Page 6 of Hiding out with a Royal Billionaire

“I thought you were rocking school.”

“I am, and I want my masters degree. But it’s always better to be back here.”

“Will the degree help when it comes time to take over?” She was heir to the throne after her father.

“I think so. I’m learning about international relations. I’m learning about communication and negotiations, leadership. They’re all good things.”

“Well okay then. You can do it. Finish up. You’re gonna be back here with the rest of us scrubs for the rest of your life.”

“I like you scrubs. This is my home. When I’m out here on the water like this, everything makes sense. It’s like I feel myself centering.”

He looked around at the blue green water all around them. He squinted up into the sun, enjoying the deep blue of the sky. “I know exactly what you mean.”

They stood together, bouncing on the water as Brooks’ boat raced across the deep water. For a short time, a school of dolphins joined them, nickering, and Skye laughed. They leapt out in front of the boat and off to the side. A whale spout in the distance surprised her.

“We’ve been seeing whales. Every now and then.”

“That’s good news for the sea. Is it getting cleaner finally?”

“I hope so. The measures we have in place from the Valdez summit are definitely making an improvement, but we need another one. There’s more each country can do. And those that don’t comply.” He frowned. “I’m not sure what to do about them.”

“I know. No one wants a governing body with power here, but maybe we can meet more often, and they will feel the pressure that way.”

“I hope.”

She rubbed her arms. “Let’s go below with the guys. I’m getting cold.”

“And hungry I’d imagine.”

“Now that you mention it, yes! I’m starving.”

They entered the main cabin. Paul and Anthony raised their hands.

Paul stood. “The instruments say we aren’t being followed, or even watched. Everyone’s leaving us alone.”

Brooks was more concerned about not being able to spot people watching them than if he had a handle of who was following. But he smiled. “Great news.” He rubbed his hands together. “Who’s hungry?”

The staff brought in trays of sandwiches and drinks.

Anthony grinned. “This is the best part of working with you Brooks.”

“My food?”

“Yeah, and the way you live. I like the way you live.”

“Well, everyone’s happier with a bit of food in their belly, am I right?”

“Absolutely.” He took a huge bite of the nearest sandwich. “MMM. And this is heaven.”

Brooks and Skye settled down with plates of food. They’d be arriving soon. He met Paul’s gaze and didn’t know what to say about the questioning look he was giving him and Skye. He’d never brought a non-team member to his personal safe house, and of the members of the team, he’d brought few. He wasn’t sure what to tell Skye or what she’d think, but right now, safety came first. Particularly her safety.

3

Skye wasn’t fooled. Brookes was hiding something. She just couldn’t imagine what. But she was willing to let it go for now. She was too excited to dig into the treasure. What else was hiding in that trunk? How much was it worth? Neither she nor Brooks cared much about the monetary worth, though they both were children of rulers who would appreciate the extra assets added to their coffers. There was much they could do for good. But there was a huge historical factor here that fascinated her. This particular trunk could have been the payment for a bride from her own country. The Mosqueda Spanish ruler wanted to marry her great times a bunch grandmother, and he sent money to show his devotion, but it never arrived and the story goes that her father was insulted and she was hurt and then the prince’s boat was captured by pirates and he was killed. So no one ever knew if he had been sincere. And Skye hoped for her ancestor’s sake that this chest held that gold. How would she know? She hoped to find some evidence or something.

“I think we’re getting close.” Brooks’ smile was full of everything she’d always loved about her best friend: adventure, fun, caring.

She went back out on deck. They approached a string of Islands, relatively close to each other. The boat pulled in between the second and third island and circled around the back of a very woodsy, mandrake covered section. What looked like a dormant volcano towered above them. The boat hugged the shore of this one island, and Skye noticed that everyone seemed to know exactly where they were going. This wasn’t a scout out a good spot to lay low for awhile. They were looking for something specific.

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