Page 24 of The Spy

Once her hair was tucked inside, they made their way on the lit and exposed balcony. Going in, when no one knew or expected them was one thing. Exiting when everyone in the area was on high alert, something else entirely.

Barlow stepped up beside her. She could feel his extreme irritation. “Is this what you become when with Lucan?”

She tried to put aside the same concerns that rushed in. But when she stopped to analyze them, the only answer that came was the knowledge that she never would have gone out tonight if not for Lucan. And she was glad she did. But would he have been able to sit at home? She didn’t think so, and she didn’t know if that was okay.

Chapter 14

As he left the hotel room, his eyes searching every shadow, every darker spot someone could be hiding with a gun pointed in their direction, he regretted suggesting he and Anna go out at all. Obviously Barlow and his men were planning something of their own and had things under control. Of course if they would have communicated such a thing to Lucan, he would have been spared the effort.

When they were at last in the security vehicles with known bullet proof glass and a team to the front and behind them, Lucan began to breathe easier. “Anna, I’m sorry. We should have never done that.”

“I felt it too, not a safe place to be tonight. But how were we to know Barlow was planning anything?”

Barlow’s voice came over the intercom. “How were you supposed to know? Forgive me, your highness, but you weren’t to know. It isn’t your job to know.”

Lucan could tell Anna bit her tongue, and he was pleased she did. No need to argue with the man who had your life in his hands.

“My fault, Barlow. We obviously all agreed on the best next move. Just needed a little more planning and coordination on our parts. Thanks for being there.”

He didn’t answer. Possibly switched off the intercom but probably not.

Lucan winked at Anna and reached for her hand, cradling it in his own. That was a kiss to remember. Even with all that could have gone wrong tonight, he was happy, happy it didn’t go wrong, happy Anna was back in his life, and happy they had captured the man who dared burn down his facility. His heart clenched again at the thought.

“What’s wrong?”

He turned circles on her hand. “I’m mostly happy, actually. Just a flash memory of something difficult.”

She nodded. “I get those all the time. I don’t suppose we will ever be rid of some of the stuff we’ve seen.”

“No, I don’t imagine we will.”

Lucan leaned back against the seat behind him, and Anna rested her head on his shoulder. He ached with hurt for the children whose lives were lost or who were again without a home. And he ached that Anna had ever had to witness something as awful as the things he had witnessed. But at the same time it felt comforting to know she understood that part of him.

Happily they had many years of life as monarchs ahead, that is, if she would have him. He hoped she would. She acted like she would. He smiled, thoughts of a proposal running through his mind. He knew what she would most love. He wondered if he could pull it off.

“Would you like to go to Sage and Thad’s wedding?”

He felt her smile on his shoulder.

“Yes, I’d love to. I need something like that, some good news.”

“Good because I think it’s in two weeks, coinciding with The Royal Gala.”

“The Royal Gala. I haven’t been to that in years.”

“Believe me, I know.”

“What, have you attended The Royal Gala, ever in your life?”

“Well, no, but in recent years I knew when you weren’t coming and wished you had chosen to come.”

“You know why I couldn’t have come.”

Her image. He knew she tried to stay away from the cameras, away from the paparazzi or the big stories. “Is that why you pushed me away?”

“This again.” Her sleepy voice made him smile. But he was determined to find out. “I told you not to ask me.”

“Is it?”

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