Page 55 of Legal Attraction

“How’s Coral holding up?” Nico’s tone was gentle and also demanding in his own way, as if to say, she better be doing well and he was holding Rand personally responsible.

“She is exhausted. She was scared yesterday. But I think she feels better now that it’s just the two of us. Fewer people in the circle of trust I guess.”

“She’s something special. Well loved by us all.”

“I can see why. She’s something special to me too.”

Coral stepped into the office, her face soft. “You three men talking about me in here? What a bunch of gossips.” She pulled a chair up next to Rand. “Hey it’s my two favorite Valdez brothers.”

“I’m telling everyone you said that.” Nico sat up taller. “Hey, you know your parents want you home. I filled Rand in on the location of the jet.”

“Thank you. I need to stick this one out. We’re in the perfect place to learn some good information. If the client is related to the terrorists, then we need to find out and put a stop to this. Just tell my parents I’m safe. Tell them how great of a bodyguard Rand is. Military trained. Make him sound like he’s this huge buff guy with weapons.”

“Hey now wait a minute, I am a buff guy…with weapons.”

“Perfect. Tell the truth then.” Coral rested a hand on his shoulder. “He really is great guys. I’m in good hands.”

They smiled back at the two of them. And Rand knew he was seeing the rare kind of friendships that became family. He didn’t have any of those in his life so he couldn’t help the tiny ping of longing that nudged him to want to be a part of this royal bond they had.

When they hung up, Coral leaned her head on his shoulder.

“That was the shortest nap of all time.”

“I know. Power nap. We need to get phones, clothes and study up on this client.”

“Spoken like a true attorney. Okay boss. Where should we start?”

ChapterTwenty-One

Hours later, Coral and Rand stood side by side on the docks of a boating club in Charleston. The client had requested the water front meeting. The docks were lined with gorgeous yachts and for a moment, Coral felt right at home. Everything felt so similar to the royal marinas she’d been to for most of her life. They waited at the gate where someone from Monroe Company would meet them.

Movement on the other side of the security gate caught her eye. She turned around to face away. “Rand. Behind me. That’s Muskanza. That’s Juliet Strong, Thomas Handy, and Stefan Santori. I met them at lunch.”

He studied them over her head and then shook his head. “They seem like perfectly friendly normal people to me.”

“That’s what I thought. But our firm was more than clear that they are the problem.”

“But they were hinting that the firm was the problem.”

“Yes, they were. I just don’t see our Goldstein and Smithson being involved in international royal hunting. What would be the motive?”

“Who knows. It’s curious that they are here the same time as we are, the very three you met with, isn’t it?”

“I suppose it is. I don’t want them to see me yet. Maybe you can follow them, see who their contacts are.”

Someone approached behind them. “I think I spy our attorneys.” A cheerful voice belonging to a tall, rotund man approached with a skinny pale woman at his side. She smiled. “How can you tell?”

“They are calculating how much to bill us for their time standing around.”

“Oh no. of course not.” Coral stepped forward and introduced herself. “We are actually standing here hoping to get a tour of a yacht while we are here.”

“It’s true. Coral grew up around boats like these. And I have actually never been on a yacht.”

“Then you’re both in luck. Our meeting is on the largest yacht in our fleet. Just follow me right inside.” She held up a card and the gate unlocked. Then they led them inside on an interior wood dock lined with boat slips on either side. Each spot was filled with tall, beautiful boats most with masts to sail. She smiled. “I love to sail.”

“If you are the same Coral name we see on Yacht magazines associated with the Mediterranean royals, then we understand you are a frequent winner at the Mediterranean Regatta every year.”

Her breathing caught but she forced a relaxed looking smile. “Yes, the one and the same. I do enjoy putting all those princes in their place now and again.”

---