The Royal Major and the Executive, page 8
His mum was almost to the king. King Nolan turned her way with a welcoming smile. “Madeline. What a pleasure to see you.”
She said nothing, staring at the king as if she didn’t know him. Had that jerk Roger drugged his mum? What was going on?
Chad reached them, ripped the present from her hands, and pushed her toward the king. “Take care of her, please, sir.”
The king gave him a questioning look but wrapped an arm around his mum to steady her. She crumpled against him and looked as if she was near passing out. King Nolan supported her and nodded to him. “I’ve got her, son.”
The king had always been like an adopted father to him. Chad had dedicated his life to the military and protecting his mum, the king, the August family, and his countrymen. He trusted the king as much as Tristan or Ray, but he was horrified to see his strong, independent mother so helpless.
He needed to help his mum. What if she wasn’t okay? She was the only family he had. He would do anything for her.
The present box in his hands started to tremble. It had to be dealt with, and quick. He had no idea what it was, but if Roger had given it to his mum and somehow drugged her, it couldn’t be anything good. He had an overwhelming desire to get it far away from so many people he cared about.
There was only one option. He sprinted toward the exterior wall that encircled the courtyard, unfortunately having to push some people out of his way. Using the momentum from his sprint and all of his arm strength, he hurled the box out into the abyss of the several-hundred-meter drop to the valley below.
Guests turned to see what he was about, and confused mutters spread through the assembly. The present hadn’t even fallen out of view behind the wall when an explosion ripped through the night. Wedding guests screamed in surprise as the courtyard, the walls of the castle, and the ground shook. Bright light flashed, illuminating the night sky and the castle walls.
As the bomb dimmed and dropped out of sight, loud dings sounded against the exterior wall, like shrapnel embedding themselves into the thick barrier. Thankfully, no shrapnel made it past the wall and into the courtyard. The wedding guests and the king were all safe. Roger Pitcher had planned for that bomb to take out a solitary target, King Nolan. But many—possibly the entire wedding party—would’ve been killed or injured.
Chad blinked against the negative image burned onto his retinas and glanced around at the stunned wedding crowd. The piano music had stopped. Livvy’s hands rested on the keys, her posture straight as ever as she stared at him wide-eyed. Everyone else seemed to stare at him too. His mum was in the king’s arms, and she appeared unconscious. As he watched, the king gently lowered her to the ground.
“General!” Chad hollered, and pointed at his mum. “We need a medic. Steffan!”
Steffan and General Ray both ran for his mum and the king.
“Jensen,” Ray called.
“I’ve got it.” Chief Jensen started calling out orders, securing the area and making sure the danger had passed.
Chad got to his mum a moment after Ray and Steffan did. The king and Ray helped position her on her back as Steffan checked her vitals. Chad had never felt so powerless. He kneeled next to his mum’s head, the king straight across from him. He wanted to touch her and assure himself she was alive, but he didn’t want to interfere with Steffan’s assessment.
A crowd gathered around them. He wondered where Hope was, but he had to focus on his mum right now.
“Pulse is weak. Breathing shallow. Drugged?” Steffan glanced up at him.
“I believe so.”
“Let’s load her into the helo and get her to the hospital.”
Chad was very willing to do that. She had to be okay. She had to be. He, Ray, Steffan, and the king lifted her into their arms and shuffled through the courtyard and toward the garage. It was the easiest entrance and exit through the lower part of the castle and straight to his helipad.
He passed Hope and Faith, who were both staring at him.
“Stay with Captain Levi,” he instructed. “He’ll watch over you. All right then?”
Hope nodded. “We’re fine. Take care of your mom.”
“Captain, get them to their suite and watch over them,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
He nodded his appreciation and hurried through the garage door that Derek was holding. His mum was limp in their arms.
Please, Lord, he begged. Please let her live.
