Page 5 of Legal Attraction

“They aren’t sure the source. Some form of terrorism. But mild. They don’t seem to have the artillery to do much damage.”

A loud boom interrupted Nico’s next sentence. A faint rumble shook the floor. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“Neither do I.” The man at her side put his arm protectively up against the wall so that it fell behind her without touching. “I’ve heard and felt things like that. It came from huge artillery.”

She lifted her eyes to his. Military experience was a comfort. “What is your name?”

“Rand McCarthy.”

“Thanks Rand.”

He nodded then turned to Nico.

“I reluctantly stand corrected. Perhaps we should begin our own evacuation.” He turned to their security detail. Each person there had at least two men, except for Coral and Rand of course.

A member of the Palisades security staff joined them. He held a handkerchief to his head, wiping an obviously bothered face, dripping with sweat. “I don’t have to tell you that an attack such as this is unprecedented.”

As if holding a collective breath all eyes turned to him.

“We have sustained considerable damage. And I regret to inform you that you will no longer be safe here. I’m sending your men the coordinates and instructions on how to escape through underground tunnels and side entrances. I have ordered our own team to evacuate as soon as possible. May God be with us all.”

Coral stared in disbelief. “What has happened? Are we just giving up? Who are they?”

“No one has as yet taken credit for the attack. But they are more equipped and better prepared than anything we expected. But we are pleased that our in-house security measures have worked well and there are no injuries or fatalities.” He wiped his brow again. “But we must hurry.” He held a radio up to his mouth. “Team. Begin Black Hawk protocol.”

The men hurried to the far end of the room, shifted furniture and opened two trap doors. Coral and Rand followed Nico, but he was buffered by his men as were the other princes. Coral knew well how this worked. And she and Rand didn’t have anyone tasked with protecting them. She turned to him.

But before she could say anything he nodded. “We’re on our own.”

“More or less.”

He put an arm around her. “Then I think we should stay close to them.”

They hurried after but were the last to approach the exit.

A crashing sound at the door behind them made everyone move faster. “Will they get through?” Coral was happy to have this stranger’s arm around her.

“I don’t know, but if they do, we aren’t going to make it down the doors and who’s to say they won’t follow right after.” His face was lined and his mouth a firm line. “I don’t like this.”

The sound grew louder. The last of the princes and his detail dropped down below. But Rand turned to her. “Do you trust me?”

She hesitated.

He pointed to the chairs in the corner. “I think we’d be better off hiding there than going down here. Let’s close these doors.”

“Are you insane?”

Another boom sounded at their door and a large cracking sound and the room filled with a cloud of dust.

“Duck! Get down there now!” Rand all but pushed her down the trap door. She stumbled down the ladder, almost sliding to the bottom and looked up.

A large dragging sound and then the trap door shutting followed.

The whole space around her went dark. “Rand!” She whispered. “Rand! Are you here?”

Large stomping steps sounded on the ceiling above her but no shouts. And no gun shots. She held her breath. Did they not see the trap door shut? Where was Rand?

Someone below her tapped her foot. She all but jumped out of her skin. But the hands were signaling that she follow so she moved the rest of the way down the ladder and then Nico’s face came into view.

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