“Come to lunch with me.”
She almost immediately said no, but this time didn’t. Instead, she paced her small hotel room and mentally listed all the reasons why she shouldn’t go with him. One, all he wants is sex. Two . . . isn’t reason one enough? I’m better off staying here at the hotel. Alone. With nothing to do. Waiting for Eric and hoping he wants to see me when he gets out.
What the hell? “Yes.”
“Perfect. Come down now. I’m parked in front of the hotel.”
“It’s only ten o’clock.”
“I thought you’d like to see some of the area before lunch.”
“Wait. You’re downstairs? What if I had said no?”
“Come down, Rachelle.” He hung up.
Rachelle rushed to the mirror in the bathroom to check her appearance. She hadn’t planned on going anywhere except for a walk, so she was casually dressed in jeans and tennis shoes. Her hair was loose and a little wild. She’d chosen her plain light-blue T-shirt for comfort rather than style.
Not exactly attire fit for a royal outing, but it’s the real me.
She squared her shoulders. I came here to find myself. Well, here I am. Not perfect. Not wise. Just me. Somehow that will have to be enough, because I don’t know how to be better than this.
A moment later, Rachelle turned from closing her hotel room door and screamed when she realized there was a man standing just behind her. He waved his hands at her nervously, and she calmed as she realized who he was. “Reggie. Oh my God. What are you doing here?”
Oddly, his reappearance reassured her. “Eric called me. He didn’t like the idea of you being alone in a city where you don’t know anyone, so he asked if the wife and kids wanted a mini vacation. We’ve got a suite over at the Royal Hotel. What are you doing in this shitbox?”
Rachelle laughed nervously as she came down from an adrenaline rush. “I like it here. Have you spoken to Eric?”
“You mean, do I know that he’s in a clinic across the street? Yeah.”
Good, I don’t need to pretend. “Then you know why I’m here. I wanted to be close by.”
“I walked over from the Royal Hotel.”
“Yes, well, I didn’t want to stay there.” She wasn’t willing to say more on the subject, since it would have involved both Magnus and her grandmother’s lecture about him.
Reggie looked around and made a face. “Whatever you say. Anyway, I just thought you should know that we’re down the street if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Reggie.” Rachelle stepped away from her door and started toward the elevator.
“Oh, and are you aware that you’re being followed?”
Rachelle froze. “Followed?”
Reggie hit the elevator button as if he hadn’t just said something shocking. “When you went out yesterday, the kids and I thought it would be fun to see if we could trail you without being seen. It was entertaining for about a minute until we realized there was a man who went everywhere you went.”
“A man? You mean Prince Magnus?”
“No, some other guy. Short blond hair. Real tall and skinny. He was dressed to blend in. I didn’t notice him at first, but my son said he was everywhere you were, and damned if he wasn’t right.”
Breathe. It’s probably one of the royal guard. Maybe Magnus is making sure I’m safe?
Reggie continued, “He was a little on the creepy side, so I sent my kids back with my wife and kept following you.”
Okay. That’s also a little creepy, but I’m going to try to see it as sweet. Don’t they say never ask questions you don’t want to hear the answers to? But I have to. “Did you see anything else?”
“This is where it gets weird—”
This is? This is? Rachelle kept silent, both because she wanted to hear what else he’d seen and because her head was spinning.
“There was a woman following the man who was following you. No shit. When you were in front of the café, about to make out with your prince boyfriend, did you think you were alone? They were both there, just standing around pretending they weren’t watching you.”
Lurch, you’re freaking me out. Rachelle rode down the elevator with Reggie. “Why would anyone be following me? I’m no one.”
“You’re an heiress to billions, the sister of an A-list movie star, and you’re dating a prince—not a no one. I bet you’re about to be kidnapped and ransomed.”
Rachelle gasped. She remembered how she’d initially felt about Magnus’s guards. “I’m paranoid enough without any help. Don’t joke like that.”
“Who’s joking?” Reggie said with a shrug.
Grabbing Reggie by both arms, Rachelle said, “I’m going out with Prince Magnus now. Do you think he’s involved?”
Reggie pried her hands off him. “Now you’re letting your imagination run away with you. Not everyone is out to get you.”
“Just the two people who are following me around?” Rachelle asked in a high pitch. She looked around. “Do you see them now?”
“Listen, I wouldn’t have told you if I thought it was going to upset you. It could be nothing.”
“You said I was about to be kidnapped.”
“I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t know. It’s just a feeling.”
Rachelle hugged her arms around herself. How could I not have noticed someone following me?
Where was my mind? Chocolate and Magnus.
What great final words those would make.
Eric had been right about money changing a person’s life—and not all in good ways. She was beginning to see what he meant. “Reggie, do you think I need a bodyguard?”
He made a face. “I’d get one. I’m willing to watch out for you, but take a bullet? Eh. I have kids. You know?”
Rachelle nodded. Note to self: Reggie—not a hero. At least, not mine.
The elevator stopped before the lobby, and Reggie stepped out.
“Where are you going?” Rachelle asked.
“Not on your date. I’ve seen how the two of you drool all over each other. It’d be awkward.”
“I shouldn’t go, either.” She went to step out, also, but Reggie held up a hand to stop her.
“You want my opinion? You’re safer with him than you are alone.”
The door of the elevator closed a few inches in front of Rachelle’s face. She stepped back and almost lost her balance. Safer with Magnus? If we’re at that point, shouldn’t I go to the police?
And say what? “My brother’s electrician was covertly following me and noticed he wasn’t the only one doing it”? “Oh, where’s my brother? I can’t say. Who’s following me? I don’t know.”
Am I losing my mind?
Probably.
She took out her phone and considered calling her grandmother. I can only imagine what she’d say if I tried to explain this to her.
And then I’d have to tell her why I won’t leave Vandorra yet. Eric would never forgive me for involving her.
When the elevator door opened at the lobby, Magnus was right there—smiling.
Rachelle took a shaky step toward him.
Magnus tensed when he saw how pale and unsteady Rachelle was. He took one of her arms and guided her to a bench near the elevator, then sat beside her. “Are you feeling okay?”
She shook her head. “No. I might throw up.”
Phillip took a step back. Magnus didn’t budge. “Are you ill?” He placed his hand on her forehead. No fever. He took one of her hands in his. It was cold. “Did something happen?” This wasn’t at all how he’d imagined seeing her again would go, but he didn’t care. He needed to make sure she was okay. “Tell me.”
“Can I trust you?” Large, scared eyes sought his, and his heart began a wild dance in his chest.
Her question hit him like a punch. He’d come to her thinking mostly of himself and what he wanted, but when she looked at him, none of that mattered. “Yes.”
Her eyes shone with emotion. “We have to make sure Eric is safe without letting everyone know where he is or what’s happening.”
“Eric is safe, Rachelle. I spoke with him this morning.”