Chapter Nine
Hope stared after Chad as he disappeared. Her mind kept replaying watching him run through the crowd, grab that present, and then chuck it into the night air. He’d protected the entire wedding like some kind of superhero.
Chief Jensen, other policemen, and the military were securing the area. They were efficient and respectful. She’d hire them in an instant.
All the guests were in shock and whispering to each other. Some cast glances at her. Did they think she’d instigated the bomb because she was an outsider or were they simply talking about her connection to Chad?
The bride and groom stood together close by. Prince Malik held little Princess Sunny in his left arm, his right around his new bride. They presented a beautiful picture, and Hope realized she wanted that … with Chad. They weren’t royals, but that didn’t matter. It was the love radiating from the little family that touched her heart.
“Our perfect and magical wedding is ruined,” Sunny bemoaned, sniffling.
“No, it isn’t, love,” Prince Malik told her. “It’s been a perfect and magical wedding, until the last twenty minutes.” He winked slyly at his wife. “Chad saved us. All that truly matters is that we are joined together forever, and we get to be together all the time now.”
Princess Sophie cuddled into her husband’s side. Of course she looked upset at this conclusion to her wedding day, but she also looked trusting and so in love. Hope found herself wishing Chad was here and looking at her with love in his eyes.
But that was selfish. He needed to be with his mom. She closed her eyes and prayed desperately that his mom would be okay and that Roger would be caught so he couldn’t hurt anyone else.
Prince Tristan raised his hands, and everybody quieted. “I apologize, but we will forego any more wedding activities. If you’ll please queue for the shuttles, they will take you to your vehicles.”
Chief Jensen held up a hand. “T … I need more time.”
General Raymond stormed out of the garage entrance before the chief could explain. “Nobody is leaving until we find Roger Pitcher. Have a seat and I’ll let you know when you are free to go.”
“Jensen?” he called. The police chief hurried to his side.
“Captain Levi,” General Raymond demanded. “I need you to secure the castle and then help Lieutenant Mason escort my family and any other guests to their rooms.”
“Yes, sir.” He saluted and then turned to them as General Raymond moved on. “Please stay here and I’ll be back for you both.”
Hope and Faith nodded. They walked toward the refreshment area and sank into chairs, watching the family and guests talking or milling about. The royal wedding was definitely over, but Chad had saved the day and everything had been glorious up to that point.
General Raymond and Chief Jensen strode through the party and out the gates, calling instructions to different people as they went. Everyone scrambled to obey.
“Are you all right?” Hope asked her little sister.
“I guess. I’m worried about Chad’s mom. She was so kind, classy, and loving.”
“She was,” Hope agreed.
“No wonder Chad didn’t like her date. The guy tried to blow up the whole wedding.”
Hope nodded. “He must’ve drugged Madeline too.”
They sat there in silence. Hope’s mind was spinning with worries over Madeline and Chad and prayers for Madeline’s recovery. She was impressed by how effectively the general and chief of police organized the guests, questioned, searched, and sent them on their way. She and Faith were questioned but she feared they didn’t have much insight besides Chad’s obvious discomfort with Roger as his mom’s date. General Ray also had guards haul the presents down the hill and she assumed far from the castle. She appreciated that.
After about half an hour, Captain Levi returned and he and a handsome young blond guard, a perfect contrast to the captain’s dark locks, escorted them with the family into the castle and up to their suites. Captain Levi stopped on the fourth floor, looking indecisive.
“Go take care of Hope and Faith,” Prince Tristan instructed. “We’ll wait here for you with Lieutenant Mason.”
“We can wait,” Hope rushed to say, not wanting to be put before royalty. These people were more impressive than any dignitary or president.
“We’re fine.” King Nolan smiled kindly and gestured with his hand. “You get settled. We’ll wait for Captain Levi.”
No wonder his children were so amazing. The king himself was willing to wait after almost being blown apart tonight. It hadn’t escaped her notice how the king had helped carry Chad’s mom to the helicopter. She imagined a king would put himself above others, but this one obviously didn’t.
