Page 7 of Legal Attraction

Running felt good. His taut muscles stretched and pushed against the tension of their situation. His phone lit the way and he raced through the tunnels. Pretty impressive security measures. Though these ancient Mediterranean communities could have built the tunnels to smuggle stolen goods two hundred years ago. They were in good use now.

When he at last reached an open space with stairs and tile and cement he breathed out in relief. Not a person in sight was also good news. He texted Nico, and when he stepped out onto the street, a black car waited for him.

This meeting with clients was far more eventful than he’d expected. And he was no closer to feeling like a part of the firm’s inner circle than when he left. But maybe that would change. A relationship with so many wealthy and high-powered clients would have to do something for him. He just wanted to retire.

Thoughts of his sisters’ family, left alone as a single mom doing her best motivated him to push through thoughts of hoping to quit. Public service, pro bono work, food for the poor all sounded much more interesting than law firm life. But his sister needed the money, and Rand needed to retire early

He dialed Connor Smithson. Who didn’t pick up. Rand almost hung up when he went immediately to voicemail but gritted his teeth for a second and then said, “Hey Connor. I have some updates for you. Not sure if any of today’s mess made the news yet, but there was an incident. Anders and Astra are safe as are our new prince clients. I just left the Palisades and am on my way to meet with them. And looks like I can still see everything signed before I return.” He clicked his phone off.

The car stopped at a large gate but after a brief conversation went through. Trees lined another world. Even the noise lessened. The air smelled sweet. The sky looked bluer. Was that possible? But the palm trees that lined the entrance, the blue flowering bushes underneath and the white stucco buildings everywhere he looked relaxed him. He kept his window down and draped an arm, his hand out to feel the cooler breeze. They approached the main house. Behind it, rows of trees, an orchard of some kind, lined the sloping hill that led to a wide expanse of blue as the ocean spread out in front. Rand whistled. This wasn’t even Nico’s island. Some people lived a life he would never understand. The cost of the gardener alone would pay for three new homes for the children.

He rotated his shoulders, trying to rid himself of the last strains of tension. It wasn’t fair to think of others that way. Rand didn’t know or understand the life of a royal and today alone should have taught him that they needed high levels of security and their own space. Other people could do what they wanted with their own money. Which is what he planned to do.

The car stopped in front of the brilliant white stucco home, and the doors opened.

Long legs, dark hair catching the sun and nicely tanned skin met him on the front walk. Other people stood near Coral, but all he saw was her brilliant smile. He wasn’t sure what he did to deserve that welcome but he was going to hold his breath and not change a thing hoping she’d maybe smile at him like that again. Or at least he didn’t want to ruin things.

“Hello.” He grinned.

Nico stepped forward and then clapped him in a swift bro embrace. “So glad you’re safe.”

A taller man with dark hair who looked like he was related to Nico held out his hand. “Lucan. Head of security for Torren.”

“And my rascally brother.” Nico grinned.

“I understand you stayed back, closed the door so the others could leave undetected?”

Rand started a slow nod. “I was the last one out.” He wasn’t going to be comfortable if they turned this whole thing into some kind of hero recognition…

Coral stepped closer. “The room became compromised as he and I were starting to climb down. He sent me down first and next thing I knew, the trap door shut and the sounds of furniture were being dragged around over my head.” Her eyes were shining but then she straightened and seemed to close off. “There was no other choice really.”

Lucan grunted. “I don’t know about that. But thank you.” He clapped Rand on the back.

Nico held a hand out indicating they move toward the front door. “Let’s step inside. We will do a quick debrief and then I’ve got a meal and karaoke.”

Rand coughed. “Excuse me?”

Coral laughed and linked her arm with his.

“Did he just say karaoke?”

She nodded. “He did. Welcome to the life of a Mediterranean royal.”

“Bombed and then mortified on stage?”

“But fed well.” Her cool hands squeezed his arm for a moment before her fingers lightly held his bicep.

Was he flexing? Not on purpose. Those things just happened on their own when he was near a beautiful woman.

They stepped inside to a large, mostly white interior. Lots of marble, lots of cool lighting. A gentle breeze lifted his hair for a moment. The air smelled sweet.

“Mmm. The Lilacs are in bloom.”

“Is that what that is?”

“And Jasmine.” She breathed deeply.

She seemed to know where they were headed so he followed her lead down a hall and into a conference room. They both took a seat and as soon as the others joined them, the far wall turned into a screen and a whole zoom meeting began with a bunch of heads.

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