Page 83 of Under Arthur’s Protection

“Okay.” When I reached the little dining area, I flipped the phone to speaker and tossed it onto the table. Laptop into the messenger bag. Notebook. Pen.

“Did you turn the stove off?”

Right. Stove. “Doing that now.”

The sauce was bubbling lightly and hadn’t burned, but the pasta was a glob in the boiling water. I shut them both off and returned to the table. I didn’t have much to pack—almost everything I’d brought from New York was still in Champagne.

“You didn’t recognize him, did you?” asked Arthur from the phone. “Even if it was a little voice in the back of your head saying he was familiar?”

“I don’t think so.”

The man hadn’t been the kind who flew under the radar. He’d been attractive, but the lethal quality under it made him stand out. It was the same thing with Lance. I’d seen him at a pub I used to frequent every weekend for a month before I talked to him. He just… he stood out. The same way Arthur stood out.

I tossed my messenger bag over my shoulder and grabbed the sword. I paused for a second, staring at the mess we were leaving for the rental owner to clean up.

That’s where you kissed him.

If I’d focused on the kiss and hadn’t let my brain spiral, we’d still be there.

Or making out on the sofa? Or in bed?

“I’m ten seconds out, Gwen. Come outside and get straight into the car.”

“Okay.” I picked up my phone and headed for the door. I opened it a crack as light swept up the driveway.

The Land Rover pulled in, and Arthur got out. “Gwen?”

I hung up our call and shoved my phone into my bag as I rushed out to meet him.

He didn’t offer me any gentle words. He just opened the door behind the driver’s seat and reached for the sword case. “Get in the passenger seat.”

I handed over the case. “Did you see him?”

“No.” He closed the rear door and waved me around to the other side. “Hurry up.”

“I’m sorry,” I said as I rounded the car. “I don’t know what I⁠—”

The sound of an approaching car caused us both to turn. It was coming fast. Headlights lit the road. A dark sedan swung across the end of the driveway and braked hard, skidding to block our exit. The driver’s door opened, and the man who’d been asking for directions launched himself out.

Arthur stood with one hand on his driver’s door, gaze fixed on the man. “You.”

You? They knew each other?

“I’ve got a whole team searching for you.” The man slowed his approach, flexing his fingers as if he were readying himself. “Imagine my fucking fortune to be the one who found you.”

“Get in the car, Gwen,” said Arthur, not looking away from the man.

“Arthur, who⁠—”

“I said get in the car.” His shoulders squared, his weight shifted forward, and his hands balled into fists.

“Don’t worry, princess, I won’t hurt you.” The man slowed. “The prodigal son, on the other hand?”

“Are you working with them, Rick?” Arthur edged his way down the length of the Land Rover, forcing the man to swing farther out. I was on the far side of the car, but Arthur made sure he was between me and the threat. “Whoever the fuck came after us this afternoon?”

“I need the sword.” Rick closed the distance. “And her research.”

“You’re not getting either,” said Arthur.