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He saluted General Ray and then rushed around Brad to Arianna. Squatting next to her chair, he took both of her hands in his and looked her over, his blue eyes full of concern. “All right then?”
It was one of the few times he’d greeted her without joking around.
“All rightmight be a stretch.”
“I heard how insanely brave you were. Fighting off the Gifted Genius with yourshoes? You’re the genius, not that scum.”
“I was mostly desperate, but it worked.” Arianna was hyperaware that everyone was watching them, Brad most intensely.
Mason laughed softly, then released her hands and stood between her and Brad, facing the general. “General Raymond, sir.” He saluted again. “I’ve been informed of the details and would like to request to stay by Arianna’s side until the perpetrator is apprehended.”
“Interesting.” The general’s eyebrows lifted. He looked from Mason to Brad to Arianna. He tilted his head to her and asked, “Arianna? Are you in agreement to stay at the castle until the man is caught?”
She grimaced. “Can I get back to you on that?”
He smirked. “No.”
“Surely, with your highly trained royal guards, I could at least make one quick trip to Milan and to the florist shop in Sicily and just a quick jaunt to Paris. Okay, and Rome. And then I promise I’ll behave.” She gave him her sweetest smile, but he only looked sternly at her. “If you could have the caterers come here to meet with me, I swear I could do … most of the other appointments by video chat.”
The general was shaking his head. Mason gazed down at her, but it was Brad’s gaze that caught her attention.
“Please, Ari,” Brad said. “Let us all work together to keep you safe.”
The moment stretched, and she couldn’t look away.
“Pardon me.” Mason’s voice was stiff. “Why is Private Rivera part of this discussion?”
Brad stiffened but said nothing. As a new man in the army, he was ranked lower than any of these men. Would General Ray ask him to leave? Arianna felt a knot of desperation twist inside her. She should want him to leave. It would be hard enough not being able to fly to the florists, the different dress designers, the caterers, the decorators. Did she want the drama of figuring out why Brad had deserted her on top of everything else?
“Arianna asked that Private Rivera stay,” General Ray informed Mason. “He is well-trained and experienced, and he volunteered to stay by her side just as you did.”
Mason stiffened, but he didn’t respond. When had Brad become ‘well-trained and experienced’ in protection or fighting?
“We’ll need both of you,” Lieutenant General Chad said “The question is, can you work together?”
So it wasn’t only her who’d sensed the animosity between the two men.
Brad stood and dipped his head. “Yes, sir.”
Mason glanced over at Brad. Arianna couldn’t see his face clearly, but it was obvious from his bearing that he was annoyed and considered Brad a threat. She and Mason weren’t dating exclusively, and Brad was a friend from years ago, despite how things had ended. But now was hardly the time to explain either of those things to Mason.
“I appreciate Private Rivera’s willingness,” Mason said, “but he is a new recruit, hardly proven, and not even through his training paces.”
General Ray and Lieutenant General Chad exchanged a look. General Ray nodded and Chad said, “Private Rivera has shown exceptional proficiency in marksmanship and hand to hand combat. His background is his to share, but it is impressive and relevant to this assignment. He also has a personal interest which will serve him well on this detail.”
Mason nodded stiffly.
Arianna wondered about this background of Brad’s. She had so many questions for him, but she was distracted by the horror of almost being murdered tonight, the suffocating idea of not leaving the castle, and the terror of the royal wedding flopping.
“Can you work together?” Chad repeated, peering into Mason’s eyes.
“Yes, sir,” Mason responded.
Chad inclined his head to the general.
“Very well. Arianna, we will arrange a suite with a private bedroom for your stay. I will have an officer visit each of your homes and collect any personal items you might need. Lieutenant Henson and Private Rivera will stay with you around the clock. You are not to leave the castle without my permission, and don’t plan on getting my permission.” He gave her another rare smile, even as her stomach dropped. “Chief Jensen is already working with Interpol and the neighboring countries’ police departments to capture the perp. With any luck, you’ll be shopping in Milan before the wedding.”
“You’d better hope so,” she muttered. She understood they wanted her safe, but this was the pinnacle of her career. She adored King Nolan and Madeline; their wedding day had to be perfect.