Captain Levi bowed stiffly to the king and crown prince, then escorted Hope and Faith down the hall. He checked their suite before saying goodnight, his gaze lingering on Faith. “Please lock this door behind me.”
“We will,” Hope said.
“Thank you,” Faith called.
He gave her a brief smile before rushing back down the hall, obviously not wanting to keep the royal family waiting.
Hope locked the door and then mechanically went through the motions of changing into a comfortable tank top and shorts, washing her face, and brushing her teeth. If only she could check on Chad. If only she could do something. She loathed waiting and feeling helpless.
When she walked out of the bathroom, Faith was lying in the middle of the huge bed, still in her dress and heels, staring at the television.
“Faith, you need to get changed.”
“I will. I was just hoping to hear what happened first.” She pointed to the television, which was on a local news station talking about the bombing and the wedding, showing pictures of both.
Her phone rang on the dresser. She ran over and picked it up. Chad. She wanted to cheer, but this was a serious call. “Hello?”
“Hey.” Chad sounded drained, not his usual self at all. She’d never heard him speak so informally. “Mum’s all right.”
“Oh, thank heavens,” she breathed. “I’ve been praying.”
“Thank you. I’ve felt that.”
“Chad?” Faith sat up on the bed. “How’s his mom?”
“She’s okay. She’s going to be okay.”
Faith lay back down. “Oh, thank heavens.”
“Are you all right? Are you in a safe location?” Chad asked, the concern evident in his tone.
“Yes.” How like Chad to be concerned for her. “Captain Levi escorted us up to our suite after they checked the castle, and he checked our suite before he left to help the royal family. We’re all locked in.”
He let out a breath. “Thank you. Knowing you’re safe is of utmost importance to me. Ray and Jensen have the castle secured. You’ll be safe tonight. I’m going to stay here and wait for my mum to wake up, but I’ll come for you in the morning.”
“All right. Do they know what happened to her?”
“Her blood sample was full of Alprazolam. It’s a benzodiazepine used for anxiety and depression. It can cause dizziness, confusion, clumsiness, unsteadiness, life-threatening breathing problems, sedation, and coma. Especially given in high concentrations. We think he must’ve put it in her drink.”
“That’s awful. What do they do to help her?”
“It’s called Flumazenil. They gave it to her intravenously to reverse the effects. She’s breathing much better. All of her vitals are strong, but it’ll be a while before she wakes up.”
“Who’s with you?”
“Steffan. He went in the copter with me and monitored my mum while we flew.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? That must’ve been terrifying.”
“It was.” He paused. “Knowing that you’re safe and Mum will be okay is all that matters. But I won’t rest until we find that scum Roger Pitcher. Apparently he and his son Ramone have both disappeared. Fitting.”
“I’m sorry.”
“We’ll find them, and we’ll end this.” He sounded confident and brave, more like himself.
“That was incredible how you knew to grab that present and chuck it like you were G.I. Joe and Peyton Manning combined.” She was gushing.
Faith popped up on the bed and raised an eyebrow, confirming Hope was indeed gushing.
She didn’t care. Chad was a hero, and his kisses had sealed her as his. He kept promising she was the only woman for him, in the most beautiful words and accent known to mankind. Chad wasn’t her dad. Far from it. He was brave and honorable, and Sophie had said he’d be loyal to Hope. She wanted to trust him and turn to him.
“Inspiration from above for sure,” he said, not sounding overconfident like she liked to tease him about at all. “I just knew if Roger had wanted the present near the king, I had to dispose of it and quick. I’m still stunned it was a bomb. Ray has had men combing through the film from the scanner. There are two presents that look the right match. The one we believe it is contained fancy bottles of vinegar and olive oil. The timer and the device that mixed the chemicals in the bottles must’ve been hidden underneath. The scanner didn’t catch it through the distortion of the liquids.”
“Wow.” She didn’t know what else to say.
