The Playboy Prince (19 page)

In silence, Bennett crossed the room to sit across from his father. Though the turmoil was building all too quickly inside, his face was calm. “I’m in love with her.”

“Yes.” Armand sat back. “I was afraid you were.”

“I will not stand still and watch Deboque hurt someone else I love.”

“Bennett, there are times, too many times, when our personal feelings can’t influence our actions.”

“For you.” Bennett’s voice was still calm, but slightly colder. “Perhaps for Alex as well, but not for me. I prefer to kill him myself.”

Armand felt a ripple of fear, a tingle of pride and controlled both. “If you do anything to interfere with the operation at this point, you could be responsible for Hannah’s death, not Deboque’s.”

Pushed to his limit, Bennett leaned forward. “Do you understand, I’m in love with her? If you were in my position, could you do nothing?”

Armand studied his son’s face and remembered the only woman he’d ever loved. “I can only say that I would do whatever was necessary to keep her safe. Even if that meant doing nothing.” He rose and went to his desk. “Read these.” He lifted a small stack of files that carried the stamp of highest security. “These contain background information on Hannah, some of her own reports concerning certain assignments and most recently, her progress with Deboque. I’ll leave you so that you can read them here. They mustn’t leave this room.”

Bennett rose to accept the files. “Where is she now?”

He had hoped the question wouldn’t be asked. “She received a message early this morning. She’s gone to Deboque.”

*   *   *

She had to play this one very carefully. Hannah sat with her hands folded on her lap in the elegant salon of Deboque’s rented villa. Though the meeting was on land this time, she knew if her cover hadn’t held up, she was just as much alone as she had been on the yacht.

If he had a hint of the part she’d played in the events of the evening before, her throat would be slit before she could voice a denial. A risk every agent takes, she reminded herself. To test herself, she lifted the small china
pot on the table in front of her and poured coffee. Her hand was steady.

It was imperative that her mind stay sharp and focused on the assignment.

Every other thought in her mind was of Bennett.

“Lady Hannah.” Deboque walked into the salon then shut the double doors at his back. “How delightful to see you again.”

She added a careful dollop of cream. “The message I received this morning left little option.”

“Ah, I was brusque.” He crossed to her, taking her hand and brushing his lips over it. “My apologies. The events of last night caused me some distress.”

“And me.” She drew her hand away. Instinct told her annoyance was the wisest course. “I find myself wondering if I’ve chosen wisely.”

Deboque chose the seat beside hers, then taking his time, chose a cigarette from a crystal holder. He wore emeralds today. “Meaning?”

“Only months ago, I found myself in the position of having to clean up for another of your employees.” She sipped coffee. It was hot and Turkish. “Last night, another of them nearly ruined every carefully laid step I’ve taken toward the Bissets.”

“May I remind you,
mademoiselle
, you were advised to stay out of the way?”

“I’ll remind you,
monsieur
, that I haven’t reached my current position by not looking toward my own interests. If I hadn’t followed Bennett, you and I might even now be sitting in less agreeable quarters.”

Deboque blew out smoke. “Explain.”

“Bennett was a bit bored with the play and thought to wait in the American actress’s dressing room until the curtain. Because I was aware that there were plans of some sort in the works, I decided it best to keep close. When the lights went out, I had to decide whether to go back or keep Bennett within reach. If I’d gone back,
monsieur
, the prince might indeed be dead.”

“And for that you wish my gratitude?”

“He might be dead,” Hannah repeated, “and a member of your organization would even now be in custody.
Shall I pour you some coffee?”

“Merci.”
He waited patiently while she filled a second cup. At his nod, she added cream.

Hannah sat back again and folded her ringless hands. “MacGee and the guards were already on their way. I spotted your man.” She made a look of disgust. “He was bumbling his way around with a flashlight. I managed to distract Bennett by playing the hysterical female, but the idiot didn’t take the opportunity to make good his escape. The lights came up again. Bennett saw him and his weapon. You should be flattered that since your release the prince has carried a small-caliber pistol with him. He used it, and for personal reasons, I’m grateful he used it well. Dead men can’t name names.” Playing up the role, she rose. “I ask you now, was the man under orders to kill one of the Bissets? Do you or do you not trust me to complete the contract?”

