago, I understand the bigger picture. I respect what you're trying to do.”
Devon looked like he wanted to say something but didn't. He closed his eyes a moment and finally spoke, “We should probably head back, or Philip and Sarah are going to wonder what happened to us.”
They walked, side by side, back to the hall. As they neared the building, Rae asked, “You and me… We okay?”
Devon ruffled the top of Rae's head and then wrapped his arm across Rae's shoulders pulling her against him. He hugged her tight and after a few moments kissed her forehead before slowly letting her go. “We are.”
Rae heard Devon's phone vibrate against his pocket.
He pulled it out. “Devon.” He nodded and mouthed ‘Carter' to Rae. As they spoke, Rae could figure out that Carter already knew everything that had happened. It sounded like the Privy Council didn't believe Devon and Rae needed back up.
Devon slipped his phone back into his pocket. “We should head back now. It seems like whoever is after Sarah might not wait for the Masquerade Ball.”
Chapter 12
Rae and Devon headed back inside the hall.
“No admittance, kids.” A front guard doorman would not let them re-enter. “The hall is closed.”
“We were just here with the luncheon.”
“Place is closed now.”
“Prince Philip and Sarah are waiting for us.”
The large man let out a barking laugh. “And I'm Father Christmas's Uncle.”
Devon gave the plain gray suited man the once-over. “Where's Alfie?”
The man barely glanced at Devon before turning his attention back to the view outside the front door.
Devon grabbed the man by the collar, getting his full attention.
Three men appeared suddenly behind Devon and Rae; guns pointed. Devon didn't even bat an eye. “Now that I have your full attention, where is Alfie?”
Rae's chest heaved.
Alfie came around the corner, his face tight with anger. Rae swore she saw him fight back a grin when he saw Devon holding one of his guys against the wall. “What's going on here?”
Devon let go of the man and smiled. “Alfie! I was just asking for you.”
Alfie made a single motion with his hand, and the men put their guns away. “What can I do for you?”
“Philip and Sarah are waiting. There seems to be a misunderstanding down here.”
“It's fine,” Alfie spoke to his men. “Mr. Wardell here works for the Privy Council.”
Some of the men looked impressed, others looked annoyed.
“He's here with Karen, his girlfriend, but I spoke with him earlier and he is completely on board with helping make sure nothing happens to the soon-to-be Princess of Wales. After the incident, earlier, I want him around.”
“Wasn't the girl involved with the occurrence?” The gentleman, who Devon had almost accosted earlier, pointed at Rae.
“She was with me, trying to help. Sarah is comfortable around her, so she stays.” Alfie shot Rae an apologetic look. “She's clear. She checks outs. I contacted the Privy Council.”
“Excuse me?” Rae asked. What had Carter or whoever told him?
Alfie smiled. “Your boyfriend's company knows everything about everyone. You date one of their top; they have tabs on you.”
“Oh, okay.” She realized she should probably appear mad at Devon to play the part of the annoyed girlfriend. She crossed her arms and pretended to be mad at Devon. “You could have told me that! I thought you said you worked security.”
A couple of the men chuckled.
She turned to head into the main banquet hall but not before she caught Devon shrugging to the men and mouthing, “Women!” She pretended she didn't see and pressed her lips tight together to suppress a smile.
“Karen! Devon!” Sarah came over when she saw them. She walked gracefully and flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “I wasn't sure if something came up and you wouldn't be able to make it back.”
Rae knew she was referring to the intruder in the bathroom. “We went for a walk. There was nothing out there but fresh air.” She needed to work on her subliminal messaging; she sucked.
At least Sarah understood. She linked her arm through Rae's. “Let me show you the hall and what we are going to do for the Masquerade. Do you have a costume yet? Don't tell me! It's supposed to be a secret who wears what. That way we are all equal for one night.” She gave a perfectly pitched laugh. “That's the idea behind the masks. If it sticks is a completely other question.” She began directing Rae to a part of the large hall away from Philip and Devon. A large stack of boxes was piled in the corner.
“Everything is going to be red. The Queen wanted purple to represent the royals, but since I am in charge this year I wanted to change it up. Red for England. It represents the people, not royalty. This ball is supposed to be about tea with the Royals.” She opened one of the boxes and pulled out a napkin. “See?” She held up the fancy damask napkin with Royal Tea embroidered on the side in a garnet red thread. “It's going to be about a royal tea for everyone. A party that doesn't have a face for levels of society. We will all be equal.”
Rae watched as Sarah opened another box to show garnet red wine glasses. She felt her tatù sift through its abilities. She ignored the feeling as it seemed to do it all the time now, as if trying to find the most effective one to keep on guard should she need it. “Everyone will be equal? You know that leaves you vulnerable, right?”
