Awkwardness aside, it was the first glimpse of his Meredith since the shooting. “Of course, anything you need.” And he said the last to the nurse as much as to Meredith. “I will be back very shortly?—”
“Would you check on Terry?” Meredith slid to the edge of the bed and sat. He didn’t care for her pallor or shakiness. He cared even less for her request, but clamped down on his jealous response. In all fairness, the man had been injured in their defense and her entreaty wasn’t unreasonable or indicative of anything beyond compassion.
“Of course,” he said, grateful for the ability to add a smoothness to the response he certainly didn’t feel. Unwilling to leave her on such a note, however, he leaned in and brushed his lips to hers. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she slid her arms around him. He fought the urge to crush her to him and kick everyone out of the room.
“Will it take long?” Her whisper was so low, he knew it was meant only for him. The need in her voice eased one of the bruises on his heart.
“As swiftly as I can. Shower,” he told her gently. “Try to eat something and cooperate with the nurse and the doctor.”
She made a face and squinted at him. Her wrinkled nose promised rebellion later, and he accepted the challenge so long as she took care of herself in the meantime. “Yes, sir, but only if you promise to do the same.”
He chuckled, and it dislodged another rock from his heart. “As soon as I return.” Glancing at Vidal, “Would you have them send in a meal?”
A hint of a smile softened the man’s tense face and he inclined his head. “Of course.”
Forcing himself to leave Meredith, Sebastian strode out of the cabin and nodded to the man stationed just outside of it. For the time being, they would maintain heightened levels of security. The increased caution meant neither he nor Meredith would be left unattended. Raking his fingers through his hair, he stripped off his shirt as he walked.
“What have we found out so far?” Sebastian asked, as he traded the garment for a clean shirt from his onboard valet.
“The helicopter was abandoned on one of the channel islands, and Greek authorities are on site. They didn’t have time for a proper cleaning job, so we’re hopeful. The rounds were military grade. We’re lucky the winds were higher and the rotors threw off their aim.” Vidal followed him into the onboard office. “At this time, we’re looking for at least three men. Two witnesses have stated they took a speedboat, most likely headed to one of the larger islands. We’ve dispatched a small detail to see if they can pick up the trail.”
Sebastian shared a look with him. Quietly, oh so quietly, he and Vidal had made a few decisions after the stabbing. Armand insisted on downplaying everything. Instead, he ordered the family to show restraint, but the Belarian general and his people only grew bolder, not less.
“I want one alive. I want to know exactly who is giving the orders.” They needed confirmation.
Vidal inclined his head. “Agreed.” Instead of leaving Sebastian to his privacy, however, his bodyguard hesitated.
“What?”
“Have you considered sending Miss Blake back to the States?”
“I will not send her away.” It was a selfish choice, but their relationship sat at a precarious point—too damned precarious.
“She will need a new bodyguard, and it cannot be me.” Vidal gave him a sanguine look. “My place is with you.”
Resting his knuckles against the desk, Sebastian nodded. “Do you have someone in mind?”
“Yes. It will take me about forty-eight hours to get him here. Until then, your detail will handle both of you.” Vidal stepped back to let a porter enter and set down a tray with coffee and sandwiches. He waited for the man to finish and leave beforecontinuing. “Until then, eat, discuss what you need to with His Highness, and I will escort you back to the stateroom.”
“You’re venturing perilously close to giving me orders, Vidal.” He gave the other man a wry smile. Few would dare to step over the line with him, but he and Vidal had been together since Sebastian’s sixteenth birthday. He was the closest thing to a friend Sebastian allowed himself.
“If one were inclined to instruct a brat prince on his behavior, then perhaps it would be. However, you have been through enough the last few days and you need to settle things with Miss Blake. I can handle security and any other issues…”
“Vidal?” He was going to do something he’d never done.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
Sebastian stared at Vidal’s cool features. He’d been privy to their relationship from the beginning. He’d helped to keep Meredith’s identity a secret, even from the family. “Can she handle it?”
“It’s not my place to answer the question.” Vidal’s answer was not what Sebastian wanted to hear. “However, if one were inclined to give romantic advice, I would suggest being honest with her. She means far more to you than you’ve ever told her. You have made many crucial decisions regarding her without consulting her. If she is to be your partner, perhaps you should allow her to be so. Make your call, sir.”
It was the closest thing to a stamp of approval he was likely to receive and Vidal was right. He and Meredith had a great many things to discuss. Picking up the handset, he dialed Armand’s private number and waited. His brother answered on the first ring.
“Are you safe?” Yes, his autocratic brother cared—oftentimes more than he demonstrated.
“Yes, and unharmed.” Save for the ten years he’d lost when he’d realized what was about to happen and how close he’d cometo losing Meredith. “We are on board and the captain is taking us out to deep water.” They would run under a different flag and adjust accordingly for the time being, avoiding any port waters.
“Send Miss Blake home and stay there until I can make other arrangements. We will cancel the Belarian trip and deal with them another way.”