Say it! she ordered silently. Say it out loud, say it plainly so that this can be over.

Smoke curled up in a column toward the ceiling as he tapped the cigarette into an ashtray. “Please, my dear, be calm. The man you speak of may have been told to use initiative, but was never given a specific request. I have confidence in you, of course.”

“We agreed. I would dispose of the Bissets in return for five million dollars.”

He smiled, like a generous uncle. “We agreed that if such a thing were to happen, there would be some compensation.”

“I’m tired of playing games.” As if to prove it, Hannah picked up her bag. “If you won’t speak frankly, if you won’t honor our arrangement, there’s no reason to go on with this.”

“Sit.” The order came sharp and clear as she walked to the door. Hannah stopped, turned, but didn’t walk back. “You forget yourself. No one who works for me leaves until they are dismissed.”

She knew there would be men outside the door, to detain or dispose of her at Deboque’s whim. She gambled that he would respect audacity. “Perhaps it’s best if I find other employment then. I’m not accustomed to being dealt only half the cards.”

“Remember that I hold them. I ask you again, sit.”

This time she obeyed. She let the impatience shimmer, but only enough to let him see her control. “Very
well.”

“Tell me how the Bissets cope this morning.”

“With dignity, of course.” She pretended to be amused. “Bennett’s pleased with himself. Armand is worried. Eve is confined to bed for the day. Gabriella stays with her. MacGee is closeted with Malori—you know the name?”

“Yes.”

“I would guess that they are trying to see what purpose the disturbance last night had. Your man did an excellent job on the main power, though I think the explosive was a bit overstated.” She shrugged as though it had been a hat with one too many feathers. “In any case, they ran on auxiliary for the rest of the evening and have a crew in the Center this morning for repairs. It’s their belief that the power was blown so that the assassin could break his way into the Royal Box.”

“A natural assumption,” Deboque said as he went back to his coffee. And exactly the one he’d hoped for. “Though such a move would have been messy and unstylish. And you, my dear? How do you cope after witnessing a killing?”

“I’ve chosen to be shocked and weakened by the events. But brave, naturally. We British are, you know.”

“I’ve always admired the quality.” He smiled at her again. “I have to congratulate you on the depth of your skill. You look as though you didn’t close your eyes all night.”

It was a mistake to remember, to think even for an instant, of Bennett. “I drank enough coffee to keep me awake until dawn,” she said easily as her stomach tied itself in knots. “At the moment I’m supposedly out for a walk to clear my head.” To take his attention from that, she added the last of what she and Reeve had discussed. “Are you aware that the entire Royal Family will gather at the palace for the Christmas Ball?”

“So is tradition.”

“With Eve being a bit delicate, the Princess Gabriella brings her family to stay for several days during the preparations. The MacGees share a wing with Alexander and Eve so that they can be close to the children.”

“Interesting.”

“And obliging. I’ll require the makings for three plastic explosives.”

Deboque only nodded. “The younger prince doesn’t reside in the same wing.”

“The younger prince will be fatally injured while trying to save the rest of his family. Leave it to me. Just make sure the five million is waiting.” She rose again, then inclined her head as if waiting for his permission to leave. Deboque stood as well, then surprised her by taking both of her hands.

“I had thought that some time after the holiday I would take a long vacation. I have an urge to sail, to be in the sun. Vacations can be very dull without companionship.”

Her stomach turned over. She prayed the revulsion wouldn’t show, even for an instant. “I’ve always been fond of the sun.” She didn’t object when he stepped closer, but smiled. “You have a reputation for discarding women as easily as you collect them.”

“When they bore me.” He cupped a hand around her neck. His fingers were light, smooth, and still made her think of spiders. “I have a feeling you won’t. I’m not attracted to looks, but brains and ambitions. Together, I believe we could be very comfortable.”

If his lips touched hers, she would retch. Knowing it, Hannah tilted her head back just an inch. “Perhaps—after our business is completed.”