“You rest, love.” His voice got low, and his accent deepened. “Imagining you in the castle, praying for me, waiting for me … That is exactly the vision I need tonight.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” she admitted, turning away from Faith’s speculative gaze and walking into the bathroom for some privacy.
“Are you in earnest?” His voice was deep and husky. She wished she could see him, touch him, taste him. Her blood ran hotter.
“I am in earnest.” The words didn’t sound nearly as cultured and inspiring coming from her.
“Hope … soon I will demonstrate to you exactly how an Augustinian major greets his lady love.”
She trembled and clung to the phone, leaning against the marble countertop.
“Your all-encompassing kiss will inspire me, and I won’t need any rest dreaming of you,” Chad continued, his accent stronger than ever. “Selfishly, I find myself craving more of you, beloved Hope. More kissing, more holding, more time with you. A lot more.”
Hope’s stomach flip-flopped. “I could find it in my generous heart to help you out with that,” she said, biting at her lip to keep from squealing happily.
“I’ll plan on it,” he whispered huskily. “Till morning, then.”
“Okay.” She hated to wait that long. She wanted him here. Now.
“Unless Mum wakes up sooner than that,” he added. “I’ll fly to you as quickly as I can. Believe that.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Happiness rushed through her like a shot of adrenaline. How would she sleep now? She’d wait up all night simply hoping Chad was coming for her.
I will demonstrate to you exactly how an Augustinian major greets his lady love.
“I’ll picture you waiting in that dress. Mind-blowing … when I saw you in that dress. An absolute vision.” His voice was low, as if he didn’t want anyone to overhear their intimacy, because it was too special and only for them.
“Come soon,” she begged.
“I fancy the way you think.”
“You just fancy me.” She was being very bold. Fancy meant love in England. What did it mean in Augustine?
“I could never deny that.”
He loved her. She could feel it. She knew it. It was time to tell him why she’d stopped responding to his calls and texts three years ago. Was she ready for his excuses about Bermuda? She had to trust him, or they couldn’t move forward with a relationship and oh, how she wanted to move forward.
“Goodnight,” he said softly.
“Goodnight.”
Hope leaned against the bathroom counter, clutching the phone to her chest. Ahh. He was extraordinary. That he felt so deeply for her and her alone blew her mind.
How had she resisted him for so long? How could she be so lucky to be the one woman Chad Prescott would never give up on, would pursue for years, deepening their friendship, their connection, and now their love?
She frowned. She needed some explanations about the pictures with Bermuda the day after their first weekend together and why he’d dated Sophie exclusively for months when he’d never done the same with Hope. They would talk it all out and everything would make sense. She hoped.
Walking out into the main area, she put her phone on the dresser.
Faith slid off the bed and faced her. “So … are you finally admitting how much you love Chad? Those kisses before the bomb were insane.”
“They were,” Hope agreed. Had the entire wedding party seen those kisses? What about the media?
“Oh.” Faith pointed at the television.
“And the hero of the day, Major Chad Prescott, is still up to his charming, lady-slaying ways,” the newscaster was saying.
Hope whipped around. What about Chad? She put a hand to her lips as she realized what video angle they had. The television showed her and Chad kissing passionately. It did look insane. Better than anything Hollywood could produce. It looked so real. It had been so real. She tingled from head to toe remembering the sensation of kissing him.
“Charming Major Prescott was in lip lock moments before he hurled a ticking bomb like Captain Euro himself to save the entire royal family and numerous friends, dignitaries, and media. Experts are now saying from the footage of the explosion that it could have killed everyone in the courtyard. The entire Augustine royal family and numerous dignitaries, friends, and media were rescued by Major Prescott.”
Hope knew Chad was a hero, but she was fixated on the earlier footage of them kissing. The screen switched to the different camera angles from castle security showing the bomb’s explosion. It looked much worse than her angle as the bomb had exploded below the towering castle courtyard wall.
