Page 76 of Palace of Betrayal

“Oh my God, I thought I’d lost you.”

“Never. You’ll never lose me, Bebe, not ever.”

Twenty-Eight

“Mercy, I’m so happy to see you.” Bebe wrapped her friend in her arms before stepping back to get a better look at her. She looked well, happy even. Bebe wondered if it had anything to do with the insanely hot Prince Luca Buccio standing close behind her looking like he might step in and strangle anyone who said a cross word to Mercy.

“I heard what happened. I’m so glad you’re safe. That must have been horrific.”

Bebe glanced at Leo, who moved closer, wrapping his arm around her back, and pulling her close. “It was awful but at least some of the objectives were achieved and we all got out safely if a little banged up.”

Bebe was still miffed that Leo hadn’t told her his mask was leaking, but she figured he’d suffered enough and she’d eventually get over it.

They were meeting with Mercy and her contact Prince Luca here in Proenia to hand over all the information they had, before heading back to Soflye where they’d remain on hand to help out Mercy should she need it. Roz, K, Alex, and Evelyn had gone back to the UK to dig up as much as they could on The Collector now they were sure it was a woman. Releasing poison at the auction was another confirmation for them that it was a female.

Luca eyed her before dipping his head at Leo. “I’ll have people I’ve hand-picked clear the site and go through the evidence.”

“Be careful, Luca. I found that even those closest to you can stab you in the back.”

Luca was a cool customer, with an air of austere reservation and devastatingly handsome. Not as handsome as her man, but Bebe could recognise she was biased.

“I’m aware and will be on my guard.” Luca glanced at Mercy who blushed under his gaze. “There’s too much at stake for me to take any risks.”

Bebe raised her eyes at her friend but didn’t voice her suspicions that there was way more going on here than the investigation. How could she when she’d met and fallen in love with the man of her dreams on this mission?

“Roz and the team, with the help of Brody James, are tracking down whoever stole the program in the first place to see if we can dig up any leads there. Do you have any idea who’s involved in the plot to steal the Blood Ruby from the vault?”

Mercy, who was wearing a black pencil skirt and cream blouse with red stiletto heels and a red belt Bebe knew contained a garrotte, shook her head. “Not yet, but we have a few leads to follow.”

Mercy cast a look at Luca who was watching her, and Bebe could practically feel the sexual tension between the two of them. She just hoped this man didn’t play with her friend’s heart. She’d been through far too much to have her heart put through the wringer.

“Have you heard from Laverne, Lily, or Lorna?” Mercy bit her bottom lip, a sign she was worried.

“No, but Roz has and she says they’re fine.” Bebe motioned toward the vacant space. “Can I talk to you in private a second?”

Mercy nodded and led her a few feet away from the men to the side of an abandoned building. They’d chosen to meet in this disused industrial park over fear of bugs and cameras catching their conversation.

Bebe glanced at Leo who was speaking with Luca, both imposing in their own right. Leo with his green eyes, brown hair, and muscular build had the dangerous air of a warrior. Luca, by contrast, was equally compelling in a refined, dominant way. He had dark hair and blue eyes against his tall, muscular build. He looked exactly like the playboy and powerful businessman he was, and she knew, like Leo, he had a reputation. He might be a prince but if he hurt Mercy, he’d be a dead prince, that was for sure.

“You and Prince León?”

Mercy’s smile was wide as Bebe dragged her gaze away from the two princes. “I know. It was unexpected, to say the least.”

“You look happy.”

“I am. I didn’t know love like this existed in real life.”

Mercy looked away and Bebe followed her gaze toward the man now staring back at her as if he’d burn down the world for her. “I’m happy for you.”

“Looks like Luca has a thing for you.”

Mercy laughed but it was nervous and unsure, her confidence in herself since the attack was obliterated. She’d been a lively, outgoing girl with confidence in abundance but now Mercy Quintrell was a different woman. “What? No. He’s just protective because he feels responsible for this nightmare.”

Bebe disagreed but didn’t say so. Luca was looking at her like a man who wanted to usher her away and keep her safe from the world while ravishing her body. Mercy would need to work this out for herself.

“Is there anything else I should know about this case?”

“We had CIA undercover on our case without our knowledge so watch out for that. Also, expect the unexpected. You’ll need to find a new way to get the third auction to stay on track because there’s no way Roz will send one of us again after what went down.”