The fingers on her neck tightened, then released. The marks they had left wouldn’t fade for several minutes. “You’re a cautious woman, Hannah.”

“Cautious enough to want the five million before I sleep with you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I should get back before I cause any concern.”

“Of course.”

She walked to the door. “I’ll need those supplies by the end of the week.”

“Expect a Christmas present from your aunt in Brighton.”

With a nod, she swung easily through the door.

Deboque took his chair again and decided he’d become quite fond of her. It was a shame she’d have to die.

It was midafternoon before Bennett went to find her. He’d read every word in the files Armand had given him. Though some had fascinated him, some had frightened him and some had angered him, he still wasn’t sure he knew the woman.

Now he, too, was part of the deception, he thought as he made his way up to Eve’s rooms. Nothing he’d read, nothing he’d been told could be confided to his brother. He couldn’t comfort his sister or Eve with the fact that every move Deboque made was being monitored. He had, as he was coming to understand Hannah had, no choice but to play the game through. So he went to find her, knowing it was long past time they talked calmly.

He found Eve and Gabriella together at a table with piles of lists and a pot of tea.

“Bennett.” Gabriella reached a hand out. “Just in time. We need a man’s viewpoint on the Christmas Ball.”

“Make sure there’s plenty of wine.” He bent to kiss both of her cheeks. Though she’d smiled at him, he’d recognized the signs of strain, just as he recognized them in Eve. “Hannah’s not with you?”

“No.” Eve set her pencil down as she lifted her face for Bennett’s kiss. “I told her I wanted her to rest today. Last night . . .” She tightened her fingers on his. “Last night must have been dreadful for her. And you.”

He shrugged, remembering too clearly the way he’d left her—curled into a silent ball on the bed. “It wasn’t a dull evening in any case.”

“Don’t joke, Ben. You could have been killed. All I can think is that it’s the second time in the theater. The second time one of my plays—”

Keeping Eve’s hand in his, he crouched down. “I wasn’t hurt, and I don’t want you letting that fertile imagination go. I’d be very annoyed if my nephew were born with worry lines. Where’s Marissa?”

“Napping.”

He rubbed a thumb under her eyes. “You should do the same.”

Annoyance replaced the strain, as he’d hoped. “Now you sound like Alex.”

“God forbid. Where is he, anyway?”

“Meetings.” She nervously traced her fingers over the papers. “Most of the day. Everything’s been switched to his offices here because of—because security prefers it.”

“Then you should relax.” He covered her hand with his. “You should know by now the Bissets are indestructible. At the least you should be grateful he’s tied up for a while, otherwise he’d be in here hovering over you.”

She managed to smile. “You do have a point.”

Rising, he grinned down at Gabriella. “I suppose we can trust you to keep her in line—though you’re not looking your best, either.”

“Chivalry is never dead with you around.”

“What are brothers for?” He wanted to gather them both close and tell them that nothing and no one would ever hurt them again. Instead, he gave his sister’s hair a tug. “Now I’ll let you two get back to what I’m sure is fascinating work.” He’d gotten no farther than the head of the stairs when Gabriella caught up with him. “Ben.”

He turned, and though he was ready with a smile, her expression stopped it.

Gabriella looked back over her shoulder to be certain they were far enough away from Eve’s office, then laid a hand over his on the banister. “Reeve tells me little about certain matters.” A trace of temper came into her eyes, then was dismissed. “That’s something I have to live with. But particularly since I once lost everything, I have very good instincts when it comes to my family.”

“I know you’re worried,” he began. “All of us are.”

“It’s more than that, though everything comes back to Deboque and his obsession with destroying us. I still have dreams, even after all these years.” She could remember a cabin, and the dark, and the fear.

“Brie.” He laid a hand on her cheek. “Nothing like that is ever going to happen again.”

She closed her fingers lightly over his wrist. “And I remember seeing you shot and bleeding on the terrace
floor. I remember sitting in the hospital while Eve hung between life and death. Deboque.” Her face was very pale, but there was strength in it and in the hand that lay on his. “It’s all been Deboque. And he isn’t finished.”