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“Yes, sir.”
He looked down at her. “You really are a billionaire heiress.”
“And you’re a prince, so don’t act like you’re not used to luxury. I’ve seen photos of your castle.”
“You got me there.”
She did a double take around the room and when she looked back, he could tell something was wrong. Looking around, he couldn’t see anything out of place, but then he realized … there was nothing out of place. Even if the maid service had been through, if she and this Franz had been staying here, there would’ve been a book on the table, a jacket flung over a chair back, snacks on the counter … something personal.
“Can you excuse me for a second, please?”
“Sure.”
She hurried through the living area to a double door that he assumed was her suite. It appeared there were four suites off the main area, a nice kitchen, and even a spa and gym area. It was beautiful, but it felt too empty, too clean.
Hattie let out a cry.
Steffan took off at a run, racing through the main area and into her suite. His mind conjured up everything from an intruder to a spider.
She wasn’t in the main part of the bedroom. He hurried through the bedroom and into the spacious bathroom. He saw her in the attached closet, staring into the open safe.
No intruder or spiders that he could see. What he also couldn’t see … her luggage, clothes in the closet, toiletries in the bathroom, nothing of a personal nature.
She turned to him with wide eyes, pointed into the safe, and choked out, “It’s all gone.”
His own eyes widened. The safe was empty. “Your passport and extra cash?”
She nodded. “And credit cards, my laptop, my driver’s license … Why would he take everything?”
Steffan thought it was pretty obvious why he’d taken the money, credit cards, and laptop, but her driver’s license, passport, toiletries, and clothes? That was hitting below the belt, even for a lowly thief. Which apparently Franz was.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and escorted her out of the closet, through the bathroom, through the suite, and into the huge living area. The fact that she didn’t resist said loads. This was a woman who’d pretended she had amnesia and tried to escape his hospital not long ago. She was feisty and brave and independent.
He settled her on the couch and studied her. “Can I get you some water?”
Her brows rose. “After you get me Franz’s butt on a stick.”
Smiling at her sass, he walked to the kitchen area and pulled two glass water bottles out of the fridge, then paused. “Gas or no gas?” he asked.
“No gas, please.”
He held on to the non-carbonated water he’d chosen and strode back to her, sat by her side, and handed her one. He’d noticed most Americans preferred their water without carbonation, and he did as well.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
She took a drink, then set it on the table in front of her. Scooting back against the cushions, she slid her shoes off and pulled her knees into her chest. She looked young and vulnerable, and he wanted to bring her Franz’s ‘butt on a stick.’ What a scum to take advantage of her like this. Had the man somehow set up even her accident?
She was in a mess. How could he best help her? They needed to contact the police, her credit card companies, and her cell phone company. She probably had an assistant and a financial team. Jensen could help.
“Do you think that loser set up the whole thing? Me crashing on the paraglider? Do you think he meant for me to die?”
She’d gotten there as quick as he had. “I don’t know. It’s possible. He knew what you were worth?”
She pulled a face. “Most people have an idea.” She blew out a breath and clung to her own legs. “I’ve been funding his lazy carcass all through the Alps. He’s been my guide. I can’t believe I trusted him.” She looked back at her suite as if seeing that open, empty safe. “I was careful with the safe. He never even came into that room, so there’s no way he saw me open it. How’d he get in there?”
“If he convinced the front desk that he forgot the code, they might’ve opened it for him.”
“Sheesh! I’m going to have a chat with somebody about that.” She leaned her head back against the cushion, but then her eyes got fierce. “Can I use your phone to report my credit cards stolen and my passport and driver’s license? At least we can shut him down from spending any more.”