Sarah nodded. “I'm not going to hide. That's not who I am.” She angrily slapped the lid back on the wine glasses. They clinked against each other in protest. “It leaves them susceptible, as well.”
Rae hated to be practical, but Sarah had to realize how serious the danger was. “In what way? If they have a tatù like Devon, they've already got a leg-up over your guards. You have a unique ability, Sarah, but there are others with much more powerful inks.”
“That's why Devon and you are here.” She tilted her head and glanced back toward Philip and Devon. “What is your tatù? Philip told me before that he remembers you in a class we took.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I told him yes, but we never took a class together. What can you do?”
Rae began tapping her foot against the marble floor. She stopped when she stubbed her toe. “Ow!” She grinned. “Sorry, I'm okay.” She reached down and rubbed her foot.
Sarah did not smile.
“I can make memories.”
“You implant memories in people?”
“Sort of.”
“Not sure how that makes you a worthy Privy Council member.”
“Devon works for the Privy Council.”
“So do you. What else can you do?”
Ra
e wondered why Sarah wasn't just accepting her one ability. “Just that.”
“You're lying.” Sarah stared hard at Rae. “I've spoken to you in ten different languages in the past two minutes and you've answered everything.”
Rae blinked. What? “I have?”
“Oui. You could only do that if you had my tatù.” Sarah put her hands on her hips. “But you just said you can implant memories. Devon said your tatù was similar to his the day I met you. So what is it? What can you do?”
“I… I…” Rae's eyes skirted across the room to Devon, or where Devon had been. The spot was now vacant. Philip and Devon had disappeared somewhere. She returned her gaze to Sarah and jumped back in surprise.
Sarah held a small pistol pointed directly at her. “Move one inch toward me and I'll shoot.”
Rae held her hands up. How in the world had she become the bad guy? She opened her mouth but didn't say anything when Sarah raised the gun.
“Think carefully over what you are about to say, it could be your last.”
“I'm on your side, Sarah.”
“Really?”
“I'm not going to hurt you.” Rae switched to Jennifer's tatù and in the time it took Sarah to blink, Rae raced over, disarmed her and held it by the pistol end. She kept it at her side, nervous. This was the first time she had ever held a gun. “My tatù lets me copy other tatùs. I can mimic them.”
Sarah stepped back, her hands held out defensively in front of her. She opened her mouth to scream.
Rae reacted quickly again. She covered Sarah's mouth so she couldn't. “Please don't call Alfie. He doesn't know I have a tatù. The fewer people that know, the better.” She moved her hand, mortified she had just smothered the soon-to-be Princess of Wales' mouth. She handed the small pistol back to Sarah. “You don't need this on me.”
Sarah took it, her eyes big as she stared at Rae. “I've only heard about one person who could copy tatùs.”
“Simon Kerrigan?”
Sarah nodded.
“I'm his daughter.” The cat was out of the bag. Rae waited for the accusations to begin. She figured it would be less than ten seconds before Sarah raised the pistol and screamed for Alfie.
Sarah surprised her. “He had a daughter? Does the Privy Council know?”
Rae nodded.
“Did you attend Guilder?”
“I did. I started the year they opened it up to co-ed.”
“Did they do that because of you?”
She shrugged. “Probably.”
“Cool.”
Wait… cool?
“I mean, it must feel good to be responsible for progressive changes without even trying to do them.”
“I never thought of it that way. I kind of got lost in the fact that my father is known as a psycho. Made for a bit of a tough first year.” She didn't bother explaining to Sarah that she hadn't known about tatùs until the day she arrived at Guilder. Or another about her father. Or that her mother died protecting her and stopping her father. Or that she might still be alive. Rae wanted to tell Sarah, but she didn't.
Sarah slipped the pistol into a pocket on the inside of her suit jacket. The material concealed it perfectly. She dropped her leg quickly when they heard male laughter, and then Devon and Philip appeared in the hall.
“You two all right?” Philip called out as they walked toward them.
“Fine,” Sarah said. “I won't say anything.”
“Neither will I.” Rae forced a friendly smile on her face, trying to copy Sarah's.
Devon raised an eyebrow. He could obviously hear them but didn't say anything.
Rae would make up something later or tell Devon after they caught the guy trying to get Sarah.
“Are we allowed to see what's in the boxes?” Philip asked, slipping his arm around Sarah and kissing her cheek.
“Nope. It's still a surprise.” Sarah winked at Rae. “Philip has no idea about all this.” She gestured at the boxes. “I even picked out what he's wearing.”
Philip groaned. “I'm not wearing pink. Or feathers. Please don't make my outfit into some peacock or something like that.”
She stood on her tiptoes and hugged him. “Never! It's very princely.”
“Have you already picked out your dress and mask?” Sarah asked Rae.
