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She had no idea what to tell Tristan now. They were both pawns in a horrifyingly deadly game. With the deranged and too-smart William Rindlesbacher as the game leader.
She had a role to play, or she’d never see her mum alive again. William had made that very clear when he’d shown up a few days ago at an impoverished village in Mozambique with her mum and his wife Naomi.
William had allowed Jennifer to hug her mum, whose hands were bound, and then he’d smiled like the snake he was as he pulled them apart and sliced her mum’s forearm with a knife. Her mum had cried out and Jennifer had lunged at him. He’d surprised her with his speed and strength, yanking her into his chest, ripping her shirt up, and making a small cut on her abdomen. She’d screamed in surprise and pain.
The villagers had surged forward, but Naomi pulled out a gun and pointed it at the closest child, promising she was a ‘dead aim.’ Jennifer begged her friends to stay back. Thankfully they’d understood, maybe not her English but her hand gestures, and had listened.
As hot blood trickled down to Jennifer’s waist, Naomi explained Jennifer’s role in their ‘plan.’ She must return home to Augustine, speak to no one but her father about this, and await instructions as to her ‘usefulness.’ William then explained if she talked to anyone, most importantly Prince Tristan, or failed to follow his instructions, he’d send her mum home one piece at a time.
He’d shoved Jennifer away and dragged her mum by her bound hands, while escorting Naomi as if she were a queen. Her mum’s gaze begged Jennifer not to listen to him.
‘Don’t do anything he says,’ her mum had called as he’d yanked her away. ‘You can’t trust this scum!’
William had backhanded her. Jennifer had cried out at his mistreatment of her mum, but she hadn’t even reacted. How much abuse had she taken at that monster’s hands? She’d been his captive for two weeks now.
‘If she wants you to live, she’ll comply happily,’ William had snarled.
He had then shoved her mum into the back of a Jeep, loaded his wife in the passenger seat with all the grace of a chivalrous gentleman, saluted Jennifer with a smirk, climbed in, and drove away. The villagers looked at her with dark, sad eyes, obviously having no clue how to help. If only she knew how to help herself. She’d cried bitter tears watching her mum disappear with that depraved couple. Similar to the tears she shed now, mourning what she and Tristan would never have again.
Her father hadn’t been happy to see her. The memory of the horror in his brown eyes still made her gut churn. Yesterday when she arrived, her dad had hugged her fiercely, then started making plans to hide her away again, stewing the entire time about how William could have found her and how to prevent him from finding her again. Her dad hadn’t let her take a phone or anything that could track her, but maybe William had found the original plane tickets or had hired people to search for her.
Jennifer had begged her dad to let her stay and help rescue her mum. She knew he’d do anything to keep both of them safe, and the fear in his eyes told her he’d have to choose between keeping Jennifer or her mum alive. It was a precarious situation, and she had the feeling her father didn’t dare tell the entire truth to anyone, including her. Was he playing both sides? No. Her dad was loyal to the crown and his closest friend, King Nolan. He couldn’t possibly betray the king or have anything to do with the queen’s death. Right?
Staring morosely at the beautiful waterfall for a few more minutes, Jennifer dried her tears, then slowly jogged to her parents’ second home in Greenville. They had a lovely home along the river on the outskirts of Traverse, but her father spent so much time at the castle they’d acquired a beautiful two-story, four-bedroom cottage on the edge of the lake, sheltered by the trees from Greenville village and the castle but still close. Tragically, it was the very lake Tristan’s mum had drowned in.
Pushing the button to open the blinds, she admired the view of the deep blue lake and the lush green mountains framing it. What would she do all afternoon waiting for her father to get home? He’d advised her not to let anyone see her. She’d taken the long route around the lake to avoid the village and then headed up the waterfall trail, needing a run and to be outside amidst Augustine’s beauty.
What were the odds she’d run right into Tristan? If heaven or some other factor was involved, it didn’t seem fair to force them together when they couldn’t be together. Yet, she couldn’t find it in her to regret seeing the love of her life. Having to lie to him irked her. Not being able to hug and kiss and love him bothered her even more. Wondering which gorgeous woman would be on his arm for his brother’s wedding today galled her.
Her father would have to attend Prince Derek and Ellery Monson’s wedding this afternoon. The exclusive invitation was sitting on the entry table. He’d come home from his meetings soon to dress, then leave her again to go to the wedding, dinner, and reception. She’d sit here alone waiting for him, wishing she was with him and with Tristan.
After the wedding, her dad promised he’d be home to figure out how to proceed. It didn’t appear he had any solution, or that he felt he could turn to the royal family as he would’ve previously done. Both terrified her. Her dad had always been a superhero to her, and with King Nolan and Tristan, they could find a solution to any problem.
The royal family were the most loyal and impressive people she’d met on her vast travels around the globe. If Tristan and his twin General Raymond couldn’t conquer William and Naomi Rindlesbacher and rescue her mum, she didn’t know who could. If only she could confide in Tristan, but her dad had said she couldn’t talk to anyone or it could mean her mum’s death sentence.
She shivered.
The doorbell rang. Rushing to the door, Jennifer peeked out the hole and saw no one. She cautiously opened the door. A blank piece of white cardstock lay on the step. She glanced around, but all was quiet, so she picked up the piece of paper and crept out onto the porch, seeing no one through the thick trees. Walking a little farther along the narrow road that led to the village, she peered around the foliage. A few tourists walked in the street by the shops not far away, and beyond that a couple guards were patrolling the barrier to the road that led to the castle. Would those guards have seen someone come up the path to their home? Did she dare ask?
Her father had instructed her to stay hidden in the house. She’d gone running and had run straight into the very man she needed to avoid if she wanted to keep her sanity. Her father would probably get upset if she asked some royal guards if they’d seen someone heading to or from this direction. They’d know this was her dad’s cottage and they’d probably recognize her.
Jennifer eased back up the path and into the house and shut the door, clinging tightly to the thick paper. She flipped it over.
The breath rushed out of her.
There was a picture of her dad, with the evil and picture-perfect Naomi Rindlesbacher holding a pistol to his temple and smiling broadly. Her dad looked miserable and defiant at the same time. His usually impeccable Brioni suit was rumpled and ripped, smudges of dirt marred his face, and blood dripped from a cut on his cheek.
Anger and desperation filled her. Her mum kidnapped, and now her dad as well. What could she possibly do to save them from the likes of the Rindlesbachers?
She forced herself to read the note.
I have your father in my possession now. Insurance, you see. Your job is very simple. Gain Prince Tristan’s trust, but don’t let anyone else see you or know what you’re about. Play your role correctly, unless you want your beloved prince to be the next casualty.
When the time is right, I’ll instruct you further with another note left at the cottage step. Don’t think you can hide in the safety of the castle. I have eyes and ears everywhere.
If you tell anyone what is happening or Prince Tristan discovers your true purpose, I’ll send pieces of your parents until they bleed to death, then one of my men will kill Prince Tristan, and you’ll be left alone to mourn.
Kind regards,
