Page 54 of Legal Attraction

“How do you feel about road trips?”

Exactly one hourlater they were in his car, bags packed and on their way to Charleston. Luckily Coral was a no fuss kind of woman. She picked up some stuff at the gas station and said she could buy everything else when they got there. They’d thrown their phones away at the same gas station. And planned to buy new ones when they arrived. It was kind of freeing to be off the grid, so to speak.

He'd taken extra precautions to try and shake any would be followers, even pretending to be staying at an Inn and then sneaking back out and leaving. Coral had found that amusing. But now, with roads of emptiness behind them, he was pretty sure they’d left with no one aware, or caring to follow. Plenty of people knew they would be in Charleston though. They didn’t need to know where they were staying.

After about one hour in to their drive, Coral had fallen asleep. Every time he looked at her trusting, peaceful face, he wanted to be more, do more, fill her with safety, assurance. She was beautiful, in the most natural sense of the word. She was strong, intelligent, had goals. She was likely immensely wealthy but he would never know it by spending time with her. She was basically incredible and he didn’t know how he had been so lucky to be in her life.

They drove through the night. Coral woke up after a few hours and took a turn while Rand slept.

As the sun rose up above the ocean, they pulled into their small bed and breakfast. It sat on the water. The owners prided themselves in privacy and seclusion. And it turned out to be the most charming place he’d ever seen.

Coral grinned. “This is incredible. Can we remember this place and come back when we aren’t working or tracking international terrorists?”

“Of course.”

The porch wrapped around the whole of the house. It was a light blue in color with white gables, trim and shutters. A kindly looking woman with a full head of curls opened the door when they approached. “You must be the Wilkersons. Welcome.” She ushered them in. “We have snacks on the table and I can make anything on the menu for you right quick.”

“Oh, thank you.” Coral reached forward and gave the woman a hug. “You’re just the right kind of person I need to see right now.” She wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long night.”

“Oh dearie, have you been driving all night?” The woman patted her back. “I’ll just send up some things to your room. There, there. And call me Abigail.”

“Thank you, Abigail. That would be wonderful.” Coral shook her head. “I think I need some sleep.”

“We both do. Tell me where to put our things and we will gratefully welcome whatever you send up by way of food.”

“And you’re the hungry one.” She laughed. “I’m going to love the two of you. I can tell already. You here for business of pleasure?”

“A little bit of both. Originally business, but who can resist this view?”

The ocean spread out in front of them, the sun further in the sky, the waves calm, the blue of the sky and water meeting in a soft hazy line at the horizon. “I could spend the rest of my life looking at that view.” Rand shielded his eyes from the sun’s growing brightness.

“That’s what I hope to do. You two get settled in. Up the stairs, you have the whole third floor. Bathroom’s yours, small office and the bedroom.”

“It’s just what we need. Thank you again.” Coral nearly stumbled as she took the first step.

The room was quaint. The bed huge, the bathroom clean and updated. The office amazing. The Wi-Fi fast. “I do believe we’ve found the perfect vacation spot.” Rand grinned as he plugged in his laptop.

But Coral was laying in the bed, ace down, and breathing steadily. He lifted the extra blanket, laid it across her middle and closed the blinds.

He would get in touch with Lucan on the secure browser and see if he had any updates. He figured the royals would want to know if Coral was safe and they could get word to her parents.

Lucan answered immediately, a video chat prompt pulling up. His face filled the screen. “Are you with Coral?”

“Yes. She’s asleep in the other room.” He updated Lucan on the events of the last day. He couldn’t believe it had only been one day. Before he finished talking, Nico’s head popped into the screen. “Tell me we didn’t just sign a contract with a law firm who is out to destroy us?” His tone was teasing but his expression serious.

Rand shook his head. “I sure hope not. Coral doesn’t think so. She thinks it’s potentially one of our clients though. We’re here to find out.”

“Her parents want her home. I’m to tell her to take the family jet which they have sent to Virginia and to leave immediately.”

“Could we get that jet here in Charleston? Just in case?”

“I’ll pass that along and be in touch.”

“We’re getting new cell phones today.”

“Excellent and until then, this server is open.”

“Thank you, Lucan. We have meetings with clients all afternoon. We’ll see what we can find out and we will be in touch.

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