“I have someone designing it for me… and Devon's too.” Rae grinned. She pictured Molly creating this over the top outfit. She almost feared what it would be. Maybe it was better to not know until the day of the ball.
Philip chuckled. “She got you too, ‘eh?”
Devon gave a low laugh. “Every time.”
“They always do, mate.” Philip clapped him on the back. “How about a drink?” Philip signaled to one of the staff standing near the wall. “Is there a bottle of wine we might be able to sample?” The staff nodded vigorously and nearly ran into the kitchen. “Or do you prefer beer?”
“Wine is fine.” Devon stuffed his hands into his pockets. “So Philip, what's been going on with Sarah?” He sat down on a high chair by a round bar-like table. “What's the situation?”
Philip sighed and sat down beside him. “We have no idea.” He glanced at Sarah. “Come sit down, sweetie.”
Rae followed Sarah and sat down between her and Devon. The staff came back with two bottles, one red, the other white. He returned a moment later with four lead crystal glasses. After he had poured everyone a glass, he scampered back to the kitchen.
“There's always a threatening letter or some worry to deal with. However, this is different. It started just after we announced our engagement. She would find a letter in her room or somewhere she was attending. At first we thought it was one of the staff and questioned everyone. Then things progressed, and a dead rat wearing a crown with a note was left in her bathroom about a month ago. The wedding is this summer, and someone or some group doesn't want her to be in line for the crown! It's a frightening thought.”
“It's been going on while you were dating?” Devon asked.
“It pretty much started after the engagement,” Sarah said.
Devon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Why didn't you contact the Privy Council?”
“We have our guards and secret service.” Philip seemed unimpressed by Devon's question. “You guys couldn't have done anything faster. But it's escalated to something dangerous now. It has to stop.”
“I can't imagine someone not liking Sarah.” Rae couldn't get around why anyone would want to hurt her. Devon's knee banging into hers reminded her of the real reason. Tatù. It didn't make sense. Sarah's tatù was a helpful one. She wouldn't use it to harm anyone. Something didn't make sense.
“We may have our guards, but I am glad you are here, Devon.” Philip raised his glass of wine in cheers.
Sarah nudged Rae and winked at her from the corner of her eye. “I'm glad Karen's here too.” She raised her glass.
They clinked goblets and Rae tried not to grimace from the volatile chemical reaction of the taste of wine inside her mouth. It sucked out all the water, leaving it dry and tasting like wood. Yuck! So much for classy.
“What are your plans for the week leading up to the ball?” Philip asked, oblivious to the inner turmoil Rae's mouth was going through.
Devon saved her from having to speak. He must have noticed her struggling. “If the girls are hanging out together, I can keep an eye on Sarah if you’d like.”
“I’d appreciate that. I have cleared most of my appointments and meetings this week. After what happened at the luncheon, I'm not taking any chances.”
“How did…?” Sarah set her glass down and stared at her fiancé.
“Alfie filled me in.” Philip reached for his fiancé's hand and held it. “If Karen hadn't barged her way into the bathroom, who knows what would have happened.”
“What are the chances someone would try to sneak into the second-floor bathroom window the moment I was in there? It's not like there are cameras in the bathroom, and Alfie did his job, he did
a full sweep of the room before I even walked in.”
“I know, I know. But you can't be on your own until this bastard's caught. No one is taking her from me. My fiancé. No one is taking my fiancé, who is my life.” He lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. “No one.”
Rae stared around the room, anywhere but at the prince and soon-to-be princess. She realized Devon was doing the same thing.
Devon cleared his throat. “We should leave the two of you be. I think the chances of a repeat incident are not likely today.”
“I agree. Alfie has upped the guard, and we will be leaving shortly to head back to the palace.” Philip stood. Devon quickly followed, and Rae did too. “Why don't the two of you come around tomorrow? The two girls can keep each other entertained. Have you ever played polo?”
“I have.”
“Are you any good?”
Devon lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “I can hold my own.”
“Good!” Philip clapped him on the back. “I could use another man on my team! I'll have a service pick the two of you up around half ten tomorrow morning?”
“We would love to join you.”
“Then it's settled. Let's hope the weather agrees to cooperate.”
And no one plans a surprise attack.
Chapter 13
They drove back to Heath Hall in silence. Once inside the flat, Rae kicked off her shoes and flopped onto one of the fancy couches. She blew a long breath out, let it blow her bangs away from her forehead, only to flop back down when she stopped. “What a day!”
Devon pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and tossed it on the stand by the door. “Such is the life of a super-agent.” He walked around her into the kitchen and appeared a moment later with two bottles. “Water?”
“Sure.” She raised her hand and caught the bottle without bothering to look up. She rested the bottom of it against her abs. The front door opened. Rae sat up. “Where are you going?”
Devon paused. “I need to check with Curtis to see if they found anything.”
“Do you want me to come?”