Page 31 of Hiding out with a Royal Billionaire

He clicked the television and the words, “Ancient Relic” floated across the screen. The cross they had found filled the space, and the game urged them to choose players. “This is one group.”

“Group? I heard the game has a huge following.”

“Yes, and message boards and things. A few weeks ago, the game started issuing challenges to find the relic in real life. They offered prizes and gave clues about where to find it.”

“Were they accurate?”

“Surprisingly so.” He clicked on a new screen. “We think the guys issuing the challenge are after the gold.” He showed faces of two young men in their twenties. “At least we can’t find any connection between them and a religious or pagan interest in the cross.”

He clicked again. “And here is the other group anxious to get their hands on it.” A picture of the Pope came up on the screen.

Skye laughed. “Well, he seems harmless enough.”

Chase nodded.

“Why don’t we just give it to them?”

“We probably will, or to Lucan, for the cathedral in Spain, but we need to make certain it’s safe to do so.”

“Ah, determine how much of a threat The Green Dragons are?”

“Exactly.”

The more Chase talked, the more open he was, the more Skye wondered why Brooks wouldn’t just explain things. Is this just how the man worked? Did he not trust her? Apparently Chase said she had clearance. With a puff of air she blew the strands of her hair out of her face. This thing was one big mess.

“I’ve lost you.” Chase’s dimple and the loft of his smile told her he didn’t mind.

“Yeah, sorry. I’ve got a lot to think about I guess. Maybe we should call it a night?”

“I’ve got first watch.”

“One of you stays up all night?”

“Standard protocol. So if you need something, want to talk … or anything, I’ll be here.” His face was open, engaging. She couldn’t tell just how much he was offering, but she wasn’t planning to take him up on that. “Thank you. I appreciate you being here.”

“My pleasure.”

She turned, “Good night.”

As she made her way into the living area of the house, she found her room. It too faced the water with full length windows. She tried not to think about how easy it felt like she could plummet to the rocks below. Instead she looked for stars up above. She found a few, not as many as she’d hoped. Then a beacon light shone out over the water. The lighthouse. She’d almost forgotten that they sat on the Cap de Formentor where the lighthouse stood.

She pulled the cross out of the strap that tied it to her thigh and ran her finger up and down the front. The gems were certainly valuable. The gold, obviously worth something substantial as well. She ran a finger over the glass encased bone. Could this artifact really hold the remains of an important figure in the religious world? Of Peter himself? Lucan had alluded to him.

Her phone rang. Unknown number. “Hello?”

“Skye.” His voice sounded tired, worried.

“Brooks?”

“Yeah, it’s me. How are you doing?”

“Good. It’s quiet. You? Is everything okay?” She didn’t know how much he would say. How much he could say.

“I’m fine. The team is ready. A lot of little girls are counting on us tonight.”

She breathed in. then out. This was heavy and important. “You’re the best person for this job. They’re counting on the right guy.”

The quiet between them was heavy with emotion. Neither needed to speak. Then he said, “Thanks.”

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