AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Brad wanted to praise her, kiss her hand, hold her close again. None of which was appropriate for the moment, unfortunately.
“Chief Jensen’s crime scene analysts can determine the man’s DNA from that blood. If we find a match, we might have our Gifted Genius.”
“That is good.” The general never got excited about much. “Arianna, could you identify your attacker?”
“Yes.”
“Unfortunately, without the garden cameras we don’t have a visual on him.”
“He was a server at the ball,” Arianna said. “He handed me a note, asking me to meet in the garden.”
The lieutenant general nodded. “I’ll have my men look back through the ballroom cameras for a server who approached you. If we can’t find him, we’ll have an artist help you render a likeness. Description?”
“Dark hair and eyes. Lean. Thinner and shorter than any of you. About my same height.” She smiled slightly. “With my spike heels on, at least.”
“Perfect.” The general looked her over. “Who did you believe you were meeting in the garden?”
“Mason. Lieutenant Henson.” She blushed and pulled her hand free from Brad’s. The general noticed. Of course he did.
Brad certainly noticed. Lieutenant Henson? Good-looking. Hilarious. Everybody’s friend. His gut tightened. He resisted the urge to scrub at his beard.
General August said nothing but pulled his cell phone out, pushed on a number, and requested, “Please send Lieutenant Henson to my office.” He set the phone on the desk and studied Arianna.
“I don’t think Mason had anything to do with the note.”
“I don’t either.” The general’s brows lifted. “But somehow a serial killer knew how to lure you to the garden. He knew you and Mason were dating.”
“We’re not …” She looked at Brad and then away.
Fabulous. Lieutenant Henson was close friends with Captain Levi Favor. Brad had been pushed to interact with Faith by Princess Kiera. He suspected the young princess had been trying to manipulate Levi with jealousy of Brad going after Faith. Now the woman he was truly interested in, even though he had no more right to go after Arianna than he had Faith or Annabelle, was dating Levi’s best friend. He’d stepped into another jumbled mess with Levi Favor. Big surprise. Maybe his impression to come home and set things right had been skewed, influenced by his longing to see Arianna and how tired he had been of the nonstop battles.
“Arianna,” the general continued. “We have no idea how the Gifted Genius will react to you escaping from him. The other six murders were completed in similar high-profile gardens with no fingerprints on the note or bodies. He may come after you to finish what he started, or he may wisely move on to his next victim.”
Brad wanted to reach for her again as she hugged herself.
“You will stay at the castle with round-the-clock protection until we capture him.” The general’s blue eyes were deadly serious, and nothing about his character or demeanor said anyone should ever mess with him.
Arianna did not get that memo. “General Ray,” she shot back, her voice full of exasperation. “I can’t simply stay here, be guarded night and day. I must shop and meet with decorators, caterers, wedding planners, florists, dress designers, suit tailors … I have an appointment tomorrow with Cartier.” She nodded, as if the name Cartier should convince him.
The general lifted his hands, obviously confused.
“The jeweler! To pick out the tiaras.”
General August still looked nonplussed. Brad had to hide a smile, but it hit him how different Arianna’s world was than his own. A successful day in his world the past eight years was no wounds for his men that required finding a competent doctor and especially no deaths on his side of the battle. Arianna was worried about high-dollar jewelry, dresses, and decorations for one of the most illustrious families in the world.
Arianna shook her head and may have muttered, “Men,” under her breath. “General Ray.” She pinned him with a very serious look. “I am in charge of your father and Madeline’s wedding, theking’swedding, in less than two weeks. The wedding of the century. We’ll have media coverage and esteemed guests to rival Prince Harry and Megan’s wedding. It must be spectacular, every detail has to be perfect. Do you understand? Youcannotput me under lock and guard.”
Everyone stared at her. She was brave in so many ways, but also missing the bigger picture. No man in this room cared about the fanfare of a royal wedding, only the security. The general and lieutenant general cared about the people to be married, their dad and mum respectively, but ‘every detail’ being perfect meant nothing to them.
“You can do your meetings over video conference calls and shop online,” General August said, not unkindly but definitely not bending.
“I cannot,” she protested. “I have to feel the fabric, see the colors and weaves with my own eyes, smell the flowers, compare the diamond patterns in the tiaras, taste the cake.”
“Arianna.” The general studied her. “I apologize that your job will be more difficult, but your safety is my primary concern, and it is only a wedding.”
“Only a wedding?Onlya wedding?” Arianna rose out of her seat and pointed her finger at the general. Brad would be court martialed for less. She was glorious. “It is the wedding of the century. Your distinguished father.” She pointed to him. “And your exquisite mum.” She pointed to Lieutenant General Prescott. “The dignitaries, the celebrities, the news media who will be here … I can’t. Only a wedding.” She sank back into her chair as if he’d decimated her.
General August leaned back in his chair and blew out a breath, looking as worn down as Brad had ever seen him. “You’re right.”
