He nodded. “She’s very dangerous right now, especially since she didn’t get what she wanted.”
“What did she want?” Lars interrupted. “She couldn’t have known that Bryn was going to be here.”
“I think she was just shopping,” Bryn answered. “She seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see her.”
“She shops here all the time,” Hannah offered as she handed Bryn a can of Pepsi. “She comes in at least once a week. She has great taste and a good credit card.”
Lars folded his arms. “I doubt she will now with today’s excitement, but if she comes in again, you need to call me immediately.”
Both Lars and Sven stiffened when two cops came around the corner. “Ms. Matsen, we meet again.”
Bryn shook his hand. “Director Coben, nice to see you again.”
He took her statement before he turned to Sven. “Could this be jealous revenge?”
“No.” Sven was certain about that. “She’s the one who broke the engagement, and we were never a good fit anyhow. This was just pure bitchiness.”
“Hannah said that your brother was mentioned.”
He stiffened. “Is there some kind of innuendo in there?” He knew Coben had his doubts about his brother’s loyalty to the crown.
“Not at all. I’m just wondering how Erik would be involved in all this.”
Bryn stepped forward. “I think she mentioned Erik in the sense that I would go missing just as he had. That’s all.”
Sven wanted to kiss her for covering. She didn’t even know the intricacies of the situation, but she still had his back. He hoped it was intentional.
It seemed to satisfy Coben. “Okay, if you think of anything else, give me a call. Otherwise, I’ll keep you advised if we find anything.”
Sven ushered Bryn into a waiting SUV parked behind Treks. Once inside, he cuddled her close. “I was so afraid for you. If anything had happened to you…” His voice trailed off.
She put a finger over his lips to shush him. “Nothing happened. You and Lars arrived right when you needed to. Stop playing what-if.”
Lars slid in beside them. “Now, we need to discuss the issue of an open gate. Our guards know better.”
Sven nodded. “I was thinking about that. Alitta didn’t know about Bryn’s uniqueness, so she wouldn’t have had anyone skulking around the castle.”
“You think you have a mole?” Bryn asked. “Like on all the television shows.”
“I would die for any of my men, but if we have an intruder, we need to find him fast. Lars, can you find anyone who is new? Most of the guards have been with the crown for generations, so if it’s someone trusted, we’re all in trouble within the castle walls.”
Lars let out a sound that sounded like a growl. “I’ll find out. If we have a traitor, he’ll have to deal with me.”
Anger tinged Sven’s words. “Just remember that I ordered extra guards at every gate. The fact that no one was in the gardens suggests that there may be more than one person we should be looking for.”
Once back at the castle, Lars took off to begin his search. Sven led Bryn to his room and shut the door. She threw herself into his arms and kissed him hard.
“I’m so sorry. I did not mean to make you worry or cause any more issues.”
He kissed her until she was quiet. All of the stress of the last hour came out in that kiss until passion replaced the fear. Her eyes were glazed when he pulled away.
“I think you were right earlier.”
He frowned. “About what?”
“I really should move into your quarters.” She leaned up to kiss him again but he stepped back.
“Are you sure?”
